The 7 Best Budget-Friendly Hotels in New York City

New York City is arguably the most famous city in the world. Situated on the eastern coast of the United States, this city is home to more billionaires than anywhere else in the world and is also the United States’ most densely populated city. It is a tourism hotspot for visitors from all over the world and is home to hundreds of hotels. 

Finding a budget-friendly hotel in New York City can be tricky, so here at Enjoy Travel, we have compiled this article to help you find the best value hotels in the Big Apple.

Here are the Best Budget-Friendly Hotels in New York City

1. LY New York Hotel

Cost per night: Prices start from $97 per night.

Found in the Queens district of New York City, this hotel is one of the most budget-friendly hotels in the state. While it’s around a 7-mile drive to the city centre, the hotel has many amenities which make it an attractive option for when you visit New York City.

The hotel includes free WiFi, including WiFi in the lobby and in individual guest rooms. There is also free parking at the hotel, ideal if you have hired a car in New York, or plan on driving while you’re there. And with it being a little bit further out, you can expect the nights to be much quieter.

Furthermore, the hotel also has a business centre, and dedicated conference rooms, making it an ideal choice for guests travelling or visiting NYC for work. There is also a gym onsite, which can be used free of charge by guests at the hotel.

2. Pod Times Square

Cost per night: Prices start from $100 per night.

You might be surprised to find budget-friendly hotels right in the heart of New York City, let alone to find one in Times Square: it doesn’t get much more central than that! Yet, at Pod Times Square you have everything you need. Compact, small rooms – perfect for solo travellers, but more than suitable for couples, too, Pod Times Square does what it says on the tin: there’s a bed and an en-suite bathroom in each room (or pod).

While they might be too compact for some, for those who simply want somewhere to rest their head for a few hours every night, Pod Times Square is an ideal choice. The other benefit of course is that it is so central – guests need not worry about spending a fortune on commuting into the city centre, as they are already there.

3. Radio Hotel

Cost per night: Prices start from $100 per night.

Located just 6.8 miles outside of the city centre, Radio Hotel is another budget-friendly option when visiting New York City.

While the location may put some guests off, do not be fooled – it is right next to a subway station, meaning that you can get from your hotel room to Times Square in less than half an hour. There are also plenty of other subway stops en route – so you can visit key New York landmarks such as the Empire State Building and Central Park well before arriving at Times Square.

This makes Radio Hotel an attractive option – not only is it budget-friendly, but there are lots of things to do nearby, as well as the fact that it has a subway station almost right next to the hotel itself, offering easy transport links into and out of the city centre.

The fitness centre in Radio Hotel is open 24/7, so you can schedule your workouts around your day, rather than the other way around – and with all rooms offering complimentary WiFi and smart TVs, there are few budget-friendly hotels which can compete with Radio Hotel.

4. Hotel 32 32

Cost per night: Prices start from $91 per night.

Another hidden gem amongst the bright lights and skyscrapers of Manhattan, Hotel 32 32 is a budget-friendly hotel right in the heart of New York City. Located just a 5-minute walk from the Empire State Building, this really is a needle in a haystack when it comes to finding a budget-friendly hotel in New York City, and especially in Manhattan – regarded as one of the most expensive districts to live in the world.

Even more famous New York City landmarks are all within walking distance, such as Times Square (a 20-minute walk) and Central Park (a 35-minute walk). Even for those who may have accessibility issues, there is a range of public transport nearby, such as buses, taxis and 33rd Street Subway Station, just a two-minute walk away from the hotel. Fifth Avenue is only a block away, for those who wish to go shopping or simply browse the range of high-end shops that Fifth Avenue is so famed for.

Hotel 32 32 is also a boutique hotel, and it’s rare enough to find boutique and budget hotels going hand-in-hand, especially so in New York City, making this one of the city’s best-hidden gems.

5. 31 Street Broadway Hotel

Cost per night: Prices start from $50 per night.

If you’re searching for a budget hotel right in the heart of New York City, on West 31st Street, you may just have found the most budget-friendly of the lot. With rooms ranging from double rooms, ideal for solo travellers and couples, to rooms with multiple bunk beds for travelling groups, 31 Street Broadway Hotel offers some of the best-value accommodations in the city.

And aside from the value of the hotel which makes it an attractive option, you’re based directly in the city centre – a five-minute walk from the Empire State Building and Fifth Avenue, and less than half an hour’s walk away from Central Park make this hotel an ideal place to stay when visiting New York City on a budget.

Furthermore, there are two main subway stations (Broadway on 28th Street and Herald Square on 34th Street) just a four-minute walk away from the hotel, helping to keep you connected to the rest of New York without the worry of driving around central NYC.

6. Bowery Grand Hotel

Cost per night: Prices start from $68 per night.

For guests who are travelling on a budget and want to see the multicultural side of New York City, a stay at the Bowery Grand Hotel is a must.

Found in New York’s Lower East Side, and just a seven-minute walk to New York City’s famous Chinatown, and even closer (a three-minute walk) to Little Italy, this hotel is a perfect place to stay in for foodies, as well as those who want to see the multicultural side of NYC.

It is also only a 20-minute walk from the hotel to the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge, as well as numerous other famous New York City locations, such as Ground Zero, the 9/11 Memorial Museum (30-minute walk), and has easy subway access to places such as the Empire State Building (15 minutes away), Wall Street (12 minutes away) and Central Park (25 minutes away).

All in all, The Bowery Grand Hotel is in a suitable location for tourists travelling to New York, as well as having the additional benefit of offering budget-friendly rooms. 

7. The Park Ave North

Cost per night: Prices start from $96 per night.

Found in the Harlem district of New York City, The Park Ave North can be found in a beautifully renovated building that dates back to the 19th century. However, the rooms themselves are newly designed and have a modern feel to them, making this hotel feel brand new, despite the old building that it was constructed in.

Park Avenue, unsurprisingly, is just around the corner, and the many nearby subway stations make it easy to reach Manhattan within 10-15 minutes of commuting, which makes this hotel a wonderful location.

Of course, Harlem is home to a hugely diverse and rich history and is worth exploring when visiting New York City – the famous Marcus Garvey Park and the National Jazz Museum are both less than a 10-minute walk away from The Park Ave North hotel.