How to make the most of the Big Apple on a budget

It may have some of the world’s most expensive hotels and restaurants but there are cheaper ways to enjoy New York City. Try these insider tips

GETTING THERE

A search on skyscanner.net for flights mid-April shows Qatar Airlines to be the cheapest option, with return fares around R10,000 (with one stop in Doha). SAA will fly you direct for around R12,000 or you can fly Delta, with a stop in Atlanta, for around R14,000.

As for getting to the city from the airport, private bus services are fast and cheap. See nycairporter.com ($18 from JFK).

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HOTELS

Winter is the cheapest time to visit NYC. As the temperature rises, so do the prices but spring is still a good time to go. Some of the more interesting "budget" options include:

World Center Hotel

The first hotel to open at Ground Zero, this 421-room glass and steel tower in Tribeca overlooks the reflecting pools of the 9/11 memorial.

• Doubles from $269 per night. Visit worldcenterhotel.com

Hilton Fashion District

• Doubles from $175. Visit hilton.com

The Jane

Survivors of the Titanic stayed here while awaiting the inquest in 1912. It's kept the historic look but added bohemian décor.

• Doubles $135. Visit thejanenyc.com

FREE THINGS TO DO

A stroll around Central Park or Times Square and a photo on Brooklyn Bridge cost nothing - but some of New York's great museums and galleries also offer free entry either every day or at certain times.

American Museum of Natural History

On the west side of Central Park, this epic museum is a wonder of the natural universe. Halls dedicated to birds, reptiles, ocean mammals - and Earth's many different biospheres - come alive in amazing displays.

• Open daily, 10am-5.45pm. Visit amnh.org

Grand Central Terminal

The sprawling beaux arts masterpiece, built in 1913, is more than a train station. The marble-floored main concourse, set under a 38m-high ceiling painted with a Mediterranean night-sky mural is a destination in itself, and the four-faced brass and opal Grand Central clock is an iconic meeting point.

• Open daily, 5.30am-1.30am. Visit grandcentralterminal.com

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9/11 memorial

The 540m-high One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the western hemisphere. On ground level, the 9/11 memorial consists of two giant reflecting pools and a wall inscribed with the names of those who died in the attacks.

• Daily, 10am-6pm. Visit 911memorial.org

Museum of Modern Art

The glassy Midtown building houses one of the most influential collections of modern art in the world, including works by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Magritte, Picasso, Pollock and Warhol.

• Free entry on Fri 4pm-8pm. Visit moma.org

Metropolitan Museum of Art

"The Met" features Greek, Roman, African, Egyptian and Byzantine galleries, as well as modern American art, paintings by old masters and sculpture. The "suggested" admission fee is $25, but you can offer as little as you wish or, as the museum puts it, as much as you are able to give.

• Sun-Thurs, 10am-5.30pm; Fri, Sat, 10am-9pm. Visit metmuseum.org

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The Cloisters

This museum houses The Met's Medieval collection: over 5,000 pieces, including tapestries, statues and stained glass. Same admission price policy as the Met.

• Daily 10am-5.15pm. Visit metmuseum.org

EAT OUT FOR LESS

Areas popular with students and the hip, young crowd - the Lower East Side, East Village and Chinatown - have lots of good-value places to eat. Lunch specials and happy-hour menus are common, so consider having your main meal earlier in the day and look out for "buy one get one free" drinks deals.

Ferdinando's Focacceria

This 1904 bare-brick hole in the wall serves small Sicilian plates, such as vastedda sandwich and pasta with sardines.

• 151 Union St, Brooklyn. Small plates from $4.50.

Grand Central Oyster Bar

The highlight of the food halls at Grand Central Terminal. Join commuters at the long bar and order oysters and mussels fresh from across the US.

• Mains from $11.95, oyster dishes $8 in happy hour. Visit oysterbarny.com

Lucali

This pizza joint has a queue outside the second it opens. The thin, crispy-crust pies are made with a homemade tomato base, melting mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves.

• Pizza from $24. Visit lucali.com

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JG Melon

This bar and burger joint's tin-pressed ceiling, wood counter and veteran staff are part of the rustic charm - and its bacon cheeseburger is one of the juiciest in town.

• Burgers from $11.25. Visit jgmelonnyc.com

Katz's Delicatessen

Of the few remaining Jewish delis in the Lower East Side, Katz's is the best to order pickles, knackwurst, salami and beef brisket.

• Pastrami hot sandwich $19.95. Visit katzsdelicatessen.com

Abraco Espresso

Perfectly poured espressos and superb baked goods.

• Latte costs $4. Visit abraconyc.com

Sripraphai

Easily the best Thai restaurant in the city.

• Noodles from $10.50. Visit sripraphairestaurant.com

PJ Clarke's

This classic Midtown East tavern has been going since 1884. It has a small dining room at the back with tables with red and white checked tablecloths, but the action is on the street-facing front room with its tall windows and raw bar. Sit at the counter and order a dozen oysters followed by the cheeseburger.

• Beer costs $7. Visit pjclarkes.com

Pok Pok NY

The tiny interior and back garden recalls a beachfront food stall in Phuket. Dishes are served street-style in plastic bowls or metal plates, but you can also get crafted cocktails.

• Dishes from $16. Visit pokpokny.com

Burger Joint NY

This vinyl booth hole-in-the-wall serves arguably the greatest cheeseburger in the city. A throwback to old New York - and crucially, with prices to match.

• Burgers from $8.95. Visit burgerjointny.com

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CASH-SAVING SECRETS

• Large department stores (Macy's, Bloomingdale's) offer an international visitor discount - show your passport at customer services before shopping for a minimum 10% off ticketed items.

• Hop on the Staten Island Ferry for an alternative river cruise. The five-mile trip takes you past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - for free.

• You can buy a seven-day unlimited ticket for the subway for $30 - well worth getting if you are in the city for five days or more.

• Sales tax is 8.875% and is not usually quoted on menus and price tags - so be prepared. - The Sunday Telegraph