This is part one in a series of three guest posts written by Amelia Germain. Amelia was a classmate of ours at Michigan State University and a fellow Spartan Marching Band member. She is currently a senior at MSU and has visited New York City several times during her college years. Follow more of her adventures on Twitter (@ameliagermain).
Paying a visit to The Concrete Jungle on a student budget..there really IS nothing you can’t do.
“What are you doing this weekend?”
“I’m actually going to New York City for the weekend with my roommate!”
“I am SO jealous! I wish I could afford that..”
YOU CAN! I’ve been to New York City 4 times since my sophomore year of college. I don’t have a high-paying job; in fact, I have credit card debt and monthly bills to pay. I figure, I’m young, I won’t be able to take trips like this after undergrad, and I love traveling and experiencing the cultures of other cities, states, countries and continents.
Want to know how I do it? You have to give a little to get a little, but I’ve had some of the best experiences of my life during my weekend trips to NYC on a student budget. There’s a lot to think about in terms of transportation, lodging, food and the ‘to-do’ list, but in the words of Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, there’s nothing you can’t do, especially in the Big Apple.
Reservations
Flights
What people think is the most expensive part of a trip can really be one of the cheapest if you’re smart about it: airfare. I go to school at Michigan State University, so the Detroit Metro Airport is in an accessible location for me to fly out of. I fly Spirit Air from DTW to LaGuardia (LGA) in New York using the $9 Fare Club. This is a great offer from Spirit that allows you to receive e-mails about flights for fares as low as $9, no gimmicks. You can sign up for a free trial membership for 60 days, and if you want to continue your membership, you can sign up for around $50 per year. It’s a great deal and pays for itself in the end. They also offer great credit card deals and promotions that you can sign up for allowing you access to free flights. When traveling on a budget, free is always good. My roommate and I flew round trip DTW to LGA from a Friday morning to a Sunday afternoon for a total of $120…that’s $60 per person.
Tip: Spirit is a cheap option, but it’s smart to book your flights early. Also, be careful with the carry-on and bag-checking procedures/fees online because the airline will charge you for checking bags and/or having several carry-ons. Much like most airlines, extra baggage costs a bit extra these days. To be honest, a weekend trip to the city can fit in one carry-on, overhead suitcase. Save your money and pack lightly!
Lodging
While traveling, I’ve never been accustomed to staying in a glamorous hotel. My roommate and I found a great youth hostel in the Upper West side of Manhattan that’s convenient, affordable, clean, and safe and the staff is accommodating for all of the guests. It’s called the Broadway Hotel and Hostel and it can be found at the corner of Broadway and 101st St. The rates vary depending on the length of your stay and whether or not you stay in a room with several people or if you choose to have a private room. I’ve stayed in a room with 8 people (all from different countries) and I’ve also stayed in a private room with two twin beds.
A sample photo of a private room for two at the hostel. Ours was a bit more drab, but had a sink and a nice view of 101st St.
One thing you have to consider when you’re thinking about a place to stay is that you’re really only there to sleep. If you keep that in mind, you’re likely to look past the less-glamorous qualities of a youth hostel. This particular one usually requires an upfront payment, which used to only be accepted in cash, but I believe they now accept credit cards. There is a key deposit for $5 that is returned upon check-out. Bathrooms are ‘community’ but shower, toilet and sink are in an individual bathroom that is cleaned daily. They also offer luggage storage, internet access, city information, and there’s also a great lounge to sit in that allows you to mingle with other city visitors.
Tip: book your stay relatively early, especially if you’re traveling during the summer months. The cheap rates and popularity make the rooms sell out quickly!
Transportation
To the Airport
Getting to the airport to start your travel day along with parking can be a bit of a hassle, but if you’re interested in a place to park for cheap in Detroit with a free shuttle, I’ve had nothing but success with US Park. It costs $10 per day to leave your vehicle in a secure lot and they even have great coupons for a buy one get one free day of parking! Have a few dollars on hand to tip the driver and don’t lose your lot number reference ticket and they take you straight to the terminal and pick you up when you arrive–great service.
To the City
$2.25?! SUCH a steal.
Now, the fun part: getting to the city! When your flight arrives at LGA or whichever airport you fly into, there’s bus service that goes through Manhattan that is 97% cheaper than taking a taxi, which could cost as much as $45 before the tip! From LGA to the Broadway Hotel and Hostel, I suggest that you take the M 60 Bus. The 30-45 minute trip costs just $2.25 per person and tickets may be purchased inside the airport at the ticketing machine or with exact change upon entry to the bus. Once the bus gets into the city limits, be on the lookout for 113th street, where you’ll request your stop and walk about 12 blocks. If you’re unsure of where to get off, giving the hostel address to the bus driver isn’t a bad idea because he can tell you the best location to get off. If you’re lucky, your transit authority employees will be very helpful, as they know you’re a tourist.
There’s a lot of information on NYC transit that you can read up on so that you’re pretty much an MTA pro by the time you return home. Buses and Subways are great ways to get around the city, so utilize them if the distance you’re traveling is too far to walk. Tip: from the Broadway Hotel and Hostel, get on the Subway 96th street going Downtown. The Redline No. 3 is an express train that will get you to Times Square at 42nd St fairly quickly. The No. 1 train is a local Redline train that also goes Downtown, but may take longer due to more frequent stops.
Tip: Metro cards can be purchased down stairs at any Subway station by inserting cash or dipping a Debit/Credit card.
Tip: Taking a cab is another option for city transport if it’s a longer traveling distance or if taking a cab is more realistic due to inclement weather. Never mention the word ‘hostel’ to your cab driver. It screams ‘tourist’ and you will run the risk of being haggled by your driver.
Corner
Kristen
