New York City is expensive, but it does not have to drain your savings. Start with flights. Newark (EWR) often has lower fares than JFK or LaGuardia, and the AirTrain plus NJ Transit gets you to Manhattan for under $15. Avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays when weekend travelers push prices up.
Accommodation is the biggest expense. Consider hotels in Long Island City, Williamsburg, or Jersey City, which are one subway stop from Manhattan at half the price. Hostels and apartment rentals can bring costs down further. The subway system runs 24/7 and a weekly unlimited MetroCard at $33 is the best deal in the city.
Many of NYC's best attractions are free. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, explore Central Park, visit the 9/11 Memorial, take the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty, and browse galleries in Chelsea. Museums like the Met operate on a suggested donation basis. Time your visit for free museum nights at MoMA (Friday evenings) or the Whitney.
For food, skip tourist traps in Times Square and Midtown. Dollar pizza slices are a genuine New York institution. Chinatown and Jackson Heights in Queens offer incredible meals under $10. Food halls like Urbanspace and Gotham West Market give you variety at reasonable prices. And always tip 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants.