[gstack166]

Started a new thread because i couldn't find one that had my needs.

Basically, i'm looking for information of sites to book a package holiday in New York, for most likely next January, would like a site that includes the hotel.

Any help appreciated.

[athtrasna]

Unless you want to pay over the odds don't consider booking a trip to the US as a package - it is cheaper to do it yourself. Research the city, research hotels -Tripadvisor is a vital tool for both hotel reviews and helpful advice on their NYC forum.

Temperatures in January vary a lot, we were there 2 consecutive Januarys and one year it was 16c and the next year it was -10!

[Bullseye1]

I'd book the hotel and flights myself. What time of year, for how long and what is your budget?

[gstack166]

January we want to go mate, not sure about the price, friends told me be better going just for 4 days be much cheaper. Around 5-7 hundred is what we're hoping but no clue if thats realistic or not or maybe too much. Anyway, we've never been the states before so haven't a clue about booking it, basically just looking for recomendations, or the best way to go about booking a hotel myself seperate to the flights.

[xzanti]

Originally Posted by gstack166

January we want to go mate, not sure about the price, friends told me be better going just for 4 days be much cheaper. Around 5-7 hundred is what we're hoping but no clue if thats realistic or not or maybe too much. Anyway, we've never been the states before so haven't a clue about booking it, basically just looking for recomendations, or the best way to go about booking a hotel myself seperate to the flights.

Not sure about other airlines, but..

If you fly out mid week you can probably get and Aerlingus flight for around the 500 mark.. each.. maybe less if you wait until they have a sale on..

If you have a credit card handy and are ready to pay up front, then you can go onto the likes of www.hotwire.com and get something in the city at a fairly reasonable rate.. just make sure you select the 'low to high' option on the rates drop down list..

If you are planning to book on a Hotel website and pay on arrival, then it will be a good bit more expensive.. I'd say on your budget you'll be looking at a Motel out in New Jersey tbh..

You have to go onto www.esta.com before you go and book your Holiday Visa, this will cost you around 14 dollars.. I usually do this about a week before I travel, just in case there are any problems.

Word of advice, bring with you the credit card on which you have booked the Hotel as you will be asked for it when you go to check in.

[Tazium]

http://www.touramerica.ie is a good place to start. Flights and Hotel. I've used them before myself. Just a customer not affiliated in any other way.

[athtrasna]

Originally Posted by xzanti

Not sure about other airlines, but..

If you fly out mid week you can probably get and Aerlingus flight for around the 500 mark.. each.. maybe less if you wait until they have a sale on..

If you have a credit card handy and are ready to pay up front, then you can go onto the likes of www.hotwire.com and get something in the city at a fairly reasonable rate.. just make sure you select the 'low to high' option on the rates drop down list..

On these two points - in January you should be able to get your flights for under €500 provided you're not flying on a Friday or a Sunday. For NYC you can also consider Delta, Continental & US Airways (though these are merging with American Airlines so not sure what's going to happen to their schedule). Watch out for sales for winter dates in late autumn.

I am a big hotwire fan BUT booking at this stage would be crazy. The hotels use hotwire to dump excess rooms, they are not going to have bargain prices 10 months in advance. Around six weeks ahead is when you get the best prices IME. I normally make a cancellable reservation on booking.com (at a rate I am happy to pay if it comes to it) and then watch hotwire as the dates get closer.

[xzanti]

Have a look at www.goldstar.com for half price excursions and Broadway Musicals etc.. you have to sign up to avail of course

[coylemj]

Originally Posted by xzanti

You have to go onto www.esta.com before you go and book your Holiday Visa, this will cost you around 14 dollars.. I usually do this about a week before I travel, just in case there are any problems.

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is indeed the pre travel authorisation for travel to the US but that's not the website, this is it....

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

OP, make sure that you don't fall for the scammers who offer this as a 'service' from other websites, you do it direct with the US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) at the above website and it costs about 14 dollars, have your passport and credit card ready.

[ncmc]

As the other posters have said, I would avoid booking through a travel agent, you are paying a premium for having someone do for you what you can very easily do yourself. €500-700 each would be doable for four nights, January-March is the cheapest time to go to New York because it is normally very cold, so you should get flights for less than €500 each and a hotel for €100 per night (presuming you are sharing a room here).

For flights, check out prices on www.skyscanner.com for www.kayak.com both these sites will check all the airlines for the best price. Don’t feel you have to stick with Aer Lingus, Continental, Delta and US Air can sometimes have really good prices. It’s probably a little early to get the best flight prices, I find 6 months out is the best time to book, but keep checking, you may hit on a bargain.

It is definitely a little early to book a hotel, the best deals aren’t announced until a couple of months in advance. Trip Advisor is your friend here, there are some awful sh*t hole hotels in New York, so check out hotels here before you book:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-...rk-Hotels.html

Travelzoo is good for off peak season bargains, but it is too soon for those, you can sign up for their news letter and weekly deals sent to your inbox.

http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/new-york/

If you are nervous about leaving your hotel booking til the last minute, you could book something that can be cancelled now and then cancel if something cheaper comes up.

www.booking.com is a great site – most of their hotels require no deposit and can be cancelled, but just check the terms of booking before you book.

If you could stretch the budget a bit, I’d be inclined to maybe spend an extra night or two, four days is a bit short for a first time in NYC, it’s a huge city with loads to see and by the time you lose the first day travelling, 4 nights would only leave you with 3 days. For the sake of paying an extra bit on hotels, I’d be tempted to stay at least 5/6 nights.

[Cuchulainn1.]

Tour America do packages which are advertised in the Sunday World for around the 700 mark for 4 nights.
Availed of one myself in December 2010 as it was cheaper than flights alone at the time.

[xzanti]

Originally Posted by ncmc

If you could stretch the budget a bit, I’d be inclined to maybe spend an extra night or two, four days is a bit short for a first time in NYC, it’s a huge city with loads to see and by the time you lose the first day travelling, 4 nights would only leave you with 3 days. For the sake of paying an extra bit on hotels, I’d be tempted to stay at least 5/6 nights.

+1 for this, my first trip to NY was in 2009 and we only stayed 3 nights, I was so jet lagged for the first day or 2 so by the time I started to feel 'normal' again, it was nearly time to go home.. and it is a HUGE city.

[InTheTrees]

Fly into Newark Airport. Its a 15 minute shuttle ride from Times Square. Much closer (and easier) than JFK.

[coylemj]

Originally Posted by InTheTrees

Fly into Newark Airport. Its a 15 minute shuttle ride from Times Square. Much closer (and easier) than JFK.

From Times Square to Newark Airport is 15 miles and 30 minutes according to Google Maps

JFK is 17 miles and also 30 minutes.

[coylemj]

Originally Posted by ncmc

If you are nervous about leaving your hotel booking til the last minute, you could book something that can be cancelled now and then cancel if something cheaper comes up.

+1 A lot of NYC tourist hotels offer 'special' deals which involve payment upfront with no option for amendment or cancellation. I'd avoid these and if you're booking your own hotel, only book a hotel that has a flexible cancellation policy. In most cases this means that you can cancel with no penalty up to 48 hours before your scheduled arrival.

Of course at certain times of the year hotels will be more aggressive because they are guaranteed full occupancy so they will demand payment upfront but don't forget, there's a recession on so don't fall for the hard sell!

Originally Posted by ncmc

If you could stretch the budget a bit, I’d be inclined to maybe spend an extra night or two, four days is a bit short for a first time in NYC, it’s a huge city with loads to see and by the time you lose the first day travelling, 4 nights would only leave you with 3 days. For the sake of paying an extra bit on hotels, I’d be tempted to stay at least 5/6 nights.

Depends totally on your stamina. For starters, you don't lose any time travelling out, in fact you gain time because you leave Dublin in the morning and arrive in NYC at lunchtime despite spending 7 hours on the plane - you gain 5 hours by flying east.

If you're knackered after the hassle of getting there, you can forget about spending four nights or more in NYC, three nights will be plenty on your first trip!