New York City doesn't need an introduction. The five boroughs of the Big Apple have inspired more songs, films, books and dreams than perhaps any other city on earth. For many travellers, the long journey is significant but absolutely worth it — because New York genuinely delivers everything it promises, and then some. One trip is never enough.
Top highlights
✓Central Park — 843 acres of urban paradise
✓Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO neighbourhood
✓Top of the Rock or One World Observatory
✓High Line elevated park walkway
✓Museum Mile — Met, Guggenheim, MoMA
✓Broadway show — the world's best live theatre
Best time to visit
Autumn — best season
Sep–Nov
Fall foliage, comfortable weather, Thanksgiving parade, fashion week
Spring — excellent
Apr–Jun
Blooming parks, warming weather, outdoor events return
Winter
Dec–Feb
Christmas magic, ice skating, cheaper hotels, potential snow
Sample flight routes
Prices last checked: July 2026 — see live prices in the planner below for current rates
Qantas
Melbourne via Los Angeles · ~21h
from AUD $1,600 return
United Airlines
Melbourne via San Francisco · ~22h
from AUD $1,500 return
Air New Zealand
Melbourne via Auckland · ~22h
from AUD $1,400 return
💡 Prices are indicative and vary by season and booking time. Use our planner to find live prices for your specific dates.
Where to stay
Midtown Manhattan
Times Square, Broadway, Central Park — classic NYC tourist experience
Downtown/Lower Manhattan
Brooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street — history and finance
Brooklyn
Trendy, cheaper, incredible food scene, views of Manhattan skyline
Upper West/East Side
Residential, museums, Central Park access — quieter option
Visa requirements
Last checked: July 2026 — always verify current requirements with the official portal before booking
Example shown for Australian passport holders — Wanderior's planner checks the exact requirements for your own passport automatically.
Type
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation)
Duration
90 days, multiple entries for 2 years
ℹ️ Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — official site only, avoid third-party sites charging more. Approved instantly in most cases. Required before boarding.
Local tips for travellers
💡MetroCard unlimited (7-day) AUD $45 — much cheaper than Uber for most trips
💡Dollar pizza slices from any corner pizza joint — legitimately good
💡Walk everywhere you can — NYC is best experienced on foot
💡Jaywalking is fine — everyone does it, just check for cars
💡Book popular restaurants on Resy or OpenTable weeks ahead — especially weekends
💱 Money & currency
US Dollars (USD). Cards accepted almost everywhere. ATMs in every block. Wise card saves on exchange fees.
🚆 Getting around
NYC Subway runs 24/7 — get OMNY contactless or MetroCard. Uber/Lyft for late nights. Yellow cabs hailable anywhere.
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