Knowing pennies are a little tight, PLAY, the low-cost Icelandic airline, are here to ensure holiday makers don’t have to put off booking their bucket list adventure this year.
All with affordability and fun front of mind, PLAY have shared their best budget finds, top tips, and tricks for spending a long weekend break exploring the Big Apple – the PLAY way!
Offering flights direct from Stansted and Liverpool to New York for as little as £203 one way, and €231 from Dublin, the city that never sleeps awaits.
Hostels don’t always mean bed bugs and broken beds.
Hostels can sometimes take on a bad rep, with poor hygiene and rickety beds often being a stereotype, however when chosen correctly, these can offer a great way to cut back on costs. For location, try HI NYC Hostel, neighbouring Broadway Street or West Side YMCA, located 50 metres from Central Park, for party goers The Local hosts regular events and has its own rooftop terrace, or for those looking for a more relaxed stay, Serenity Guest House offers ultimate zen vibes for less.
Operating flights into New York’s Stewart airport, means PLAY passengers can also save approximately an hour more of their time to get into the heart of the city, avoiding the lengthy airport customs that come with travelling into JFK. The dedicated shuttle service upon arrival also means bigger cost savings compared to a pricey taxi from JFK’s airport.
Prices for one night in mixed bed dorm start from around $75 / £60.56 per night
Head on Your Own Walking Tour
A key pull of New York is its sightseeing, being home to attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square and Grand Central Terminal, meaning a large chunk of the trip can be enjoyed at very little cost, just by passing by to take in the views. Plan ahead with a new walking route each day and take the subway instead of Ubers, popping into the free museums along the way. Our go-tos would have to be Bronx Museum of the Arts, American Folk Art Museum, MoMa PS1 or the BLDG 92
Make Use of Cheap Eats
The US is iconic for its huge portions, which is brilliant for those looking to save some dollars on eating out, with one portion often proving enough food for two! The street food scene is also huge with a variety of cheap eats, happy hours, and food deals that make budget dining possible. Try Gray’s Papaya for hot dogs (from $2.95 / £2.38), Los Tacos No 1 for Mexican (from $4.65 / £3.75), Fat Boys Pizza for great lunch deals, Absolute Bagels, located on the upper west side, for renowned new yorker bagels (from $3.50 / £2.83), and Aunty Anne’s for a classic giant pretzel (from $3.99/ £3.22).
Say Hi to Happy Hour
Come evening, time your night out to coincide with happy hour and scope out the best spots prior to leaving – try Sweet Afton, Amelie and The Vig Bar. The meatpacking district can be an absolute stinger for overpriced drinks, so catching the 2-4-1 hours can quite literally cut the cost in half for a night out. Alternatively, for a real and authentic experience, head over to the East Village or Harlem, where things are lower key and won’t leave tears in your eyes at the price of a bev.
Cocktails average at around $15 (£12.11) and $8 for a pint of lager (£4.46).
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Birgir Jónsson, CEO of PLAY, is available for interview or comment upon request.
For further press information, please contact:
Arabella Halfhide | Hannah Carlisle | Chloe Hernandez
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)7376 418927
E: [email protected]
About PLAY
PLAY is a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, and North America as of 2023. Founded in Reykjavík in 2019 by a management team with significant experience in the aviation industry, the company operates flights on new Airbus A321NEO and A320NEO aircraft, offering streamlined, no-frills service that allows travelers to pay less and “play more.” Safety comes first for PLAY. On-time performance, simplicity, happiness and low prices are the airline’s core principles.
The airline seeks to enable passengers to see the world, but not without considering its environmental impact. PLAY is being developed with sustainability initiatives and benchmarks in place to track and reduce fuel consumption, offset carbon emissions, and limit waste. Learn more or book a flight at www.flyplay.com.
