Solo trip to New York

Going to New York alone; the city is a great destination for a solo trip. It is safe and, above all, very common to do things alone. During solo travel, you can really live like in the movies for a while: take a leisurely walk along the High Line, enjoy a coffee while strolling through Central Park, and visit the city’s most famous sights. New Yorkers themselves also like to do things alone as a welcome change from their busy lives. So no one will look at you funny when you are alone. New York also offers many opportunities to meet new people.

Read right away:

• Safety in New York
• Choosing a hotel in a safe neighbourhood
• The best transfer options
• Eating out alone is fun!
• Getting in touch with New Yorkers
• Internet in New York
• Walking routes around the city

Travelling alone to New York

If there is one city that is suitable for a solo trip, it is New York. It’s easy to travel around the city, getting from A to B while seeing and doing plenty along the way.  It’s actually hard to get bored in New York.

And of course, travelling solo also has its advantages: for instance, you don’t have to make concessions on which sights to visit, how many hours to shop or where to eat.

The advantage of travelling alone is that you can see and do even more! No one else to consider.

Meeting people in New York

New Yorkers are known to be ‘tough,’ but they’re actually very friendly, helpful, and, above all, talkative. So if you want to meet other people, you can choose to stay in a hostel, for instance, or do one of the many tours in New York. No reason to feel alone!

Safety in New York

The most common question I get from people wanting to visit New York alone is, ‘Is it safe there?’. And to that I can answer ‘yes!’
New York is a safe city to go to alone. I experience it that way myself, but so do my mother and friends (both men and women). Everyone comes back with positive stories and a good experience.

Regardless of the time of day; there are always people on the streets in New York. Sure, it is a big city and things can always happen, but use your common sense while doing so. Always pay attention to your surroundings and (especially when it’s dark) don’t go to deserted areas. Should you walk somewhere and suddenly feel uncomfortable, go in a different direction.

Metro in New York

The New York metro runs seven days a week, 24 hours a day. So you can easily travel from point A to point B. However, late at night, many homeless people can be found in subway stations. This is where they sleep or shelter from bad weather. Should you want to take the metro, always keep a good look around you. Should it not feel safe, take a taxi!

Female solo travellers in New York

I’m often asked by women if a solo trip to New York is a good idea, and my answer is always ‘yes!’ Again, there are always people on the streets and in that sense, New Yorkers are friendly people. If you don’t like something, there is always someone around to help you.

Things to do alone in New York

New York offers endless possibilities, even for solo travellers, so it is highly likely that only your budget sets the limit for what you can do.

Beforehand, you can take a look at my calendar, where I’ve collected everything happening at that time. That way, you won’t miss a thing.

Attractions

I always recommend buying a New York discount pass, which is also very economical for a solo traveller. It is the cheapest and easiest way to visit attractions; the discount pass gives access to many of New York’s top attractions.

I would advise making a list of what you all want to see and do in New York and choosing the best pass from there. If you can’t quite figure it out, you can always send me an email.

With that, also know that no one will look at you funny if you only visit an attraction.

Sports games

America has a real sports culture, so should there be a sports game when you are there; definitely go! Even if you are not into sports, it is an unforgettable experience. Besides, you can easily connect with others here. For instance, ask the person sitting next to you exactly how the sport works!

Entertainment

Of course, you can also visit a Broadway show when you are alone in New York. Anyway, no one cares that you are alone, but you can possibly strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you.

Museums

Visiting a museum is somethingI love to do on my own. You can really go through it at your own pace. Whether you want to spend hours there or see what you please in half an hour.

Walking routes

When you are alone in New York, it can sometimes be difficult to plan everything yourself. That’s why I like to give you a hand with my walking routes. These can be found in my Eric’s New York App. The routes go through different parts of New York. Not only will you see a lot along the way, you will also learn something. It will take you to places you wouldn’t normally think of on your own. You can also walk the route as you wish; stopping at that one coffee shop or entering that one store.

Biking in New York

Cycling is a fun way to see a lot of New York in a short amount of time. You can rent a bike and do your own thing. Take a tour of Central Park, for example, or cycle along the Hudson River.

It is also possible to do a bike tour which is a great way to meet people.

Out to dinner

It is very common in New York to eat out alone. And it certainly has its advantages. For instance, you don’t have to wait as long for a seat, as you are often seated at the bar.

If you prefer a more informal setting, there are plenty of cafes, eateries and coffee shops to choose from. Along the way, you can also buy some food and enjoy your meal in one of New York’s many parks.

Nightlife

If you want to experience New York’s nightlife in the company of others, I recommend the Alive After Five Cruise. It is a fun option and a good opportunity to meet new people while enjoying the Manhattan skyline with a refreshing drink.

Or join the Speakeasy Bar Tour, where you will visit some hidden bars and socialise with the other tour participants.

Arrange before leaving for New York

Much can be arranged before you leave for New York. When you book and arrange things in advance, you will go on your trip with greater peace of mind. Here are some of my tips:

An e-sim card data bundle

Almost every phone has a built-in chip that allows you to use a digital SIM card. On this e-sim card, you put a data bundle so you can always access the internet in New York.

Transport in New York

In New York, there are several ways to travel. Of these, the metro is the most widely used option.

As written earlier: if you don’t like taking the metro, take a taxi. You can hail a yellow cab on the street, or use services like Revel, Uber and Lyft. I therefore also recommend downloading these apps before your departure and creating an account. Should the need arise, you can use them immediately.

Transfer from airport to hotel

Think in advance how you will travel from the airport to your hotel. There are many options, depending on whether you land at JFK Airport or Newark Airport.

If you arrive at JFK Airport, you can take the AirTrain and subway to your hotel. This option is cheap and fast. If you prefer convenience, then a taxi is recommended.

When you land at Newark Airport, you can arrange tickets for the large shuttle bus in advance.

Hotels in New York for solo travellers

If you go to New York solo, I recommend staying in Midtown Manhattan. Here, many attractions are within walking distance and there are always people on the streets.

Pod Hotel 51 and Pod Hotel 39 are good options too. The value for money is good, plus there are common areas where you can meet people.

Looking for cheaper accommodation in New York? A hostel in Midtown Manhattan is also worth considering for a budget-friendly stay with the opportunity to meet fellow travellers.

For example, HI NYC Hostel on Amsterdam Ave often organises activities, so it’s a good place to meet new people. Or stay at Now Now Hotel in the Lower East Side.