New York for christmas

[shorty_377]

I am thinking about going to New York shopping for christmas, even though I'm not going until next year (2009), I need to save some cash first), I'd like to start looking into it now so I can have some idea of costs and things and then book it as early as possible (depending on answers to this thread) so I have time to pay it off over a long period.

Has anyone done this? If so, can anyone recommend any travel companies or the best way to go about organising something like this??

Marie

[Bookworm]

My top tips to save money when travelling:

- Do it yourself. Travel agents (even online ones) tend to work out much more expensive than if you make your own arrangements.

- Book flights and hotels separately, it usually works out a lot cheaper.

- Don't forget to get travel insurance, and better spend a bit more to get maximum cover, especially in the US, where medical treatment is so expensive. Make sure you read all the small print too before buying it so you don't buy insurance which turns out not to be covering you becuase of their conditions.

- I always check thinks through Trip Advisor, and they have links to different booking agencies so you can make sure you get the best deal for your dates, and sometimes obscure ones you wouldn't have found by searching direct.

- If you are flexible for your travel dates, you are likely to get much better savings on your flight and accomodation.

Have fun!

[revolting peasant]

I did this about 5 years ago as a surprise for my then girlfriend and I'm definitely with Bookworm on this. Plan it and book it yourself.

I booked flights with Virgin from Heathrow to Newark as at that time it was cheaper than flying into the more central airports. A taxi from Newark to Manhattan cost $35 which wasn't too bad.

I booked a hotel on line (we used the La Quinta on West 37th Street/Broadway) bed and breakfast and it was fine. Not the best hotel in the world but it was clean and functional which as we only intended to use it to sleep in was perfectly OK.

I know I'm going back a few years but if you can't find food in New York you ain't looking very hard. Everything from steaks to Thai within easy walking distance of anywhere and it was all very reasonably priced.

I would say go for it - it was a magical week for us and one that we still talk about now.

[laddie007]

me and my partner flew to new york 13-dec 2005 for 5 nights.booked flights with american aiways 6 weeks before cost about 900 quid,,,,and stayed in the belvedere hotel booked on bedbookers. com 5 mins walk to time sqaure cost over a grand .xmas time is the most expesive time of the year to go but if you book early it will be a lot cheaper,take lots of warm clothes as it is very cold.