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New York City is one of the largest and most important cities in the world, and as a global cultural and financial capital, it stands as an essential destination for anyone looking to study or work abroad. With its vast offerings in entertainment, culture, food, and professional opportunity, it can feel overwhelming at first, especially if it's your first time in the city. To help you make the most of your time in New York, we've put together all the practical information you need to get settled and feel right at home in the city that never sleeps.
How to get to New York?
New York City is one of the best-connected cities in the world and the primary gateway to the United States from Europe and Latin America. It is served by three major international airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport, which together handle thousands of daily flights to and from destinations worldwide.
The city is also home to Penn Station, located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, which connects New York to the rest of the country via Amtrak long-distance trains and regional commuter rail services.
If you're arriving by plane, getting from the airport to the city center is straightforward using public transit (subway, bus, or commuter rail) depending on which part of the city you're heading to. Yellow cabs, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services are also widely available at all terminals.
Bus: the MTA bus network covers the entire city and is especially useful in outer borough areas where subway coverage is more limited. The same MetroCard is valid for buses, and free transfers between lines are available within a set time window.
AirTrain + Subway from JFK: the most affordable way to get into the city from JFK Airport. Take the AirTrain to either Jamaica or Howard Beach station, then connect to the subway. The trip to Midtown takes approximately 50-60 minutes and costs around $10. Check up-to-date schedules on the MTA website.
Subway: the NYC subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with 472 stations across 27 lines covering all five boroughs. A single ride costs $2.90. For medium or long-term stays, the best option is an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $132, which gives you unrestricted access to the entire subway and bus network. You can top it up at any station or through the MTA app.
Taxi or rideshare: yellow cabs are the fastest option from the airport to the city, though they tend to be the most expensive. From JFK, the flat rate to any Manhattan destination is $70. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft offer a more affordable alternative, typically ranging from $35 to $55 depending on traffic and time of day.
Living in New York
What is the cost of living in New York?
New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but also one of the most stimulating places to live. To cover housing, food, and everyday expenses, you should plan on a minimum budget of $2,500 to $3,500 per month, though costs vary significantly depending on the neighborhood and your lifestyle. Keep in mind that the city offers an enormous range of cultural activities (many of them free) which can help offset the high cost of accommodation.
How to move around New York?
While Manhattan is very walkable in many areas, public transit is by far the most efficient way to get around the city. The subway is the backbone of New York's transportation network and the go-to option for nearly any trip.
Subway: the NYC subway operates 24/7 across 27 lines and is the most reliable and cost-effective way to get around. For students, professionals, or digital nomads on a medium or long-term stay, an unlimited monthly MetroCard at $132 is the smartest investment. You can reload it at any station or through the official MTA app.
Bus: the MTA bus network covers the entire city and is particularly useful in areas with less subway coverage, such as parts of the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The same MetroCard works on buses, and free transfers between lines are available within a set time window.
Taxis and rideshare: available throughout the city, with initial fares starting at €4.
What are the best universities in New York?
New York City is home to one of the highest concentrations of prestigious universities in the world, attracting thousands of international students every year. The city has over 120 higher education institutions, both public and private, spanning all five boroughs.
What are the best universities in New York?
Columbia University
An Ivy League university founded in 1754, located in Morningside Heights. World-renowned for its programs in law, journalism, and business.
New York University (NYU)
One of the world's leading private universities, set in the heart of Greenwich Village. Known for arts, film, law, and business administration.
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The New School
A forward-thinking university in Lower Manhattan, specializing in design, social sciences, and the arts. A top destination for international creative students.
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Fordham University
A Jesuit university with campuses in the Bronx and at Lincoln Center. Particularly well regarded for its law and business administration programs.
Tourism in New York
What are the best parks in New York?
For a walk, a workout, or simply a break from the city's relentless pace, the most iconic green space is Central Park: Manhattan's 843-acre urban oasis, where you'll find lakes, sports facilities, outdoor theaters, and cultural events year-round. But New York has plenty of other remarkable outdoor spaces: Prospect Park in Brooklyn, The High Line an elevated park built on former railway tracks in Chelsea and Riverside Park, stretching along the Hudson River. All of them are easily accessible by public transit.
What monuments and historical sites does New York have?
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
The ultimate symbol of New York and of freedom itself. Take the ferry from Battery Park for unforgettable views of the harbor and to explore the history of immigration to the United States.
Empire State Building
New York's most iconic Art Deco skyscraper, with observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors offering 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline.
Brooklyn Bridge
Walking or cycling across this 1883 suspension bridge is one of the most memorable experiences the city has to offer, with sweeping views of Lower Manhattan and the East River.
Times Square
The world's most famous intersection, known for its towering billboards, Broadway shows, and relentless energy at any hour of the day or night.
9/11 Memorial & Museum
A deeply moving tribute located on the original site of the Twin Towers, featuring two reflecting pools and a comprehensive museum that honors the memory of those lost.
What museums are there in New York?
Visiting museums is one of the best ways to experience New York and its history. The city is home to the celebrated Museum Mile, a stretch of Fifth Avenue lined with over 20 world-class institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), the Guggenheim, and the American Museum of Natural History. Beyond that, don't miss the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), the Whitney Museum of American Art, or the Brooklyn Museum. Many of these offer free or reduced-price admission on select days, so it's well worth planning your visits in advance.
Leisure in New York
What is the nightlife like in New York?
New York City has a vibrant nightlife scene every day of the week and in every imaginable style, from live jazz in intimate Greenwich Village clubs to rooftop bars with sweeping skyline views. The legal drinking age is 21. Many venues stay open until 4 a.m., and if you're out in the outer boroughs, you can always wrap up the night at one of the city's legendary 24-hour diners.
Output (Brooklyn)
A world-class techno and electronic music venue in Williamsburg. Strictly no-photography policy for a fully immersive experience.
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
The city's most iconic rooftop bar, with panoramic views of the Empire State Building. Open until 4 a.m.; dress code enforced.
Blue Note Jazz Club
A legendary jazz institution in Greenwich Village since 1981. World-renowned artists perform in an intimate, unforgettable setting.
Where to go shopping in New York?
New York City has dozens of shopping districts spread across all five boroughs. The most well-known are Fifth Avenue and the surrounding Midtown area, home to both luxury flagships (Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co.) and major accessible retailers. For mid-range brands, SoHo is the place to go, with stores like Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, and a strong presence of independent labels. For something more unique, Chelsea Market is ideal for artisan goods and food, while the Brooklyn Flea is the city's premier destination for vintage clothing and handmade finds.
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