A trip to New York doesn’t come cheap, especially in terms of accommodation. There are so many hotels and options on where to stay that finding a cheap hotel in New York can take a few hours. I put together this list of cheap hotels near Times Square in New York so you can explore the city without spending all your money in accommodation.

New York is such a big city and with so many things to do it is likely that you spend a minimum amount of time at your hotel room so it is not necessary to invest all your savings in accommodation.

The most important thing for me when choosing the accommodation is its location. While there are cheaper hotels in areas like Brooklyn or Queens, the hotels in the list are all located in Manhattan and near Times Square. You can reach plenty of attractions on foot or by subway.

*Prices are based on double occupancy. It is very likely that on dates like New Year the prices of all these hotels go up.

Cheap hotels near times Square:

• YOTEL New York USD$ 100-270/night

The most modern hotel and probably the most expensive hotel on this list. YOTEL is an affordable hotel with a futuristic style. YOTEL concept was inspired by luxury aircraft design, translating it into small and luxurious “cabins”. Rooms are small but designed to maximize space. I stayed at this hotel for 8 nights on my last trip to NY and I loved it, you can read about my experience here. YOTEL is located in Hell’s Kitchen, about 6 blocks from Times Square.

Pros: The hotel terrace has a bar and it is one of the largest terraces in NY!

Cons: During high seasons prices can get really high.

Find out more about YOTEL New York

• Pod 51 USD$ 80-180/night

Pod 51 is a hotel with a modern and young design. The rooms are small but well equipped. Location is great, just a few blocks from 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center. There are many shops, restaurants and subway stations nearby.

Pros: excellent quality / price relation

Cons: Shared bathroom (if you pay the cheapest room only)

Find out more about Pod 51

• St James Hotel USD$170-220 /night

St James Hotel is located just one block away from the beautiful chaos at Times Square. It is a fairly old hotel but the rooms are clean and comfortable and it is one of the most afffordable hotels in New York.

Pros: For its location, the price is pretty good.

Cons: Old hotel so the heating system is quite noisy.

Find out more about Hotel St James here

• Row NYC at Times Square USD$80-210 /night

Located just steps away from Times Square, ROW NYC is an excellent option for families, couples and friends looking for a place near New York’s top attractions and sleep in a hotel with a modern atmosphere. Rooms are small (as in most NY hotels) but they are still comfortable and the price per night is really reasonable for the service the hotel offers.

Pros: excellent price-quality relationship and unbeatable location.

Cons: The price increases a lot during popular dates.

Find out more about Row NYC at Times Square here

• Hotel Pennsylvania USD$80-210 /night

You will always find a friend or colleague that recommends you to stay at the famous Hotel Pennsylvania. It is an old hotel located about 10 blocks from Times Square, just across Madison Square Garden and one block away from the Empire State Building. Rooms are ok if you are not planning to stay all day in your room.

Pros: breakfast is included (although it’s not good).

Cons: Location is good but I believe you can find better budget hotels near Times Square for the same price.

Find out more about Hotel Pennsylvania

• Midtown Convention Center Hotel NYC USD$120-200 /night

Midtown is located in Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, about 8 blocks from Times Square. I only stayed here one night and thought it was good for the price (I paid USD$120 for double occupancy). The rooms are old, but clean and well equipped.

Pros: Breakfast is included (coffee, cereals, waffles and some fruit).

Cons: If you want to walk to Times Square you have to go under a highway and it’s not the most beautiful area.

Find out more about Midtown Convention Center

• The Manhattan at Times Square USD$80-190 /night

The Manhattan at Times Square is located only 3 blocks from Times Square, just steps away from restaurants, museums and shops. Keep in mind that it is a very old hotel and not all rooms look as in the pictures (some look even older).

Pros: Great location.

Cons: the price quality relationship isn’t good.

Find out more about the Manhattan

• The Hotel at Times Square USD$130-210 /night

The Hotel at Times Square is a hotel with excellent quality/price relation. The hotel is a bit old and the rooms are basic but they are clean and equipped with everything you need. Its location is unbeatable, just one block from Times Square.

Pros: Breakfast included

Cons: Rooms are a bit small

Find out more about The Hotel at Times Square

• CITY ROOMS NYC Times Square USD$80-180/night

CITY ROOMS NYC is a hotel brand with locations in Chelsea, Soho and Hell’s Kitchen, just blocks away from Times Square. It is a hotel with small rooms but perfectly equiped. If you travel with small luggage you won’t have problems. An important thing to take into account is that the hotel doesn’t have an elevator, so it’s not the best place for older people or families with young children.

Pros: its location

Cons: Small rooms and lack of elevator.

Find out more about CITY ROOMS NYC Times Square

Other options for accommodation in New York:

If you prefer a hostel…

• HI NYC Hostel USD$35-70/night per person. HI NYC Hostel is in uptown New York about 1 block away from Broadway Street. I’ve stayed at HI in different cities and always come back because the staff and service is great.

If you want something more luxurious…

• Iberostar Park Avenue USD$230-330/night. I had the opportunity to spend some nights at this hotel and loved it. The staff is friendly, the rooms are huge and the location is perfect. It is located in a much quieter area but still in the center of Manhattan. Super worth it if you’re looking for a modern and elegant hotel.

If you prefer to rent an apartment…

If you travel for a long time or with a group of people, it may be more convenient to rent an apartment. Check out these:

• Apartament for 4 people in Greenwich Village
• Apartaments in Financial District for 2 to 8 people
• Apartament for 6 people in Midtown Manhattan

Important info for booking a hotel in New York:

• Some information you should make sure you pay attention to when searching for a hotel in New York: if breakfast is included (it is unusual in NY) and if taxes are included in the final price (most likely not). What taxes?

  -The total tax on a New York City hotel room is 14.75%

  -The city tax corresponds to USD$3.5 per person per night.

  -The “Property service charge per night” which is charged by some hotels.

In Booking these costs are shown after selecting the dates of travel, hotel and room but are not included in the price

I hope this list of cheap hotels near Times Square has helped you decide where to stay. If you have questions please leave a comment below. Have you stayed in any of these hotels or any other affordable hotel in New York?

Other posts about New York:

• Best things to do in New York City
• New York attraction passes comparison
• Is the New York Pass worth it?
• New York winter packing list
• New Year’s Eve in New York

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