New York City Corporate Traveller Guide

Staying in New York City, USA

The most populous city in the USA, this megacity is an epicentre of fashion, art, finance and media. New York is globally recognisable for landmark icons the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Times Square, and as the setting for various iconic movies: King Kong, The Godfather, and even Batman’s Gotham to name a few. Economic powerhouse, the word-renowned Wall Street has become historically emblematic of the American financial system and of global economic principles as a whole. This Concrete Jungle is a titan amongst industry and a major business destination, even making it one of our global top 10 booked cities.

If you have a business trip to New York City in your diary this year or you’re relocating to the Big Apple for good, here's the basics you need to brush up on before setting off.

New York City Key Information

Weather in New York City

 Warm summers and cold winters, New York’s seasonal weather calls for a varied wardrobe equipped for a range of temperatures. January to March averages below 5°C while June to August pushes 30°C. Rainfall is consistently low throughout the year.

Currency in New York City

US Dollar (USD)

The currency is US Dollar (USD). Card is widely accepted, but some places will be cash only or have a minimum card spend. Cash tips are favourable even in venues that accept card.

Health & Well-being in New York City

NYC has various outdoor walking and running routes to offer: Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and the Hudson River welcome stroller and jogger a-plenty. Star-studded New York City also has a big appetite for gym classes like Barry’s Bootcamp, Dogpound and 305 Fitness if that is more your speed.

Data in New York City

For a SIM card, T-Mobile is a top choice for both locals and travellers, offering unlimited data SIMs from around $30. There is even a T-Mobile store at JFK Airport if you’re in a hurry when you arrive, or take your pick of stores in the city.

Holafly is a digital SIM option if you prefer to buy before you arrive, receive your SIM via email and load your data online. It can be easier to purchase a data only SIM if you are able to call your contacts on apps such as Whatsapp so you can use your own number. Make sure your device is SIM lock-free (you can do this yourself in settings or ask in a phone shop).

Otherwise, find free Wi-Fi in chain food stores, most large subway stations in Manhattan, and in many of the city’s big parks.

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Cuisine in New York City

The NYC cuisine popularised in film and television includes hot dogs, cheesecake, pizza, bagels and pretzels. Largely inspired by Italian, Jewish and Latino cuisines, the diverse food scene on offer is a result of the ethnic melting pot present in the city.

Language in New York City

Bodega:  Small shop or grocery store

Stoop:  The steps leading up to an apartment building

The City:  Common name for the borough of Manhattan

Jaywalking:  Crossing the road in an undesignated place – this is technically illegal, but most locals do it!

Transport in New York City

Similarly to many other big cities around the world, Uber is the prevalent choice for taxi rides in New York. Don’t ignore the yellow taxis, though, as studies show a traditional taxicab is still cheaper – especially for shorter journeys. While the subway is the most common form of transportation, still a large proportion of commuters do choose to drive; browse car hire options on Kayak or Sixt.

Thanks to the MTA New York City Transit, natives and visitors can ride the subway 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just purchase a MetroCard and top it up as you go – a single ride costs $2.75, an unlimited seven-day MetroCard costs $33 and an unlimited thirty-day MetroCard costs $127. Each subway line has local and/or express trains, different in their list of stops and origin/destination stations.

Use your MetroCard on MTA buses, too, and with many hybrid-electric buses within the fleet, an NYC bus is an eco-friendly and scenic option for your inner-city travel. Extensive local and limited bus routes service the city – browse the schedules here.

Meeting a colleague on Staten Island? Enjoy the 25-minute ride from Whitehall Street in Manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry and spot the Statue of Liberty while on deck.

CityMapper should be your go-to transport app – track train/bus times, plan commute times and receive helpful travel tips.

New York City Map

Now that you’ve brushed up on all the necessary knowledge for your next business trip to New York City, browse our selection of New York serviced apartments and get in touch to book today.

SilverDoor boasts a large and varied portfolio of serviced apartments in New York City. From the best two bedroom corporate apartments in New York, to the 8 best views in New York City you have to see, you’ll be spoilt for choice when planning your next business trip to New York with SilverDoor.