London, Hong Kong and New York are among the most exciting destinations on the planet – and also the most expensive. But a holiday in one of these captivating cities doesn’t have to cost the earth.
New York know-how
New York is home to more millionaires than anywhere else on earth – one in 22 New Yorkers is worth six figures or more. To enjoy a New York state of mind without forking out a fortune, follow our tips.
Maximum monuments, minimum price
Entry fees in New York can be eye-watering, whether it is the Empire State Building (US$44), the viewing deck of the Rockefeller Centre (US$35) or the Statue of Liberty (US$23.50; more if you want to go inside). Fortunately there are alternatives. A free trip on the Staten Island Ferry takes you past the Statue of Liberty; for close-up shots, a $4.50 ticket on the Rockaway Ferry gets you even closer.
Swap the sky-high panorama from the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Centre for a visit to one of the city’s rooftop bars. The Rockefeller Centre’s Bar 65 has the same sweeping outlook as the viewing deck, at half the price, while Nubeluz, the rooftop bar of the Ritz-Carlton New York Nomad, has up-close views of both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
Broadway bound
Tickets to a Broadway show can range between US$130 and US$500. Booking well in advance can shave a few dollars off that price but for deep discounts try the Today Tix website (todaytix.com), or visit one of the TKTS booths to try scoring a same-day seat for a matinee or evening performance. One booth is in Times Square, another is at the Lincoln Centre.
Be an exhibitionist
The bad news: New York’s best museums contain some dazzling artistic treasures, but they tend to be expensive. The fabulous Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, for instance, charges a whopping US$30 entry.
The good news: many of them also offer free or pay-what-you-wish entry at set times. For the Guggenheim, that is Mondays and Saturdays between 4pm and 5.30pm, while the Whitney Museum of American Art is free every Friday evening from 5pm to 10pm and on the second Sunday of every month, while the glorious Morgan Library & Museum is free on Fridays between 5pm and 8pm.
Live a park life
Central Park is an amazing destination, sprawling out over more than three square kilometres. You could easily spend an entire day exploring its many spaces, from the famous lake with its rowboats to the treelined avenue known as The Mall, the lush lawns of the Sheep Meadow and the ever-buzzing Bethesda Terrace.
It is also a great venue, with frequent free concerts and performances. The showstopper is Shakespeare in the Park held every summer, where past performers include Sandra Oh, Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
You will find also plenty of free entertainment in the city’s other parks, from Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to Battery Park, Riverside Park and even the High Line.
For more, see nyctourism.com
Hong Kong Do’s and Don’ts
It is one of Asia’s most bustling cities, and one of its most expensive – but do Hong Kong right and you can have a great time without blowing your budget.
- DO remember there are two sides to the city
Many people think of Hong Kong as an island but Kowloon peninsula is an attraction in its own right, especially since the opening of the West Kowloon Cultural Precinct. Kowloon’s neighbourhoods – including Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong – are home to reasonably-priced accommodation as well as cheap, family-run stores and restaurants. Moving between the island and Kowloon is easy: it is just a 10-minute MTR ride or a 20-minute trip on the historic Star Ferry (tickets are just one Aussie dollar).
- DON’T splash your cash on a tour
You can see the best of Hong Kong just by walking around. Browse the galleries and antique shops of Hollywood Road, ride the Mid-Levels Central escalators, which take you through some of the most intriguing neighbourhoods, or take the 4km walk from Central to Causeway Bay – there is enough to see along the way to stretch it into a full-day excursion.
- DO enjoy the street food
Hong Kong excels at mouthwatering low-cost meals, whether you opt for a dai pai dong (al fresco food stall) or a cha chaan teng (local diner). You can eat well for under $20, with some hole-in-the-wall eateries even qualifying for Michelin stars including Ho Hung Kee, known for its stir-fried beef with capsicum and black bean sauce, or barbecued meats at Yat Lok or Kam’s Roast Goose.
- DO head up Victoria Peak
Tourists flock to the top of Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s highest point, so of course there are plenty of opportunities to spend money up there, from shopping malls to Madame Tussauds. Keep your wallet in your pocket and enjoy the main attraction – the glorious skyline views across the city – from the free observation deck. If you don’t want to hike up (allow around an hour if you do) the tram ride takes just seven minutes and costs around AU$20 return.
- DON’T fork out for Symphony of Lights cruise
The nightly sound and light show at Victoria Harbour is stunning, but don’t feel the need to splurge on one of the expensive sightseeing boats. It looks just as great from the ground, and it won’t cost you a thing. Prime positions include the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront or the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai.
For more, see discoverhongkong.com
GO LOCAL IN LONDON
Many of London’s best attractions are free, from the National Gallery and Tate Modern to the magnificent Hyde Park. What does hit your wallet hard is the pricey accommodation in the city centre. These character-filled neighbourhoods offer good-value alternatives.
Where Bloomsbury
Why Bloomsbury’s leafy squares and its lovely Georgian terraces have long drawn artistic types – writers Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf both lived here – as well as today’s university students.
While you’re here The area’s best-known attraction is the British Museum, packed with treasures from ancient Egypt and Greece, Benin and Assyria. Entry is free, so you can pop in and see a few of the galleries every morning.
Other highlights include the eclectic collection at Sir John Soames Museum and stepping inside the house where Charles Dickens lived. Bloomsbury is also known for its terrific bookshops and old-school pubs such as the atmospheric The Lamb on Lamb’s Conduit Street.
Where Shoreditch
Why If you are into street art, markets where you can bag a bargain, and great bars and restaurants, Shoreditch in East London has you covered.
While you’re here Head to Boxpark Shoreditch, where up-and-coming designers showcase their wares in a series of converted shopping containers, then trawl the area’s many markets. Top picks include Brick Lane Market – treat yourself to lunch at one of Brick Lane’s many Indian diners while you are here, Old Spitalsfield Markets for vintage gear, and the wonderful Columbia Road Flower Market.
Allow some time for gallery hopping (Raven Row is among the best-known) and don’t miss one of London’s quirkiest museums, the Museum of the Home, where each room depicts a middle-class living room between dating from 1600 to the present. Entry is free.
Where Paddington
Why Getting here is super-easy – Paddington Station is the terminus for the Heathrow Express train from the airport – and cheap stays and cheap eats abound.
While you’re here Two of London’s most beautiful green spaces – Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens – are at your feet, giving you plenty of routes for your morning run. Paddington is also the access point for the 7km walk along the banks of Regent’s Canal, which winds past landmarks including Little Venice and the London Zoo. The start point is Paddington Basin, where you can admire two quirky pedestrian bridges: the Fan Bridge, which furls up like a fan, and the Rolling Bridge, that curls up like a caterpillar.
For more, see visitlondon.com
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