Is New York City prohibitively expensive for a student-cum-backpacker with a round-the-world fare? I need to operate on some veneer of a budget and would hate to bypass what could very well be my only shot at the Big Apple because of money concerns. Lay it out for me: can this vagabond Kiwi manage?

Best,

Duff R., Wellington

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Good question Duff. We love to bust travel myths here at HotelClub and one of the classic ones has to do with New York City hotels. Prohibitively expensive? Far from it.

Take, for example, a three-star property like the Wolcott Hotel New York. Very decent, very affordable.

Or why not go with the classic backpacker stereotype? Seriously, all sarcasm aside, the West Side YMCA New York City is as good a deal as you can find in Manhattan. Clean, excellent location – the Met is close by – and hey, you can play squash, swim and use the sauna for free. Nice!

Want some more options? Peruse HotelClub New York City accommodations for the skinny on Gotham digs.

But on to other matters. Important ones, like, oh, food? New York City is home to some of the best chefs in the world, Manhattan has a slew of Michelin three-star tables and Brooklyn’s culinary scene is white-hot. Still, you do not have to shell out for the prix-fixe at Le Bernardin, Masa or Per Se to dine like royalty in The City That Never Sleeps.

Grab a slice at Sal & Carmine’s on the West Side, Patsy’s on the East Side or Tottono’s on Coney Island. A pastrami at Katz’s Deli is classic. So too is a new NYC classic, Shake Shack. The affordable food scene is not all pizza and burgers however. Look around and pound the pavement – myriad options abound.

Street food deserves a special mention, especially in New York City. Dirty water hot dogs and “Nuts 4 Nuts” are all good but do yourself a massive favour and consult the Vendy Awards to single out the top street grub from Staten Island to the Bronx.

On to points of interest. Obviously it costs zilch to walk all over New York, which we highly recommend. But when you do finally chance upon a place to visit, check out the incredible (and incomplete mind you) list of budget-friendly options available.

The exquisite MoMa is free every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Home to perhaps the best collection of 20^th century American art, the Whitney has a pay-what-you-wish program every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Staten Island Ferry is free and provides easy access to the superb Staten Island Museum. Check out the sweet view from the boat.

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The New York Public Library is a wonderful place to lay low, chill out and, surprise, surprise, peruse some periodicals.

The superb Bronx Zoo is not just for kids. Go on Wednesday, when admission is by donation.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a mandatory cultural icon. The $20 admission fee is a “suggestion”.

Likewise, the Guggenheim has a pay-what-you-wish policy on Fridays from 5:45 to 8 p.m, otherwise known as backpacker happy hour.

Hope that helps Duff, best of luck.

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