Splitting expenses on a New York City trip - what to budget, how to settle up
Last updated by The EvenRound team.
Subway swipes, $19 cocktails, and a Broadway matinee that had to be booked in February.
New York is the ultimate test for group expense splitting: every meal has tax (around 8.875%) and tip (18–22%) that aren't on the menu, every Uber surge differently for different people in the same group, and Broadway tickets vary from $80 lottery seats to $500 orchestra. Multi-currency support matters for non-USD travellers - log in USD, settle later.
Realistic per-person daily budget
Local currency: US dollar (USD)
| Category | Per person, per day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $120–$220 | Mid-range Manhattan hotel doubles run $260–$420/night; Brooklyn Airbnb for 4 splits at $90/person. |
| Food and drinks | $70–$140 | Diner breakfast $15–$22, deli lunch $14–$20, dinner with one drink $40–$80, cocktail $16–$22. |
| Transport | $10–$25 | Subway $2.90 single, OMNY weekly cap $34. Yellow cab JFK to Manhattan flat $70 + tolls + tip. |
| Activities and entrances | $30–$120 | MoMA $30, MET pay-what-you-wish for residents, Top of the Rock $50, Broadway $80–$300. |
Common shared-expense scenarios in New York City
Recommended split mode for New York City
Sample 3-day itinerary with expense touchpoints
Best for groups of …
Best for groups of 4–6. Broadway groups bigger than 6 struggle for adjacent seats; restaurants cap at 6 without booking.
Currency notes
US dollar (USD). Tax is 8.875% in NYC. Tipping is 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% in cabs. ATMs at Chase, Citibank, BofA charge nothing for member cards; non-member ATMs charge $3–$5. Avoid Travelex at airports - JFK has decent bank ATMs.
New York is the group trip where the menu price is half the story. Always split the final bill - the tax and tip variance per item compounds quickly across a four-day trip.
Related guides
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