GETTING THERE

Competition is fierce on the transatlantic routes, with almost 50 flights a day from eight UK airports to New York.

Taxes and fees have reached a whopping £230 per return, but all-in fares can still be had for less than £300.

From London, your options include British Airways (0844 493 0787, www.ba.com ), Virgin Atlantic (0870 380 2007, www.virgin-atlantic.com ), Delta (0845 6000950, www.delta.com ), Air France (www.airfrance.co.uk ) and Continental (www.continental.com ), which also flies nonstop from most regional airports - into Newark from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester, with fares from the regions starting at £345. From Ireland, try Aer Lingus (0818 365000, www.aerlingus.com ) and Delta (01850 882031); from €380.

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FINDING A HOTEL

The average rate is about £170, with discounts at weekends (especially in the financial district). Decent budget options don’t start much lower than £120 - www.affordablenyc.com is a good place for bargain B&Bs. Double- or even triple-glazed windows are the norm, as are shower-only roomsat all budget- and most mid-range hotels. Check-in is usually from 3pm, check-out at 11am. If you’re arriving after 6pm, call ahead; after that time, your room can be resold unless you have paid in full in advance. Try Expedia (www.expedia.co.uk ), Ebookers (www.ebookers.com ), Hotels.com and Quikbook (www.quikbook.com ). Factor in 13.625% hotel tax and $3-$6 per night per room bed tax.

TAKING IN A SHOW

New Yorkers call ticket touts scalpers with good reason - so don’t use them. Instead, book in advance for popular productions or call at the not-for-profit TKS booth on Times Square for same-day tickets, usually at a 20%-50% discount. Evening performances are sold Monday to Saturday from 3pm to 8pm, with Sunday shows available from 3pm onwards. Ticketmaster (00 1 212 307 4100, www.ticketmaster.com ) sells discounted theatre tickets the day before a performance - usually 10%-25% off. Or try Best of Broadway (www.bestofbroadway.com ).

NYC & Company (www.nycvisit.com), the Big Apple’s official marketing and tourism organisation, sometimes offers free or very cheap tickets for film or stage premieres.

For details of these, and other entertainment listings, consult Time Out’s weekly listings magazine, New York magazine or the Daily News. For other events listings, from classical concerts to comedy, jazz and nightclubs, visit www.nymag.com or www. newyork.citysearch.com .

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

New York has two main international airports - JFK and Newark. Both are large, and can be busy, but are relatively easy to get around. A cab from JFK or Newark into Manhattan costs about £30 (plus tolls and a £6 tip) and takes up to an hour. You will be offered numerous “taxi” rides both inside and outside the airport. Don’t take them. Go only for an official yellow taxi from the ranks.

The SuperShuttle (www.supershuttle.com) is cheaper than a cab, but still door-to-door. Its blue-and-yellow minibuses, which you share with up to 10 other people, cost £11pp each way; you can hire the whole van for £70.

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