Itinerary Summary
Four days in New York cover the Statue of Liberty ferry, the Empire State, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn Bridge and MoMA, then the Amtrak Acela reaches Washington DC in 3.5 hours for the Capito…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Landing at JFK and a first evening in Midtown
10:00
2h
AirTrain and subway transfer to Manhattan
Ride the AirTrain from arrivals to Jamaica Station, then the E train into Midtown in about 50 minutes. Buy a MetroCard or tap a contactless card at the turnstiles; keep bags in front of you on crowded cars.
📍 JFK Airport to Midtown Manhattan
13:00
1.5h
Hotel check-in near Bryant Park
Drop bags at a Midtown hotel and take a short orientation walk along 42nd Street. Most desks hold luggage before the 15:00 check-in, so ask there rather than waiting in the lobby with your cases.
📍 Midtown Manhattan
18:00
2h
Evening walk along Fifth Avenue
Stroll past the Rockefeller Center plaza and the shop windows on Fifth Avenue, then eat at a nearby diner. Jet lag peaks around 20:00 on the first night, so keep the evening short and set a morning alarm.
📍 Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center
💡 Pro Tip: Clear US immigration at JFK or Newark, then ride the AirTrain to Jamaica or Newark Airport station and connect to the subway; the run into Midtown takes about an hour. Entry rules depend on your passport, so read the United States visa section before booking. The East Coast runs on UTC-5, or UTC-4 from March to November. Tipping of 15-20 percent is expected in restaurants and bars.
Days 2-10 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$1,57035%
Comfort city hotels, 9 nights across New York, DC and Niagara
Food & DiningUS$90020%
Bagels, pizza slices and lobster rolls across the East Coast
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa or ESTA for a New York, Washington and Niagara trip from the EU or UK?+
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, most EU states, Australia and Japan, need an approved ESTA before flying, valid for stays up to 90 days. Other passports need a B1/B2 visitor visa, which usually requires an interview. Rules depend on your passport, so check the United States visa section early.
What is the best time of year for New York, Washington DC and Niagara Falls?+
April to June and September to November give mild walking weather, and October brings autumn colour, which peaks at Niagara and in upstate New York. July and August are hot and humid in DC. Niagara's Maid of the Mist runs roughly May to November, so check dates before booking a winter trip.
How much should I budget for this 10-day East Coast trip per person?+
This Comfort itinerary runs about $3,740-5,230 (roughly EUR 3,250-4,550) per person excluding international flights. That covers mid-range hotels, the Amtrak Acela, a DC to Buffalo domestic flight and main attractions. New York hotel tax and peak-season rates can push the total higher.
How do I travel between New York, Washington DC and Niagara Falls on this route?+
The Amtrak Acela links New York and Washington in about 3.5 hours city centre to city centre, so no airport transfer is needed. From DC you fly to Buffalo, then take a shuttle or taxi about 30 minutes to Niagara Falls. Book the Acela and the domestic flight early, as both rise sharply close to departure.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 10 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $3,740–5,230 (≈ €3,250–4,550), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: City Explorers
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