Price of a Cruise in New York

You're planning a trip to New York and you know that some of the best views of the city are to be had from the water. Embarking on a cruise around Manhattan is a dream, buthow much is it going to cost you?

Don't worry, below is a list of prices for all types of New York cruises on the Hudson River so you know exactly which option to choose based on your budget.

The price of a Hudson River cruise ranges from £30 to £139 on Hellotickets, depending on the itinerary, the type of boat and the length of the itinerary.

For example, the cheapest one lasts an hour and for €30 will take you to see the Brooklyn Bridge, lower Manhattan and Midtown, so you'll get a closer look at the Empire State Building.

The most expensive, which costs around 139 Euros, is a VIP experience aboard a fully glass-enclosed luxury boat that lasts 2.5 hours and takes you around Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, all while you're served a buffet-style dinner to live music and starlight.

Price comparison table

If you're on a budget but don't want to give up a Manhattan cruise, you can book the cheapest New York City cruise for just €30, a great way to see the city's main highlights from the water.

Throughout the tour, you'll listen to an expert guide explain the sights and areas you'll pass: Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty and the Financial District.

New York has something to suit all tastes and budgets. If you can afford it, I recommend you book the most expensive cruise that sails along the coast of Manhattan for €137 and will make you spend an evening at the movies. It includes:

• Three-course gourmet dinner
• Drinks
• Desserts
• Coffees are included

This is a true VIP experience that lasts 2.5 hours on board a luxury vessel, accompanied by a musical group that will liven up the evening with relaxing live music.

Yes, if you prefer to embark on a sunset cruise without having to shell out the big bucks, I recommend booking a night cruise on a classic sailboat around New York for €45 which will take you to discover the lights of the city for two hours.

The boat usually departs at around 19:00 (although times can be adjusted to suit the time of day depending on the time of year) and you'll get to see the lights of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge lit up and the Statue of Liberty glowing in the middle of the night.

Although this option doesn't include drinks or food on board, it's a great value considering you're sailing on board a classic sailboat, which makes the experience more authentic, intimate and cosy.

Unfortunately, there are no cruises or boats in New York that are free of charge. But as with everything else, there are several ways to save when taking a cruise. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the experience without breaking the bank:

Always book online

Booking online allows you to compare prices, itineraries, companies and routes. This is the only way to get the best cruise at the best price. Otherwise you risk arriving at the pier and having to pay more for a similar or worse service.

Avoid public holidays

There are days like New Year's Eve or holidays like the Fourth of July when cruises increase in price exponentially due to fireworks displays that make boat rides more expensive and demand is higher.

If you are travelling with children, check for reduced fares

There are some cruise ships (such as some of the ones that serve dinner) that do not allow children under 6 years old and do not offer discounts for minors. But on the rest, you can get a reduced price for the younger ones.

Make the most of a visit to the Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island, the island where the famous Statue of Liberty is located, is only accessible by ferry. If you don't want to spend more than you have to, take advantage of the boat ride to enjoy the views and although the experience is not the same, you can still get great views from the water.

Take the ferry

Many New York ers use the New York ferry as a method of transport to get to Manhattan - after all, it saves them a lot of traffic jams - and you needn't be any different. If you can't afford to take a cruise, use the ferry to cruise the river at the lowest possible price.

Make the most of the river from land. Yes, you can, and it's free!

Don't forget that the Hudson is a major New York attraction in its own right. You'll be able to cross the multitude of bridges that reach all the way to Manhattan and enjoy incredible views. From Brookyn, the views of the Manhattan skyline with the water in between are spectacular and there are even little beaches where you can sunbathe.

In recent years there has also been a proliferation of green spaces and parks where you can enjoy the river with your family - check out Hudson River Park and the free events held there.

Make the most of your sightseeing pass

If you have a card like the New York Pass, New York Explorer Pass or New York City Pass, you may have a discount or an included ticket for a cruise - make sure you take advantage of it! Read on to find out more.

If it's your first time in New York or you're travelling to the city looking to explore as much as possible, it's likely to pay to buy a New York City Sightseeing Card. With these cards you can:

• Pay for the number of days your trip lasts (and within that period have access to all the major attractions).
• Pay for the number of attractions you want to visit (and get a reduced price at each one).
• In both cases you skip the queues, save money, get free entrance to the tourist bus, include a cruise on the Hudson River...

If you want to read more information, I recommend this comparative guide to New York City passes where you can see what each one includes and, of course, their prices.