What Budget Hotels Cost in New York City Right Now

Budget hotels in New York City typically charge between $80 and $150 per night, though prices shift based on neighborhood, season, and how far ahead you book. Manhattan hotels cost more than Queens or Brooklyn locations with the same amenities. A room in Midtown Manhattan might run $120 to $150, while the same hotel type in Long Island City or Astoria could be $80 to $110. Summer and holiday weeks push prices up across all neighborhoods; winter weekdays are cheapest.

The budget hotel chains operating in NYC include Red Roof Inn, Motel 6, La Quinta, and some independent properties. These hotels typically offer a bed, private bathroom, and basic cable or streaming access — not a restaurant, gym, or front desk concierge. Many are older buildings converted to hotel use rather than purpose-built hotels, so room sizes and conditions vary widely even within the same chain.

Prices you see online change daily based on demand. Booking directly through a hotel's phone number sometimes reveals rates different from what third-party sites show, though not always cheaper. The hotel can tell you the exact rate for your specific dates and whether any current promotions explore.

Key Takeaways

  • Budget hotels in NYC range from $80 to $150 per night depending on neighborhood and season, with Queens and Brooklyn locations cheaper than Manhattan.
  • Red Roof Inn, Motel 6, and La Quinta operate multiple locations across the city and offer basic rooms without restaurants or fitness centers.
  • Calling the hotel directly can reveal rates and current deals that may differ from online booking sites.
  • Winter weekdays and shoulder seasons (April, September, October) typically have lower nightly rates than summer or holidays.
  • Budget hotels in outer boroughs like Astoria, Long Island City, and Sunset Park put you 20 to 40 minutes from major Manhattan attractions by subway.

Budget Hotel Chains with Multiple NYC Locations

Red Roof Inn operates locations in Long Island City, Queens, and near LaGuardia Airport. Rooms include a bed, private bathroom, and TV. Pets stay free at most Red Roof locations. You can call individual properties directly: the Long Island City location is reachable at 718-392-6200, and the Queens location at 718-335-1800. Rates typically fall between $90 and $140 per night depending on the date.

Motel 6 has properties in Jamaica, Queens and near JFK Airport. These are older, no-frills properties with basic rooms and outdoor parking. The Jamaica location can be reached at 718-658-1500. Rates generally range from $85 to $130 per night. Motel 6 allows pets to stay free and often runs promotions for AAA members or military personnel.

La Quinta operates a location in Jamaica, Queens with rates between $80 and $120 per night. The property includes free breakfast, which makes the nightly cost more competitive than competitors without meals included. You can reach this location at 718-206-6600. La Quinta also allows pets free of charge.

Independent budget hotels exist throughout outer boroughs but operate under different names and have no central booking line. These require searching by neighborhood and calling each property individually to compare rates and room conditions.

Neighborhoods Where Budget Hotels Cluster

Long Island City, Queens sits directly across the East River from Manhattan and has the highest concentration of budget hotel options. Hotels here run $90 to $130 per night and connect to Midtown via the E, M, and N subway lines in 15 to 20 minutes. The neighborhood has fewer tourist attractions of its own but offers cheaper lodging and quieter streets than Manhattan.

Jamaica, Queens has multiple budget chains and independent hotels with rates from $80 to $110 per night. The Jamaica Station hub connects to Manhattan via the E, J, and Z trains in 25 to 35 minutes. This neighborhood is primarily residential and commercial, not a tourist destination, so you are paying for location and transit access rather than walkable attractions nearby.

Sunset Park, Brooklyn and Astoria, Queens both have scattered budget hotels at $85 to $120 per night. Astoria connects to Manhattan via the N and W trains in 20 to 30 minutes. Sunset Park is farther — 30 to 45 minutes to central Manhattan — but some travelers prefer it because the neighborhood has restaurants, bars, and parks that feel less isolated than Jamaica or Long Island City.

Budget hotels near LaGuardia and JFK airports exist but are primarily for travelers with early flights or late arrivals. These properties charge $90 to $140 per night and are inconvenient for sightseeing because airport hotels sit in industrial zones far from transit to Manhattan attractions.

How to Find Current Rates and Call Hotels Directly

Online booking sites like Google Hotels, Kayak, and Booking.com show rates for multiple properties at once, but they take a commission from the hotel. Calling the hotel directly sometimes reveals lower rates because the hotel avoids paying that commission. The trade-off is that you must call each property individually rather than comparing five at once.

To call a hotel directly, search the hotel name plus "NYC" or "Queens" in a search engine, find the property's official website, and look for the phone number on the contact page. Do not use phone numbers from third-party booking sites, which may route your call through a call center that adds delays. The hotel's own website phone number connects you directly to the front desk.

When you call, tell the front desk your check-in and check-out dates and ask for the rate for those specific dates. Ask whether any current promotions explore — many hotels run discounts for military, AAA members, seniors, or extended stays that do not show up on booking sites. Ask whether the rate includes taxes and parking fees, because these can add $20 to $40 per night to the final bill.

Booking directly by phone means you pay by credit card over the phone or at check-in. The hotel will ask for a cancellation policy — most budget hotels charge a fee if you cancel within 24 to 48 hours of check-in. Confirm the cancellation terms before you hang up.

What to Expect When You Arrive

Budget hotels in NYC do not have front desk staff 24 hours a day at all locations. Some have a staffed desk from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a phone line or keypad entry for late arrivals. Ask about check-in hours when you call to book, especially if you are arriving after 10 p.m. Late arrivals may require advance payment or a credit card authorization.

Rooms are typically 200 to 250 square feet — smaller than mid-range hotels — with a bed, bathroom, TV, and sometimes a small desk or chair. Air conditioning and heat are standard. Parking is usually available but may cost $15 to $25 per night extra, or may be included depending on the property. Ask about parking when you call.

Breakfast is not included at Red Roof, Motel 6, or most independent budget hotels, though La Quinta includes a basic continental breakfast. Many budget hotels have a small lobby with vending machines for snacks and drinks but no restaurant or room service. Housekeeping comes daily at most properties, though some budget chains offer daily cleaning only if you request it.

WiFi is included at all major budget chains. Cell phone service in outer-borough hotels is usually strong because you are not surrounded by tall buildings that block signals like you are in Manhattan.

When Prices Drop and When They Rise

Winter weekdays — Monday through Thursday from January through March — are the cheapest time to book. Rates often drop to $70 to $90 per night because tourism is lowest and business travel is minimal. Weekends in winter are more expensive than weekdays but still cheaper than summer.

Spring and fall shoulder seasons (April, May, September, October) offer moderate rates of $90 to $120 per night. These months have pleasant weather and moderate tourism, so prices sit between winter lows and summer highs.

Summer (June, July, August) and major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's) push rates to $120 to $150 or higher because tourism peaks. If you must travel during these periods, book as far ahead as possible — hotels often raise rates as the date approaches if rooms are filling up.

Booking one to two weeks ahead usually gives you better rates than booking the day before or the day of arrival. Last-minute deals do happen when a hotel has empty rooms, but you cannot count on them. If you have flexible dates, checking rates for different weeks can reveal cheaper options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do budget hotels in NYC have air conditioning?

Yes, all major budget hotel chains in NYC include air conditioning and heat. Older properties may have window units rather than central air, but cooling and heating are standard. Ask about the air conditioning system when you call if you have concerns about noise or effectiveness.

Can I get a room for under $80 per night in NYC?

Occasionally, but rarely. Some independent budget hotels in Jamaica or Sunset Park may offer rates below $80 during slow winter weekdays, and last-minute deals sometimes appear. Booking sites and calling hotels directly are the only ways to find these rates — they do not advertise them in advance.

Is it safe to stay in budget hotels in Queens or Brooklyn?

Budget hotel neighborhoods like Long Island City, Jamaica, and Sunset Park are generally safe, though they are industrial or residential areas rather than tourist neighborhoods. Use the same precautions you would in any unfamiliar area: keep valuables in your room, be aware of your surroundings at night, and use well-lit streets and transit stations. Hotel staff can recommend safe routes to subway stations and nearby restaurants.

What is the difference between Red Roof, Motel 6, and La Quinta?

All three are budget chains with similar nightly rates. La Quinta includes free breakfast, which adds value if you plan to eat at the hotel. Red Roof and Motel 6 do not include breakfast but allow pets free. Motel 6 properties tend to be older and more basic. Choose based on whether breakfast matters to you and which locations are closest to your destination.

Do I need to pay a deposit when I book by phone?

Most budget hotels require a credit card to hold the reservation but do not charge your card until you check in. Some may charge a deposit if you are booking far in advance or if you have a cancellation history. Ask about payment terms when you call — the hotel will explain what happens if you cancel and when your card will be charged.