Travel guide

New York tours for international visitors

Flying in from London, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul, Dubai or anywhere else? Here's what to know before you land, and how Tour to NYC LLC makes your first days in New York easy, with a private guide and a chauffeur who meets you at the airport.

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Quick facts for overseas travellers

Airports: JFK, Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA). We meet you in arrivals with a name sign.
Currency: US dollar (USD). Cards are accepted almost everywhere; Apple Pay and Google Pay are common.
Tipping: Usual: 18–22% in restaurants, 15–20% for guides and drivers.
Sales tax: 8.875% in New York City, added at the till (not included in shelf prices).
Power: 120 V, plug types A and B (two flat pins). Bring an adapter.
Time zone: Eastern Time: UTC−5, or UTC−4 in summer (mid-March to early November).
Emergency: Dial 911 for police, fire and ambulance.
Language: English. Our tours are guided in English; tell us if you need a guide in another language and we'll do our best to arrange one.

Visiting New York from your country

New York from United Kingdom & Ireland

United Kingdom · Ireland

About 7–8 hours non-stop from London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin into JFK or Newark.
New York is usually 5 hours behind London and Dublin.
UK citizens normally travel with an approved ESTA. Ireland has US pre-clearance at Dublin and Shannon, so you land as a domestic arrival.
Overnight flights land in the afternoon: a relaxed evening tour of Midtown and Times Square is a gentle first night.

New York from Europe

Germany · France · Italy · Spain · Netherlands · Switzerland · Scandinavia · Portugal · Belgium · Austria · Poland · Greece

About 8–10 hours non-stop from most major European hubs.
New York is usually 6 hours behind Central European time.
Citizens of most EU countries and Switzerland normally travel with an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program.
Many European visitors combine Manhattan with a day trip to Washington, D.C. or Philadelphia: ask us to plan both.

New York from Australia & New Zealand

Australia · New Zealand

Usually one stop (via Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas or Asia); some routes fly direct. Allow 20+ hours door to door.
Sydney and Auckland are around 14–17 hours ahead of New York, depending on daylight saving.
Australian and New Zealand citizens normally travel with an approved ESTA.
Jet lag is real after the long haul: book an easy private tour for day one and save the full-day itinerary for later in your stay.

New York from Japan

Japan

About 12–13 hours non-stop from Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) into JFK or Newark.
Tokyo is 13–14 hours ahead of New York.
Japanese citizens normally travel with an approved ESTA.
Private tours are popular with Japanese families and couples who prefer a calm, unhurried pace and no shared groups.

New York from Asia

South Korea · Singapore · China · Hong Kong · Taiwan · India · Malaysia · Thailand · Philippines · Indonesia · Vietnam

Non-stop from Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Delhi and Mumbai; one stop from most other cities.
Most of East and Southeast Asia is 12–13 hours ahead of New York; India is 9½–10½ hours ahead.
South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan are in the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). Visitors from China, India and most other Asian countries usually need a B-2 tourist visa.
Large family groups travel comfortably in our Mercedes Sprinter vans, with room for luggage and shopping.

New York from Middle East & Gulf

United Arab Emirates · Saudi Arabia · Qatar · Kuwait · Bahrain · Oman · Israel · Jordan

About 13–14 hours non-stop from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha into JFK or Newark. Abu Dhabi has US pre-clearance.
Dubai is 8–9 hours ahead of New York; Riyadh and Doha 7–8 hours.
Israel is in the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). Visitors from most Gulf countries usually need a B-2 tourist visa, so apply early.
VIP and family travellers often book a chauffeured SUV or limousine for the whole stay, with shopping stops on Fifth Avenue and at outlets.

New York from Canada & Latin America

Canada · Mexico · Brazil · Argentina · Chile · Colombia

1–2 hours from Toronto and Montréal; 5–10 hours non-stop from Mexico City, São Paulo, Bogotá, Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Toronto shares New York's time; most of Latin America is 0–2 hours different.
Canadians usually need only a passport. Chile is in the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA); most other Latin American visitors need a B-2 visa.
Weekend breaks are popular from Canada: a 4–6 hour private highlights tour covers the essentials in one day.

Entry rules change. Always check the official sources:ESTA (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) US tourist visas (travel.state.gov)

Best private tours for first-time visitors

Hotel pickup, your own guide and vehicle, and a pace that suits jet-lagged travellers.

All tours

Popular
New York City
Private New York City Tour Packages
Luxury Private Tours • Airport Transfers • Corporate Transportation • Customized Experiences
- 4 hours
- Up to 14
From
$499
per group
Popular
New York City
Private NYC Night Tour (4 Hours)
Experience New York City after dark on a private sightseeing tour featuring the city’s illuminated landmarks, iconic skyline, and vibrant neighborhoods.
- 4 hours
- Up to 10
From
$699
per group
Popular
New York City
8-Hour Private NYC Highlights Tour Package
This itinerary is ideal for visitors who want to experience New York City’s iconic landmarks in a single full-day private tour with the comfort of a private guide and vehicle.
- 8 hours
- Up to 6
From
$899
per group

Questions international visitors ask

Do I need a visa to visit New York?

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (including the UK, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore) can usually visit for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA, applied for online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov before you fly. Most other visitors need a B-2 tourist visa from a US embassy or consulate. Rules change, so always check travel.state.gov before booking.

How do I get from JFK or Newark airport to my hotel in Manhattan?

The easiest way is a private chauffeur who meets you in arrivals and drives you straight to your hotel. Expect 45–75 minutes from JFK or Newark depending on traffic. We offer fixed-price airport transfers from JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and Teterboro.

What is the best New York tour for first-time international visitors?

A private highlights tour is the most efficient way to see the essentials in one day: Times Square, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge and views of the Statue of Liberty, with a local guide and door-to-door pickup from your hotel.

Can I pay in my own currency?

Prices are in US dollars. You can pay online by card (Stripe) or PayPal; your bank converts the amount to your home currency.

How much should I tip in New York?

Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% in sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, and 15–20% for tour guides and drivers if you enjoyed the service.

When is the best time to visit New York?

April to June and September to early November have the most comfortable weather. December is busy and festive. July and August are hot and humid, and January to March are cold but quieter, with lower hotel prices.

Are private tours suitable for families and elderly travellers?

Yes. A private tour moves at your pace, with a vehicle waiting nearby, so there is far less walking than a group tour. Child seats are available on request.