How to Stay Connected While Travelling in NYC
I just got back from my third trip to NYC, only this time it was a multi-generational trip with my husband, daughter, mother-in-law and aunt. Because we were travelling as a group with toddlers and grandparents, it was more important than ever that we stayed connected.
New York is a big place with a lot going on. Having a dependable way to get around and get in touch with your travel mates is key. This was especially important for us travelling as a family.
We also learned that so much of New York City – from transportation and sightseeing to dinner reservations and Broadway shows – requires you to be reliably connected to the internet. We used our phones for just about everything!
So below I’m going to share how we stayed connected in NYC, the apps we relied on and what you’ll need for your own trip to the Big Apple!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This post is sponsored by Holafly; all opinions are my own. Thanks to Holafly and you for your support of my work!
Use an eSIM to easily stay connected in NYC
The easiest way to stay connected throughout New York City is with an eSIM, a digital SIM that gives you data access on your phone without incurring roaming fees from your home carrier.
While parts of NYC have wifi (more on that below), an eSIM means you’re connected from the moment you arrive in the city. You don’t have to hunt for wifi or depend on offline options.
We used Holafly eSIMs for our trip to the US, which offers unlimited data around the globe (200+ destinations) and Always On, 1 GB of free backup data (renewing monthly for 12 months).
Holafly was an easy and convenient option; check out my post on how simple it was to set up and activate. My husband, Colin, and I both had Holafly eSIMs and never had a problem getting online.
That meant we could navigate, pay, book, message and search everything on our phones with ease, no matter where in New York we were.
Use my code TEASPOONOFADVENTURE for 5% off eSIMs and 10% off Holafly Plans (for the first 12 months)Â
Access free wifi in New York City
Another option for staying connected in NYC is to seek out free wifi. There are free public wifi hotspots throughout the city, in addition to free wifi you can use at your hotel, libraries, cafes, and even some parks and subway stations.
LinkNYC provides free wifi by replacing pay phones around the city with Link kiosks. In addition to wifi, these kiosks also have device charging, a tablet connected to city services and maps, and a phone for free US-wide calls.
This is a really cool service and I love that there are Link kiosks throughout all five boroughs. It’s definitely a great option for residents and visitors, especially those who don’t have their own phone or internet access.
However, if you do have the budget and an eSIM-compatible device, I still think that’s the way to go. Even though LinkNYC is widespread throughout the city, you may find yourself in a zone without access.
LinkNYC also has limited 5G internet access, with some users complaining about slow internet speeds during busy times. With our Holafly eSIMs, I never noticed an issue with internet speed.
Download essential apps for an NYC trip
We used our phones for just about everything during our New York City trip. These are the main apps I recommend downloading:
Google Maps
Google Maps was essential for navigating throughout the city. We used this for walking and transit directions, as well as taking the train to/from the airport. We also used Google Maps to look up opening hours and reviews.
Other transportation apps you may want to download include Uber, Lyft, Curb (for taxis), NJ Transit, Amtrak, NYC Ferry, Citi Bike and Citymapper.
Since our eSIMs gave us data, but not phone numbers for texting, we used the messaging app Whatsapp to stay in touch. I use Whatsapp with friends and family back home, so didn’t need to set up anything new for this trip.
I also still had use of Facebook Messenger and iMessage with my Holafly eSIM.
CityPASS
We were gifted New York CityPASS tickets which gave us access to some of the best sightseeing in the city at a steep discount. Using the app, I was able to easily make reservations and scan our tickets at entry points.
We used CityPASS to visit the Empire State Building, Natural History Museum, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and to go on a Harbor Lights Circle Line cruise!
TodayTix
TodayTix is my go-to app for booking theatre tickets and is one of the best ways to buy tickets for Broadway shows. I used my TodayTix app to enter ticket lotteries, buy rush tickets and take advantage of seat sales.
We saw two Broadway shows while in New York, easily purchasing and scanning our tickets with the TodayTix app. No need to stand in line at the TKTS booth!
Resy
Resy is one of the most popular apps for making dining reservations in New York City. You can download the app or use the web version. We made reservations through Resy for our first dinner in New York at Gayle’s Broadway Rose.
Open Table is another popular dining reservation app in NYC. And of course, you can still use Door Dash and Uber Eats to get food delivered to your hotel!
Holafly
Last but not least, I had the Holafly app downloaded to easily set up and activate my Holafly eSIM once we touched down in New York. I would also have been able to use the app to troubleshoot any issues while we were in the US, but nothing came up.
Why it’s so important to stay connected in New York City
Even if you’re an experienced traveller, New York City can still be an intimidating place to visit. It’s a big city with lots of people and lots going on. That’s why it’s so important to stay connected.
On other trips, I’ve relied on offline maps or directions I looked up ahead of time. But in New York, you want to have live maps and a solid internet connection. Not only will it make navigating easier, but being online gives you access to current closures, traffic, construction, etc.
But even with online maps, you may find yourself lost in NYC. Which is why staying connected is even more important.
My mother-in-law and aunt got lost on their way back to the hotel but because we were staying in touch on Whatsapp, we knew where they were and could help them navigate.
Beyond directions and messages, we used our eSIMs to make reservations, scan entry tickets, check opening times, read reviews and access just about every attraction, restaurant and show in the city. It would have been very hard to sightsee in NYC without a data-connected phone!
Of course, as important as it is to stay connected in NYC for practical and safety reasons, it also helps make your trip more fun. New York is a really cool place to visit with incredible food, views, museums and neighbourhoods.
Naturally, you’re going to want to share your trip on social media or on a video call with loved ones back home. With an eSIM, you can share live from Central Park!
So grab your eSIM (discount code below) and have the best time on your trip to New York City!
Use my code TEASPOONOFADVENTURE for 5% off eSIMs and 10% off Holafly Plans (for the first 12 months)Â
