I visited New York on a budget and found the cheapest time to book flights, best month to visit and even the best pizza

IT’S early morning in New York City. Skyscrapers shim-mer in the mellow sunlight, while a yellow taxi drives through a plume of steam billowing from a drain.

The Big Apple is one of the most spectacular places in the world.

But rising costs have made holidaying there a struggle in recent years and it will drain your bank account if you’re not savvy.

I was visiting with my 33-year-old brother, Luc, and it was his first time exploring the city that never sleeps.

To cut costs, we could have stayed in a cheaper hotel, farther from action-packed Manhattan, and visited only free attractions.

But where’s the joy in missing out when ticking off a travel bucket-list?

Luckily, I knew a few hacks to cut costs without sacrificing comfort and fun . . . 

BOOK FLIGHTS NOW AND DITCH CABS: It’s all about timing when it comes to flights and accommodation, and now is the best time to book.

Many airlines have just launched January sales, and return flights with British Airways from Heathrow to New York now cost from £390.

You’ll have to book by January 28, though, so be quick.

When you land, get the train into the city. It’s an easy journey and will cost less than $20, as opposed to a $100-or-so cab ride.

And the best thing about the city is it’s so walkable. If you do need to hail a cab, avoid doing so in Times Square as drivers hike up the prices in popular areas.

Walk a couple of blocks away from the crowds and you’ll find costs drop dramatically.

TRAVEL IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY: Christmas and summer tend to be the most expensive periods to visit, so avoid those months and you’ve saved yourself at least a few hundred quid.

On top of that, if y fou take advantage of Hotel Week, you’ll save a around 25 per cent on certain hotels.

The promotion runs from January 2 through to February 9 and some spectacular properties are included in the deal.

We stayed in the Freehand Hotel, a couple of blocks over from the Flatiron building, which offered not only a cracking location for first-timers but a stylish interior with comfy beds — and all at a very affordable price.

The vibe is chic hostel-cum-hotel and groups can stay in a spacious quad room from around £28pp per night — without the Hotel Week discount applied.

There’s a rooftop bar, a laidback lounge area with coffee tables and marshmallow-like sofas, plus reasonably priced Latin American restaurant Comodo which is so good it even attracts visitors not staying at the hotel — try the clams al pastor.

Just ask for a room on floor five or above, if you’re keen to avoid the late-night weekend noise from the bar.

EAT WITH THE LOCALS: Of course, when it comes to food, the humble bagel is staple fare in New York City.

But you could be spending upward of $20 for a very average bagel and coffee from one of the pricier chains like Zucker’s.

Instead, head to Apollo Bagels, which started as a pop-up a few years back but opened two permanent stores last year — one near the East Village and one not far from Greenwich Village.

Sure, you can find cheaper spots, but for $5 you can get a proper sourdough New York bagel absolutely loaded with cream cheese that packs a garlicky punch — mine was so big I couldn’t finish it.

The menu is small and simple but that’s what makes it brilliant, and the snaking queue of locals speaks for itself.

And what about pizza by the slice? You can still find 99-cent pizza slices, although these are few and far between.

My advice would be to spend a little more on something tastier — Joe’s Pizza serves crispy yet gooey cheese slices for around $4.

There are several Joe’s joints dotted around Manhattan and the name is well-known for good reason — spot pictures of celebrity diners plastered over the walls in some branches.

Just avoid the one on Broadway at popular times because there will probably be a seriously long queue.

For something more substantial, Restaurant Week is from January 21 until February 9. Take your pick from great-value fixed-price menus around the city.

Keep an eye out for some great food happy-hours, too. Oysters are a notoriously expensive dish, but you can pick them up for just $1 at certain hours of the day.

TICK OFF FREEBIES AND BULK-BUY: So much is free in New York — a stroll along the High Line and through Central Park, a visit to the architectural wonder that is Grand Central Station and many museums are free of charge on certain days.

But if it’s your first time, like Luc, you’ll want to tick off must-sees such as the Empire State Building and observation deck Top of the Rock.

Best bet is a CityPass that lets you bulk-buy entry to core attractions.

For around £86 per adult and £68 per child you can tick off three experiences, including those mentioned above plus the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and a ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty.

The initial cost may be steep but you’ll save yourself up to 41 per cent.

Want to see a Broadway show? Try your luck and buy on the day — or if visiting during Restaurant Week, you’ll be able to bag 2-for-1 tickets to selected shows.

If you’re staying in the Freehand Hotel, you’ll be just across the road from the Friends Experience, in homage to the TV show.

But don’t bother paying for the tour, just swing by the Central Perk cafe (entry free) where you can plonk yourself on the famous orange sofa or pose next to Phoebe’s yellow cab.