NYC Pre-Trip Checklist: 7 Things to Do Before You Arrive

Scrambling for last-minute reservations or show tickets isn’t the best use of your time in NYC. So, once you’ve booked your trip to New York City, there are important things you can do before you come to help make your trip run more smoothly.

If you’ve already booked your flights and are getting excited to come to NYC, let’s dive into seven things you should do right now before landing in New York City.

1. Set Up Transit Card in Digital Wallet
2. Read the Transportation Guide
3. Book Activities in Advance
4. Buy and Break in Comfortable Walking Shoes
5. Download Helpful Apps
6. Figure Out Phone Plan (for International)
7. Determine If You’ll Get a City Pass

Let’s look at each one below. 👇

Quick Links:

• Transportation Guide
• Useful Apps for NYC Travel
• NYC Pass Comparison + Quiz

Note: This article was written by a real human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

What to Do Before Traveling to NYC Podcast Episode

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Quick Note on Booking Hotels in NYC

Many people book their flights first as part of their trip planning, then wait a while to book their hotel. If you’re coming to New York City, you should book your hotel as soon as possible.

We have a full article on where to stay in New York City, but keep in mind that NYC is a business town. Last-minute travel becomes very expensive because hotels and activities know that they can jack up prices for the business crowd who is willing to pay the premium.

As soon as you book your flights to New York City, book your hotel.

Once you have your flights and hotel booked, here are 7 things to do.

1- Set Up a Transit Card in Digital Wallet

In 2026, every subway turnstile in New York City accepts tap-to-pay through the OMNY system. While you can just use a tap-to-pay-enabled credit or debit card, it is often easier and faster to use your phone.

Whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, there is also a way to set up a rapid transit card. The directions vary for each device. Essentially, you go into the settings, find your digital wallet, choose the transit or rapid transit option, and set your default card.

When you do this, you can tap your phone up to the tap-to-pay reader at the subway turnstile without opening your wallet or using your face or Touch ID. This is a much more efficient way to get through the subway turnstile.

Because nothing is more frustrating than rushing to make a train, only to have your card not read and not get through the turnstile fast enough as the train pulls away.

2- Read the Transportation Guide

New York City is a massive metropolis with five boroughs and loads of different neighborhoods and attractions. Getting around NYC can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to big cities.

Our Ultimate NYC Transportation Guide covers everything you need to know, including:

• Getting to and from the major airports
• Riding the subway
• Hailing taxis
• Walking around the city
• Biking
• So much more

It is 100% free. Head here to get this must-have guide, and then, of course, read it before you come to New York City.

3- Activities You Should Book in Advance

While there’s a seemingly endless supply of things to do in New York City, some of the more popular attractions can sell out or book up well in advance. Here are some activities you should book in advance to ensure you can go:

• Broadway shows
• Restaurants
• Comedy shows
• Jazz club
• Guided tours

Broadway Shows

Attending a Broadway Show in New York City is a bucket list experience for many theater lovers. There is nothing quite as frustrating as having a show you really want to see only to find out that the only tickets left are outside your price range.

Our recommendation is to book well in advance for the shows that you want to see using TodayTix.

While you can also do lottery options or day-of tickets at the TKTS booth, those prices are probably going to be more expensive than if you book in advance. Plan ahead and get your Broadway tickets early.

(Some) Restaurants

Well, again, the number of restaurants available to you in New York City is almost endless. Some of the very popular spots can book out well in advance.

Especially if you are planning a dinner out on a weekend evening, be sure to get a reservation well in advance. While some restaurants only open reservations a week or two in advance, others let you book months in advance. Most restaurants in New York City use either Resy or OpenTable.

Want a curated collection of Google Maps lists? Get access for free here.

Note: If you are coming with a group of more than four people, reservations are largely required at most restaurants. While you may have luck at some popular places, at most you will wait a very long time if your group is five or more and you do not have a reservation.

Comedy Shows

Most comedy shows and clubs in New York City have extensive waitlists on weekend evenings.

If you know you want to go to a comedy show in New York City, be sure to get a reservation early in advance so you’re not stuck attending the 1 a.m. show.

Jazz Clubs

As with comedy shows, many popular jazz clubs fill up quickly, so be sure to make a reservation in advance.

Guided Tours

While most museums do not sell out, if you are interested in guided tours, you should book them in advance.

Many tour operators in New York City, especially the best ones in our opinion, keep the groups relatively small, so be sure to plan ahead and book tours in advance.

4- Buy and Break in Comfortable Walking Shoes

Arguably, the most important item on the NYC packing list is the shoes you will wear every day. You will likely walk anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 steps per day or more.

While many people anticipate walking around to different locations, many attractions, like museums, also involve a lot of walking.

Prioritize comfortable shoes and make sure that whatever shoes you choose and bring are already broken in and comfortable for miles of walking each day.

5- Download Helpful Apps

In the digital age, apps are a must-have for travel experiences. Many apps will hold tickets for the events you’ll be attending, provide information vital to your day-to-day travels in New York City, and even help you get around.

Our full list of the best apps for NYC travel is a must-read.

6- Figure Out a Phone Plan

If you live in the United States, then you can skip this section.

For international travelers, your phone plan from your home country may not work well in the United States. While Wi-Fi is Available in many places, it’s a good idea to have a reliable phone connection. eSIMs are one of the best ways to do this.

I personally used Saily on a recent trip to France and had a wonderful experience overall. Use my code DEVINL9611 at checkout to get US$5.00 off a regular plan or US$10.00 off an Ultra plan.

7- Determine If You’ll Get a City Pass

While not everyone needs to get a New York City attraction pass, it can be a great option for power users.

Our full NYC pass comparison article is an extremely helpful tool, as you did, for deciding whether you need an attraction pass. The article has a comparison table, pros and cons of each popular pass, and even an interactive quiz to help you choose the right one.

If you decide that an attraction pass is right for you, be sure to plan your activities in advance, especially since some passes require certain attractions and/or limit the number of slots for popular ones.

NYC Pre-Travel Things to Do Recap + Next Steps

Doing these seven things before your trip to New York City can make your vacation much smoother and less stressful.

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