Major city · United States
Queens
Base in Long Island City or Astoria for Manhattan access, or in Flushing for food and LGA; 2 nights covers the highlights, 3–4 if you eat your way through.
Queens is New York's most diverse borough and its two airports (LGA, JFK) sit inside it. It is not a sightseeing checklist: it is food neighbourhoods, a World's Fair park, two stadiums and a beach, all on the subway. Stay here to cut hotel costs and still reach Manhattan in 15–30 minutes, or come for a full day of eating in Flushing and Jackson Heights.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Aug–early Sep (U.S. Open crowds and hotel prices)
- Airports
- LGA · JFK
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Queens911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Queens, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyQueens is a normal big-city borough: violent crime is not the everyday risk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 311 NYC non-emergency
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLGA LaGuardia (In northern Queens; no rail link — bus plus subway, or taxi.
- Getting aroundThe subway does most of the work: the 7 line runs from Long Island City through Jackson Heights to Flushing, the N/W serves Astoria…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealDim sum or a bowl of noodles in Flushing$10–20
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi or rideshare, LIC to MidtownTraffic-dependent; the subway is faster at peak.$25–45
- Metro or bus rideSubway or bus ride$2.90 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Moving Image, Queens Museum, Noguchi)Some have free or pay-what-you-wish hours: check.$10–20
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$420
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$150 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LGA LaGuardia (In northern Queens; no rail link — bus plus subway, or taxi. M60 bus to Astoria and Harlem.) · JFK John F. Kennedy International (In southern Queens; AirTrain to Jamaica or Howard Beach, then subway or LIRR.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid*
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Care*
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Oct. Mixed: Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Queens: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The subway does most of the work: the 7 line runs from Long Island City through Jackson Heights to Flushing, the N/W serves Astoria, the E/F reach Jackson Heights and Forest Hills, and the A runs to the Rockaways. Buses fill the gaps east of the subway. The LIRR is faster than the subway for Jamaica and Forest Hills. Taxis and rideshares are useful for LGA runs and late nights.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Manhattan
goDoor to door: 15–45 min depending on start
7, N/W, E/F or M/R to Midtown; LIRR from Jamaica or Forest Hills
Long Island City to Midtown is one or two stops; Flushing is a 35–45 min ride.
Brooklyn
goDoor to door: 20–40 min
G train between LIC and Williamsburg, or LIRR to Atlantic Terminal
Easy pairing with a LIC or Astoria base.
The Bronx
cautionDoor to door: 45–70 min
7 to Grand Central then 4/5, or M60 bus from Astoria to Harlem
Doable but a long haul; go only for a specific sight.
Staten Island
skipDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Subway to Lower Manhattan, ferry, then bus or train
Too far for a Queens-based day; save it for a Manhattan stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Long Island City
One or two subway stops from Midtown; the fastest Manhattan commute and the biggest hotel cluster.
Astoria
Greek and Egyptian food, bars, 20–30 min to Midtown on the N/W. Quieter at night than LIC.
Flushing
Best food access and closest to LGA; 7 train to Manhattan takes about 35–45 min.
Jamaica
Airport hotels and the LIRR/AirTrain hub; practical for an early JFK flight, thin on evening life.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$220 | US$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$150 | US$600 |
| AirTrain JFK to Jamaica, one way2 × US$9 · check | US$17 |
| Subway and bus, one day2 × US$6 · check; weekly cap applies | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$111 |
| Trip total≈ US$305 per person per day, bed included | US$1,220 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Dim sum or a bowl of noodles in Flushing | $10–20 |
| Subway or bus ride | $2.90 (check) |
| Taxi or rideshare, LIC to MidtownTraffic-dependent; the subway is faster at peak. | $25–45 |
| Museum entry (Moving Image, Queens Museum, Noguchi)Some have free or pay-what-you-wish hours: check. | $10–20 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Queens Boulevard has a long record of pedestrian deaths; cross at signals and use station underpasses where they exist.
- Addresses use the neighbourhood, not the borough (Flushing, NY; Woodside, NY) — give the full neighbourhood when booking or telling a driver.
- Subway rides are tap-and-go with a contactless card or phone; fares are per ride with a weekly cap (check current fare).
- Hotel prices spike during the U.S. Open (late Aug–early Sep) and around Mets home games.
- Some airport-area hotels in Jamaica are poorly maintained despite star ratings; read recent reviews before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- NYC non-emergency
- 311
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
QueensQueens
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- NYC non-emergency311
Embassy
Most embassies and consulates-general are in Manhattan; check your country's listing before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- AirTrain JFK → Jamaica: about $8.50, then subway fare (check)
- Subway ride: $2.90, free transfers within the system (check)
- LIRR Jamaica → Penn Station: about $8–11 peak, 20 min (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the subway? — Where is the subway?
- To this address, please — To this address, please
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Queens. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Aug–early Sep (U.S. Open crowds and hotel prices) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for LGA and JFK: last AirTrain and bus departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four eating clusters with rescue anchors: Flushing, Jackson Heights, Astoria and Woodside.
- Place pages with verified hours (Queens Museum, Museum of the Moving Image, Noguchi, Hall of Science) and eat pages with last orders.
- Beach-day fixture for the Rockaways with surf, rip-current and subway-service checks.
Sources
- officialQueens Borough President
- officialDiscover Queens Visitor's Center
- officialMTA
- officialPort Authority of New York and New Jersey — AirTrain
- secondaryWikivoyage: Queens, revision 5247247 (CC BY-SA 4.0)