Hotels in New Jersey Near NYC: Where You Should Stay

Is it worth sleeping in New Jersey to save a few dollars on your trip to New York? This is a question we get from readers all the time.

Below I'll give you a few things to think about so you can decide whether staying in New Jersey makes sense for you.

Staying in Jersey City

Jersey City, the second largest city in New Jersey, sits right across the Hudson River from Manhattan.

It's so close that it's considered part of the New York City metropolitan area.

Because of that proximity, Jersey City hotels are a cheaper alternative for sleeping close to New York.

That said, if you sleep in New Jersey you need to factor in the time you'll spend traveling into the city, plus the cost of transportation (here I explain how to travel between New Jersey and New York).

Staying in Hoboken

The first thing every New York lover should know is that Hoboken is Frank Sinatra's hometown, so we're off to a good start.

Sleeping there, you can imagine what went through Sinatra's mind as he looked out at the Big Apple («I want to wake up in that city that doesn't sleep»…).

Hoboken, like Jersey City, is considered part of the Manhattan metropolitan area, and it's located directly across from West Village and Chelsea.

To get to Hoboken you can take the PATH, the train that connects New York with New Jersey and runs 24 hours a day.

It usually takes about 30 minutes to reach midtown Manhattan, but that really depends on where your hotel in Hoboken is located.

From any of Hoboken's paths or piers along the Hudson River you can take photos that will be the envy of everyone back home.

Is it worth sleeping in New Jersey?

If you're looking to save money, maybe. But keep in mind that you'll be removed from the buzz of NY, which in my view is part of the experience of visiting the city.

If you want a quieter place to sleep, especially if you're traveling with kids, and you don't mind commuting into New York every day, it's a good option (in that case you could also look at Long Island City in Queens).

That's not necessarily a bad thing either. You get to travel between the two cities like Tony Soprano 😉

What I do recommend is that before you decide, you look at other options like these cheap hotels in Brooklyn, which have far more character.

Even if you decide against staying in Jersey City, it's worth crossing the Hudson for the fantastic panoramic views of Manhattan. A great walk is the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.