7 Best Sites for Cheap Hotels in Times Square New York NY (2026 Guide)

Let’s be honest. Finding a genuinely cheap hotel in Times Square feels like a snipe hunt. You’re either miles from the action or paying a premium for a room that’s more closet than comfort. The endless searching, the price comparisons, the nagging feeling you missed a better deal—it’s a drag. We get it. You want to be in the heart of the city, soaking up the neon glow, without torching your savings account.

This isn't just another list of overpriced hotels disguised as bargains. Think of this as your cheat sheet for the hotel booking game. We’ve already done the legwork to show you which platforms actually deliver on value near the ‘Crossroads of the World’. Forget opening a dozen tabs; we’re giving you a clear, direct breakdown of the top booking sites and how to make their tech work for you.

Here, you'll find a curated roundup of the most affordable hotels right in and around Times Square. We've organised them by budget and traveller type, from solo adventurers to families on a mission. For each hotel, we'll provide:

• Actionable booking tips to lock in the lowest price.
• A realistic price range so you know what you’re getting into.
• The honest pros and cons of each property.
• A pro tip on saving even more by letting technology monitor for price drops.

This guide is built for efficiency. We'll show you how to find a fantastic, budget-friendly base for your New York adventure, putting you steps away from Broadway, killer restaurants, and iconic sights. Let’s find you a smarter deal.

1. Booking.com

As one of the heavyweights in online travel, Booking.com is a beast for finding a massive range of hotels right where you want to be. Its sheer volume means you'll find everything from reliable budget chains to surprise deals on four-star spots, making it a non-negotiable first stop when searching for cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY.

What makes it so efficient are its laser-focused search tools. You can filter specifically for “Times Square” or the “Theatre District” and then sort by price. This tells you exactly how far you’ll be walking after a show, all while keeping your budget on a leash.

Standout Features

Booking.com’s power lies in user-friendly features that put you in the driver's seat. The platform is designed to get you from search to booked, fast.

• Genius Loyalty Programme: This is the big one. After just a few bookings, you get lifetime access to the "Genius" programme. Level 1 nets you a 10% discount on select properties, while higher tiers add perks like free breakfast, room upgrades, and even bigger discounts.
• Flexible Booking Options: Many listings offer “Pay at Property” and, more importantly, free cancellation. This flexibility is gold for locking in a good rate while you keep an eye out for better deals or if your plans aren't set in stone.
• Verified Reviews: With thousands of reviews for popular hotels, you get the real story on everything from room size to staff attitude. The map view also helps you see exactly where a hotel is in relation to subway stations and key attractions.

How to Use It for the Best Deals

To get the most out of Booking.com, don’t just skim the first page. Use the filters like a pro: set your max budget, filter by "Review Score: Very Good 8+" to ditch the duds, and select "Free cancellation." This combo often unearths the hidden gems.

And a heads-up on pricing: while Booking.com is generally transparent, some initial prices don't include all taxes and fees. Always click through to the final checkout page to see the all-in cost before you commit. No surprises.

Top Tip: Once you book a free-cancellation rate, don’t just set it and forget it. Keep the reservation and use a tool like FlipMyStay to monitor it for you. If the price drops, you get alerted to rebook at the lower rate. Effortless savings.

For more insights on using this platform effectively, check out our guide on how its features compare for other popular destinations; you can see how Booking.com stacks up in our Miami Beach hotel guide.

Website: https://www.booking.com

2. Expedia (UK)

As a full-service travel platform, Expedia (UK) is a brilliant choice for UK-based travellers hunting for cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY. It not only offers a massive hotel inventory but also lets you bundle your stay with flights, which is where the real savings are often hiding. It’s the smart way to sort your whole Big Apple trip in one go.

What makes Expedia so useful for Brits is its localised setup. Prices are in GBP, and support is geared to the UK market, so you can skip the mental gymnastics of currency conversions. Its powerful filters let you zero in on the "Theatre District" and then sort by price to easily spot the best-value stays near Broadway.

Standout Features

Expedia’s platform is built around integrated rewards and package deals, designed to give you more value the more you book.

• One Key Loyalty Programme: This is a game-changer. The "One Key" programme unifies rewards across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. You earn "OneKeyCash" on eligible bookings, which you can then spend on future trips. Members also get access to special "Member Prices" on thousands of hotels.
• Package Savings: Here’s where Expedia really shines. By booking your flight and hotel together, you often unlock unpublished hotel rates that are way lower than booking them separately. It’s one of the most effective ways to slash the total cost of your trip.
• UK-Specific Service: The platform offers transparent pricing in pounds and provides UK-based customer support. It’s a small detail that provides a lot of peace of mind and makes budgeting way easier.

How to Use It for the Best Deals

To max out your savings on Expedia, always search for a flight and hotel package first, even if you’re just browsing. The discounts can be too good to pass up. Make sure you’re signed into your One Key account to see if "Member Prices" are available—that can knock off an extra 10% or more.

Just be aware that the cheapest deals, especially package rates, are often non-refundable. Always check the cancellation policy before you hit ‘confirm’. If your plans aren’t 100% locked in, it might be worth paying a little more for a flexible rate.

Top Tip: Lock in a great package deal that includes a flexible hotel option. This gives you the best of both worlds—you secure the flight savings but can still monitor the hotel price. If a better rate pops up, a service like FlipMyStay can alert you, so you can cancel the hotel part and rebook it at the new, lower price.

For more tips on how Expedia's package deals work for other destinations, see our guide to finding discount hotels in Corfu.

Website: https://www.expedia.co.uk

3. Hotels.com

A household name for a reason, Hotels.com is a reliable and straightforward choice for finding cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY. As part of the Expedia family, it has a massive inventory and often features sharp, member-only pricing that can make a Midtown stay surprisingly affordable.

What makes it a go-to is its clean interface and clear rewards system. Its search lets you pinpoint hotels near Times Square landmarks, while "Member Prices" offer immediate, visible discounts. This blend of huge selection and easy savings makes it a strong contender in your NYC hotel search.

Standout Features

Hotels.com excels by combining a user-friendly platform with a loyalty programme that delivers tangible rewards, putting money back in your pocket.

• One Key Loyalty Programme: This is the platform’s superpower. Unified with Expedia and Vrbo, One Key lets you earn 2% back in OneKeyCash on eligible hotel bookings. This credit can then be spent on future trips across any of the sites, acting as a direct discount. Simple.
• Member Prices: Just signing up for a free account unlocks "Member Prices," which can offer discounts of 10% or more on thousands of hotels. They’re clearly marked and provide an instant saving.
• VIP Access Properties: For frequent bookers who hit higher tiers in the One Key programme, select "VIP Access" hotels offer extra perks like room upgrades, F&B credits, or free breakfast. This can add serious value to an already good deal.

How to Use It for the Best Deals

To squeeze the most savings out of Hotels.com, always sign in to see the exclusive Member Prices. Use the map view to check a hotel’s proximity to your must-see shows or subway stations—don’t trade a cheap rate for a terrible location.

Heads up: the most deeply discounted rates are often non-refundable. If your plans might change, filter for "Fully refundable" options to grab a good price without being locked in. This gives you the freedom to cancel and rebook if a better offer comes along.

Top Tip: After booking a refundable rate on Hotels.com, let FlipMyStay automatically track the price. If it drops before check-in, you’ll get an alert, allowing you to rebook at the lower price and pocket the difference. It’s a no-brainer.

You can dive deeper into how Hotels.com's reward system can be leveraged for significant savings with our guide on finding a great hotel deal in Singapore.

Website: https://uk.hotels.com

4. Priceline

Priceline is for travellers willing to trade a little certainty for a big discount. It’s famous for its aggressive, often opaque, deals that can land you a surprisingly luxe Times Square hotel for a fraction of the list price. If you’re flexible on the exact property and obsessed with the lowest possible price, Priceline’s unique tools make it a must-try for finding cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY.

What sets Priceline apart are its “Express Deals” and “Pricebreakers.” These features offer huge savings by hiding the hotel's name until after you book. You’ll know the star rating, general location, and amenities, but the final reveal is part of the fun. For those who aren't loyal to a specific hotel brand, this small gamble pays off big.

 to make sure you land somewhere decent._ _ While the deals are fantastic, remember that Express Deals are almost always non-refundable and non-changeable. They're for people with concrete plans. Also, for UK bookers, double-check the final price in GBP and be mindful of potential foreign transaction fees from your bank._ _

Top Tip: Express Deals are non-refundable, but standard, flexible bookings on Priceline are fair game. Book a free-cancellation rate and let a service like FlipMyStay track it. If a better price for that same booking appears, you’ll get an alert so you can rebook and bank the savings._ _ For a deeper dive into how Priceline's opaque deals work, their website has detailed guides that can help you become a pro at spotting the best bargains._ _ Website: https://www.priceline.com

5. Hotwire

For travellers who love a great deal and don't mind a bit of a gamble, Hotwire is the secret weapon for nabbing cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY. The platform’s “Hot Rate” deals offer deep discounts, but with a catch: you don’t find out the hotel's name until after you've paid. This "opaque" model lets top hotels sell their empty rooms without publicly slashing their prices—and you reap the rewards.

Hotwire

This is especially powerful in a high-demand area like Times Square, where even "budget" hotels can be pricey. Hotwire lets you risk a little for a big payoff, often putting you in a great hotel for a fraction of its normal rate. It's a brilliant choice for flexible travellers, especially for last-minute trips.

Standout Features

Hotwire is built around its Hot Rate model, but it gives you enough clues to book with confidence, even without knowing the hotel’s name upfront.

• Hot Rate Opaque Deals: This is the main event. You choose the area (e.g., "Times Square West"), star rating, and amenities, and Hotwire guarantees a hotel that fits the bill. The massive discount is your reward for booking "blind."
• Amenity and Area Filters: To de-risk the gamble, you can filter for essentials like "Free Wi-Fi," "Pool," or "Pet-Friendly." The platform also shows a list of three or four possible hotels it could be, giving you a strong hint about the quality to expect.
• 24-hour Low Price Guarantee: If you find the exact same booking for less within 24 hours, Hotwire will refund the difference. This provides a safety net, ensuring you’re getting a genuinely competitive price.

How to Use It for the Best Deals

Success with Hotwire is all about being a smart detective. Select the "Times Square" area and your desired star rating. Pay close attention to the guest rating (e.g., "8+/10") and the list of possible hotels. You can often cross-reference the amenities shown on Hotwire with those listed on other sites for the "possible" hotels to figure out which one it is.

Be warned: Hot Rate bookings are final. No cancellations, no changes, no refunds. Only use it when your plans are set in stone. Also, the price you see first doesn't include taxes and resort fees, which can add up. Always click through to the final payment screen to see the true total.

Top Tip: Hot Rate deals are non-refundable, so you can't use a price-drop tool on the booking itself. But you can use it as a benchmark. Before you commit, check the standard refundable rates on other sites. If they’re close, booking a flexible rate and monitoring it with FlipMyStay might be the smarter, safer move.

For a deeper dive into how opaque booking models compare, see our analysis in other competitive markets; learn more about the pros and cons in our Las Vegas hotel guide.

Website: https://www.hotwire.com

6. trivago (UK)

As a powerful metasearch engine, trivago doesn’t actually sell you hotel rooms. Think of it as your super-smart shopping assistant, scanning prices from hundreds of booking sites at once. For anyone hunting down cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY, this makes it an essential tool for making sure you’re not overpaying for the exact same room.

trivago (UK)

The platform’s core mission is price comparison. Search for a hotel, and trivago shows you a list of prices from various online travel agencies (OTAs) and even the hotel’s own website. This instantly shows you who’s offering the lowest rate, saving you the tedious job of checking multiple sites. For UK travellers, it smartly shows prices in GBP, making budgeting a breeze.

Standout Features

trivago is all about giving you a clear, bird's-eye view of the market, helping you make an informed decision fast, before you commit to booking.

• Comprehensive Price Comparison: Its main strength is pulling rates from a massive network of over 50 platforms. You might find a hotel you know is cheaper on a site you’ve never heard of, giving you a serious edge.
• trivago Rating Index (tRI): This handy feature aggregates guest ratings from over 65 websites into a single score out of 100. It gives you a quick, reliable snapshot of a hotel's quality without you having to read reviews on ten different sites.
• Localized for UK Travellers: The UK site displays everything in pounds sterling (GBP), so there are no surprise currency conversions. This is a huge plus when budgeting for your trip from the UK.

How to Use It for the Best Deals

To use trivago like a pro, start with a broad search for “Times Square,” then use the filters to narrow your options. Filter by price, star rating, and, most importantly, the trivago Rating Index. Setting the rating to "Very Good" (80+) helps weed out places with dodgy guest feedback.

Once you’ve found a hotel you like, look closely at the list of sellers. It’s not just about the price—check the seller’s name. You’ll see big players like Booking.com, but you might find smaller OTAs offering a better deal. Always click through and verify the final price, including all taxes and fees, on the seller’s site before you book.

Top Tip: Use trivago to find the hotel and the cheapest seller, then book a free-cancellation rate on that site. Bring that booking to a service like FlipMyStay, which will monitor the price for you. If a better deal pops up anywhere before your trip, you’ll get an alert so you can cancel and rebook at the lower price.

For a deeper dive into how metasearch engines can slash your travel costs, take a look at our complete guide to finding last-minute hotel deals.

Website: https://www.trivago.co.uk

7. Trip.com (UK)

Trip.com has earned a solid rep, especially among UK travellers, for offering seriously competitive rates in major US cities. When you're searching for cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY, it often comes in with prices that undercut the bigger names, thanks to its aggressive coupon strategy and a rewards programme that lets you stack savings.

It’s a fantastic platform for deal hunters. The UK site shows prices in GBP from the get-go, so there's no currency conversion guesswork, and it frequently offers promo codes that are perfect for Brits planning a trip across the pond.

Trip.com (UK)

Standout Features

Trip.com’s appeal is its multi-layered approach to discounts, which can lead to big savings if you know how to work the system. It’s built to reward repeat customers and savvy shoppers.

• Trip Coins Loyalty Programme: This is the core of its value prop. You earn "Trip Coins" on every booking, which you can then use like cash to cut the cost of future hotel stays. As you move up the membership tiers, your coin-earning rate gets even better.
• Frequent Coupons and App-Only Deals: Trip.com is almost never without a promotion. You’ll find regular discount codes on the site, and even better deals are often hiding in its mobile app. Bundling your hotel with a flight can also unlock extra savings.
• GBP Pricing and UK Focus: For UK travellers, seeing prices in pounds from start to finish is a massive convenience. The promotions are also often tailored to the UK market, making it feel more relevant than some US-centric sites.

How to Use It for the Best Deals

To get the most value from Trip.com, your first move should be to download the app and sign up for the loyalty programme. Check the app for exclusive promo codes before you even start searching. Use the calendar view, which highlights the cheapest date combos if your travel schedule is flexible.

A word of caution: many of the absolute best prices on Trip.com are for prepaid, non-refundable rates. Always double-check the cancellation policy before you book, as flexibility usually costs more. While customer service can be a mixed bag, the potential for deep discounts makes it a go-to for price-conscious travellers.

Top Tip: The non-refundable nature of Trip.com's best deals makes price-drop monitoring essential. After booking, use a service like FlipMyStay to track it. If a refundable rate at the same or a better hotel drops below what you paid, you could book it and cancel your original, giving you an upgrade or savings without the risk.

For an idea of how Trip.com's deals compare in other busy tourist hubs, you can see how it performs in our guide to finding budget hotels near the Las Vegas Strip.

Website: https://uk.trip.com

7-Platform Comparison: Cheap Hotels Near Times Square, NYC

Your Smartest NYC Trip Starts Now

And there you have it—your complete playbook for finding and booking cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY, without sacrificing your comfort, convenience, or sanity. We've navigated the digital maze of booking sites for you, from the massive inventories of Booking.com to the secret deal engines of Priceline and Hotwire. We've shown you how to decode the "perfect" hotel for your trip, whether you're a solo adventurer or a family trying to keep everyone happy.

The biggest secret? It isn't one. Finding an affordable stay in the heart of Manhattan is totally doable. It just requires the right strategy, a bit of flexibility, and the right tech in your corner. The idea that you have to spend a fortune to be near the bright lights is a myth we’re happy to bust.

Your Key Takeaways for a Cheaper NYC Stay

Let's boil it down. If you only remember a few things, make it these:

• There is no single "best" site. The right platform depends on your travel style. Love loyalty points? Hotels.com is your friend. Get a thrill from a mystery deal? Hotwire and Priceline are for you. Want a straightforward comparison? trivago lays it all out.
• Location is relative. Don't get fixated on being on Times Square. Hotels a five-minute walk away in Hell's Kitchen or Midtown West can offer way better value, bigger rooms, and a more authentic vibe, all while keeping you steps from the action.
• Timing is everything. As we covered, booking during the shoulder seasons (like late spring or early autumn) or the post-holiday slump in January can slash your costs. Dodging major holidays and city-wide events is your most powerful money-saving move.
• Booking isn't a one-and-done task. This is the most crucial point. Hotel prices fluctuate constantly. Booking your room and forgetting about it means you're almost certainly leaving money on the table.

Putting Your Knowledge into Action

So, what’s next? Don't let this info just sit in a browser tab. It's time to turn these insights into actual savings on your hunt for cheap hotels in Times Square, New York, NY.

First, define your priorities. Are you on a shoestring budget where price is everything, or do you need perks like free breakfast? Knowing your non-negotiables will instantly narrow down your choices.

Second, start your research early but book smart. Use a tool like trivago to get a lay of the land. Then, dive into specific sites like Booking.com or Trip.com to check for exclusive mobile deals or loyalty perks.

Finally, and most importantly, protect your price. Once you've made a refundable booking, your job isn't over—it’s just started. The real savings are found in the weeks leading up to your trip. Monitoring your reservation for price drops is the single most effective way to guarantee you’re getting the absolute best deal with zero extra effort.

Your dream trip to the city that never sleeps doesn’t have to be a nightmare for your wallet. With the right strategy and a smarter approach, you can lock in a fantastic, affordable home base right in the center of it all. The bright lights of Broadway and the unforgettable buzz of Times Square are waiting.

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Don't let your perfect price slip away after you've booked. FlipMyStay automatically tracks your refundable hotel reservation for price drops and rebooks you at the lower rate, securing your savings without you lifting a finger. Stop overpaying for your stay in NYC and let us handle the hard work by visiting FlipMyStay.