Budget-conscious travellers to New York could make significant savings on their hotel bills by choosing to stay at nearby Staten Island, and taking advantage of the free Staten Island Ferry to go sightseeing in Manhattan and the other Big Apple boroughs. With hotels in Manhattan amongst the most expensive in the world, it makes perfect economic sense to stay just over the Hudson on Staten Island, where hotel accommodation is significantly cheaper.

Although, nearer to New Jersey than the other four boroughs, Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City with a population of almost half a million. The Staten Island Ferry takes only 25 minutes to travel the five miles from the St. George Ferry Terminal to Battery Park, Manhattan and runs regularly throughout the day. But, best of all its free; there is no charge for foot passengers who use the service. There is room for 4,440 foot passengers on each ferry, and with over 50 weekday round-trips you should have no trouble getting a place on board, although try to avoid the rush hour periods when many residents of Staten Island make their way to jobs in Manhattan, and back to their homes in the evening. At the weekend there are less services but still a significant amount, enabl

ing you to make the most of your big city vacation.

With all the major sights in New York City such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park and Grand Central Station all easily accessible from the southern tip of Manhattan via the subway and bus, it makes great financial sense to stay in Staten Island. Both uptown and upstate New York can be conveniently reached using the excellent transportation system throughout the five boroughs and beyond.

Also, while you travel on the ferry you will get excellent views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, and you’ll steam past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, although if you wish to visit the latter two attractions you will need to embark on a separate Liberty ferry that travels from Battery Park.

From your hotel in Staten Island you can be in central Manhattan in less than 45 minutes; while benefiting from the much lower room prices - easily saving $100 per night per room - money you will save on your accommodation during a one week stay could pay for all your sight-seeing activity, and may even fund other entertainment options and for all your day-to-day dining!

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen gardener. He lives in Scotland with his two dogs.