New York City from Des Moines, 14 – 21 Nov: £1,904 for two, all in
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The verdict
Our verdict
Worth it, if
- $349 per person round trip, $324 below the typical fare on this route
- Pod 51 scores 8.2 from 9,508 reviews and has free cancellation
- Seven nights for Broadway, the Met and the High Line
The catch: One stop on United makes it 5h out, the Pod 51 room is a bunk pod with a shared bathroom, and a checked bag is about $160 for two.
Worth it if you'll spend your days out and only need the hotel for sleep; skip it if you want a private bathroom or a nonstop.
Worth it if you can live with one stop and a pod room: $2,526 for two, all in. That's the United flights at $698 plus 7 nights at Pod 51 at $1,601 and its $227 property fee, with taxes and fees included, for Nov 14–21, 2026. The outbound flight on United has one stop and takes 5h, and the total doesn't cover a checked bag or spending money.
The total, before you go
£1,904 for two · 7 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, return | £526 |
| Pod 51, 7 nights, two guests, taxes in | £1,207 |
| Resort fee, collected at the desk | £171 |
| The total, before you go | £1,904 |
| Hold luggage each, return (not in the total) | about £121 |
£244 per person below the typical fare on this route.
Not in it: seat selection on basic fares and hold luggage (about £30 each way per bag on United, £121 for two return); the resort fee is counted above. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
£263 per person, return
£526 for two, taxes and fees included · United · 1 stop · 5h
Out Sat, Nov 14, 8:00 AM – Sat, Nov 14, 2:00 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| United | £263 | 1 stop | 5h |
| Delta. Operated by Endeavor Air DBA Delta Connection | £328 | nonstop | 2h 38m |
| United. Operated by SkyWest DBA United Express | £263 | 1 stop | 5h 12m |
Prices checked 15 Oct 2026, 01:40 GMT-5. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
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Why now
The fare is $349 per person, which is $324 below the typical fare on this route, or 48% less, and it's the lowest we've seen in 30 days. We checked 12 offers, and fares ranged from $349 to $435 per person. The $435 fare is a Delta nonstop that takes 2h 38m and comes to $870 for two, so it's there if you'd rather skip the stop. In mid-November, New York usually has highs of 45–55°F, lows near 36°F and mostly overcast skies. That's coat weather, and it works well for museums, Broadway and long walks. November is also the month of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the NYC Marathon. These are the prices we found when we checked, and they can change before you book.
The kind of trip this is
This is a city week with food and culture at a steady pace. You get a show at night, a museum in the morning and long walks between neighborhoods, all by subway. It suits a couple or two friends who want to see a lot and are happy to bundle up. You'll spend most of your time out and about, and seven nights leaves room for slow mornings and a second look at the places you love.
Weather in New York City, 14 – 21 Nov
Typical highs 45–55°F, lows near 36°F this time of year
| Day | Typical high | Typical low | Typical weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 Nov | 47 °F | 35 °F | Overcast |
| Sun 15 Nov | 49 °F | 34 °F | Overcast |
| Mon 16 Nov | 55 °F | 38 °F | Overcast |
| Tue 17 Nov | 54 °F | 37 °F | Overcast |
| Wed 18 Nov | 54 °F | 39 °F | Overcast |
| Thu 19 Nov | 48 °F | 35 °F | Partly cloudy |
| Fri 20 Nov | 45 °F | 33 °F | Overcast |
| Sat 21 Nov | 47 °F | 33 °F | Overcast |
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com · averages, not a forecast
Where to stay in New York City
We priced three hotels in Manhattan. Pod 51 is the best value at $1,601 for 7 nights ($229 a night), plus $227 in fees at the property. It scores 8.2 from 9,508 reviews and has free cancellation, but the room is a Bunk Pod with Shared Bathroom. Pod Times Square is the top-rated pick at 8.6 from 16,591 reviews. It costs $1,792 ($256 a night) plus $252 at the property, the room is a Bunk Pod, and cancellation is free. ROW NYC at Times Square is the 4-star option with a Standard Double Room, at $1,951 ($279 a night) plus $272 at the property. It scores 7.4 from 1,507 reviews and has no free cancellation. Midtown puts you near Times Square and the Broadway theatres and has the most hotel choice. The Upper West Side is quieter and sits next to Central Park.
Pod 51
£1,207 for 7 nights, two guests · £173 a night
See roomsPod Times Square
£1,351 for 7 nights, two guests · £193 a night
See roomsROW NYC at Times Square
£1,471 for 7 nights, two guests · £210 a night
See roomsAll hotels in New York City for these dates
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Where in New York City
- Midtown: Times Square, Broadway theatres and the most hotel choice.
- SoHo / NoLIta: Boutique hotels amid cast-iron streets, shops and restaurants.
- Upper West Side: Quieter residential blocks next to Central Park and museums.
- Williamsburg, Brooklyn: Rooftop bars and skyline views one subway stop from Manhattan.
- Lower Manhattan: Weekend rates near the 9/11 Memorial, ferries and the Brooklyn Bridge.
What to do in New York City
- See a Broadway show after a walk through Times Square
- Walk the High Line to Chelsea Market for lunch
- Take the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty
- Spend a morning at the Met or MoMA
- Cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot at sunset
- Watch the sunset from Top of the Rock
Tours and tickets in New York City
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Getting there and around
| Airports in Des Moines | Des Moines International (DSM) |
|---|---|
| Airports in New York City | John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA) |
| Flight time | 5h (1 stop) |
| Distance | 1,021 miles each way |
| Time difference | +1 hour |
What 7 nights in New York City costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | £526 |
| Hotel, 7 nights (Pod 51) | £1,207 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 7 days for two | £2,005 |
| Total for two | £3,738 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for a luxury destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: Des Moines to New York City
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | £263 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | £263 (15 Oct 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | £507 |
| Price checks | 6 |
Good to know
- Passport: no passport needed for travellers from the United States: a government photo ID is enough for New York City.
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the NYC Marathon
- No passport needed, and you'll pay in US dollars.
- New York is 1 hour ahead of Des Moines.
- The outbound United flight leaves at 8:00 AM, has one stop and lands at 2:00 PM.
- Pod 51 and Pod Times Square have free cancellation, but ROW NYC at Times Square doesn't.
- The total doesn't include a checked bag, which is about $160 for two, or spending money.
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Yes, if you don't mind one stop and a bunk pod with a shared bathroom. The fare is $349 per person, $324 below the typical fare on this route, and Pod 51 scores 8.2 from 9,508 reviews.
How much is the whole trip for two?
It's $2,526 for two, all in. That's $698 for the flights, $1,601 for 7 nights at Pod 51 and its $227 property fee, with taxes and fees included. A checked bag, about $160 for two, isn't included. We budget $190 per person a day for spending.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip from Des Moines, you'll pay in US dollars, and New York is just 1 hour ahead.
What is the weather like?
Highs are usually 45–55°F and lows are near 36°F this time of year, with mostly overcast days. Bring a warm coat for the bridge walk and the ferry.
Is there a nonstop?
Yes. We found a Delta nonstop that takes 2h 38m at $435 per person, or $870 for two. The United fare in this total has one stop and takes 5h.
Is 7 nights enough?
Seven nights gives you time for a Broadway show, a morning at the Met or MoMA, the High Line, the Staten Island Ferry and a sunset on the Brooklyn Bridge, with no rush.
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Prices converted from US dollars at the rate of 15 Oct 2026.
Image credits
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- Photo: Vlad Alexandru Popa / Pexels, Pexels License
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