Cheap New York accommodation - and Broadway tickets

Our travel expert answers your questions

I will be visiting New York with three friends in December for the first time. Which youth hostel do you recommend and where can we find cheap Broadway tickets. Should we book in advance? - Lance  Morton

One of the most popular places for young travellers on Manhattan island is the Hostelling International New York Hostel, which is located on the upper west side. This 672-bed hostel, the largest in America, is only one block from Broadway and only minutes from Central Park. It boasts a large sunken patio and garden, which is a rarity in New York City. The hostel has its own cinema and organises pub crawls and clubbing nights. In December you are likely to pay $55.99 for a bed and a private locker in a 12-sleeper dormitory. For $13 more per person ($69 each) you can have your own four-bed luxury dorm. You need to be a member of Hostelling International to stay in the hostel. You can purchase one at $28 or pay a temporary membership at $3 a day. Book in advance on www.hinewyork.org. You won't need to book early to get cut-price Broadway tickets. Your best bet is to try one of the TKTS booth in Times Square, downtown  Brooklyn and the South Street Seaport. You can get up to 50 percent off regular prices (www.tdf.org). You can also visit the box offices of theatres to check if they have any last-minute tickets available.