New York is the big one for many backpackers. The beating heart of the United States, it’s a haloed frenzy of financial institutions, historical museums, artistic production, and hedonistic nightlife. As such, any time spent in this immense city is guaranteed to be memorable.

It’s also guaranteed to be a strain on the budget, which is a fact that puts many backpackers off. However, the bright lights of New York need not necessarily herald a severe drop in your bank balance, for backpacking on…