Simply one of the greatest cities on the planet - New York City has got pretty much everything you can think of and then a whole heap more. If you're heading to the Big Apple for the first time here are the key things you need to know.

What's New York like?

Busy and brash with iconic landmarks, superb nightlife, a really lovely park and an energy like no other. You need to visit, you really do.

• Size wise it's not as big as London or Paris.
• The buildings are tall, very tall - there are more than 6,000 skyscrapers.
• Traffic is often at gridlock so just go for a wander around - you're best off exploring on foot.
• New Yorkers think they're cool. They are cool. The city is just cool.

When to go to New York

Now. Do it. But if you prefer a little planning, try Thanksgiving (last weekend in November) and the run-up to Christmas. These are probably the most iconic times to visit (which makes them pretty busy - but don't let that put you off). You'll be either watching the trees in Central Park changing into their autumn shades, taking a turn round the outdoor ice skating rink or shopping in the famous stores you've seen in the movies on snow-lined streets.

What’s the weather like in New York?

New York can be a city of extremes and the weather fits in perfectly with that.  When it's hot, it's sweltering and when it's cold it's freezing.

• Summer temperatures hit the late 20s and early 30s - a good excuse to spend a lot of time in Central Park.
• In the winter months, pack the thermals: it often can drop below freezing.
• Spring and autumn are as changeable as they are in the UK, so check the latest weather forecast before you shut your suitcase.
• If you're after a cheap flight then go in late winter (February) or the early part of spring (March / April).

How long do you need?

"How long have you got?" might be a better question.

• A day trip: this isn't really going to cut it - unless you have something very specific in mind. It's too big and there's too much to see.
• A short and packed weekend: you'd manage the main sights, but might still leave wanting more (a good excuse to return).
• Four to five days: probably your best bet if you want to see the major landmarks, hit the shops and really experience the nightlife (and recover) at a more leisurely pace.

Getting there

Which airlines fly to New York from the UK?

Good news. There's really good competition among the airlines taking you across the pond.

• British Airways, Virgin, American Airlines, Delta, Air India, Norwegian, and United are among the carriers flying directly to NYC.
• Flights depart from UK cities including London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.
• The average price of a New York flight is around £450.

Find flights to New York

Which is the best airport to fly to?

New York has three major airports. John F. Kennedy International (JFK) is the closest to New York itself and the biggest. If you're shopping around, look at flights to Newark Liberty International. Although it's in New Jersey, it's only a couple of kilometers further out and has decent transport links into New York. There are no direct flights from the UK to La Guardia at present - but it could be an option if you're traveling from another city in the US.

How long's the flight to NY?

This is a medium-haul trip. Expect an average flight duration of eight hours from London, Manchester or Edinburgh. You could also take a small detour en route. Flights via Iceland and Dublin often offer stopovers at no extra cost.

How to get from the airport to the city

Be aware that on the way back, international check-in times are around three hours - so leave plenty of time to get to the airport. From JFK cheapest way is to take the AirTrain (free) which then connects you to public transport. You can reach Manhattan and Brooklyn in 50 minutes for less than ten dollars by subway, or get the train: it's double the price but takes half as long. Taxis will have a flat rate of $56.50 to get to Manhattan at peak times - find fares to different destinations in the city. From Newark, You can also get the AirTrain here to connect and be in New York in around half an hour for less than $15. From La Guardia this is the closest airport to New York - it's only eight miles from Manhattan - here's how to get from here to NYC.