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First time travelers to big U.S. cities—such as New York or Chicago—always say they want a hotel “midtown” or “downtown.”

They end up paying more than they should for that hotel room.

Both cities are great examples—but not the only examples—of opportunities to stay outside downtown or midtown, save a lot of money, and not lose any time in transportation.

Both New York and Chicago have great mass transportation options that solve the problem.

Consider this: the average cost of a Midtown hotel room in New York is $241.

But a hotel in Brooklyn or Queens—or even right across the river in New Jersey—is at least half that amount.

Yet, thanks to mass transit, it’s only 20 minutes from Midtown! But we’re not talking about airport hotels.

The same is true in Chicago—most of what you want to see is just a subway ride away.

So if you want to save more than $800 on a four-night stay in either of these cities, go purchase your Metrocard and look at the map to find the hotel closest to the subway.

That way you’re no longer being priced out of these cities.

For more tips you can use while staying at hotels, check out:

• Some Hotels Make Changes for Check Out Time
• How to Stock Your Hotel Mini Bar with Healthy Food
• The Truth About Resort Fees—And Ways You Can Avoid Them

Keep reading for more travel tips.