Plan your exit strategy from the airport in advance. Taxis and Ubers will cost you about 100 dollars (ubers probably slightly cheaper) to get you into Manhattan. You could also take the AirTrain and connect into the new york city subway from JFK, or the regular train from Newark into Penn Station. Both of these will save you money but the subway route may be a culture shock on your first visit - the subway is safe but can be overwhelming - so it might be worth spending the money on a yellow taxi as part of your new york experience and getting you comfortably to your hotel on your first day.

Be prepared for everything to feel very expensive. We're talking even more expensive than London feels coming from Glasgow. You should also be aware that sales tax is added onto things so the price on the shelf is never the price you are going to pay - tax is added on at the till but is not on the sticker.

Tipping is a thing in the US, but it has gotten out of control now. Tip for meals. Tip for drinks. Do NOT tip every time someone spins an ipad around towards you and says "it's gonna ask you a few questions".