London is spendy and friendly. Visit Miami and be ready for mega nightclubs, dance bars, and copious amounts of cocaine. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It can also refer to a low-cost form of travel, often staying in inexpensive accommodations like hostels, while carrying all necessary possessions in a backpack. A lower daily budget for visiting the United States will be around $50-$70. New York is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world and is an anthropological wonder. It's a great place to stay on a tight budget, especially outside of major tourist hubs like Tulum. The major exception to this is if you plan on partaking in drug tourism. For clothing, packing layers is more versatile (e.g. After getting acquainted with the Sunshine State, continue onwards to New Orleans, one of Americas coolest cities before expanding your waistline in Austin, Texas. It may be one of the few real American foods, but BBQ is all we really need. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once youve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy. Alaska and Hawaii are the odd men out. South of the border lies tropical shores and the mystical cultures of Mexico. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Moving along, make a stop in Santa Fe, New Mexico before making it to one of Americas most iconic states: Colorado. You wont just save serious $$$, youll experience a different culture, cool projects, meet new people and integrate into the community in a different way. Completing the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) should gain you a doctorate in . Just make sure you choose a good place to stay in NYC thats near public transport. Our road trip across America cost us $2,382, or an average of $149/day between both of us for a 16-day road . There are a lot of options when it comes to lodging. Keep in mind that ATMs will charge a fee, which can vary depending on the branch. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Forget boring accommodation book yourself an EPIC STAY! Coins are also still commonly used in the US and people will often give you exact change. If youre wondering how much would it cost to travel across the US, then here is a breakdown of various costs: Card is king in the US, and you can expect all big brands to work pretty much everywhere. Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. The Rocky Mountains offer some of the most epic outdoor experiences in the nation. These parks are priceless treasures and are among the most cherished pieces of the USA. After some marijuana and mountain action, get ready for even more epic landscapes by staying in Moab, Utah for a few days. Some states have much more expensive camping, California and Hawaii being the most expensive, so keep this in mind! Backcountry permits are cheap, you can rent backpacking gear from a local outfitter and traveling to your trailhead of choice will . Mountains dominate the state. After spending three years in Eastern Europe, he wrote The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us. As a follow-up, Id like to remind you to never venture into the wilderness unprepared. Washington is the more mountainous and richer sibling to Oregon. There is no denying that the local Latin-American communities have had a huge influence on American culture. The southwest and deep south return to lovely temperatures. That being said, there ARE ways to travel on a budget in the US and you CAN have a great time. offers a witty elegy for the last gasp of old Hollywood. Marijuana is legal in more than a dozen states, which means one of the best things to do while backpacking the US is to get stoned. Safety while traveling abroad is a huge concern, and for good reason: tourists are like a walking bulls-eye. The Rockies, Midwest, and Great Plains start to receive dustings of snow. In 3 days, dont miss out on Club Space for the coolest sounds in the city, South Beach for beaches and bottles, and Key Biscayne for a more relaxing, natural beach day complete with water sports. So far weve covered 48 of the USAs 50 total states. Backpacking: He's walked across America 4 times and he walked across Spain twice. Prices vary a lot by region, but here's a rough guide of what to expect for the average cost of a meal in the US for one (without drinks): Cooked meal in a hostel kitchen: $4 to $8. So Americans love to party, but where are the absolute best parties to be found? Blessed with a stunning coast, many mountains, and a ton of legal weed, you simply cannot visit the USA and skip California. Few other places on Earth offer such natural diversity as the West, which consists of mountains, rainforests, deserts, an enormous coastline Need I go on? Start out with these holidays and festivals in the USA next time youre there: On every adventure, there are 6 things I never go traveling without. You will meet many like-minded people. You might think that you need to bring five shirts, three dresses, and four pairs or shoes, but you don't. In reality, you'll wear two or three of those shirts. Many residents will talk your ear about how much its changed in the last few years. Spend a few days staying in the amazing Grand Canyon, one of the most amazing natural landmarks in the US. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. To avoid these extra fees. Learn how to repair your own bike and get used parts. And at the end of the day, the government wants to keep you safe. So far, no regrets and a huge list of things I learned in my first month backpacking across South America. Then signup for Worldpackers, a platform that connects local hosts with volunteer travelers. Opposite of eastern Europe like Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria or Ukraine are one of the cheapest countries . When Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, he actually thought he had reached India, thus how the misnomer American Indians came to be. Sometimes called extended trip packs or expedition packs, a good one typically costs between $200 and $400. There are also a number of American-ized dishes. Its not hard to imagine that this is often considered the most boring part of the country. Its no wonder theft and other crimes are still an endemic issue in poorer areas. Most Americans never even make it here, so its even a bit offbeat.. Arizona is where youll find the legendary Grand Canyon in addition to several smaller but no-less-famous landmarks like Antelope Canyon, the Vermillion Cliffs, and Sedona. Most of the popular travel destinations will be close to a National Park, and we recommend you visit at least one. Youre going to hear me harp on this fact often, but the United States is fuckin huge. There are glaring issues, to be sure: systematic racism still exists, poverty is rampant, and overall public health is shockingly poor. And those that do may have ulterior motives. The cheapest way to explore the US is with your own vehicle and a tent, though even then youll likely spend more than in Europe. From incredible eateries to summer days by the lake, dont forget to try the deep dish! Wyoming hosts two of the best national parks in the USA and those that make the effort to stay in Montana often regard it as the most beautiful place in America for nature lovers. Its a dreamscape full of natural bridges, rocky portals, and passageways leading to God knows where. Cheryl Strayed (Goodreads Author) (shelved 101 times as backpacking) avg rating 4.04 739,513 ratings published 2012. Go out in Portland, Oregon and youll find people sitting in a pub or dive bar, casually drinking craft beers while they shoot the shit. Those on a coast-to-coast USA road trip often speed through this part because there is supposedly nothing to do, but theres definitely something to see everywhere. He has currently traveled to 100 countries. The United States isn't a popular destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Rate this book. 1 / 10. After checking out the famous beaches, drive to Las Vegas for a quick stop to hopefully make some winnings before continuing onwards to some of the United States best national parks. Brickell or South Beach are the best places to stay in Miami, though choose the latter if you want to spend most of your time by the water! While Joseph Biden took office in January 2021, he and his party have failed to enact any real change, as the virus continues to kill many daily. Carry a tent and sleeping gear, water purifier, cooking equipment and comfy clothes. If you don't have any stuff, you don't need an apartment to keep it in. time, energy, and money. You could be a shoestring backpacker and get by for relatively little money or you could spend everything you have on a bender of a holiday. Theyre eco-friendly, love to smoke (legal) marijuana, and are covered by some of the lushest woods in the country. Toggle navigation Quote Master. Or that the city of Atlanta is no longer the gritty, crime-ridden place that it used to be? Availability is always limited though. For reference, Ive hitchhiked in India and Pakistan, yet even as a US citizen, would never do so in the US. Be sure to check Google Maps reviews to find the cheapest eats around whenever you roll into a new place. If this is your case, start your trip to So Paulo. Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking the USA, best places to visit in the United States, same size as the entire European continent. You don't need a storage unit to store it in. If you want someone to do the planning for you, going on a Hawaiian Beach Tour with Global Work and Travel may be an option worth considering. Americans drink all kinds of booze. Or, yknow you can stick to ziplock bags. Last Updated: February 8, 2023. 2. All your belongings are in one bag while you are traveling. For example, BBQ food takes on different qualities depending on where youre at and can be pretty different. The small town of Taos is part spiritual enclave, part ski resort. That being said, America is a (mostly) safe place, at least for tourists. Denver, like most communities in the Rocky Mountains, is kind of the middle of fucking nowhere. Larger towns will have chains. It even comes with Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee. The Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail (known as the A.T. and the PCT) are two of the most famous trails in the US. Youd be surprised how much fun this style of luxury camping can be! Though backpacking in Hawaii is not necessarily affordable, with a little help, you can still visit on a reasonable budget. There are lots of different islands to visit in this massive archipelago around 700 actually and some are extremely vibrant. These are just a few highlighted characteristics/stereotypes in a sea of cultural diversity. Save $$$ Save the Planet Save Your Stomach! You'll never have to pay for gas, parking, tickets, or all the other money sucking expenses of car travel. The number one thing NOT to do in the USA is to bring up politics with strangers. 3. 07/11/2022. ) South America is a hugely popular destination to brush up on your Spanish: Cusco, Peru; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sucre, Bolivia; and Quito, Ecuador, are the most popular destinations to take a course. Most likely, people are fleeing to Florida, the South, and Hawaii during this time as theyre warm and dry. Now its time for the countrys most notorious state: yup, its time for a Florida road trip. If you really want to go cheap, then take advantage of the many primitive sites in the US, also known as BLM land. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! Maybe youve been planning your USA backpacking trip for awhile, scouring sources and friends for information about where to go, what to do, how to travel in the USA. The USA is an enormous country. Trains here are very limited and are ultimately a huge luxury (expensive tickets). At the time, they offered a degree in Architecture Engineering. Worldpackers connects travellers with hostels, schools, NGOs and many more. If you havent seen the photosgoogle it, youre going to want to add this place to your USA bucket list. Programs run through reputable work exchange programs, like Worldpackers, are generally very well-managed and highly reputable. Most people head immediately for lively Austin first. Now, youre going to want to head East. These are usually very affordable ($5) and offer enough amenities, like an outdoor toilet and running water, to ensure youre comfortable. The requirements of this US tourist visa are much stricter than the VWP and will often require conditions like in-person interviews and background checks. Prices for travel in Europe vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south, or west you travel. Driving in the USA will allow you the ultimate freedom and the chance to see many of its remote attractions and natural wonders. 2 Weeks of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Plus, now you wont be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! A $300 bike from Craigslist will do the trick or you can even get one for free through an Earn-A-Bike program. When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the East Coast, head to New England. Helpful Not Helpful. However, whenever you are volunteering do stay vigilant, especially when working with animals or children. They are very open-minded and laid back though and can get along with just about anyone. Adam dreams of backpacking across Europe, so each time he is paid, he saves ten percent of his income. 4. The cute town is close to two USA national parks and has a vibe all of its own. All of these are often considered among the most photographed places in the USA. With 3 weeks to go backpacking across the USA, travelers can fit 5 of the largest cities on the East Coast in a 21-day trip: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Miami and Washington, DC. Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtles life again. Always be sure that you take the correct hiking gear with you hiking shoes, backpack, etc and always have a plan. Though it has an (undeserving) bad reputation, visiting Mexico is incredible. Nature loversit doesnt get much better than this. If you dont really care about civilization though, theres always the Great Lakes to explore. All this negativity. Itll just be you and Mother Nature here, and its more likely that youll see more bears or bald eagles than people. Some of the larger cities, like Memphis, Tennessee offer a fantastic mix of Southern vibes and city convenience. Since then, has walked across America four times via its three major mountain ranges. Broke Backpacker readers get a $10 discount when you sign up. trekking gear), or find a cheap temporary fix instead of carrying something for one-time use. Many people are seen as unintelligent, which are more symptoms of unjust social dynamics (following the Civil War, the South became very poor). A GREAT misconception about America is that every resident falls under the same category. Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure dont be daft! I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. Things are just different in The South, for better or worse. To end your trip, check out Miami to get a taste of Latin America in the USA! Most tourists come here for a short vacation, visit one or two cities, and then head home. Want more deetz on why its so damn perfect? This means we paid only $3245.62 out of pocket, for our seven month honeymoon, traveling all 50 States. Get the best price for the best ride then use those savings to buy the best feed in town! Travel light and leave behind what you don't need . With your own car, youll get to go where you want, sleep where you want, and do what you want. If you want to visit Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho, it will be a mission. Each nationality will require a different set of documents to travel to the USA using this process, so be sure to check with your local embassy on what you need. Backpacking is the art of knowing what not to take. But if you have a bit of flexibility your trip doesnt have to end there! Im going to be sharing with you all of my knowledge about the States. But you also have to remember, the US is going through difficult times and is more divided than ever. The USA takes up a pretty large chunk of the North American continent. $46.59 2 Used from $46.59. . There are some cool cities here, such as Des Moines or Indianapolis for alternative reasons not to mention some very attractive outdoor areas, particularly around the Great Lakes.