South of the border lies tropical shores and the mystical cultures of Mexico. Doesnt really matter if youre backpacking the USA alone or with a group theres tons of stuff to do here! Moving along, make a stop in Santa Fe, New Mexico before making it to one of Americas most iconic states: Colorado. Meanwhile, the entry fee for the neighbouring Grand Teton National Park is another $35. Yup, theres still more to do in the USA that we havent touched on yet. The United States isn't a popular destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Drivers who are under the age of 25 will often be charged extra premiums for rental cars (theyre a reckless bunch). Sometimes called extended trip packs or expedition packs, a good one typically costs between $200 and $400. Spend a day exploring the many amazing historical places by cycle or scooter! It might just be the most extraordinary piece of nature in all of North America. Next up, head to Utah, another wild state blessed with stunning beauty, and some great places to camp on a budget. Few actually realize that Mexico is astounding; see Chiapas and/or Copper Canyon. Also beware of Spirit Airlines. In fact, the highest in North America, Denali, is here in Alaska. With 50 states unique as 50 separate countries, backpacking the USA is an adventure unlike any other. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Chicagos one of the coolest places to stay for 2 days filling up on deep-dish pizza. If you have 2 weeks to spend backpacking in South America, this is the best route for you. Camping in the USA can be done in many places: at a beach, in the woods, in the mountains, or just in someones backyard. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Well, folks that was one epic United States travel guide thrown down. Perhaps youve heard that North Carolina is probably one of the most beautiful places in the USA? Adam dreams of backpacking across Europe. Learn the lingo. Another iconic location is the Half Dome, a rounded granite cliff right near the perfect picnic spot. But if you have a bit of flexibility your trip doesnt have to end there! Lesser visited Idaho, often relegated to a pitstop on road trips across America, is actually a really pretty place, especially around Sandpoint, the Sawtooth Mountains, and Sun Valley. 1 visor/hat. Most major cities have free walking tours but that's just the beginning of free. The nearest cities Salt Lake City, Utah, and Albuquerque, New Mexico are both more than 6 hours away. There is a lot of really interesting stuff going on here if you know where to look. To find the best places to stay in US cities its worth doing some research beforehand: Camping is one of the great American pastimes and something that nearly every resident has done once in their life. 2 Weeks of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. You can expect higher costs in Western Europe with cheaper prices in Central and Eastern Europe. There are lots of different islands to visit in this massive archipelago around 700 actually and some are extremely vibrant. By the 1760s the colonies numbered 13 with more than 2.5 million inhabitants, contained alongside the Eastern Seaboard. If you want to visit Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho, it will be a mission. 1. . Urban camping is also becoming quite popular and is an excellent way to experience a city without having to spend boatloads on a lodge. Buenos Aires (4 days) Experiencing the gritty yet charming "Paris of South America" Optional: Montevideo and Colonia in Uruguay (2 days) Experiencing a smaller more polite Buenos Aires; Iguazu Falls (1 day) UNESCO heritage site that dwarfs Niagara Falls Mendoza (2 days) Argentine wine country experienced by biking between vineyards and wine tastings offers a witty elegy for the last gasp of old Hollywood. New Mexico is the least trafficked part of the Southwest and is probably more well-known for Breaking Bad than its actual attractions. There are USA rail passes available for purchase with Amtrak. Get the best price for the best ride then use those savings to buy the best feed in town! Restaurant with Table Service: $15 to $20 and up. You will sometimes have to fill out a permit at one of these and often campsites are first-come-first-served, which means that popular ones fill up quickly. Find out when and where you can watch Winning Formula with TV Guide's full TV listings schedule The USA's network of airports will connect you to pretty much anywhere in the country, with budget airlines competing to offer customers the best prices. This was once the edge of the map for American pioneers. He has walked across Spain twice. Never get into the topic first, unless you know youre with like-minded people. Most people head immediately for lively Austin first. Take some US dollars with you. Be sure to add these to your backpacking packing list for the USA: This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off. Zion National Park is perhaps the most stunning (and therefore most famous) of Utahs national parks. Up to 5x miles. There are parts of The South that we already know about. During our year-long honeymoon, we spent 5 incredible months backpacking in South America. When the leaves turn gold and red in the autumn, its sublime. These parks are priceless treasures and are among the most cherished pieces of the USA. Europe provides an ever changing and unforgettable landscape. A lot of states from other regions are actually touched by these mountains like North Carolina, Pennsylvania but only one state is actually fully engulfed by them: West Virginia. Philadelphia, where much of the USAs story began, to the rugged mountains of Alaska, the country is as massive as it is diverse and would take several years to fully explore. For all campgrounds outside the main urban areas, you will, 99% of the time, need a car to reach them. Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtles life again. Answer (1 of 6): Ironically, my primary application for MIT was accepted, but I decided not to go there. Americans love to party. Or you can stuff that whole deal off and buy the America the Beautiful Pass for$79.99. Plus, now you wont be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Self-actualization (Psychology) I. "I wasn't afraid of running out of money. Adam dreams of backpacking across Europe, so each time he is paid, he saves ten percent of his income. Use Bookawayto find the best deals on transport buses, planes, trains, and ferries. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. Quite the opposite of Alaska, traveling to Hawaii means visiting a tropical paradise. The Rockies is one of the greatest mountains chains in North America and has become a defining feature of the Western United States. Southerners are warm, welcoming folk who prefer to live life to the fullest rather than get caught up with the details. Best of all, you won't have to deal with the grumpy train ticket vendors. Just dont piss them off. Once sleepy, the thriving metro of Seattle, home to loggers and mariners, is now a modern metropolis. Or that the city of Atlanta is no longer the gritty, crime-ridden place that it used to be? Opposite of eastern Europe like Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria or Ukraine are one of the cheapest countries . In some parts of the Plains, youll find some spectacular landmarks, like Badlands National Park or Mt Rushmore (SD). Right-wingers cannot be reasoned with. But the United States is a big country, not to mention really expensive. Everyone knows that Florida has the best beaches in the States. 1. The majority of the international flights arrive at the airport in So Paulo. This will get you a dorm bed, groceries, bus tickets, and some extra spending money. 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. First, fly into Los Angeles to start your USA adventure. This means we paid only $3245.62 out of pocket, for our seven month honeymoon, traveling all 50 States. Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure dont be daft! Its really hard to fault California for anything besides having too much. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. If youre just visiting a few American destinations that are in a specific region, you may get by on public transport or with your own car. New England still has its fair share of cool cities and the region also. 1 Mexico. If you really want to go cheap, then take advantage of the many primitive sites in the US, also known as BLM land. Taking a West Coast road trip is arguably one of the best things to do in the US. Travel in Cuba, once off-limits to Americans, is beginning to open up and traveling in Puerto Rico is a good time as well. Budget traveling isn't the best around the United States, but hostels and campsites are your best bet for saving money while backpacking. Bonus points if you visit Big Bend National Park or the Texas Hill Country. The modern capital of the US is not to be missed. Each arrival is assessed on a case-by-case basis this means that you will be at the mercy of the customs agent every time you travel to the US. 07/11/2022. ) Book your transport on Bookaway NOW. So far, no regrets and a huge list of things I learned in my first month backpacking across South America. Smaller but no less interesting cities, like Baltimore (MD), and Newark (NJ), also contribute greatly and are worth visiting themselves. US tourist visa requirements do change regularly so please be sure to always check with the official government website. Both organisations provide flights, food, accommodation, and spending money. The US is currently in an extremely contentious period where millions would literally still die for politics. Its one of the best things to do in the USA, because its fun and cheap too! Be prepared and have the gear to be mostly self-sustaining. Theres even a known moniker of Florida Man as there have been hundreds of absolutely insane things that continue to happen in Florida with that as a headline. Cusco / Arequipa / Titicaca / La Paz / Uyuni / Atacama Desert. Theyre a proud bunch and want everyone to know it but theyre honestly some of the best folk in the States. If its been a dry year, California is still battling forest fires. I was confused. Avoid acting like a tourist. Located along the Sierra Mountains in California, you shouldnt miss out on staying in Yosemite while backpacking the USA. Because its magical and theres really nowhere else like it. Californians are often perceived as vain and superficial and care more about personal advancement than relationships. It is essential to have a general concept of where you want to go, how much time you intend to . As a United States native, one who has gone on more than a few road trips, I know a thing or two about traveling in this country. At the festivals of course! The buildings are older, the food is more old-fashioned, and the cultural memory stretches further back. One response to "United States of America (USA) Travel and Backpacking Guide" For some cities there are many tours for special interests. UP YOUR PACKING GAME! $95. And now for what most people backpacking the USA dont want to miss: California! Visiting the East Coast will be a unique cultural experience. An ambulance ride alone can cost $2000, and a day in a hospital for even a minor issue will easily run over $10,000. So Americans love to party, but where are the absolute best parties to be found? Laid-back Amsterdam is totally packed. Sante Fe is a quirky little town with a vibrant art scene. Okay, Hawaii can be expensive. Some of the larger cities, like Memphis, Tennessee offer a fantastic mix of Southern vibes and city convenience. From hospitality in Hawaii to social media management in Sacramento and everything in between, youll find a whole load of different projects to help out with. Its about the same size as the entire European continent a landmass that hosts over 87 distinct peoples. Be aware that getting through security can be a real pain in the ass. Many Americans only appreciate this country for its beach resorts e.g. If you still have some time, expand your horizons by driving through New England, one of the very best portions of the States. Larger towns will have chains. The West is a very different place from the East Coast. At the time, they offered a degree in Architecture Engineering. Glacier National Park may be one of the nation's most popular national parks, but thanks to its spacious 1,583 square miles of wilderness home to more than 762 lakes and 700 miles of hiking . It's a great place to stay on a tight budget, especially outside of major tourist hubs like Tulum. Why stay in a naff hotel when you can stay in a cosy, stylish local house instead? As the first destination of our travels, it was hard to know what to budget for backpacking South America's most expensive country. The US is not South Asia, Oceania, or Europe. Washington D.C. is the federal capital of this great land and an arc of enormous historical value. There are more cities besides Chicago worth seeing too. I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. Plus public services are the best in the country, and overall, it has the best quality of life. The reality is that if you are from a poor country it will be very difficult to get a US tourist visa even if your bank account is the same as someone from an EU nation. Once youre stuffed to the brim, hop on another plane to visit Los Angeles. document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Not many people including most Americans make it all the way to Hawaii or Alaska. The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, even the neon lights of Las Vegas; all of these sights are deeply ingrained in the American consciousness. It was then that the USA became a country in the city of Philadelphia. And at the end of the day, the government wants to keep you safe. We havent talked about Texas yet either! All of these are often considered among the most photographed places in the USA. Ralph is a former manager in the hospitality industry turned wild child. Packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for thereal adventurers these babies are a travellers best kept secret. I'd say that's pretty good.ALASKA. Mountains dominate the state. Americans drink all kinds of booze. Texas and the Southwest are a furnace at this time and it is tornado season in Middle America. That being said, there ARE ways to travel on a budget in the US and you CAN have a great time. It may be one of the few real American foods, but BBQ is all we really need. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! The amount of times that this archipelago has been named the most beautiful place in the world is beyond count now. You can also rent an RV or campervan to live the vanlife, which means you dont have to worry about packing camping gear. Read the proceeding section for more information on renting a car in the USA. Use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER. Relatively cheap (roughly $50-$70 per night) motels can be found in many mid-size towns throughout the US. With your own car, youll get to go where you want, sleep where you want, and do what you want. Brussels rocks cheap. There is a certain romance to crossing the Great Plains though. Note that an ESTA is not an actual visa for the US, per se (its a clearance). Some cities actually struggle with drug problems. PLUS, you save money and the environment! A lower daily budget for visiting the United States will be around $50-$70. . One of the main things people realize when returning from their first budget backpacking trip is they didn't need to pack as much as they did. Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Rail passes (like the Eurail Pass in Europe or the JR Pass in Japan) are a great way to save money when it comes to train travel. 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? It even comes with Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee. France, Spain, and Portugal are easily one of the most classic combinations for European itineraries out there. Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE. Whilst there are only two US visa types for tourists, it can be a little confusing sorting through the necessary qualifications and processes. . You can find many quaint cabins in Idaho that offer unparalleled views of the natural surroundings. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, Use an American road trip planner app to plot routes. Staying near Lake Michigan, for example, is always a good idea. Dont spend too long in LAtheres an entire coast to see. This 40-litre backpack is high quality and surprisingly budget-friendly. A day pack can serve multiple purposes on a trip to South America. He plans to visit all 54 African countries in 2013-2016. . Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. New tires have a tread depth of 10/32". To see plenty of US history, be sure to squeeze some days in Philadelphia, one of the USAs oldest cities. Pursue these as best you can as they can save you a lot of money. New York is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world and is an anthropological wonder. The Gringo Trail is a great way to see . If you want to cover a lot of ground in the United States, flying is the best option, especially if you only have limited time. When I graduated university back in 2015, there was only one thing I wanted to do, and that was see the world! Throw in a huge array of unique lodgings: stay in a castle, treehouses, yurts, houseboats, and farm stays, plus with all the campgrounds you wont lack of options. We mentioned before that you can reach out to vehicle relocation services, like immova and Cruise America, as a way of saving heaps of cash on rentals. Youll need to arm yourself with some considerable knowledge though and know the best ways to save a buck while traveling in the USA. But the real question is is it better than Western Union?Yes, it most certainly is. Oaxaca City is a vibrant destination to explore, and Merida, the safest city in the country . Term. Youre going to hear me harp on this fact often, but the United States is fuckin huge. 1 pair long underwear. Next up, take some time to see the charming region of New England before spending a few days in Washington D.C. heading to the sweet Southern locales of Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. If you get a service like a massage or a haircut, tipping is also typically expected. Most of the popular travel destinations will be close to a National Park, and we recommend you visit at least one. The USA is an enormous country. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Plus, get3 free months on your membership during their summer promo! GPSmyCity is one of the best for this with tours of over 1,000 cities. Hitchhiking is thought of as a homeless/criminal scene by most Americans, meaning most people will not stop unless someone is injured. The lush Oregon Coast is a logical next step, where you can make a pitstop in the quirky city of Portland before culminating your US backpacking adventure in Seattle, Washington. To say that Americans, as a whole, are cowboys or business sharks or talk like theyre from The OC is a gross misrepresentation. After getting acquainted with the Sunshine State, continue onwards to New Orleans, one of Americas coolest cities before expanding your waistline in Austin, Texas. The PNW and Alaska are enjoying the sun before it disappears for 5 months. The $22 charged per cupcake is the _____ rice. We do not represent World Nomads. Wear a money belt or an alternative. 3. STATES: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine. Want more deetz on why its so damn perfect? MATH TIME: The entry fee for Yellowstone National Park is $35. Continental Divide Trail: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, 3,100 miles. 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. But ultimately, it will be thrilling. All you need is a quarter. $$425). World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. They cant be blamed either the presence of places like the White Mountains and the Maine Coast, among many others, make New England one of the most beautiful places in the USA. Then signup for Worldpackers, a platform that connects local hosts with volunteer travelers. Many residents will talk your ear about how much its changed in the last few years. With no money . Backpacking can refer to those hiking and camping while carrying everything they need for the trail on their back. Speaking of freak accidents, the US is the only developed nation on Earth without universal healthcare. Between his adventures trekking around Africa, travelling the Middle East, and traversing the steppes of Eurasia, he'll generally do as much as he possibly can to maximise his time in the wilderness and avoid anywhere the crowds go. Backpacking is especially popular among young people. Its rainbow-colored geysersespecially the world-famous Old Faithfulare unlike pretty much anything else, and the park also features a ton of hikes for all ability levels. Ah, the Midwest home of cheeseheads, subarctic winters, and charming accents. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of celebrations going on year-round in the US. STATES: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, the USA has spent almost all of its money on the military while the quality of life continues to decrease for its citizens.