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. Backpacking is especially popular among young people. Most of the worst crimes in the country happen in remote neighborhoods where tourists have no reason to go to anyway. MATH TIME: The entry fee for Yellowstone National Park is $35. Now were cooking with gas! So Americans love to party, but where are the absolute best parties to be found? Alaska and Hawaii are the odd men out. This is partly why I was fascinated to read Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking across America: The author, Francis Tapon, has made travel a priority and a way of life, and has fostered an adventurous spirit and a contagious passion as a result. The USA aint exactly cheap folks this is already one of the most expensive countries in the world and isnt getting any more affordable anytime soon. David Morrissey . Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Hide money in a lipstick. Temperatures are lovely in the South and Southwest and a lot of major cities, like New Orleans and Miami, are kicking off festival season. After spending three years in Eastern Europe, he wrote The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us. Denver is becoming an increasingly popular city to both live in and visit. A road trip on the California Coast is hands down one the most romantic things to do in the USA and will probably be the first of many bucket list locations. The GRAYL Geopress is hands-down the most effective one weve ever used as well! These offer nothing in the way of infrastructure, so youll have to rely on your own means, but are totally free. And at the end of the day, the government wants to keep you safe. Self-actualization (Psychology) I. There are so many amazing things to do in Colorado! Use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER. Weve tested the Geopressrigorouslyfrom the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Cuba, and the results are in: it WORKS. Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE. A road trip across America is costly and you could end up spending more than you originally planned to. This is a tricky subject because America seems to defy common sense in a lot of ways. Availability is always limited though. For any trip lasting a week or longer, choose a pack with a capacity of at least 4,500 cubic inches, or 75 liters, according to BackCountry.com. Youll need to arm yourself with some considerable knowledge though and know the best ways to save a buck while traveling in the USA. Unless youre planning to fly longer distances, there are only a few options for traveling from the US to a different country. Why? Check out where to stay in Zion National park if you visit. Mount Sterling Loop Trail (Via Low Gap)Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee Length: 28.5 miles Elevation Change: 8,110 feet Days: 4-5 Trailheads: Low Gap Trailhead, Big Creek Trailhead Situated in the country's most visited national park, the Mount Sterling Loop Trail offers an intermediate-level backpacking trip to the peak of one of the tallest points in the park. Visiting Alaska could be an unforgettable experience as there are few places this pure left in the world. Backpacking Europe Suggested Budgets. In this guide we will help you plan a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia for men and cover everything someone would need to know before they go for it. Thanks to the countrys cosmopolitanism and booming economy, theres just about every type of alcohol imaginable in the USA. 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? New Mexico is the least trafficked part of the Southwest and is probably more well-known for Breaking Bad than its actual attractions. Even legal stores often cannot accept cards due to nuanced legal issues. This doesnt mean its impossible, but you should demonstrate a good travel history and strong ties to your home country for the best possible chance at success. A great time to visit the United States! You'll never have to pay for gas, parking, tickets, or all the other money sucking expenses of car travel. Its a dreamscape full of natural bridges, rocky portals, and passageways leading to God knows where. RVs also cost more to rent, use more gas, and demand higher prices at campgrounds. Every budget backpacker has to learn how to don't look like a tourist. If you really want to go cheap, then take advantage of the many primitive sites in the US, also known as BLM land. Train travel in the USA is not like train travel in Europe. California is known for its big bold grapes like chardonnays, cabs, and merlots. Objectively speaking, many of the most iconic places in the USA are found on a Southwest road trip itinerary. Most will base themselves in the Midwests largest city, Chicago. Racism is also very real, and vast swaths of the nation unfortunately still support white supremacy. I always travel with a hanging toiletry bag as its a super-efficient way to organize your bathroom stuff. 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. Weed is fully legal in the state, and you can find every strain and edible you can imagine. It may be one of the few real American foods, but BBQ is all we really need. But the state also has both Arches National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, which are both stellar options. STATES: West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, various satellite counties. The best option for cutting down on your total backpacking through Europe cost would be to travel in the . The Midwest is often focused upon for all the wrong reasons: for being bitter cold in the winter, humid in the summer, and for unlucky economies. Our epic 4 month backpacking South America itinerary took us all across the continent, from the Amazon rainforest in the north to glaciers in the south. Remote and massive albeit a bit expensive, Alaska is a nature lovers paradise. You can make really good friends. Get the best price for the best ride then use those savings to buy the best feed in town! Most likely, people are fleeing to Florida, the South, and Hawaii during this time as theyre warm and dry. Toggle navigation Quote Master. Some must-see East Coast spots include the nations lovely capital Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, home of the legendary Philly Cheesesteak. Note that an ESTA is not an actual visa for the US, per se (its a clearance). The park features over 700 miles of trails, along with a hike to a stunning hidden lake. Hawaii has everything: lush jungles, dramatic peaks, and more than a few pristine beaches. Once you understand the East Coast style, youll start to feel like one of them. Cheryl Strayed (Goodreads Author) (shelved 101 times as backpacking) avg rating 4.04 739,513 ratings published 2012. You also cant miss the Yosemite Tunnel View, the famous vista that looks its absolute best when tinged with fall colors. The expression work hard, play hard is used here a lot and there are few things more rewarding than spending your hard-earned money on a night out. United States Travel Guide. First off, it's important to realize the scale of many of our hiking destinations. There is no denying that the local Latin-American communities have had a huge influence on American culture. Though it isnt as dynamic as the East Coast or as warm as the South, the Midwest still has a lot of merits. 4) BRAZIL ROUTE: 2-Week Itinerary is one of the best backpacking routes in Brazil. This is the first video is my series that covers my Hike Across America for Veteran Suicide Prevention. For all their desolation, Southwest deserts are indescribably beautiful and incomparable to anything else. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Continental Divide Trail: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, 3,100 miles. There is petty theft in the busier areas, particularly involving car break-ins and pickpocketing, but these can be avoided by standard safe traveling practices. I made these Sierra trips, carrying only a sackful of bread with a little tea . Youll have to pay more if you have an RV because they take up more space, require waste disposal, and consume more electricity. 1.New York City, 2.Chicago, Illinois, 3.Los Angeles, California, 4.Miami, Florida. We swam in the Caribbean at Tayrona National Park in Colombia; we swam with playful baby seals in the Galapagos Islands; we hiked ( ok, crawled on our hands and knees) on The Quilotoa Loop in the Andes in Ecuador; we crossed the La Balsa border into Peru . We eventually set our budget for 4 weeks in Uruguay at 1800 - 450 a week - with max 30 a night on accommodation for both of us. A 10-day itinerary in the USA doesnt offer a whole lot of time to see the country, but youll still have lots of options with a larger budget. There are some great hostels in Boulder if youre on a budget. Votes: 3. The high-elevation state is undoubtedly one of the best places to hike in the country. There are a lot of options when it comes to lodging. The deciduous trees start to erupt in the Northeast and Appalachia. Our road trip across America cost us $2,382, or an average of $149/day between both of us for a 16-day road . Urban camping is also becoming quite popular and is an excellent way to experience a city without having to spend boatloads on a lodge. 07/11/2022. ) Bonus points if you visit Big Bend National Park or the Texas Hill Country. Read the proceeding section for more information on renting a car in the USA. Washington is the more mountainous and richer sibling to Oregon. Texas is totally worth your time, even if you only make it to a few destinations. Many will begin their USA backpacking trip in this region; NYC has a convenient international airport. Having lived in the USA for the first 25 years of my life, I sometimes have a hard time answering this question myself. I had gotten g. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Well, folks that was one epic United States travel guide thrown down. Backpacking in the USA is not cheap as hostels are rare and even roadside motels are very expensive. ISBN: -97658-120-5 1. Helpful Not Helpful. Colin Fletcher. Youd be surprised how much fun this style of luxury camping can be! Youre going to hear me harp on this fact often, but the United States is fuckin huge. Backpacking Peru and Bolivia Route. "I wasn't afraid of running out of money. Europe provides an ever changing and unforgettable landscape. The purpose of this book series is to share those lessons. Though backpacking in Hawaii is not necessarily affordable, with a little help, you can still visit on a reasonable budget. Better yet, Broke Backpacker readers also get a $40 with Outdoorsy! While pickpocketing is rare, car theft is an issue as are mass shootings due to a lack of gun laws or regulations in most states. And when I say love, I mean need to party. Might be that weed. Clara visits the local bakery shop several times a week and knows the owner, Sam, very well. Plus you can get the very best poke in the world! Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas or its wormy tequila. Note that most national parks charge an entry fee. Save $$$ Save the Planet Save Your Stomach! The state is also blessed with a ton of natural beautyMaines stunning Acadia National Park is a dream come true from July-August. The South intimidates a lot of travelers because the region is unlike any other in the USA or the world for that matter. This is particularly ESSENTIAL in the USA as its for-profit healthcare system means you could be given a 5 figure bill for even minor injuries. For the best 420 experiences, try the legal shops in Colorado, California, or Washington state for the most variety and coolest dispensaries. If you have 2 weeks to spend backpacking in South America, this is the best route for you. 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. Theyve got broke backpackers in mind, as they offer the chance to pay in interest free instalments. Man, backpacking is supposed to be a beautiful experience and beauty is exactly what you're going to see from your train window. Fast food meal: $6 to $11. If you wanted to leave the mountains, theres plenty more to see and do in greater Kentucky and Tennessee. Especially if youre coming from a country with limited access to this fantastic plant, youll be truly impressed by the sheer variety and quality of American weed. offers a witty elegy for the last gasp of old Hollywood. But the real question is is it better than Western Union?Yes, it most certainly is. 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. The state is located so far north that it takes a flight or week-long ferry to reach it from the Lower 48. Im going to be sharing with you all of my knowledge about the States. If you don't have any stuff, you don't need an apartment to keep it in. Sunny San Diego is probably the most chill city of the bunch, though in general NorCal is the most chill. Theyre a proud bunch and want everyone to know it but theyre honestly some of the best folk in the States. And now for what most people backpacking the USA dont want to miss: California! 2023, The Broke Backpacker. That said, camping is much cheaper and more fun than staying in a hotel. My recommendation is to actually explore the USA a bit take the road less traveled and see parts of the country no one really knows about. If youre in the countryside, youre more likely to be killed by bison in heat or a freak tornado. Outside of certain areas, which will be obvious to you by the numerous patrolling policemen, the odds of you being a victim are pretty minimal. Right-wingers cannot be reasoned with. Located in the far western corner of North America lies Alaska the largest and most wild state in the USA. For example: East Coasters are generally frank in their speech and can be perceived as rude. For all matters of finance and accounting on the road, I strongly recommend Wise the platform formerly known as Transferwise! Its one of the best things to do in the USA, because its fun and cheap too! 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. Last Updated: February 8, 2023. Hit Downtown San Francisco and suddenly people are networking at underground concerts. Worldpackers: connecting travellers withmeaningful travel experiences. As the first destination of our travels, it was hard to know what to budget for backpacking South America's most expensive country. Title. The amount of times that this archipelago has been named the most beautiful place in the world is beyond count now. Prices for travel in Europe vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south, or west you travel. He wrote Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America. STATES: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas. Rate this book. Despite slavery being illegal, African Americans continued (and continue) to suffer from segregationist police. A more expensive, premium quality option is The Backpacker from Salkan. How much money do you need to drive across America? Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. So even if you may not see the country at its best, rest assured youll still get to experience a whole lot that will absolutely make your trip worth it. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. You'll be surprised by how inexpensive food, goods, and other items are in certain countries, but they add up! You can also try out indigenous languages . We saved a lot of money and keep our costs down by renting houses instead of staying in hotels.. We wanted to stay around $3,000/month because we were renting out our house on Airbnb for around $4,000/month.So technically, we saved money by traveling Europe . Weed, coke, MDMA, acid, and a handful more are all easy drugs to find on the road in the USA. 1. A decent head torch could save your life. Mexico, sometimes considered part of North America, is a massive country and should be added to any backpacking itinerary of Central America. If this is your case, start your trip to So Paulo. New England has a distinctly more old-school vibe than other Atlantic states. There are USA rail passes available for purchase with Amtrak. Well, everyone, this is it: the best possible way to go backpacking the USA! So charmed is Wilder with Calista that he invites her to work as his . Most people head immediately for lively Austin first. Lock your bag with a simple clip. If youre staying at a campground that offers showers, electricity, or a mess hall, youll obviously have to pay more ($10-$30 per site, not person). Q3 Comma Splices and Fused Sentences. Yup, theres still more to do in the USA that we havent touched on yet. To put that into perspective, thats equivalent to walking the entire coastline of the Lower 48. He has currently traveled to 100 countries. Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Keep in mind you can often rent gear locally (e.g. I encourage anyone backpacking the USA to carefully observe the social nuances of each region and to discover the flavors of each. Most people will fly at least once or twice within the United States. Most of the popular travel destinations will be close to a National Park, and we recommend you visit at least one. Hawaii is wrapping up its rainy own season. PLUS, you save money and the environment! This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Sante Fe is a quirky little town with a vibrant art scene. Its no wonder theft and other crimes are still an endemic issue in poorer areas. The East Coast may just be the most quaint part of the US. So far weve covered 48 of the USAs 50 total states. After some marijuana and mountain action, get ready for even more epic landscapes by staying in Moab, Utah for a few days. The small town of Taos is part spiritual enclave, part ski resort. Have your emergency numbers with you. 1. The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, even the neon lights of Las Vegas; all of these sights are deeply ingrained in the American consciousness. Plus, get3 free months on your membership during their summer promo! All other countries that do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program must apply for a regular visa for the US. You can also rent an RV or campervan to live the vanlife, which means you dont have to worry about packing camping gear. Did you know that the places to visit in Chicago even include sandy beaches? HikingAppalachian Trail. Choose Eastern Europe (Prague, Budapest, Sarajevo) for dirt-cheap excitement. Spend a few days staying in the amazing Grand Canyon, one of the most amazing natural landmarks in the US. When I graduated university back in 2015, there was only one thing I wanted to do, and that was see the world! Brussels rocks cheap. 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. Chicagos one of the coolest places to stay for 2 days filling up on deep-dish pizza. 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! So far, no regrets and a huge list of things I learned in my first month backpacking across South America. . If you havent seen the photosgoogle it, youre going to want to add this place to your USA bucket list. You will have to empty and refill the various waste compartments and water tanks though, which will require a visit to the proper facilities. Well worth having as it helps to have quick access to all your stuff. Learn how to repair your own bike and get used parts. Tipping is expected at US restaurants as workers are not paid the minimum hourly wage, unlike in Europe. You'll get discounts on museums, monuments and historical sites, as well as National Parks across the country. And while backpacking in South America, just being a Gringo wearing a backpack can make you a target. document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. While the modern form of America may have been nurtured further down on the Atlantic Seaboard, the first version of it was born in New England. While its location is great for the outdoors and breeding free-spiritedness, it sucks to drive to. The US is not South Asia, Oceania, or Europe. Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. People flock here for good weather, good vibes, good food, good beaches, and the chance to make it big. Get Rail Passes. The United States is such an amalgamation of cuisines and borrows so much from so many cultures that its tough to nail what is really American. Motel 6 and Econo Lodge are usually two of the cheaper chain options, but use Google Maps to scout prices. Read on for American moments and scenes you just shouldnt skip. The Grayl Geopress is the markets leading filtered water bottle protecting your tum from all the waterborne nasties. You wont soon forget that lobster roll! Youll also need to make sure you have your road trip packing list kitted out with the proper gear. Best of all, you won't have to deal with the grumpy train ticket vendors. Or that the city of Atlanta is no longer the gritty, crime-ridden place that it used to be? Adam dreams of backpacking across Europe, therefore, each time he is paid, he saves ten percent of his income. A lower daily budget for visiting the United States will be around $50-$70. It even comes with Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee. 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). Beware of prices in these regions during this time. Visiting here will allow you endless opportunities to camp, hike, and explore. To this day, the original spirit of pioneers and frontiersmanship still permeates the Rocky Mountain culture. Well talk about the best of America, including the finest lodges, the most beautiful parks, and the most rad cities. a shirt can be a base layer in a cold climate or a top layer in a warm climate). For example, whiskey is quite good in Appalachia as this is where bourbon was created. 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. Cusco / Arequipa / Titicaca / La Paz / Uyuni / Atacama Desert. To say that Americans, as a whole, are cowboys or business sharks or talk like theyre from The OC is a gross misrepresentation. Americans party a lot and in many different ways. Most Americans never even make it here, so its even a bit offbeat.. On the other hand, the southern states have some really good tequila and mezcal, mostly because of their proximity to Mexico. America IS mostly safe for travel, though the potential for random violence is much higher than in other developed countries. Hawaii is getting dumped on by rain. Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America Of course, its weird, and, yes, the BBQ will probably lead to an early grave but if you visit The South with an open mind, you may just enjoy it. Every first-time traveler to the US has a few questions theyre just dying to know the answers to. Use rental car search engines to sort through the various car companies and find the right price. While backpacking across America in 1976, 21-year-old Greek musician Calista Frangopoulou has a chance encounter with real-life 70-year-old film director Billy Wilder at a Beverly Hills restaurant.