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. Train travel in the USA is not like train travel in Europe. Rate this book. Get free accommodation in exchange for volunteering a few hours a day. "I wasn't afraid of running out of money. A more expensive, premium quality option is The Backpacker from Salkan. The major exception to this is if you plan on partaking in drug tourism. Everyone knows that Florida has the best beaches in the States. You can find many quaint cabins in Idaho that offer unparalleled views of the natural surroundings. You'll get discounts on museums, monuments and historical sites, as well as National Parks across the country. To end your trip, check out Miami to get a taste of Latin America in the USA! Denver is becoming an increasingly popular city to both live in and visit. And for half the money too! There are plenty of different volunteer projects in the USA including teaching, construction, agriculture, and pretty much anything. STATES: Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada. Well talk about the best of America, including the finest lodges, the most beautiful parks, and the most rad cities. Mexico, sometimes considered part of North America, is a massive country and should be added to any backpacking itinerary of Central America. Start your trip in Cusco, the ex-capital of the Inca Empire. 4. Visiting Yellowstone National Park is a treat. The Pacific Northwest, composed of Oregon and Washington, might be rainier and somewhat more dreary but the region is just gorgeous. You don't need a storage unit to store it in. Updated March 20, 2021. Term. A decent head torch could save your life. But Appalachia offers plenty to the curious tourist, more than other regions of the US. 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. Daily backpacker budget: $30 to $40 (28 - 38) not including Galapagos. 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. 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. If youre trying to go backpacking in the USA with no money or very little of it, youd better use some of these travel hacks: Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful! Just dont piss them off. Oaxaca City is a vibrant destination to explore, and Merida, the safest city in the country . Backpacking is especially popular among young people. 4) BRAZIL ROUTE: 2-Week Itinerary is one of the best backpacking routes in Brazil. Now were cooking with gas! To see plenty of US history, be sure to squeeze some days in Philadelphia, one of the USAs oldest cities. Weed is fully legal in the state, and you can find every strain and edible you can imagine. If you have the time though, the aforementioned states are totally worth visiting. Travel in Cuba, once off-limits to Americans, is beginning to open up and traveling in Puerto Rico is a good time as well. You also cant miss the Yosemite Tunnel View, the famous vista that looks its absolute best when tinged with fall colors. document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Find out when and where you can watch Winning Formula with TV Guide's full TV listings schedule 1. . On February 26, 2011, Nate Damm stood barefoot in the Atlantic Ocean on the Delaware coast, then put his shoes on and started walking west. . PLUS, you save money and the environment! 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. If you dont really care about civilization though, theres always the Great Lakes to explore. Want to Read. From Mediterranean olive groves, to alpine forests all the way to spiralling mountain routes that pass shining sapphire lakes. 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. 1. 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. There are USA rail passes available for purchase with Amtrak. Not only will this help you pay for your trip, but it removes the baggage you still have at home. I dont know about you but I could use a vacation right about now, preferably in Maui. If you havent seen the photosgoogle it, youre going to want to add this place to your USA bucket list. It even comes with Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee. I'd say that's pretty good.ALASKA. (Simmer down now angry Texans, were getting there.). Both the West and East Coasts are perfect and theres usually not a cloud in the sky. 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. If youre backpacking through the USA and have the opportunity, you absolutely have to go to a sports match. Your best bet is to rent a car for 2 days to explore surrounding areas like Santa Monica, Malibu, and Venice Beach. The Glacier National Park is another backpacking destination you shouldn't miss as you travel across America. Lock your bag with a simple clip. STATES: Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho. You may end up enjoying the locals more than anything in Texas. California is known for its big bold grapes like chardonnays, cabs, and merlots. Driving in the USA will allow you the ultimate freedom and the chance to see many of its remote attractions and natural wonders. In 1776, the declaration of independence was signed after revolutionary General George Washington. Toggle navigation Quote Master. 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 . For days spent exploring the city, a 20- to 30-litre backpack will be the perfect size, with enough room to carry water, a camera and extra layers. Public transportation doesnt jive well with this kind of time frame, so youre going to get acquainted with its many airports. 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. Europe is huge, and there are so many fantastic places to visit. Many Americans only appreciate this country for its beach resorts e.g. Make no mistake, theres are a lot to do and see in the United States, so lets waste no time and get to it! 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). Paperback. . Not many people including most Americans make it all the way to Hawaii or Alaska. Now its time for the countrys most notorious state: yup, its time for a Florida road trip. Buckle up, buttercups were going on a road trip in the United States,right here,right now. 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. Some manage to visit cosmopolitan Dallas or culturally diverse San Antonio while theyre at it. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. (My Italian girlfriend was banned from entering the States for a period 6 months after she visited 3 times in the course of a year.). This 40-litre backpack is high quality and surprisingly budget-friendly. 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. Tipping is expected at US restaurants as workers are not paid the minimum hourly wage, unlike in Europe. We havent talked about Texas yet either! Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas or its wormy tequila. For clothing, packing layers is more versatile (e.g. The largest urban area in the Rocky Mountain states is Denver, Colorado. Times Square is severely overrated, though the lights do look pretty cool at 3 AM post partying. Continental Divide Trail: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, 3,100 miles. Sometimes small towns have one or two family-run motels at good prices. Plus you have Madison, Wisconsin, which is lowkey one of the great hidden gems of the Midwest. If youre short on time and want to see a lot though, you may end up buying a lot of plane tickets. Spend a day exploring the many amazing historical places by cycle or scooter! Q3 Comma Splices and Fused Sentences. Doesnt really matter if youre backpacking the USA alone or with a group theres tons of stuff to do here! An ambulance ride alone can cost $2000, and a day in a hospital for even a minor issue will easily run over $10,000. It hosts many of the best museums and national monuments in the country, most of which are, crucially, free! When the leaves turn gold and red in the autumn, its sublime. Start your jet-setting itinerary by spending 3 days visiting New York City, the so-called Capital of the World. Dont miss out on the artsy vibes of Williamsburg and Central Park, which might just be one of the only times the US has succeeded in creating a free, public green space. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads usingthis link. If you're not sure about your car's tire depth, there's an easy way to check it. Unfortunately, racism is still a problem all over the country today. Many will say that the most beautiful places in the USA are not found in cities or towns, but in nature. Plus, now you wont be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! If you have 2 weeks to spend backpacking in South America, this is the best route for you. Theyre easy to use, professional, and relatively affordable. Youll have to pay more if you have an RV because they take up more space, require waste disposal, and consume more electricity. After spending three years in Eastern Europe, he wrote The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us. Weed, coke, MDMA, acid, and a handful more are all easy drugs to find on the road in the USA. A visit to America isnt quite complete without Florida. For example: East Coasters are generally frank in their speech and can be perceived as rude. And if you really want to meet others who are also feeling the citys magic for the first time, stay in one of NYCs best hostels. 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. The PNW and Alaska are enjoying the sun before it disappears for 5 months. Spend a few days staying in the amazing Grand Canyon, one of the most amazing natural landmarks in the US. New Mexico is the least trafficked part of the Southwest and is probably more well-known for Breaking Bad than its actual attractions. I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. The GRAYL Geopress is hands-down the most effective one weve ever used as well! Don't keep your eggs in one basket. There are dozens of car rental companies in the US that offer an exponential amount of deals. Backpacking is the art of knowing what not to take. Sandwiched between the Puget Sound and Mt Rainier, its arguably the most beautiful city in America as well (on a clear day). Because its magical and theres really nowhere else like it. The Grayl Geopress is the markets leading filtered water bottle protecting your tum from all the waterborne nasties. Plus, get3 free months on your membership during their summer promo! He has currently traveled to 100 countries. Daypacks for South America. Ah, perhaps the most popular gambling city on Earth? Getting from the East Coast to the West Coast is a 6-hour flight in itself, so if you want to see both LA and NYC this may be your only option. Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst helping your host community. France, Spain, and Portugal are easily one of the most classic combinations for European itineraries out there. Keep some small change in your pockets. Backpacking across Europe is a low-cost, autonomous, and touristic travel that frequently entails camping, sleeping in inexpensive hotels, and carrying all required goods in a backpack. Use rental car search engines to sort through the various car companies and find the right price. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. One response to "United States of America (USA) Travel and Backpacking Guide" Make sure you alsopurchase aRentalCover.com policyto cover your vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk. We do not represent World Nomads. Backpacking gives you a feeling of freedom. 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. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. But also because of convenience; the East Coast Corridor is very well connected. Bring different types of plastic. Theyve got broke backpackers in mind, as they offer the chance to pay in interest free instalments. Pursue these as best you can as they can save you a lot of money. Backpacking: He's walked across America 4 times and he walked across Spain twice. Things are just different in The South, for better or worse. Cheryl Strayed (Goodreads Author) (shelved 101 times as backpacking) avg rating 4.04 739,513 ratings published 2012. 1 / 10. The USA does have a couple of original dishes, which vary by region. But if this is your second or third time visiting the US in the course of a single ESTA, you could get grilled. So I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveler.