Im flying to New york from london on the 28th of May 08. I plan to spend 3 months travelling around the beloved North America. My destinations are New York, Miami, texas, california, San fransisco, LA, Vegas, washington and possibly a few more states.
It will include road trips, theme parks, excursions and possibly more activities. We plan to do hostels, hotels & rent cheap apartments for the longer stays in some states. We will be travelling by greyhound, plane & car hire. I will be travelling with 2 other people so the cost will be split in some areas like accommodation & car hire. I have saved £5,000 (pounds) $10,000 (dollars) excluding my flight from london to New york which has already been payed for and not part of my £5,000 budget. That said my question is will this amount be enough for the whole duration???
Thanks.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer I sure I’ll have the time of my life. America is one of a kind.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer Im sure I’ll have the time of my life. America is one of a kind.
Thanks very much was actually planning on taking a very long greyhound trip but i do think I will take your word for it & reconsider that one. Thankyou.
Thankyou so much barry for your thought out & detailed answer appreciate all the advice given will definitely take it onboard & will let you know if we do decide to stop by New Orleans.
I disagree about the "danger" part of the answer warning you against using Greyhound, but they are right about the frequent stops (most routes) and comfort level. Very few people use Greyhound for long-distance trips.
AmTrak is an option you should also consider, especially for a trip along the eastern seaboard (ex. New York to Washington, DC): www.amtrak.com
Contact the airline you will use to cross the Atlantic and ask about "air pass" options for the USA. Using the passes MAY allow you to save a lot on airline tickets within the USA.
Using a rental car is one of the best ways to see the USA because America is designed for automobiles. Driving is even proactical for traveling across the country, given that you are planning a 3-month trip. Having a car also allows you to stay in less expensive suburban hotels (that also have free parking). However, most rental agencies require the primary renter be age 25. If none of you are 25 or older then you need to talk to a travel agency to find rental options for younger drivers.
Also, the insurance offered by the rental agencies is very expensive. Check with your home insurance company and/or the RAC to find out about automobile insurance that will cover rental cars in America. Make sure any car you drive is well insured!
Insurance again: Bring with you proof of medical coverage in case you need treatment in the USA. Travel agencies and airlines sell trip medical insurance if you don’t already have coverage.
Note that the Immigration Officer may ask you about medical insurance and how you plan to support yourself if they realize you will be in the USA for almost 90 days. Be prepared to answer the questions with printed copies of hotel & rental car reservations, insurance info, etc.
Try to use a moderately priced nationwide hotel chain like Best Western or Holiday Inn. Join their frequent guest program and you should collect enough points/miles for some free room nights before the end of your trip: www.bestwestern.com and www.priorityclub.com
If you have a valid student ID then bring it as many attractions offer a student discount.
Consider joining SERVAS, which is a global network of travelers and hosts who have completed a background check. You will have local contacts in many places even if you don’t choose to stay with a host: www.servas.org
Let me know if you might visit New Orleans and I will send "what to do" info to you.
Hope you have a great trip!
America sucks, why would you want to come here, I’ll permanently switch places with you if you’d like. You should be good with 10,000, prices are high right nowdue to inflation, but as long as you dont spend like crazy you’ll be fine.
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That should be plenty..For about $1000.00 a week you can party like a Rock Star…Have fun and welcome to America!!
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im thinking that’ll be enough, welcome to america!
i haven’t even seen san fransisco or Vegas yet!
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The cost will be around 79,000,000,000,000,000$ and 7,000 pounds. Good luck and have fun!
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hi
well I am not sure of your total expenses but I live in San Francisco so i can tell you that we have all kinds of transportation in the city for tourists they are cheaper than taking a car around you can use
bart: its like a subway
muni: is a bus works all around san francisco $1.50 for adult
cabel cars: You must sit on one if you come to san francisco
ferries: boats which you must sit on to see alcatraz,angel island,and a nice view of the golden gate bridge
Their are many affordable things you just have to talk to people who live in the city you are visiting. Good luck and have fun on your trip.
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i live in SF
the amount you spend is up to you…. this is a question that is hard to answer.. but i would suggest that you try to stretch your dollars until the trip is allmost over.. getting an apartment in new york.. can be a trip…. a modestly priced unit means that you could be in the ghetto.. and be in constant danger.. and a nice safe place could cost a fortune… it would be cheaper in the long run to go to a nice hotel and bargain… that is you want a room and you would like to know if you can do some work for the hotel to offset the cost. of the room. a person with a british accent can often find work as a greater in the restaurant or work in the hotel store selling sovigners.. ten thousand is not much when it comes to traveling… if i go to the dominican republic.. i spend two thousand us… and i dont do any thing that is costly… also please buy a money belt that is non metallic to keep your cash in even your travelers checques… and plese dont try your luck in any casino.. if you want to take a chance wait until you are back in england.. ok gilermo..
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You mention at least 6 Cities and Texas going coast to coast. The cities you mention are expensive with lots to see and do. It sounds like you’ll have a great time.
Now to the money, it will be close money wise and depends a lot on what you do in these places. There are lots of free or low cost sites to visit and things to do. You can get the information from the location( City) tourist office. This will give you more money to do some partying if that’s in your plans.
Don’t blow all or most of your money in Vegas, many say they won’t but do exactly that.
Good luck and have a safe fun journey in the states.
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I think your $$ should be sufficient. My major comment is that I think you should reconsider traveling any part of the trip by Greyhound Bus!! That is absolutely the worst way to travel in the US and it can be pretty dangerous in some area’s. It isn’t like taking buses in Europe at all! No resemblance!
Most of the bus stations are hangouts for scam artists, drug addicts and other low life’s. The buses themselves are really uncomfortable and most of them stop in every Podunk community they drive through (except the express buses)
I would reconsider this if I were you!
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Travel connoisseur
I disagree about the "danger" part of the answer warning you against using Greyhound, but they are right about the frequent stops (most routes) and comfort level. Very few people use Greyhound for long-distance trips.
AmTrak is an option you should also consider, especially for a trip along the eastern seaboard (ex. New York to Washington, DC): http://www.amtrak.com
Contact the airline you will use to cross the Atlantic and ask about "air pass" options for the USA. Using the passes MAY allow you to save a lot on airline tickets within the USA.
Using a rental car is one of the best ways to see the USA because America is designed for automobiles. Driving is even proactical for traveling across the country, given that you are planning a 3-month trip. Having a car also allows you to stay in less expensive suburban hotels (that also have free parking). However, most rental agencies require the primary renter be age 25. If none of you are 25 or older then you need to talk to a travel agency to find rental options for younger drivers.
Also, the insurance offered by the rental agencies is very expensive. Check with your home insurance company and/or the RAC to find out about automobile insurance that will cover rental cars in America. Make sure any car you drive is well insured!
Insurance again: Bring with you proof of medical coverage in case you need treatment in the USA. Travel agencies and airlines sell trip medical insurance if you don’t already have coverage.
Note that the Immigration Officer may ask you about medical insurance and how you plan to support yourself if they realize you will be in the USA for almost 90 days. Be prepared to answer the questions with printed copies of hotel & rental car reservations, insurance info, etc.
Try to use a moderately priced nationwide hotel chain like Best Western or Holiday Inn. Join their frequent guest program and you should collect enough points/miles for some free room nights before the end of your trip: http://www.bestwestern.com and http://www.priorityclub.com
If you have a valid student ID then bring it as many attractions offer a student discount.
Consider joining SERVAS, which is a global network of travelers and hosts who have completed a background check. You will have local contacts in many places even if you don’t choose to stay with a host: http://www.servas.org
Let me know if you might visit New Orleans and I will send "what to do" info to you.
Hope you have a great trip!
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Lifetime frequent traveler and New Orleans resident