Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtles life again. Both organisations provide flights, food, accommodation, and spending money. . Go on a great American road trip in search of the best BBQs in the US and see which regional variety suits you best. If you wanted to leave the mountains, theres plenty more to see and do in greater Kentucky and Tennessee. It'll also be the right size for day hikes, whether trekking in Torres del Paine National Park or for . From its inception and even beforehand, slavery was legal in the United States and Africans were forced to live and work in severely atrocious conditions by white slave owners until slavery was officially outlawed in 1865 by the 13th Amendment. Having a filtered water bottle means you can drink from just about any source. Note: Ecuador uses the US Dollar as its official currency. If Im being honest, it can be a hectic place and I often feel safer in Pakistan. It might just be the most extraordinary piece of nature in all of North America. 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. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. 10 Days Backpacking the USA Itinerary - A Jetsetting Holiday. 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. Relatively speaking, a backpacking trip is an inexpensive vacation alternative. Having lived in the USA for the first 25 years of my life, I sometimes have a hard time answering this question myself. Luckily weve got them covered! Objectively speaking, many of the most iconic places in the USA are found on a Southwest road trip itinerary. There are also a number of American-ized dishes. These are usually very affordable ($5) and offer enough amenities, like an outdoor toilet and running water, to ensure youre comfortable. Pack light. As a follow-up, Id like to remind you to never venture into the wilderness unprepared. For all campgrounds outside the main urban areas, you will, 99% of the time, need a car to reach them. The small town of Taos is part spiritual enclave, part ski resort. 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. 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. In fact, the highest in North America, Denali, is here in Alaska. Many will say that the most beautiful places in the USA are not found in cities or towns, but in nature. Hawaii is wrapping up its rainy own season. The cute town is close to two USA national parks and has a vibe all of its own. You can expect higher costs in Western Europe with cheaper prices in Central and Eastern Europe. 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. STATES: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas. Chicagos one of the coolest places to stay for 2 days filling up on deep-dish pizza. Since the 1960s, the US has been almost perpetually involved in war, most recently in the Middle East. The meats are tender, the sauces are masterpieces, and the sides are copious. With 50 states unique as 50 separate countries, backpacking the USA is an adventure unlike any other. US bills are all green with various former presidents on them. My missus travels with all her clothes in ziplock bags:dont be like my missus. a shirt can be a base layer in a cold climate or a top layer in a warm climate). They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Money adds up: Don't be fooled by the currency. Alaska doesnt emerge from winter until May although the Northern Lights are peaking. Denver is becoming an increasingly popular city to both live in and visit. And of course, no USA trip is complete without spending some days in Miami itinerary, the so-called Capital of South USA.. While the region isnt as sprawling or as industrious as the Atlantic Seaboard, it is far more bucolic here and the locals like it that way. Categorization. Many residents will talk your ear about how much its changed in the last few years. A more expensive, premium quality option is The Backpacker from Salkan. PLUS, you save money and the environment! 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. The great thing about backpacking the USA's East Coast is that it's possible to make a custom travel itinerary that can be done entirely without renting a car. Plus you can get the very best poke in the world! When the leaves turn gold and red in the autumn, its sublime. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Its about the same size as the entire European continent a landmass that hosts over 87 distinct peoples. Backpacking is especially popular among young people. For example, whiskey is quite good in Appalachia as this is where bourbon was created. Most will base themselves in the Midwests largest city, Chicago. Visiting Yellowstone National Park is a treat. 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. You wont soon forget that lobster roll! Most of the worst crimes in the country happen in remote neighborhoods where tourists have no reason to go to anyway. 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. Appalachian people are often portrayed as hicks, rednecks, bootleggers, or inbred mountain people. There are hundreds of little towns with rich histories and some offer unique attractions, be they crafts or hot springs. All other countries that do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program must apply for a regular visa for the US. All the staples are here: vodka, rum, gin, etc though certain regions do it better than others. Now its time for the countrys most notorious state: yup, its time for a Florida road trip. Your laptop deserves a proper pack, and we know a good few! The East Coast hosts some of the most important cities in the USA, both economically and politically. Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE. Big developed western Europe countries like Germany, France, and England are countries that empty the wallet faster. Be prepared and have the gear to be mostly self-sustaining. You also cant miss the Yosemite Tunnel View, the famous vista that looks its absolute best when tinged with fall colors. The city that never sleeps is more of a feeling than a place, and is undoubtedly the coolest city in Americaplus it has public transportation. Need help deciding between Dallas or Austin? All of these are often considered among the most photographed places in the USA. The famous New York City, one of the most diverse metropolises in the world. A great time to visit the United States! On average, you expect the cost of backpacking Europe to be approximately 42 - 105 per day (approximately $44 - $110 USD per day). Remote and massive albeit a bit expensive, Alaska is a nature lovers paradise. In fact, theres roughly 5000 km between LA and NYC; if you were on a coast-to-coast road trip in the US, thatd be a whole lot of fuck-all in between. Free walking tours. Europe provides an ever changing and unforgettable landscape. Last Updated: February 8, 2023. The state is also blessed with a ton of natural beautyMaines stunning Acadia National Park is a dream come true from July-August. Cusco / Arequipa / Titicaca / La Paz / Uyuni / Atacama Desert. Learn how to repair your own bike and get used parts. 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. These are just a few highlighted characteristics/stereotypes in a sea of cultural diversity. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Some major companies include Greyhound, Boltbus, and Megabus. West Coast people also behave differently where East Coasters are generally more blunt and unabashed, West Coasters are more genial but sometimes superficial. Again, the documents needed to travel to the USA under this visa vary on a case-by-case basis so I cannot tell you what you need. Washington is the more mountainous and richer sibling to Oregon. The Midwest and East Coast start to get humid while the South is in the midst of the hot, rainy season (hurricanes possible). 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. Join the conversation; visit the likes of Miami, San Antonio, or stay in Los Angeles and feel the Latin vibes. Between Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and every other park in the state, there is an endless amount of things to do in Utah. The landscape here is rugged, primal, and mostly untouched by civilization. Alaska and Hawaii are the odd men out. Some must-see East Coast spots include the nations lovely capital Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, home of the legendary Philly Cheesesteak. It goes without saying as well that some of the best hikes in the USA are found in the Rockies. 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. 3. Use rental car search engines to sort through the various car companies and find the right price. Seattle is a great place to either headway north to Alaska, or thousands of miles southwest to the true highlight of the USAbackpacking Hawaii. Bring your Student ID Card - That International Student Card will save you money if you're travelling as a student in Colombia. Applicants need to contact the nearest embassy to acquire this info. Driving in the USA will allow you the ultimate freedom and the chance to see many of its remote attractions and natural wonders. That being said, America is a (mostly) safe place, at least for tourists. Cheap Restaurant Meal / Take-Out: $8 to $15. However, unlike many places in the world, hitchhiking is illegal in most parts of the US. You'll be surprised by how inexpensive food, goods, and other items are in certain countries, but they add up! Backpacking shows you how little you actually need. Oaxaca City is a vibrant destination to explore, and Merida, the safest city in the country . If you still want to give it a go, be extremely careful. 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. Avoid acting like a tourist. Relatively cheap (roughly $50-$70 per night) motels can be found in many mid-size towns throughout the US. The Gringo Trail (The Classic South America Backpacking Route) Like 'gaijin' in Japan, 'gringo' is a word used to mean foreigner in Latin America. Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure. Quite the opposite of Alaska, traveling to Hawaii means visiting a tropical paradise. The cost of a road trip across America will obviously vary depending on a few factors: We suggest doing your research ahead of time to find the best deal possible. South of the border lies tropical shores and the mystical cultures of Mexico. Just dont piss them off. 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. New England has a distinctly more old-school vibe than other Atlantic states. 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 He was one of the seven finalists to the California Outdoors Hall of Fame. By staying in warm climates for most of the year, we were able to avoid bringing along winter coats or cold weather gear. Great if youre a skier, but bad if youre everyone else. In the US, the standard tread depth is measured in 1/32" increments, according to Tire America. Its common knowledge that Chinese food in the US is not really Chinese anymore and Tex-Mex isnt really Mexican. Theres river rafting, skiing, hunting, climbing, sport fishing, and a whole lot more here. Applicants from 40 different countries can enter the United States visa-free for a period of 90 days. The Glacier National Park is another backpacking destination you shouldn't miss as you travel across America. 1.New York City, 2.Chicago, Illinois, 3.Los Angeles, California, 4.Miami, Florida. $$425). Paperback. Pack one week's worth of clothing. The Southwest is a desert filled with some of the most surreal and fantastic natural features you can imagine. When you travel to some of the most beautiful places in the USA, you come to realize the full extent of the plastic problem. There is a lot of really interesting stuff going on here if you know where to look. To this day, the original spirit of pioneers and frontiersmanship still permeates the Rocky Mountain culture. Close, Backpacking USA Travel Guide Budgets, Tips, Itineraries + More (2023). Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas or its wormy tequila. Though it has an (undeserving) bad reputation, visiting Mexico is incredible. 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. With more than a month on your hands, you have free reign and control over your own American dreams. time, energy, and money. 2. Here are some of the cant-miss stops on your USA backpacking adventure: STATES: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! As the first destination of our travels, it was hard to know what to budget for backpacking South America's most expensive country. Book your transport on Bookaway NOW. With more than 700 miles of trails, spectacular lakes, pristine forests, and rugged mountains, there's no reason not to love and consider the Glacier as an ultimate hiker's paradise. Finally, no trip to the Southwest is complete without seeing the otherworldly White Sands. 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. Its not like this region is totally featureless either. . Sign up to The Broke Backpackers EXCLUSIVE VIP AREA below and download our top backpacking guides as PDFs go offline with peace of mind! American culture is defined by blood, sweat, and tears, followed by a shot of whiskey. France, Spain, and Portugal are easily one of the most classic combinations for European itineraries out there. I'd say that's pretty good.ALASKA. Or, yknow you can stick to ziplock bags. Weve all heard of how hedonistic and fun visiting New Orleans can be. Speaking of freak accidents, the US is the only developed nation on Earth without universal healthcare. Social stratification is rampant throughout society. Americans also love drugs, probably a little too much. Most appealing though are the warm, welcoming locals, who are often eager to show foreigners how great the Midwest can be. Im hard on the USA because Im from there. The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, even the neon lights of Las Vegas; all of these sights are deeply ingrained in the American consciousness. For some cities there are many tours for special interests. Oregon wine is more delicate and the pinots here are some of the best in the world. 1 rain jacket. Brussels rocks cheap. You arent going to save the world overnight, but you can be part of the solution and not the problem. 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. Things are just different in The South, for better or worse. If you dont really care about civilization though, theres always the Great Lakes to explore. The Canadian Rocky Mountains are epic and the rugged coastline of British Columbia and Newfoundland are equally impressive. Our road trip across America cost us $2,382, or an average of $149/day between both of us for a 16-day road . Since then, has walked across America four times via its three major mountain ranges. Some, like. Book your tickets WELL in advance to save money. Backpacking Europe Suggested Budgets. When I graduated university back in 2015, there was only one thing I wanted to do, and that was see the world! I figured that I wouldn't make it through there anyway if I did go. There are so many places to visit in New York you might want to tag on a few days. Want more deetz on why its so damn perfect? 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. Take some US dollars with you. 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. You can do this itinerary in either direction, though I recommend starting in New York City; its got something for everyone, from attractions to some of the best restaurants in the country. Thanks to the countrys cosmopolitanism and booming economy, theres just about every type of alcohol imaginable in the USA. Theyre eco-friendly, love to smoke (legal) marijuana, and are covered by some of the lushest woods in the country. In 1776, the declaration of independence was signed after revolutionary General George Washington. Hawaii is very far away from the continental United States. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Well, folks that was one epic United States travel guide thrown down. Its prime hiking season in almost all of Americas many National Parks and Alaska is finally bearable. 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. Sometimes called extended trip packs or expedition packs, a good one typically costs between $200 and $400. Are we going to visit Hawaii or Alaska? 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. If you are granted an ESTA, which is valid for 2 years, you are not actually guaranteed entry into the USA. Because its magical and theres really nowhere else like it. While some people are living like royalty, some are getting by on less than $2/day thats comparable to living in Nicaragua. Stay in South Padre Island to experience one of Texas hidden gems. 1. Its colder than the USA and people talk a little funny but it is far safer, more diverse, and arguably even more beautiful. That said, camping is much cheaper and more fun than staying in a hotel. Before leaving, stay in San Francisco, a city truly unlike any other in the states. 2 Week Backpacking Europe Route #2:France, Spain, and Portugal. 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. . Her favorite cupcakes, chocolate cream, sell for $22 each. You can spend your trip just taking a road trip through Utahs national parks. Hide money in a lipstick. Read on for American moments and scenes you just shouldnt skip. Plus public services are the best in the country, and overall, it has the best quality of life. Its not hard to imagine that this is often considered the most boring part of the country. So far, no regrets and a huge list of things I learned in my first month backpacking across South America. The stunning and expansive national park can keep hikers busy for days, though most come to see the iconic Yosemite Falls. There are so many amazing things to do in Colorado! Plus, now you wont be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Aint that just beautiful? An ambulance ride alone can cost $2000, and a day in a hospital for even a minor issue will easily run over $10,000. People who want to make their own Great American road trip will obviously need their own vehicle to do so. And while backpacking in South America, just being a Gringo wearing a backpack can make you a target. It wasn't until COVID that most Americans bothered to hop in their cars and do some serious road-tripping. It hosts many of the best museums and national monuments in the country, most of which are, crucially, free! If you're not sure about your car's tire depth, there's an easy way to check it. Most likely, people are fleeing to Florida, the South, and Hawaii during this time as theyre warm and dry. With no premiums for flights or hotel rooms, you can easily stay within budget and have the experience of a lifetime. To get your imagination going, here are some amazing random places in the USA: Weve tested countless backpacks over the years, but theres one that still stands the test of time: the backpacker-approved Osprey Aether. There is a certain romance to crossing the Great Plains though. There are dozens of car rental companies in the US that offer an exponential amount of deals. Oregon is like New Zealand-Lite and has just about every type of landscape possible. Located in the far western corner of North America lies Alaska the largest and most wild state in the USA. The Rockies, Midwest, and Great Plains start to receive dustings of snow. The Grayl Geopress is the markets leading filtered water bottle protecting your tum from all the waterborne nasties. Once youre stuffed to the brim, hop on another plane to visit Los Angeles. 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.