How to travel the USA on a budget: The United States of America is one of the top destinations people pick up to travel each year. With so many different geographical landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches, valleys to plains, and even desserts to farmlands, the USA is a jewel for travelers looking to experience something valuable and a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
But as we know with traveling, it can get quite expensive in the blink of an eye if we don’t pay attention to our spending. Booking cheap flight tickets is not the only way to travel on a budget; there are also many other approaches that enable you to travel on the budget.
So, we have created this article to include every tip and tricks that you can undertake to travel the USA on a budget. So, let’s dive right into it without wasting any more time.
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1. Many interesting things are available for free: When you travel, you might find it odd that there are so many things that you can do without even spending a penny. Of course, there is no need for a ticket to tour the local streets or unwind in the park; even if the prices are there for entry in public places, it will be very minimal. These small charges might not seem too much at the time, but they have the capacity to make or break your budget.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that certain attractions all over the USA are also free. Inquire at the tourist information center about free events, free or lower museum entrance charges and free guided tours. If you are a university student residing in student housing in Chicago or New York, you can get student discounts and even free entry. And always remember that it never hurts to ask.
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2. Live as a Local: A beautiful hotel with attractive amenities and facilities for people of all ages is a delightful pleasure. However, it may also be rather expensive, making it difficult to travel on a budget. Find a single location to stay and remain there for an extended period of time.
You can book a homestay and cook for yourself instead of going out to expensive restaurants every day. Students from Dallas student accommodation to Austin student housing are well familiar with this tactic. If you want to go out, go to a local eatery or restaurant, it will help you enjoy the authentic local cuisine without damaging your wallet.
You can also book vacation rentals as they are much cheaper than traditional hotels. Vacation rentals frequently provide discounts for extended stays, and living in a vacation home allows you to save some money on food by not having to dine out.
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3. Consider taking public transportation: When traveling on a budget, public transportation is your close companion. It can save you money, and if well-planned research is executed, it can even provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime positive experience.
Examine the possibilities available at your location and experiment with different routes during your travel. Operational railway networks are available all over the USA that can reduce your transportation costs for long-distance travel. You won’t be as perplexed by the complexity of train networks when you reach your destination. America is well connected with its interstate highway network that boosts the prospects of road travel. Buses take different routes and are available in almost all states.
4. Eliminate Alcohol: There are vast amounts of craft beer and drinks buried in those shopping and restaurant costs that you don’t notice on the budget breakdown. After a lengthy day of traveling, you may easily blow your cash on post-hiking drinks, whiskey sours, and brewery visits.
Reduce or eliminate your alcohol consumption to save a significant amount of money. It is impossible to plan a budget trip to the United States without seeing a budget breakdown on your intake of alcohol, as they are highly expensive and addicting. You can practice drinking formula ‘once a week’ without bleeding your wallet out. You can even go to local shops that make their own craft beer to get a fantastic taste as they are less expensive than hotel bars.
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Conclusion
We hope this article helps you find some unique approaches to take when traveling on a budget. Traveling on a budget in the USA can become quite difficult, but you can achieve it with proper planning that involves a lot of research. And by the end of the journey, you can find yourself with a little full wallet. We wish you the best of luck for your adventures ahead.
Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.