Here are my top tips for how to travel the USA on a budget, based on many years of personal experience in my home country!

Growing up in the USA, I always had more interest in exploring other countries rather than my own. 

But in recent years, I’ve absolutely loved checking out more of the United States!

Maybe it’s because I’ve lived abroad for so long and I miss home. Or maybe it’s because my friends have scattered around the country and I’ve explored more new cities while visiting them. 

Either way, I have a rekindled appreciation for the US and its diversity of landscapes and cultures. 

So here is my ultimate guide for how to travel the USA on a budget, whether you’re an international visitor or a citizen exploring your home country. 

Having visited many countries across most of the continents, I now realize that the US is one of the most expensive countries to travel around. 

But it can be affordable if you travel with a budget and a plan!

Here are some of the ways I try to save money while exploring the USA. 

How To Travel The USA On A Budget

The most important things to consider when traveling the USA on a budget are:

• Transport
• Accommodation
• Activities
• Meals
• Travel insurance
• Destinations

I will break down each of these sections in detail and provide my own insights! After many years of traveling, I have my go-to methods for having a great experience while also saving money. 

Read my ultimate list of 50 Budget Travel Tips for more ways to save money on the road.

Transport: How To Get Around The USA On A Budget

Getting around the USA is actually one of the trickiest parts of exploring the country. Unlike many places in the developed world, public transport and general infrastructure are sometimes not as impressive as they could be. 

Here are the different methods I recommend using for traveling around the US. 

Rental car / driving your own car

• Most freedom and flexibility
• Ideal for most cities, small towns, national parks
• May want to avoid in busy cities with lots of public transport, such as NYC

The #1 best way to travel around the USA is with a car. 

Public transport is not always readily available, and a car lets you go anywhere, anytime. 

If you don’t have your own car, rent one. Car rental places are everywhere, and you can find good deals by shopping around or booking online in advance. 

Road tripping around the US is also the best way to admire the scenery. You can stop in small towns, visit a local diner, buy produce at roadside stands, and get to know the more rural areas. 

Find an affordable rental car online in advance!

Should I rent a car in big US cities?

The only time I would avoid renting a car is if you’re visiting a big city like New York City, Chicago, or Boston. 

These cities have widespread public transport, and the traffic/expensive parking can be such a hassle. 

But I would do some research for your specific city beforehand. 

For example, many big US cities, like Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Phoenix, or Miami, are actually more car-friendly and the public transport isn’t that great. 

These cities are also very spread out with a focus on nature, so it’s easier to explore with a car. 

So it really depends on the city. In my experience, a car is almost always ideal, except in NYC. 

Inner-city buses, trams, subways, etc. 

• Cheap way to get around an urban area
• Generally on time and safe
• Great in major cities like NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston
• Not always reliable in smaller cities

That brings me to my next point, which is public transport within a city. Again, every city is unique and I would research what public transport is available before you visit. 

Cities like New York City and Chicago have public transport that is frequent, reliable, and covers most of the main attractions. 

Buses and subways are the most common, though trams and trains appear in some cities as well. 

Aside from walking or a rental car, public transport is the cheapest way to get around. 

Is it safe to walk around US cities?

It totally depends on the city and the area, but I generally feel safe walking around the US if:

• I am with a friend or in a group
• It’s daylight
• I’m in a well-lit and busy area
• The general crime rate for that city is relatively low and/or there are no protests or events of civil unrest

Just use general street smarts that you would use anywhere. Trust your gut and avoid sketchy areas or situations. In most popular tourist destinations around the US, it’s generally safe to walk around and sightsee. 

I personally just avoid walking around alone after dark. In any city around the world!

Ubers, Lyfts, or taxis

• Quickest and safest way to travel around an area
• Most expensive option
• Good to have the apps on your phone in case it’s needed

Of course, taking a ride share or a taxi is the most expensive way to travel around a city or area. However, sometimes it’s the safest or most convenient option. 

If you want to travel the USA on a budget, I would try to limit Ubers or taxis when you can, as the costs can add up. 

But also be realistic and take one if it’s late at night, or it’s just easiest. 

For example, I visited my friend in San Diego and we had no car. The public transport doesn’t reach all areas of the city all the time.

I took the public bus when I could, but for places like the airport or Torrey Pines State Park, it would have taken hours on multiple different buses. In those cases, we just took turns paying for Ubers. It allowed us more time to enjoy the city, rather than being stuck on buses all day.

Long distance buses and trains around the USA

• Cheap way to travel longer distances
• Long travel times
• Not always reliable

Outside of the cities, there is a decent network of public buses and trains that you can use for traveling longer distances. 

If you don’t want to hire a car for a long time, buses are a great way to travel the USA on a budget. 

Greyhound, Flixbus, Peter Pan, and Megabus are some of the most popular bus lines that service major cities and towns around the USA. 

Amtrak is the main train company that services 46 states. There are some smaller train networks, like Brightline in Florida. 

If you are going to take a bus or train in the USA, bear in mind the service might not be impeccable. Have some flexibility with your depart/return times, and have a backup route for travel just in case. 

I say this because in my experience, these public transport options are not always reliable. 

I’ve experienced multiple delays on trains and buses, and I had one Greyhound bus in North Carolina that just didn’t show up at all (I had to pay for a 2-hour Uber ride instead, and I never got my money back for the bus ticket). 

That said, there are lots of buses and trains that do operate smoothly as well. So take the low-cost option to save money, but just be aware of possible delays.

Domestic flights around the USA

• The fastest way to travel between cities
• Can be as cheap as a bus or train
• Lots of low-cost, no-frills airlines

My preferred method of hopping between cities in the USA is a domestic flight. 

The US is gigantic, so a quick flight saves you lots of time as opposed to land travel. 

I use Skyscanner to check for affordable flights between cities, and there are always lots of options. 

The USA also has several budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, and Southwest. These are the cheapest airlines that offer no-frills flights. You can often find one-way flights between cities for as cheap as $50!

Even slightly nicer airlines like Jetblue, Delta, United, and American Airlines have affordable domestic flights. 

Read my guide for How To Find the Cheapest Flights Abroad for more tips!

Accommodation in the USA

Your options for accommodation in the USA are similar to most places in the world. There are cheap options like camping and hostels, and a range of affordable and expensive hotels. 

Airbnbs and holiday rentals are also popular. 

Here is a quick summary of each budget range and the accommodation options that might fit!

Budget accommodation

As an avid budget traveler, I often look for the cheapest places to stay. 

This usually means camping, hostels, or work exchanges!

Hostels are relatively new to the USA compared to places like Europe. You can sometimes find hostels in popular cities, but they are rare in more rural areas. 

Budget hotels and motels might be your only option if you’re visiting smaller cities and towns. 

Camping is also an amazing way to explore the USA, particularly in the stunning national parks around the country. 

You will just need the gear and a national park pass, which might work out to be the same as a hotel. So consider what type of experience you want and plan accordingly. 

Work exchanges in the USA

I will briefly mention work exchanges, as I think this is an amazing hack for how to travel the USA on a budget. 

You can save so much money by working in exchange for free accommodation. 

From busy hostels or hotels in the city, to rural farms and homestays, work exchanges give you an immersive experience. You can travel longer because you’re saving money on accommodation, and you can meet locals. 

I’ve never done a work exchange in the USA, but I always see them when I am browsing websites like Worldpackers or Workaway. 

Read my full guide to work exchanges for even more details about this topic. 

Mid range accommodation

When I’m traveling around the US with friends or my partner, I tend to book mid-range accommodation for a bit more comfort. 

This usually means hotels, or the occasional Airbnb/apartment rental. 

I always just browse on Booking.com and add filters for the price range I want. The USA has such a range of hotels that I never struggle to find something nice and affordable. 

Luxury accommodation

Of course, you can always ball out on expensive hotels around the USA as well! I personally don’t have the budget for this, but it’s fun to dream. 

I would also use Booking.com for finding luxury hotels. Then you can filter your search by star-rating or just raise your budget to find the place you want.

Browse Booking.com for your ideal accommodations around the USA.

Activities: How to have fun on a budget in the USA

The best activities vary around the USA, as it’s such a huge country with distinct states. But there are always free things to do if you want to explore on a budget!

In my early 20s I was insanely frugal, and I would often try to only do free or cheap activities while traveling. 

Now I’m much more lenient with my spending, but I still like to balance activities so I don’t spend too much. 

Combine free and cheap activities with a handful of pricier activities that you really want to do. This gives you a well-rounded, enriching, and affordable experience!

Popular activities in the USA can look like this:

Free activities in the USA ($0)

• Hiking and nature walks
• Visiting waterfalls
• Swimming at public beaches and lakes
• Free walking tours
• Sightseeing and admiring architecture
• Exploring free parks and gardens
• Watching the sunset or sunrise
• Finding street art

Affordable budget activities in the USA ($10 – $40)

• Browsing and shopping at markets
• Touring museums and galleries
• Entry to unique attractions and historic monuments
• Renting paddle boards and kayaks
• Hiking and beaches (when you have to pay for parking)
• Guided walking tours and food tours
• Local sports games

Mid-range activities in the USA ($50 – $80)

• Fully guided day tours through iconic areas
• Surf lessons
• Fishing tours
• Bar hopping
• Hiring a boat or car for a day
• Amusement parks
• Wildlife-spotting tours with a guide
• Professional sports games

Expensive activities in the USA ($100+)

• Scenic flights
• Skydiving
• Scuba diving
• Skiing or snowboarding
• Private tours
• High-end shopping and dining
• Concerts

Find top-rated USA activities on Get Your Guide!

Food: How to eat and drink in the USA on a budget

Planning your meals in the USA on a budget is pretty straightforward. Dining out is expensive, cooking at home is cheaper!

Try not to dine out for every single meal. Not only is it costly, it might make you feel like crap, as restaurant food in the US is often heavy with oil, salt, and fat. 

However, the US is also known for its giant portion sizes, which means you can often take half of your food to-go and get two meals out of one dish.

And don’t forget, you have to tip 20% on every restaurant meal in the US! 

As someone who worked as a waitress in the USA for many years, I want everyone to know that tipping is essential. Waitstaff don’t get paid a fair wage, and their entire income is tips. So whenever you look at the price of a restaurant meal, make sure you add 20% on top. 

I would try to book hotels, hostels, or campgrounds with kitchen facilities so you can cook some of your own meals to save money. 

Travel Insurance: A must for visiting the USA

Travel insurance is 100% A MUST when traveling to the USA! 

The US has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world. If you need emergency medical care and you don’t have any insurance, it can easily cost you thousands of dollars. 

So bite the bullet and buy travel insurance before your trip. 

Even though I’m a US citizen, I don’t have US health insurance because I live abroad. That means I ALWAYS buy travel insurance when I visit home, just because I know how costly a doctor or hospital visit can be. 

Read my budget traveler’s guide to travel insurance for more info!

Destinations in the USA

Lastly on my USA budget travel guide, it’s important to consider your destinations when you’re planning a budget. 

The USA is one massive country, but the states, regions, and cities within its borders vary greatly. 

Some places are much more expensive than others. If you want a more affordable trip, visit the most affordable places and your money will last longer.

By all means, don’t count out the expensive places, as they are amazing too. Just be more mindful of your spending and maybe save more money for that part of the trip. 

To give you a general idea, here are the more expensive places to visit in the US:

• California (especially cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles)
• New York City
• The Hamptons area of New York
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Key West, Florida
• Aspen, Colorado
• Park City, Utah
• Hawaii (especially Maui and Honolulu)
• Las Vegas
• Alaska (cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks)

There can be a number of reasons why these places are expensive, such as airfare, pricey hotels and restaurants, or general cost of living. Some places, like Alaska and Hawaii, are more expensive mainly because they are very remote.

On the flip side, these are some surprisingly affordable places to visit in the US:

• Tennessee (including cities like Knoxville and Memphis)
• Texas
• New Mexico
• Pennsylvania (including cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh)
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Arizona
• Georgia
• North and South Carolina
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Montana

These places are considered cheap to visit because of the abundance of free activities, like national parks, hiking, camping, and free events/street performances. Plus other things like affordable flights and hotel prices. 

HOWEVER, your own personal spending habits will affect the price of your trip more than anything else.

You can easily visit a cheap city like New Orleans and splurge on luxury accommodations, guided tours, and high-end restaurants. Just like you can explore NYC on a budget by doing free sightseeing, sleeping on a friend’s couch, and eating street food. 

These lists above are just generalizations based on experience, stories from friends, and internet research. But it’s meant to give you an idea of how some destinations are overall cheaper than others. 

Overview of how to travel the USA on a budget

• Renting a car is often the best way to get around
• Public transport is great in cities, not so much in rural areas
• Fly budget airlines around the country
• Choose affordable hotels or hostels
• Consider trying a work exchange for free accommodation
• Prioritize free activities
• Cook some of your own meals to save money on food
• Don’t forget you have to tip 20% when dining out
• Get travel insurance to avoid costly medical emergencies
• Choose cheaper destinations to make your money go further

These are, I believe, the most important things to note for traveling the USA on a budget. Again, every trip is different and every traveler is unique!

So use these tips as inspiration for your own trip planning and research. And hopefully you will get to experience some of the wonders that the USA has to offer.

Read about more of my favorite US destinations:

21 Best Day Trips From Boston, Massachusetts

23 Best Things To Do In Miami, Florida

2 Days In Sedona Itinerary: Weekend Trip From Phoenix

23 Best Things To Do In Tampa, Florida

12 Best Things To Do In Newport, Rhode Island

10 Best Things To Do In Kauai, Hawaii