A 5 Step Guide to Travelling America for the First Time

1. Take in as much info (and inspo) as you can

Being prepared removes much of the worry, allowing you to focus on enjoying it.

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Now, if you’re a person who likes to wing it, go for it. But being prepared means more security, understanding, and fun things to enjoy. Plus, if you’re a solo traveller on your first journey, it makes sense to take the time to know what you’re doing.

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There’s also so much to do that you may not know what way to turn. There’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from those who have been there, done it, and got the tie-dye t-shirt.

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We’ve put together loads of info for people travelling to America for the first time, so be sure to take in as much content as possible so you can make the best decision:

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• The 6 Best U.S. States for Adventure Seekers
• 7 Types of Travel Apps All Travellers Must Have
• The 7 Best U.S. National Parks You Have to Visit
• 6 Tips for Travelling Alone All Solo Explorers Need to Know
• 5 Cliche Reasons Why You Need to Travel After Camp
• 15 Incredible U.S. Road Trips You Have to Experience
• 29 Travel Documentaries and Films for Explorers

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2. Decide where do you want to go

After camp travel begins with the final destination.

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Ask yourself the simple question - where do you want to go? Working backwards or with the goal in sight is a great place to begin.

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We suggest sitting down with a scrap of paper and making your own location bucket list. If you’re travelling with camp friends, get them to do it too, and you’ll soon have a variety of destinations.

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The next step is to look them up on the map. Can you make an imaginary line between the destinations - do they have a natural order? Remember though, sometimes the most logical route on the map might not be the most cost-effective.

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3. Budget early

Budgeting early gives you the tools to sign off your summer in style.

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If you don’t budget, you’ll likely spend most of your wages in Walmart (listen, we’ve all been there and done it). By giving yourself as long as possible to save, you’ll leave yourself with a healthy pot to explore.

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Every trip is different, and you are in total control when setting the budget.

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You can live off a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter & jelly for about $2 if you have to. Or you can eat out at fancy restaurants each night - the ball is in your court!

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Our biggest piece of advice is to be realistic and honest with yourself. Consider everything you want to do, and set a strict daily budget. The worst thing you can do is spend too much on day 1, live off cereal, and miss out on cool activities for the rest of your trip.

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Have a little bit of cash saved as an emergency fund, so if you do accidentally go over or something comes up that you don’t want to miss out on, it’s not the end of the world.

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It’s also where going on organised post-camp tours really helps. You’ll pay it off in advance and know everything important is included, so you can’t be found short if something happens.

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• How to Travel the World on a Budget: 9 Money Saving Tips
• How to Save for Travelling: 7 Easy Steps

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4. Plan your route, accommodation, and activities

This can vary massively depending on your decision: ‘do it yourself’ or organised group tour travel.

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If you’re doing it yourself, there are lots you have to consider. How are you getting about, timings, what you’d like to do, bookings, accommodation, changeovers etc.

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Thankfully, there are loads of options for each, which we’ve broken down below.

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Transport

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Planning transport is a balancing act between cost and time.

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Booking on a 24-hour bus ride to save $10 may not be the best decision once you’re cramped and bored only 5 hours in. Balance up your options. Remember, booking in advance will usually save you money, so get organised and get planning!

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There are 3 different modes of transport we’d recommend in the US.:

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Bus

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Travelling by bus or coach is often the cheapest way to travel.

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If you book in advance, some fares can be as little as $5. It certainly isn’t the most glamorous form of transport. Still, buses are cheap and cheerful and usually tell a good story. In many countries, trains are great for shorter journeys, but the rail network in the USA isn’t very reliable, and most places don’t have a rail network.

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We’d recommend buses for shorter trips (short in the U.S. being under 5 hours).

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Websites worth checking are:

• Greyhound
• Mega Bus

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Domestic flights

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If your destination is anything over a 5-hour drive, it’s time to fly.

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U.S. Internal flights are some of the best travel methods and are cheap when booked in advance.

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Remember, the U.S. is absolutely massive. To give a little perspective, a direct flight from New York to Los Angeles takes 6 hours! When looking for reasonable airfares, check out comparison websites:

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• Sky Scanner
• Google Flights

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Double-check the flight times, whether or not there is a layover, and read the small print.

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Most domestic flights won’t include baggage, so account for this in your budget.

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Car rental

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We all love the idea of a great American road trip. Renting a car is great if there’s a group and you can move to your own schedule. Car comparison websites are great for scouting the top deals. Things to be aware of when renting a car:

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• If you opt for a one-way rental & don’t drop the car off at the starting point, you’ll have to pay the return fee of up to $300
• Some rental companies will say that all parts of the added insurance package are compulsory, but often this isn’t the case. Always question any insurance policies that are added to your bill
• Ensure your daily mileage is unlimited if you travel far or through different states
• If you are under 25, you will be charged an additional ‘under-age driver’ fee for every day of rental

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Accommodation

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This decision often depends on how far into your trip you are, what your budget is and what kind of experience you want to have.

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Location can often be overlooked, so do your research and make sure you're in an area that suits your group.

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You'll want to consider the safety of the area, other people's reviews, how close you are to things you want to do or the distance to public transport.

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Here are our top 3 suggestions when it comes to booking accommodation in the States.

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Airbnb

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When travelling in a group, Airbnb is a great way to find somewhere that fits in your budget.

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In America there is a huge Airbnb community, so you’ll have loads of choice and can choose to rent out just a room or a whole appartment.

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Renting an entire place can also help to save on buying food, as you can cook as a group and have family style meals.

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Hostels

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Hostels are a great way to meet people, make friends and take advantage of local recommendations.

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Hostels are all about bringing value to your trip. They’ll recommend everything from bike rentals to places to eat and even segway tours. If you want to do it, hostels will have the info.

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When booking hostels, you often only pay a small percentage at the time of booking. So when you're planning your trip, get your reservation in early as popular hostels can book up fast (especially during this peak time of year).

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You can request mixed or single-sex dorms, depending on your group and often larger groups will be put in one big room.

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Hotels

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You can get some absolutely amazing deals on hotel rooms, and after sleeping in a cabin all summer, hotel room luxury is a whole new level.

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Depending on the city, a hotel may be a better option. If there are a few of you and everyone is happy to share, it can actually work out cheaper. Have a look online for deals and offers. If you are planning your trip at last minute, there are always great savings on last minute rooms.

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Top tip: many hotels have a free cancellation policy, so when planning; go for it! If your plans change then there's no harm done.

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It can be a hassle if you don’t get it right, so weigh it all up.

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All of the above is taken care of for those deciding on group tours after camp.

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No messing about or dealing with bookings. Just get yourself to the starting point, and be ready with a plan at the endpoint.

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5. Live in the moment and enjoy

Trust us, summer is over before you know it, and you’ll be back to reality; make the most of your time.

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Summer camp is an influential part of your life, as are the travels afterwards. It’s sometimes hard to realise it in the moment, but it’s so important to take in the moment, enjoy your experiences, and remind yourself how far you’ve come since the start of summer.

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These moments will have a lasting effect on you, so ensure they’re the best possible (it beats being back in a lecture hall or an office, believe us).

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So there we have it, our in-depth guide on travelling America for the first time.

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We want to make it as simple and stress-free as possible, as once you’re in the States, you’ll realise why it’s a favourite for thousands of people every summer.

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If you want to avoid the hassle of planning it all yourself, check out our friends at The Coyote Trip.

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With tours from 7-31 days, a complete list of inclusions, and price points to suit all budgets (not forgetting that Camp Leaders applicants get an extra 10% off), it can be the perfect end to your perfect summer.