Travel across America, help and advice please!?

I am a British chick and have had a life long dream of travelling across America. I have decided this year is THE year to do it (Im 32, life is starting to pass me by!!) As all my friends are married/ pregnant, I will be alone which is fine by me, but am looking for advice about the best way to actually do it. I always wanted to drive but with the research I have done it looks a bit out of my price range, so Im thinking maybe bus?? or train?? or if anyone has advice on cheap car rental?? Whats cheaper?? Whats safer for a lone female?? I want to take in all of the major cities and should have 2/3 months in total. Any advice on costs, best travel options, cities to take in, best time to go or any advice on ANYTHING connected to this will be very appreciated, thank you all.Travel across America, help and advice please!?
We have hostels here in the US.





We don't have anywhere near as good a train system as you. But check with a bus company here called greyhound. They have different packages that allow multi-stops. http://www.greyhound.com/home/





You are from England so you know about the four seasons. If you can't handle winter, don't go to the Northern US during that time. If you go in the summer, the southern US will be very hot. If you are here in the fall, don't miss the fall foliage in the North eastern us.





I'd try and pick a few places to go in each region of the country. We have New England, the mid-atlantic states, the southern states, the south west, the midwest and the pacific north west. Try and get to know the charicteristics for each region.





Cities not to miss? New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, LA, New Orleans, San Antonio and Washington DC.Travel across America, help and advice please!?
I agree that the trains in America aren't as good as yours in the UK, definately, but I'd still travel that way if I were you. Not bus...not for anything!


As far as hotels go, check into the grouping of hotels that include the Clarion and Comfort Suites and such. They are not real expensive but are clean and you can make your reservations online and have your trip mapped out that way if you would prefer. Of course, having a hotel close to a train station is ideal so make sure to check into that. For example, in Seattle, there are quite a few hotels near the station. I am from Portland (Oregon) - beautiful here - and know that the train station is in the downtown area and so very close to some of the downtown hotels.


As far as dates go, I believe the general tourist season with the related price increases begins around Memorial Day (last Sunday in May) and continues through Labor Day (first Monday in Sept) so I'd plan my trip sometime before or after the tourist season. Autumn is a very popular time to see the East Coast so the prices may not go down until after the leaves are down so it might work out to fly to the West coast and make your trip heading East. West coast also has lovely leaf colors in the fall but it isn't a tourist destination at that time so the prices tend to come down after the first part of Sept.


As a lone female, I'd avoid LA. If you really want to see that area, I think Santa Monica would be better - still part of LA but not as rough as the downtown area. Or at least, don't wander around at night.


For such a long and involved trip, I'd suggest a travel agent for advice on fares and the cheapest way to buy tickets and any discounts they know about.


Our dollar is so low right now that it's a great time for anyone to come here - good timing!!


Come to Portland if you have time...it's pretty. If you're here in June or July make a point to see the 'International Rose Test Garden' - lovely. If here near Labor Day (the Thursday before), go to the Water Front Park for the free concert, put on by the Oregon Symphony - fireworks from a barge on the water at the end. Very nice evening.


Wherever you go I hope you enjoy yourself and find some really nice people.


Have a wonderful and safe trip!
hey,


ive been to san fran and it is absolutely beautiful i would definitly recommend it if you are going to the states.


i was also in boston and from there i travelled to new york on the ';greyhound'; bus, it was excellent!


those are definitly some of the best places ive been to and are defintly worth a view.


i cant really remember the travel costs but if you can you should go by car, you would get to see and stop off at a lot more places.


aswell i stayed in some motels and they were just as good as hotels. i think the ';super8'; was the name of one of them.


anyways enjoy yourself no matter what way you do it.
my brother took a bus from Spokane, Washington to Detroit, Michigan, and he said it was the LONGEST ride of his life, and the most boring! he got stuck sitting by people who didn't shower or know what deodorant is, couldn't chew with their mouths open, and the tiny bathroom in the back of the bus was disgusting! however, since a car is out of your price range, I think either a bus or maybe a train would work for you.
I travelled across America for a month by myself last year. I would advise getting an unlimited travel Amtrak train pass, it lets you travel anywhere, anytime you want and I think it cost me about 400 quid...or was it dollars? But I got robbed in California and had to sleep outside a few times:( Aside from that it was great though, but beware of one thing...The trains in America are crap and many cities only have one or two leaving a day. Miami for example has one leaving each day at 7 in the morning, Good luck!
buy a gun for safety
Jeez there is a lot o fear mongering going on here! I have traveled all over this country and my job (railroad conductor for a major transcontinental freight railroad) puts me in interesting neighborhoods at all sorts of bewitching hours. I have never been scared, but I am a decent sized guy so perhaps its different with a female.





For sure do the Amtrak rail pass. As mentioned already


Amtrak is not nearly as efficient, but you are also covering much greater distances between stops than in Europe. There are several combinations of trains that could take you across the country and back through different regions. The California Zephyr is a particularly nice and scenic ride as it passes through the rocky mtns, the Colorado plateau, the sierra Nevada mtns and eventually makes it to San Fran. Also a very nice ride is the Coast starlight, it hugs the west coast from Seattle down to L.A. and the train from L.A. to San Diego is gorgeous, the tracks are right on the coast!





If I were you I would avoid Grey Hound (bus service). It is usually full of very interesting characters and takes so very long to complete short jaunts.





Be sure to take in some of the Nature sites in the U.S as well as the cities. I know Europe has the Alps but the Sierra Nevada and some of the Red Rocks on the Colorado Plateau are unlike anything there is in Europe. Be sure to check out either some Redwood or Sequoia trees ( the largest trees in the world). The California coast from Malibu to Half Moon Bay (San Fran) is breath taking. You can take Amtrak to Merced California and from there Amtrak has connecting bus service to Yosemite National Park. If you come in spring/ early summer the park is amazing and home to some of the best waterfalls in the world, including Yosemite falls which is the 6th highest in the world.





Defiantly stay in hostels as this will put you into contact with other travelers who may want to see the same things as you. Americans are by and large very friendly to foreign tourist. Just today I was doing some rock climbing near Sedona, Az and a bus load of British tourist was parked at the parking lot overlooking the canyon. They saw us coming up from below and started asking us lots of questions. We were happy to answer and tell them about the beautiful area we live in. If you make to Arizona and want to see the grand canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff or any other Northern Arizona attractions let me know. I often guide hostlers around just for the experience of learning from someone from another part of the world (plus its good karma for the overseas trips I will be making this year).





Good luck and have fun!
As an American who has always dreamed of backpacking Europe, I feel we're in similar situations- just reversed. My trip won't happen for quite some time, so you're very lucky!





TRAVELING ALONE:


First, don't be afraid of traveling alone. As long as you pay attention to your surroundings and make good choices you shouldn't come across any trouble. Many americans will be fascinated by your accent and probably ask you a lot of repetitive questions. The guidelines for big cities are much like the guidelines in Europe. Don't flash money. Don't go wandering downtown streets by yourself at night. Don't act like a complete tourist, etc. Just like any big city there will be those you should not trust.





WHEN TO GO:


Like many other posters wrote, spring and fall are lovely times to visit. Summer is the peak tourist season, so places will be open longer- but prices will be cheaper. It is also a lot hotter in the majority of the US in the summer than Europe, so keep that in mind if you plan on taking your trip during later may, june, july, or august.





WHERE TO GO:


As you already know, the US has sooo many different people, atmospheres, landscapes, and attitudes. The other posters here mentioned a few great citites to visit. I love Portland for example. I've taken countless trips across the US myself and will list some of my favorite places. Like another person said, we divide out country by regions (not only states).





-New England:


Washington DC, New York City are the big ones. They can get very touristy in the peak seasons so visiting hot spots like the statue of liberty and DC monuments could become frustrating at those times.





-Mid-Atlantic:


I personally love north carolina. It's beautiful a most any time of year and the people have an undeniable charm.





-Deep South


Florida is a very popular destination for Europeans, especially Miami and Orlando (home of Disney World). But don't miss New Orleans. It's back on it's feet and has so much flair, good food, and southern hospitality.





-Southwest


Austin and San Antonio, Texas are a lot of fun.





-Great Plains/Rockies


If you don't go to colorado- your trip isnt worth it. Colorado has some of the most breathtaking landscape in the US. The mountains are not a sight you can pass up.


Also the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone are fantastic. I've been to both many times, and each trip there is unique. The Grand Canyon in particular is obviously spectacular. In the summer it can get verrry hot though.





-Midwest


I'm from Madison, Wisconsin originally and I go to college at the U of Minnesota in Minneapolis... so this Midwestern girl will try not to be too biased :)


Minneapolis/St. Paul (the twin cities) is truly a great area. The people are known for their open nature and ';Minnesota Niceness.'; Chicago is also a great city, with a more ';New York'; feel than Minneapolis. Wisconsin is known for it's beer, cheese, and friendly and curious people. Don't pass up the midwest, you won't regret it.


However, don't bother coming in the winter, it's basically dreadful if you're not used to -20 F degree weather. Also, in the summer it gets very humid, so be aware of that.





-Pacific Northwest


like I said, Portland is gorgeous. Also seattle is a great city, although it does rain quite a bit because of it's location. Washington and Oregon in general are beautiful.





-West Coast


Calllliforniaaaa. I love California and have been there more times than I can count (I'm going in about a week too!). All up and down the coast are sights to see and people to meet. San Francisco is beautiful, with the golden gate bridge and nearby redwood forest. Santa Barbara is a picturesque surfer-city. If you want the LA area, i would suggest Santa Monica or Long Beach. Like NYC, some parts of LA are a little sketchy.





I know this was lengthy, but I know I would love a comprehensive guide to Europe- so I feel for you.





HOW TO TRAVEL


In terms of how to travel, the most flexibility would be in a rental car for sure. You could pick one up in New York and drop it off in LA. Although it does get pricey. Try going to Expedia.com or another discount online travel place to look for good deals. Otherwise bus companies like Greyhound, or train companies like Amtrak offer packages and passes. I've taken greyhound many times... and while it's cheaper... it is a hassle (and will take a really long time). Amtrak is no where near up to par with European rail lines, but if you plan carefully it can be a really good choice for you. Plus, with amtrak you would get to sit back and watch the diverse scenery as you travel from area to area. It's clean, safe, and pretty reliable.





And my last pearl of ';wisdom.'; Because our economy is crap, think of our entire country as being 50% off. I'm going to be studying abroad in Northern Ireland next fall, and am visiting friends in England and France this may, and it is the opposite case for me!





Seriously do not hesitate to email me (hugh0295@umn.edu) if you have any questions what-so-ever. I am going through the same process of trying to figure out how to do things across the pond for my own travels. We can be good resources for each other!