Visiting the USA from the UK for Beginner Backpackers
If you are a Brit, the USA is a fantastic place to visit. The USA is not the most obvious choice for backpackers however it can be done. I have been pretty much visited the USA every year and have recently travelled through 48 mainland states. If you are a beginner backpacker, the USA is a great option as everyone speaks English (although you may not understand some Americans due to the accent). In this article, I am going to talk about planning a trip to the USA, the best time to visit and how to get around the USA. I hope you find visiting the USA from the UK for beginner backpackers useful.
Visiting the USA from the UK
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Where to Visit in the USA
The USA is huge! When I first visited the USA I went to all the tourist locations such as New York, Los Angeles, Florida and Las Vegas. I would highly recommend asking why you want to visit these places and what you want to do there. Being an adrenaline junkie and love a theme park which is why Los Angeles and Florida were so appealing. I also trained in Musical Theatre and Broadway in New York was calling my name.
If you love nature I would highly recommend going to the National Parks. These are beautiful and I honestly prefer these to the places mentioned above. The issue with National Parks is that they are extremely difficult to get to as you will need a car. Being part of a group tour we all camped most evenings to keep the cost down and drove around in a 12 person van. This is the best thing I have ever done and you really feel a part of nature.
Planning A Trip to America from the UK
Depending on what you want to see and how far these places are will determine how long you should go. Do bear in mind that New York is around 8 hours and Los Angeles is a 12-hour flight from London. You may also have to fly internally as well. I flew from New York to Los Angeles which took 7 hours (this completely blew my mind at the time)
Check the weather! When I was in Chicago it hit -30 degrees Celcius! Take into account peak times and American holidays as prices will rocket.
Best Time to Travel USA
A difficult one as it really depends on where you want to visit. Also bear in mind peak seasons where it can be extremely busy and full of children.
What I will say is AVOID the northern states in the winter. Chicago can hit -30 degrees! Unless of course you really like the cold.
I did my 3-month road trip in April-July. This was perfect for me as I missed the holidays and it wasn’t too hot or too cold in some places. I did however have to pack different types to clothes to accommodate the hot and cold temperatures.
If you can I would try and miss the holidays completely. Flights are expensive and all the major cities are very crowded. Also New York in the summer is horrendously hot and sticky. I worked there from June-August and it was not pleasant.
Small Group Tours USA
I have done three trips now with Trek America and they are the best tour company I have been with. Group travel was great for me being a solo traveller as it would have cost me more money to go by myself. I would say if it is your first time in America and you are quite nervous, group travel is the way to go. Everything is organised for you, you don’t need to do anything but arrive on time and enjoy your vacation. It also ensures safety to loved ones at home as they know where you are all the time.
I would also look into G Adventures and Contiki trips. These offer different places and a variety of durations so you can find your perfect trip. Group tours are great as everything is organised for you as you are in a set place at a set time. As all the accommodation, some food and a tour guide are provided at all times, the price can be a lot. I would look into how it would cost you to do it alone first to see how much of a difference it is. If you are looking to travel around and would like to go to the national parks, it may well be cheaper to go with a tour group even though you lose your freedom.
Do British Citizens Need a Visa for the USA
If you are a British Citizen you do need to get a visa. This is called an ESTA which you need to get into the USA before you leave (no later than 72 hours before) The application is very simple and only costs $14 (pay for it using a non-foreign transaction fee card to avoid costs). It lasts for 2 years but you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days in a 12 month period. I always print mine out just in case but it is all electronic so I have never needed to show proof.
USA Itinerary for Beginners
North America is absolutely massive and there are so many places to visit. I would start by figuring out the length of time you want to spend in the USA and the place you really want to visit. You may decide to stay in one place or move around if you are there for a while.
A lot of research is required as it really is a personal preference. I like to spend my time in remote locations as there are not many people; however, being a digital nomad, I require a decent wifi connection so I can’t spend too long there.
I would start by researching big cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. This is a good starting point as most airlines will fly to these locations. Once you are there, it is easier to find transport to get to where you want to go. I’d always opp for hostels as they are the cheapest form of accommodation. I use Hostelworld to book all my hostels, be sure to check the location and reviews of each hostel before you book. There will be more people in these cities so you can meet fellow travellers and there is so much to do. Just be aware can it can be pricey especially in touristy areas.
Booking a trip to The USA
Once you have figured out where you want to go now you can look at flights. If you are quite flexible with dates I would look at a day or 2 before or after the day you want to travel as you can save a lot of money by changing it by day. Flights to New York are usually cheaper than LA due to the distance but there are some great deals around so make sure you search for them. There are also more frequent flights to New York from London so finding a suitable flight for you will be easier.
If you are looking to do a group tour they can sometimes give you a flight quote. I would ask for it as you don’t lose anything by doing so as it can be cheaper than finding it yourself. They can also be more expensive so make sure you look as well in order to get the best deal.
Getting around the USA
If you are just planning on staying in a city like New York or LA, public transport is the way forward. The subway is the quickest way and is super easy to get. You do however need to purchase the card which is like $1 and then top it up. It is fairly cheap and if you are there for a week you can get a weekly pass.
Another option is to hire a car if you plan to visit more than one state. If there are two or more of you, I think this is a great way to travel but with the hire and fuel costs it can add up being solo. If it is your first time driving and you are nervous, it is so much easier to drive in the US than in the UK. The US have very straight roads and the majority of their cars are automatic. I would however avoid driving in the cities at all costs as it is very chaotic.
How to get from the Airport to your US Accommodation.
There are a few ways you can get to your accommodation. There is obviously public transport if you don’t mind carrying all your belongings. If you are arriving late at night or are travelling solo and are uncomfortable with going on public transport to start, I would advise Super Shuttle.
Super Shuttle picks you up from the airport and takes you to the door of your hotel. It is therefore so convenient, especially with luggage. For even more convenience you can book your shuttle before you leave so there’s no faffing around trying to find the address of your hostel. It will be more expensive than public transport but a lot cheaper than a taxi. Also, note that it is a bit like uber pool but in a minibus so there will be other travellers with you but there is also room for your bags in the boot.
NB, you can also get a return ticket as you can request a pickup time from your hostel to the airport.
Accommodation USA
As I am a solo traveller I have usually stayed in hostels. Especially in America, this is the best way to meet people. There are usually events in the evening and some even have breakfast included where you meet people and somehow end up spending the day with them. The staff are usually very friendly and can advise you on activities to do in the area so you will never be alone.
To book hostels I use Hostelworld. You can search for hostels with free cancellations and flexible bookings.
For safety I have picked hostels that are either in walking distance to the city or have transport very close by. I would say this has made my life so much easier and I feel so much safer knowing everything I need is close by.
However, if hostels are not your thing. Air BnB is a good choice. I have however found this to be a lot more expensive.
Travel Insurance for The USA
Always have travel insurance! unlike the UK the US has to pay for all their health care and it is expensive. Make sure that you have relevant travel insurance to cover you! If you are doing any extreme sports ie bungee jumping or skydiving, some travel insurances will not cover or they will charge you more. Be sure to check this out before you depart. I have also found that a lot of travel insurance companies will not cover Covid-19.
List of Things To Pack for USA
Here are my must-have items to pack for visiting the USA from the UK.
- Feather Down Jacket (that fits in a bag). This will keep you warm and take up limited space in your pack.
- A power adaptor and an extension cable. (so you can charge everything you possibly need with 3 plugs and 6 USB ports)
- Hiking Boots. If you going on trails these are a must. I would personally get the ankle hiking boots to give you ankle support. If you are hiking a lot this will stop you from rolling as you get tired.
- A bite pen. In the USA, I get bitten a lot! this bite pen stops you from itching that retched bite.
For more information about packing please see my backpacking gear list for beginners below.
Things to know before visiting the USA from the Uk for the first time
The weather can change dramatically
When I lived in New York for three months we had torrential rain (like nothing you have ever seen before, the rain was so heavy it hurt my head!) a 40-degree heatwave and then temperatures around 5-10 degrees, so be prepared.
America also has tornados, hurricanes and cyclones so just be aware.
Money, Tips and Tax in the USA
Tax and Tip is excluded on purchases, America does not have its tax included in items. for example, say a hat costs $10 if that state has a 10% tax the cost will be $11. You can either work it before or like most people you just find out at the till. Don’t let this throw you off as you can get robbed. Also, note each state has a different sales tax.
Tips are also excluded but some places do have the recommended amount at the bottom of the receipt. In the USA waiters have a very low wage but they earn 100% tips. Recommended is usually 20% of the bill. Contactless card payments are not very common. I hardly ever used contactless in the USA. It was mainly a chip and pin job. Most Americans still use the traditional swipe and sign method.
The Voltage is a lot lower than the UK
It will be alright for devices like phones/laptops but leave your hairdryer and straighteners at home. They may work but due to the low voltage they either take forever to heat up or do not work at all.
Customs can take a long time
In Miami, I was in customs for nearly 3 hours! It took so long everyone’s bags were already off the conveyor belt and just placed next to it. At security, you also have to have your fingerprints scanned and they take a photo of you. On the plane, you also need to fill in an arrival/landing card with your information on it. This is compulsory for all non-US citizens
If this is your first time going to the USA I would defiantly plan your trip beforehand and do a lot of research on activities you want to participate in. Some activities are seasonal so do be aware of this.
The Gun Culture
I know that some people are afraid of the number of guns readily available when they visit the USA. It is legal to buy a gun at the age of 18 in the USA and you even pick one up at the supermarket. I have been travelling there since I was a child and although it may seem scary for people holding a gun I have had no problems with this at all. Americans see it as a safety mechanism so as long as you don’t go and rob people’s houses you should be fine.
I hope this had cleared up on how to plan a trip to the USA for the first time. If this is your first time visiting the USA from the UK you will honestly have the best time. If you have any questions or would like me to cover some other topics about the USA do let me know.
Peace and love always.
