USA on a Budget: Cheapest States & Best-Value Destinations for British Travellers
The USA is not a naturally cheap destination for British travellers — the Atlantic crossing costs money, and cities like New York and San Francisco are among the world's most expensive. But America is enormous, and the gap between its priciest and most affordable destinations is vast. Here's where to go, when to go, and what to expect to spend — all framed for a British budget.
Best Time to Visit the USA for Value
The best time to visit the USA from a value perspective depends on where you're going, but some general principles apply:
| Season | When | Cost Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulder | April–May, Sept–Oct | Best value | Most of the USA — good weather, lower prices |
| Summer | June–August | Peak prices | School holiday travel; book early and expect crowds |
| Winter | November–February | Variable | Florida and the South are popular; ski resorts peak |
| Post-holiday | January–March | Good value | Quiet period — lowest transatlantic fares of the year |
The single best value window for British travellers is January to March — post-Christmas flights are at their annual cheapest, US domestic travel is quiet, and hotel rates drop significantly outside Florida and ski destinations. If flexibility is possible, this is when to go.
Cheapest States & Destinations in the USA
The most expensive US states for visitors — New York, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts — are the famous ones. Here are the destinations that deliver exceptional experiences at lower cost:
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is one of America's most singular cities — and one of its best value. Accommodation in the French Quarter and Marigny is genuinely affordable; the food (beignets at Café Du Monde, po-boys, gumbo, crawfish étouffée) is world-class and cheap; and the street music on Frenchmen Street costs nothing. The city is compact, walkable, and overwhelmingly characterful.
Best time to visit: October–May (avoiding summer heat and humidity)
Flight from London: ~10 hours from London (via New York, Atlanta, or Charlotte)
Budget guide: Mid-range hotel from £80–120/night; meals from £10–15
Memphis & Tennessee
Tennessee offers extraordinary value for British travellers. Memphis has Beale Street, the Blues, Sun Studio, Graceland, and some of America's best barbecue at prices that feel like a different era. Nashville adds live music, honky-tonks, and the Gulch's food scene. The state has no income tax and relatively low sales tax — visitor costs reflect that.
Best time to visit: March–May, September–November
Flight from London: ~10 hours from London (via Atlanta, Charlotte, or New York)
Budget guide: Budget to mid-range; Nashville is pricier than Memphis
New Mexico
New Mexico is America's most underrated state for British visitors — a landscape of red rock desert, ancient Pueblo cultures, world-class art (Santa Fe's Canyon Road), and the extraordinary White Sands National Park. Accommodation and food costs are significantly below the US average, and the lack of tourist crowds means experiences feel genuinely authentic.
Best time to visit: April–June, September–October
Flight from London: ~10–11 hours from London (to Albuquerque via Dallas or Phoenix)
Budget guide: Budget to mid-range; Santa Fe slightly higher
Texas Hill Country & San Antonio
Texas is cheap — particularly outside Austin (which has gentrified substantially) and Houston. San Antonio's River Walk, the Alamo, and the excellent food scene (breakfast tacos, Tex-Mex, Hill Country barbecue) represent some of America's best value tourism. Drive out to Fredericksburg in the Hill Country for wildflowers in spring and exceptional German-Texan food.
Best time to visit: March–May, September–November
Flight from London: ~10 hours from London (to San Antonio via Dallas, Houston, or Miami)
Budget guide: Genuinely affordable; budget hotel options plentiful
Savannah & Georgia
Savannah is one of the American South's most beautiful and affordable cities — a grid of Spanish moss-draped squares, antebellum architecture, and exceptional food. The historic district is compact and walkable. Jekyll Island and the Golden Isles offshore add a beach dimension. Georgia's tourism infrastructure is well-developed but costs remain well below the US average.
Best time to visit: March–May, October–November
Flight from London: ~9–10 hours from London (via Atlanta)
Budget guide: Mid-range hotel from £90–140/night
Honourable Mentions
Kansas City (Missouri/Kansas) — one of America's great underrated food cities (barbecue, craft beer) at genuinely budget-friendly prices. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — a surprisingly beautiful, affordable city with excellent museums and a strong food scene. The Ozarks (Missouri/Arkansas) — extraordinary natural scenery at almost no cost.
Which US Airport to Fly Into from the UK
The flight cost is the biggest single budget item for a US holiday from the UK. These airports are generally the cheapest and most connected from London:
- New York (JFK/Newark) — the most competitive transatlantic route; multiple airlines drive fares down. Good gateway for the East Coast.
- Boston (BOS) — slightly less competitive than New York but often good value. Strong base for New England.
- Orlando (MCO) — consistently among the cheapest direct fares from the UK due to high demand. Good for Florida and the South.
- Chicago (ORD) — excellent value and a natural hub for midwest destinations and connecting onward.
- Atlanta (ATL) — Delta's hub, strong transatlantic connectivity. Good entry point for the American South.
Tip: Flying into one city and out of another (open-jaw) often costs the same as a return and avoids backtracking on a road trip. Ask your Flight Centre consultant about open-jaw itineraries.
Practical Tips: Budgeting for a US Holiday from the UK
- ESTA is required — not a full visa. UK passport holders need an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before travelling to the USA. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Cost: USD $21 per person. Valid for 2 years.
- The pound vs. the dollar — the GBP/USD exchange rate significantly affects your budget. At recent rates (approximately £1 = USD $1.25–1.30), US prices are broadly comparable to UK prices in major cities and more affordable in smaller cities and the South.
- Tipping culture — unlike the UK, tipping in the USA is expected: 18–20% at restaurants, USD $1–2 per drink at bars, USD $2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping. Build this into your daily budget.
- Driving is cheaper than flying domestically — for road trips across multiple states, renting a car is often more cost-effective than internal flights, especially with advance booking.
- Food costs vary enormously — a breakfast diner in Memphis might cost £6; a similar meal in Manhattan might cost £20. Research costs specific to your destination rather than assuming a national average.
Conclusion
America is an enormous country, and its most affordable corners are some of its most interesting. New Orleans, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Savannah offer extraordinary experiences for budgets that would barely cover a week in New York. Add the right timing — shoulder season or January–March — and a budget US holiday from the UK is genuinely achievable.
Talk to a Flight Centre UK Travel Expert about budget USA holidays — we'll find the flights, the timing, and the destinations that work for your budget.
FAQ: Cheap USA Holidays from the UK
Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and New Mexico consistently rank among the cheapest US states for visitors. For British travellers specifically, New Orleans (Louisiana) and the Tennessee cities of Memphis and Nashville offer exceptional experiences at low cost relative to their cultural richness.
January to March offers the best combination of low transatlantic fares and quiet domestic travel. April–May and September–October (shoulder seasons) also offer good value with better weather across most of the country.
A budget US holiday from the UK (return flights, accommodation, food, activities) typically costs £1,200–£2,000 per person for 10–14 days in a mid-range destination, with cheaper options available in the American South and Midwest. New York and California will cost significantly more.
No full visa is required. UK passport holders need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), available online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Cost is USD $21 per person and it's valid for 2 years or until passport expiry.
New York (JFK/Newark), Boston, and Orlando typically have the most competitive transatlantic fares from London due to high passenger volume. Atlanta and Chicago are also well-priced due to strong airline hub competition.