How to Visit the USA on a Budget: 10 Affordable Travel Tips

A trip to New York isn't complete without eating a slice (or 100) of pizza, and the good news is you can get a cheap slice easily. While this beloved street food has also been a victim of inflation – and there aren't as many places doing one-dollar deals as there used to be – the average price for a slice is still under US$5. The slices are huge too, so you can easily fill up on one or two and continue sightseeing.   

Speaking of ample food, it's been the long-standing joke that everything in the States is super-sized, and of course, the food and drinks follow this trend. We've mentioned that the pizza slices are huge, but the same goes for most meals you buy. Order meals to share with your travel pals  – it will save money, food wastage and your stomach.   

When visiting the USA on a budget, pre-plan and find out the best free things to do whenever you visit a city or town. There are free walking tours in most places, especially major cities and sometimes even national parks. Backpackers use these regularly, so read backpacker forums before you go. Other things include some museums and art galleries – where entrance fees are low or there's free admission – but you can always sit in a park or at the beach or go for a stroll.

While not free, Broadway fans can enter daily lotteries to win discounted tickets. If there is a show you absolutely MUST see, it's best to pre-purchase ahead of time. You can also take to the great outdoors on hikes in places like Runyon Canyon or national parks. Great for fitness and your daily budget!   

While we all love a summer getaway, often the air travel costs of flying even slightly out of season can be significantly less. You'll also find that your accommodation options will open up, rental cars are typically cheaper, and you can keep a lot of your average costs down as admission to attractions may have off-peak pricing.

When it comes to money-saving tips, this is also one of our favourites because not only will you benefit from a better-value trip, but also fewer crowds. Bliss.

"But when is the cheapest time to travel to the US?" We hear you cry! Typically you can expect January and February to have the lowest prices, as they're right in low season and after the holidays.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again because we think this is one of the most essential parts of travelling – if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel! Everybody knows medical costs in America are exorbitant, so while we hope nothing happens, it is best to not be caught out.

I know what you're thinking: talking about taxes, BORING! But this is very important to know.  

In the UK, our VAT (Value Added Tax) is automatically added to items, and the price advised is the final price we pay. In the USA and Canada, taxes are often added at the end, so the pricing you see on menus or clothes tags, for example, will likely be a partial price. It is important to remember this and that taxes will change from state to state.   

Resort fees are another cost that can surprise Brits when they pay for their stay in some hotels across America and Canada – particularly in larger cities. Essentially the resort fee covers whatever the hotel wants it to: things like using the gym, pool and sometimes parking. Sometimes hotels are transparent about how much the fee will be beforehand (sometimes not) so keep this in mind.  

Tipping is not so common in the UK, but definitely is in both America and Canada. The general consensus is that 15-20% is standard, but that 20% is preferred, so do consider that when planning food costs. Sadly, many people make most of their wages through tips, so ensure you show appropriate gratitude.   

If you love a bargain – an outlet mall is for you, and you can find them across all North America. In some outlet malls, you can find discounts of up to 65% off retail, and they are everywhere. If you shop till you drop, consider purchasing extra baggage for your return flight before you travel instead of paying the high costs at the airport.   

Free Wi-Fi is just about everywhere these days. You'll be able to connect throughout the USA to keep in touch with home and make everyone jealous with your carefully curated travel snaps. Buy a pre-paid SIM if you'd like to stay connected even when you're not in a Wi-Fi-accessible area rather than using international roaming, as the cost can skyrocket very quickly if the USA isn't part of your plan.  

Big hitters like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco are known for beibg expensive cities, which is why we recommend considering alternatives when thinking about the cheapest city in the US to visit. Not only could your air travel be cheaper, but when you compare prices for accommodation and tourist attractions, you will find there are more low budget and mid-range budget options.

The cheapest city in the US to visit varies, however there are several affordable US cities worth visiting, including Memphis, Pittsburgh, Mobile and Cincinnati. 

Portland is also a great lesser-known yet affordable US destination that Brits should consider for a budget trip. The public transportation (metro) here is the most affordable on the West Coast, so getting about won't break the bank, not to mention the entire state of Oregon doesn't have sales tax. Best of all, it's only 45 minutes from the mountains and just under an hour from the beach – what's not to love?

Ready to start planning your affordable USA getaway? Chat with a Flight Centre Travel Expert to find a trip to suit your budget.