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Backpack North America

  • 06-06-2011 8:29pm
    #1
    Cormac1991
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 ✭


    Hi guys! Does anyone know if there's a similar system to inter-railing in America? I'd love to travel across America from west to east, stopping off at various locations over the space of a month and hopefully not spend too much cash (as I am a student).

    Would anyone know any websites available? any info would be appreciated on things such as budget, planned routes etc.

    Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    Civilian_Target
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,618 ✭✭✭Civilian_Target


    Sure, although a month is a short amount of time to cover that distance!

    Amtrak offers a USA Rail Pass for 2-6 weeks. The passes also limit the distance you can travel, and the number of trains you can board, so it's more restrictive than interrail. That said, Amtrak isn't fast, but it's a very nice way to travel.

    A cheaper alternative is the Greyhound Discovery Pass, for the bus.

    Of course, the way to travel in the USA is by car - there's some great intercity driving in that country, and a lot of things are only accessible by car.

    Overall though, expect it to be substantially more expensive than interrailing because:
    - The distances you have to cover are a lot bigger. Seattle to Miami is further in miles than Lisbon to Warsaw is in kilometers, and Boston to Dublin is shorter than Boston to Los Angeles
    - There's less of a hostel culture, people pay for hotels and those that can't stay in motels

    That said, I wouldn't let that put you off. I've only seen a fraction of the huge country, and even that was surprisingly beautiful. The route you take probably depends on the time of year - in the summer I would do Seattle - Maine, you can see Yellowstone Park, Chicago and Michigan, see Niagara Falls and call up to Toronto and Montreal before heading down to the Adirondaks Boston and maybe New York.

    In the winter, best to stick to the south, Miami to San Francisco, via NASA, New Orleans, Death Valley and Vegas.

    And if you're in-between seasons, the traditional route 66 links San Francisco to Chicago.


  • #3
    Civilian_Target
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,618 ✭✭✭Civilian_Target


    Amtrak Routes
    http://www.mapmash.in/amtrak.html
    and passes
    http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241305460725

    Oh, and by the way, if you're planning to spend a significant amount of time driving rental cars, it will be cheaper to be insured to drive them by your travel insurance than by paying the insurance provided by the rental company


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