The American charm of the great parks, the modern metropolis and the culture that has shaped our lives, constantly pushes us to dream of a trip there that often dies in the bud when you come to terms with your wallet.
Here now is the ranking of the 10 cheap vacation spots in us according to the Backpacker Index of the portal Price of Travel, drawn up according to the following criteria:
- the price of a night in the least expensive hostel but with a good location and good reviews
- two rides a day by public transport
- the price of a famous unfishable attraction
- three cheap meals
- Three cheap beers per day (or dessert, coffee…).
Are you curious? Let’s find out together.
10 Cheap Vacation Places in the US: Get Ready to Explore!
1. New Orleans (USA)
The first place is one of the most fascinating U.S. cities but at the same time little taken into account by Italian mass tourism, which may not be a bad thing for those who decide to visit.
In the state of Louisiana, in the deep south of the United States, lies one of America’s most unique and fascinating cities, New Orleans, a tourist destination particularly famous for its quaint French Quarter and jazz; yet there are many other things to visit in the city.
New Orleans, in Louisiana, is located on the Mississippi River and is famous for its vibrant music scene, lively nightlife and cuisine that are a mix of African, French and American.
The average price for a day is $69.80, about €64.
2. Las Vegas (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
If you love the risk of gambling, unbridled fun and ostentatious luxury, Las Vegas, Nevada, is the right city for you.
Las Vegas, a sort of toyland and amusement park open 24 hours a day, has about 580 thousand inhabitants and is located in the state of Nevada, in the western part of the United States of America. It is located northwest of Lake Mead, a few hours drive from Los Angeles, another popular destination in the USA.
The name of the city comes from a Spanish word meaning “meadow”. In the area where Las Vegas is located, in fact, water wells were found that were sustenance for some green areas. In fact, the city has earned, over time, the nickname Sin City, or city of sin, by virtue of the fact that in Las Vegas gambling is legalized, alcohol is available at any time of day and also there are shows for adults. Prostitution, however, is illegal.
The average cost for a day is around $81.40, €75.
3. Los Angeles (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
Los Angeles is a city that must be understood, or rather must be lived. Visiting it in passing as a tourist, perhaps after seeing other cities such as San Francisco or San Diego, can leave a bad taste in your mouth, but if you live it calmly for a few days more as a “local” than as a tourist it can give you great satisfaction, and I tell you this with full knowledge of the facts having been there twice.
However, if you go there to visit the two major theme parks (Universal Studios and the Disneyland Resort), know that you’ll spend more to buy tickets than to spend an entire day in the city (or in Santa Monica) including lodging and food.
According to the Backpacker Index, the average cost of a day in L.A. is $83.72, about $76.70.
4. Miami Beach (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
A beach destination par excellence, Miami is a tropical paradise that any person should know about. If you want to take a trip to Miami, take a look at this guide: it will help you plan your vacation and help you save money!
Why visit Miami?
Miami is different from other cities in the USA. Its location, in the southern part of Florida, makes it a great tourist destination for those looking for warm weather 12 months of the year.
With an average annual temperature of 24 degrees, Miami’s beaches are crowded throughout the year. Its endless stretches of white sand, blending with the almost unreal blue water, make it a unique vacation spot.
Although the beaches are Miami’s main attraction, this city undoubtedly has much more to offer: you can cool off in the Everglades National Park, enjoy a good Cuban-style coffee in Little Havana, spend a fun day with the animals at Jungle Island or sit at one of the outdoor tables on Ocean Drive to observe the unique ambience of South Beach.
Miami has always been the corrupt backdrop for crime movies and television series and mystery books. On your trip you will have the opportunity to be the protagonist of your own story, without having to follow a script.
To spend a day in the iconic American city, the average price is $85.08, or €78.
5. Washington DC (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States of America. The city lies on the banks of the Potomac River within the District of Columbia, an autonomous territory located on the east coast of the United States. Washington became the capital city in 1800, and throughout its history Washington has hosted and continues to host the presidents of the United States who have succeeded George Washington and is still the seat of the main institutions of the U.S. government, as well as important international organizations. A political and decision-making center of global significance, Washington is a vibrant and functional modern city that attracts tourists from all over the world.
If you’ve always dreamed of seeing the buildings of American power such as the Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court, you should know that Washington DC is quite expensive for accommodation and food, especially in the more touristy areas. On the flip side, however, most museums have free admission.
The average cost of a day is, according to the Backpacker Index, $ 89.30, or € 81.80.
6. Honolulu (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the capital of Hawaii. The Aloha Tower Lighthouse welcomes incoming visitors with its gothic architecture, while Ala Moana Beach Park with its huge beach offers an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city. History is everywhere here: you can take a dip into the past by visiting historic sites like Pearl Harbor or the restored 19th-century homes at the Mission Houses Museum.
At one of Honolulu’s waterfront cafes you can sample pokē, a salad with diced fish served with a freshly made tropical fruit smoothie, then enjoy the sunset under a palm tree on the beaches of Waikiki.
Honolulu, unlike other places in the Hawaiian Islands, allows you to live on a budget that is around $ 93, or € 85.20.
7. Chicago (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
Chicago is unquestionably one of my favorite cities, not only in the panorama of American metropolises but worldwide. And I assure you, I’ve been lucky enough to visit many of them.
It is a chaotic city, full of the problems that afflict the great metropolises of the world, which must be lived intensely, which must be savored in its many expressions, in which the frenetic humanity that inhabits it is an integral part of the show that is staged daily. A show that is sometimes monotonous, sometimes exciting, but always unquestionably true and dynamic.
Considered by many as one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, allows you to live a cheaper vacation than New York, although there are still not many hostels and find great deals can be a bit ‘difficult.
The price of a day in Chicago is $ 99.90, or € 91.50.
8. San Francisco (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, the infamous Alcatraz Island, Twin Peaks and, of course, the curious cable cars that run around the city. The United States is often referred to as a melting pot of cultures, and San Francisco is no exception, with the mixture of native Indians, Spanish settlers, and Asian immigrants contributing to the city’s unique personality and charm.
When you visit San Francisco, you can explore its neighborhoods and areas, such as Chinatown, Japantown, Mission District, the Financial District, Castro District or even the Haight-Ashbury area; the city truly has something for everyone!
It is notoriously expensive and coveted by travelers from all over the world, which in recent years has increased the price of accommodation, but believe me, it is worth a visit at least once in your life even if not exactly cheap.
The cost is around $107.69, €98.68, which for a backpacker is not that little.
9. Boston (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
Boston, in Massachusetts, is one of the most important cities in the United States, to be visited especially in autumn during the foliage when it turns those warm colors that make it even more fascinating.
Unfortunately, in the center there are few quality hostels, and the best ones obviously apply higher prices than others. Think that for one night in a hostel you spend an average of $ 42, let alone in a hotel.
The average price of a day is $ 110.52, the equivalent of € 101.
10. New York (USA)
Cheap places to travel in the u.s. 2022
In the last place of this Price of Travel ranking we find the city most desired by travelers, the one that embodies the American dream, the one we all feel we know even before going there.
Frenetic, lively, culturally fascinating but also fun, New York has everything you could want but it’s expensive, and there’s no doubt about that, so if you want to visit it, you’ll have to dip into your personal finances.
Accommodations are expensive but several hostels are opening in Queens with an excellent quality/price ratio compared to those in northern Manhattan.
Museums are also expensive but with my guide Free Museums in New York: how and when to visit them at 0 cost, you can save a lot of money.
You can eat while spending relatively little.
The price of a day in the Big Apple is $ 123.58, or € 113.
