How hard is it to backpack for a few months in Alaska?

backpack camping usa image

liv

Not as in living out in he middle of nowhere, just only having a backpack and not having a car or anything, moving around though all the towns and cities slowly. I'm thinking of doing it after a few months in Europe. Any tips or suggestions, things I should know about?

Answer
Hitchhiking is still relatively safe in Alaska, and it is not uncommon to meet backpackers exploring the state for a summer vacation. And there is good train transportation to major areas, but in general Alaska is not known for its public transport.
Alaska railroad has a few options as to type of coach and trip:
http://www.akrr.com/
and they are cheaper then the commercial tourist packages.

But Alaska is way more spread out then people expect:
http://www.tongass-seis.net/media/tong_USA.html

The best hands down travel guide for getting around the road system, and accurate information is, hands down, The Milepost
http://milepost.com/

and you will want to check out information about the parks and public lands, they have info on camping and back country parks:
http://www.nps.gov/state/ak/index.htm
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/


hostels are available in some communities, here are listings:
http://www.hostelworld.com/travel-features/73/hostels-in-alaska/?source=googleadwordsusstates&gclid=CKqInfmo9Z0CFSUsawod7QjcJA
http://www.alaskahostel.org/html/alaska_hostels.html

and can be a nice alternative to outside camping. Are you talking about backpacking from place to place and renting rooms/ hostel (Europe style), or from place to place and camping (backcountry style), both can be done here, matter of choice.

Another fun option is to rent a car and live out of that as you explore along the road system, but remember just cause there is a dot on a map with a name doesn't mean there are store, services or hotels. Not all highways are paved (and none have exits with convenience stores) and enjoy the journey.

hope this helps, you can email me if you have specific questions

How much money will i need travelling to america?

Chase

I'm going to the USA at the end of this year for 3 months, and I was hoping someone could give me an idea of how much money I will need. A few backpacking websites say about $200 a week, but that doesn't seem like enough... I will be eating and drinking cheaply and mainly staying in hostels. Thanks!

Answer
You may be able to get by on $200 per week IF you stay/camp in places that are free, only eat food bought in grocery stores, don't go anywhere, and don't do anything in the way of activities. Why do that?

A more realistic amount is a minimum of $50 per day for meals & incidentals (some cities may be more expensive).

You can budget for hostels and other commercial places to stay by checking their websites. For example: http://www.indiahousehostel.com/

Greyhound (bus) and AmTrak (train) both offer passes:

www.greyhound.com (the bus is NOT a comfortable way to travel long distances)
www.amtrak.com

Know the costs for activities by checking their websites or travel guides.

You can reduce your accommodation costs by joining SERVAS, which will also give you local contacts in many places: http://joomla.servas.org/

Check with your health insurance to find out if it covers you in the USA. If yes then take proof of coverage with you. If no or not sure then get trip medical insurance, which is cheap and sold by airlines & travel agents. The USA has wonderful medical care but it isn't free or even cheap, and the chance of you needing medical care during a long visit (90 days) is too great to ignore the risk.

Citizens of about 30 countries can travel to the USA for up to 90 days at a time as a tourist or for some business purposes by registering for ESTA > before < their trip begins. The cost is US$14, which is similar to the fee for Australian ETA program.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/visaservices/?p=129

Print the confirmation - or at least record the number - and keep the information with your passport. Having a return or onward ticket leaving North America is a requirement, so have a copy of your airline itinerary at passport control.

If you > can't < travel to the USA on the Visa Waiver Program you probably need to apply for a tourist visa:

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

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