kittykat
Hey, I live in New zealand and have never been overseas before. I really want to go on a backpacking trip around the usa but I hear the country is huge haha and I have no idea what it's like. Can someone who has done it tell me how much it would cost, how long to go for, what parts of the usa are best and any other information you think i would need to know. Thanks very much for all answers and please no stupid answers :)
Answer
Do you mean backpacking as in traveling from hostel to hostel by train or bus?
If so, it will be more expensive than a like travel in NZ, I guess one and half the cost, plan on twice the cost to be secure.
There are many hostels in the USA too, they are just not as well known.
In the past I have used the HI hostels, check the website of Hosteling International to get an idea how many hostels they have and where they are. Also do a search for hostels and a city you want to go to and check with one of the hostel booking sites that come up. Read the reviews of the hostels you think are intersting. Do search on the name and address of the hostel and review.
In smaller towns motels are often a good option, but when there it is not as easy to meet fellow travelers, therefor I prefer hostels myself.
Now you have an idea how many hostels and where and how to find them you will have to decide how much and which part(s) of the USA to travel. You can not do all, not even a sizable part.
If you want to do some of the main cities spread over the country, like NYC, LA and Dallas, you best plan flights between them, but if you want to travel by train or bus you can look up the networks for that.
There are passes that allow you a lot of travel within a short time, Greyhound and Amtrak are the names to search for. This page also has a lot of info and links to more: http://www.seat61.com/UnitedStates.htm
See the map a little down the page, the Amtrak lines in one neat little package.
If you go for bus travel, better for shorted distances, small towns and away from the railroads, and cheaper overal, check the reviews on that bus company for that particular line or area. Some are reputed to be bad, others have no problems.
I would budget $200 per day, but I guess you can get by on $100 per day if you go on the cheapest options of bus, short distances and hostels or even couch surfing: http://www.couchsurfing.org/
If I misunderstood and you do mean backpacking as in walking with your things on your back, tent, sleeping bag and so on, you will still have to pick one part of the USA. A famous trail would be the most likely option.
I have only seen a small part of the USA, being New York state and city, and a few areas close to it, and by no means all of NY, so I can not tell you which part of the USA are best. But I know what is best for you, namely those parts that say "America" or "States" to you. If you have always wanted to see the Grand canyon no USA travel without it will be right, even though traveling there might be difficult by public transport.
It might be a good idea to combine individual travel with a week on a bus tour, or even a few weeks.
It is going to be YOUR holiday of a lifetime, make it yours, by doing what YOU want to do.
Do you mean backpacking as in traveling from hostel to hostel by train or bus?
If so, it will be more expensive than a like travel in NZ, I guess one and half the cost, plan on twice the cost to be secure.
There are many hostels in the USA too, they are just not as well known.
In the past I have used the HI hostels, check the website of Hosteling International to get an idea how many hostels they have and where they are. Also do a search for hostels and a city you want to go to and check with one of the hostel booking sites that come up. Read the reviews of the hostels you think are intersting. Do search on the name and address of the hostel and review.
In smaller towns motels are often a good option, but when there it is not as easy to meet fellow travelers, therefor I prefer hostels myself.
Now you have an idea how many hostels and where and how to find them you will have to decide how much and which part(s) of the USA to travel. You can not do all, not even a sizable part.
If you want to do some of the main cities spread over the country, like NYC, LA and Dallas, you best plan flights between them, but if you want to travel by train or bus you can look up the networks for that.
There are passes that allow you a lot of travel within a short time, Greyhound and Amtrak are the names to search for. This page also has a lot of info and links to more: http://www.seat61.com/UnitedStates.htm
See the map a little down the page, the Amtrak lines in one neat little package.
If you go for bus travel, better for shorted distances, small towns and away from the railroads, and cheaper overal, check the reviews on that bus company for that particular line or area. Some are reputed to be bad, others have no problems.
I would budget $200 per day, but I guess you can get by on $100 per day if you go on the cheapest options of bus, short distances and hostels or even couch surfing: http://www.couchsurfing.org/
If I misunderstood and you do mean backpacking as in walking with your things on your back, tent, sleeping bag and so on, you will still have to pick one part of the USA. A famous trail would be the most likely option.
I have only seen a small part of the USA, being New York state and city, and a few areas close to it, and by no means all of NY, so I can not tell you which part of the USA are best. But I know what is best for you, namely those parts that say "America" or "States" to you. If you have always wanted to see the Grand canyon no USA travel without it will be right, even though traveling there might be difficult by public transport.
It might be a good idea to combine individual travel with a week on a bus tour, or even a few weeks.
It is going to be YOUR holiday of a lifetime, make it yours, by doing what YOU want to do.
BACKPACKING AND CAMPING?
Kevin Mccl
I WILL BE GOING ON A BACKPACKING TRIP WITH MY BROTHER IN JULY FOR 4-5 DAYS HIKING ABOUT 12-15 MILES AND LAST TIME WE WHEN I WAS VERY UNCONFORMABLE BECAUSE MY BACKPACK I WAS WODERING WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD BACKPACK? THANK YOU! =)
Answer
I've owned a number of backpacks but by far my favorite has been the Osprey Aether 85 Pack. This back combines comfort with maximum load capabilities. For me, it really has been the Rolls Royce of backpacks.
Here are a few other owner reviews I was able to find on this particular bag:
"I got this pack for a 75 mile backpacking trip in New Mexico (Philmont). I have taken it on a couple practice hikes and it is incredibly comfortable. I love how little it ways."
"I've had the last generation of this pack for about 4 years. It's been to about 10 countries, up Mt.Kilimanjaro, conquered the JMT, 4 day kayak trip, etc... This is THE best large extended trip pack on the market. Pay the extra $ and thank me later."
"I just went up Mt. Whitney with this pack and I really liked how comfortable it was and how well it fit. When I got to the top, my shoulders and upper body felt fine. The pockets and straps were conveniently placed. Balance was good and my back had good air circulation."
You should absolutely go in and try on a few different bags and find out what works best for you. However, I can tell you from personal experience...this one is a goodie!
Happy Trails!
I've owned a number of backpacks but by far my favorite has been the Osprey Aether 85 Pack. This back combines comfort with maximum load capabilities. For me, it really has been the Rolls Royce of backpacks.
Here are a few other owner reviews I was able to find on this particular bag:
"I got this pack for a 75 mile backpacking trip in New Mexico (Philmont). I have taken it on a couple practice hikes and it is incredibly comfortable. I love how little it ways."
"I've had the last generation of this pack for about 4 years. It's been to about 10 countries, up Mt.Kilimanjaro, conquered the JMT, 4 day kayak trip, etc... This is THE best large extended trip pack on the market. Pay the extra $ and thank me later."
"I just went up Mt. Whitney with this pack and I really liked how comfortable it was and how well it fit. When I got to the top, my shoulders and upper body felt fine. The pockets and straps were conveniently placed. Balance was good and my back had good air circulation."
You should absolutely go in and try on a few different bags and find out what works best for you. However, I can tell you from personal experience...this one is a goodie!
Happy Trails!
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Title Post: Backpacking around USA?
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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