Flights
For the summer months (including June and
September) it is recommended to book early, especially for weekend flights.
Flights on Saturdays, however, can be more expensive, and the airlines might
also have short-term offers when your schedule is flexible enough.
I recommend not to take connecting flights with less than two hours difference to change
planes within Europe as your luggage might not arrive with you or within the US
as you may not make it through immigration and customs in time!
Distances
It should be remembered that distances are
somewhat different from Europe. It's easy to accumulate several thousand
miles as it's a long way from one place of interest to another. This should
also be considered when planning your itinerary. I'd say an average would
be about 200 miles per day if you don't want to spend too much time on
the road!
Car Rental
It is recommended to book a car already
from Germany. There are some good offers including full insurance. You don't
require any additional insurance then when asked by the car rental agency in
the States! In 2000 we paid between $1.55 and $1.79 per gallon. A full
tank for $17 lasted us for about two days (approx. 250 miles per day). In 2005
it was approx. $2.30 per gallon and $19 per tank filling. Here's a good overview
of the latest gas prices: http://www.gasbuddy.com/
Busses
Greyhound busses (or other companies) are
the cheapest way of travelling, but their disadvantage is that you don't
get to the remote places like National Parks, and even if you do, you're
stuck once you get there. The only alternative then is hiking or mountain-biking,
or to hitch a ride with somebody else, which may not be recommended.
Motels
The Motel 6 chain is a good option for the
low budget traveller as they offer decent rooms at always the same standard.
Prices are generally ranging between US $ 40 and 60 for one person, add
6 $ for the second person. Normally motel prices are per room, not per person. Usually rooms for up to four persons are available
(two twin beds).
In off-peak seasons it is no problem to find a room. At weekends or near
big attractions it is recommended to book in advance or check in early.
Many motels have signposts indicating prices and availability and the chains
have free reservation hotlines (1-800 numbers). Don't expect too much if
breakfast is included as a continental breakfast often only means a cup
of coffee in a styrofoam cup and a couple of sweet muffins or similar. Grab a hotel discount
coupon brochure from McDonalds which may get you a room at one of the larger
hotel chains for a more reasonable price.
Youth Hostels
Youth Hostel prices in Canada in 1994 were
up to CAN $ 15 (for members) in a shared room. I stayed in a youth hostel in
Seattle, but I haven't kept track of what I paid there. If you travel on your own,
youth hostels are the cheaper alternative, and it's easier to get in contact
with other people. You don't have to be a member of the international youth
hostelling organization, but you can save
a few dollars if you are.
Money
Instead of taking along a lot of cash you may consider to get
yourself some travellers checks which can be used like cash. Pay with
them in a supermarket, in a restaurant or gas station and the remaining
amount will be handed out to you. In any case you do require a credit card,
Visa or Mastercard!
Cold drinks
To keep your drinks cold during the day
you should buy a styrofoam box (at gas stations or supermarkets) and fill
it with ice cubes (from motel ice machines) in plastic bags. This should
last you during the day.
National Parks
If you intend to visit several National
Parks, it is advisable to purchase the National Parks Pass America The Beautiful for $80 which
gets you into all National Parks and National Monuments without further charges.
Phonecards
You can use phone cards from any touch-tone
telephone (this includes private or hotel phones). Just dial the 1-800 number, the card number and the phone number you wish to
call. It's advisable to buy a card that can be recharged. You get it in
supermarkets or drug stores.
Restaurants
Many motels offer a free continental breakfast. If you prefer something more
solid, go to a restaurant. Most of them serve breakfast as well. You get everything from steak to pancakes to scrambled
eggs and it's more difficult to find just cereals and toast. I would recommend
Denny's, an inexpensive but good quality chain of restaurants, for decent
good value food. We also like to eat at Applebee's whenever we find one. If you
ever see one (mostly in big cities), try The Cheesecake Factory! Expect to be out after just 30 minutes unless you're
there for the first time and still need to study the menu! In the States they obviously
don't have a restaurant or pub culture as in Europe where you just sit
and eat and drink for hours... Service is quick and when you're finished
they get you the check.
Tips
In a restaurant you should give at least 15 %, more if you
were really satisfied. Waiters and bar tenders only get minimum wage and live
from their tips. Leave the tip on the table and pay the check
at the cashier. In very touristy areas the 15% may already have been added to
your bill, in that case there's no need to pay anything in addition.
Visa
No visa required for tourists from Germany visiting
for up to three months. You now need to get your fingerprints and photo taken at
immigration.
Literature
For the budget traveller I guess the "bible" is "Lonely Planet". "Let's
go USA" only lists the major attractions. We were very
satisfied with the German "Reise Know-How". For hiking in the
southwest I would recommend Laurent Martrès's photography books. For a sometimes hilarious but also informative
insight into American culture read Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Big Country".
Links:
General
National Parks and
Monuments
