10 tips to make your dollars go further in the US

America often gets a bad rep when it comes to affordability. Incredible natural wonders, thriving cities and infinite attractions abound... and they all cost a fair few dollars more than we'd like. But fear not, we have 10 tips ready to make your money go further on your next US adventure.

While most of us enjoy travelling to and exploring new and exotic places, there is normally one thing that makes us hesitate – the cost. With the pound plunging to new lows against the dollar, the USA is becoming more and more expensive for Brits to visit.

However, if you’re careful with the pennies, nickels and dimes, you can still enjoy an affordable trip. With help from the team at Visit The USA, here are 10 tips for travelling to the States without breaking the bank.

1. Flight of imagination

Flying can be expensive, especially if you don’t choose the right airline. If you’re willing to sacrifice sitting with friends and family, and don’t need to check in a bag, you could save money by avoiding additional charges. Rather than flying direct to a major city airport, investigate connecting at another hub en route. Plus, there are many alternative, smaller airports that are cheaper and home to low-cost airlines – for example Newark can be a better option than JFK, and Sanford is a good alternative to Orlando International.

2. Train of thought

Instead of hiring a car, familiarise yourself with the public transport system – local trains and buses are very cheap. Greyhound is the largest bus network in North America and operates from 230 locations throughout the States.

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If you're going along America’s east coast, Amtrak is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel. If you book ahead of time, you can get cheaper tickets, and it is generally more comfortable than long-distance buses. Amtrak stations are typically located in the centres of many cities, saving you money on airport transfers. Uber can be more economical than the local taxis and is trustworthy.

3. Pass the bucks

Saving money and seeing America’s top attractions can go hand-in-hand if you purchase a CityPASS. These packages bundle admission and discounts to a specific metropolitan area’s theme parks, zoos, aquariums, museums and other attractions into one flat fee and are a good way to save a few dollars. Once you have one, you will be able to plan your days around them. The CityPASS is currently available in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California and Tampa Bay, as well as Toronto in Canada.

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4. Night (and day) at the museum

The US is home to some of the most iconic museums in the world, and there are a few ways to get free entry to them. Many offer monthly free entry days or evenings, such as MoMA in NYC, which is free on the first Friday of every month from 4pm to 8pm.

Other museums in the States are free year-round, such as Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama and Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City. If you’re travelling to the US in September, look out for Smithsonian Museum Day, an annual celebration where hundreds of cultural institutions across the country provide free entry.

5. Walk the walk

Walking is the most cost-effective and enjoyable method to see a new place, so pack a good pair of walking shoes or trainers and pound the pavements and paths – it will stretch both your legs and your budget. The US has numerous walkable cities, beyond the famous big commuter ones such as New York, Boston and Chicago. Try the 2.5-mile (4km) River Walk promenade, which winds through downtown San Antonio, Texas, not too far from historic Spanish mission the Alamo.

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Charleston, South Carolina, is another pedestrian-friendly city, offering beautiful beaches, popular open-air markets and a stunning walkway from which dolphins are a known regular sighting. For an extra touch of mobility, try a low-cost cycle hire.

6. A stroll in the parks

Many US National Parks are completely booked out over the summer. But that shouldn’t stop you from exploring America’s great outdoors. For example, the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness is a 12-mile (19km) drive southwest of Aspen and there is no need for a permit to hike there, and the same applies to the North Cascades National Park in Washington State.

Every year, the National Park Service selects a handful of dates when it waives the entrance fees to all its sites. These include the First day of National Park Week (17 April) and the National Park Service Anniversary (25 August). Finally, an America the Beautiful Annual Pass costing $80 allows you to visit the parks at a discount.

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7. Food focus

There always seems to be a special festival or event taking place in one, if not all, of America’s 50 states, and many are easy on the wallet. In NYC, Restaurant Week is a twice-yearly event where more than 300 of the Big Apple’s best restaurants offer a prix-fixe menu at a very low price. If you’re in Illinois in early September, the Chicago Jazz Festival is a favourite Labor Day weekend tradition that is entirely free.

Many US cities also throw big free Thanksgiving parades with bands, singers, floats and giant balloons. Beyond the iconic Macy’s Day Parade in New York, try America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, Michigan; the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas; or the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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8. Deal breakers

It may be time-consuming but do plenty of research ahead of your trip to get the best deals. With sites like Expedia you can search for airlines, destinations, accommodation, packages, cruises, cars and things to do. You'll need patience and persistence, but it pays to track prices over time and subscribe to fare alerts for flights.

One of the best budget travel tips is getting brochures in a hotel lobby or welcome centre, which usually contain coupons. Finally, hotels in the US can be very expensive, especially if you are travelling with family and staying for a while. Consider Vrbo, the vacation rental online marketplace where homeowners list their condos, beach houses and cabins.

9. Local heroes

This is sound advice wherever you’re travelling but, particularly in America, try to eat what the locals eat. By dining at friendly neighbourhood spots, you will not only get an authentic experience and fresh food, but also save a few bucks. Try fried green tomatoes in Alabama, jambalaya in Louisiana, Buffalo wings in New York, and key lime pie in Florida – you won’t be disappointed. However, if you really want to save some dosh, pack a lunch or a breakfast to take with you. If you're staying in a rental house or a hotel room with a kitchen, this is extremely simple, and you'll have more room in your budget to indulge on something else.

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10. Earn you keep

In the age of the internet, it’s easier than ever to earn money while travelling. All you need is a laptop with a stable connection, which should be a given in most parts of the US. Some of the most lucrative fields in freelancing are web design and development, internet research, data entry, graphic design, content writing, translation and editing. For more hands-on people, fruit picking, working at summer camps for young people, selling goods at markets and instructing skiers or divers are some of the other options.

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