3k for trip to US

[UndertheCedartree]

I want to take my DC to the US for a special trip as they turn 13/18 this year.

I'm looking at travelling in September. On a tight budget of 3-3.5k for flights and accomodation.

I'm clueless as to where to take them. Not New York but aside to that I am open to anywhere but would need to be able to get about without a car.

I have a work meeting in New York soon and wanted to spend some time elsewhere in the US but found internal flights were much more expensive than last time I was there. So worth looking at where you can fly to changing in Europe.

Las Vegas is great for kids and quite budget friendly because they make so much from the gamblers.

You said not NY, is that because you don't want that type of city break or because its so expensive? You can do NY more cheaply by taking a hotel on the New Jersey side of the river, mainly eating street food and making the most of sightseeing, central park and one or two must dos like liberty.

Boston, see if you can go from Dublin. Sometimes it works out to be cheaper. August is probably not a good time to go, I am not sure how much accommodation costs in Boston but my guess is that it will be expensive. You can stay in airbnb but I really think that 2500 pounds is a very tight budget for US. Pound is weak and food is not that cheap and after covid, 15-20 % tipping is expected apparently.

Washington DC. Free / fab museums zoo etc. Lots of sights. Lots of history.

are your food costs and activities costs and travel once you get there going to be extra? Is it for 2 weeks? That is really a very tight budget. The US has gone insanely expensive.

Boston is lovely and very foot-tourist friendly but very expensive. You can take a day trip into New England by boat/bus which is fab that time of year. Will you have more of a budget for food/activities or trying to keep that cost quite low too?

Where might you hope to fly from (list as many airports as you can get to cheaply)?

Are you time poor or can you afford to hang around a bit to transit in another country?

It is Setember we are looking at going and I have up to 3.5k I realise it is a tight budget but all I can afford but would like to see if I can do it.

September isn't set in stone. Just seemed when flights were cheapest.

No way, unless you go for 5 days max. Food is very expensive now plus you need to tip and add taxes. Even supermarket food is more expensive than in the UK.

Yes, I'll have extra for food and activities. But on a budget. I'm flexible with how long for. But would like to do 2 weeks if possible.

There is a good hostel in Washington D.C. that has family rooms. Affordable and in a good area.

Ok so 3.5k just for flights and airbnb? Maybe try Norse Atlantic to Miami if you don’t want NY?

Yes, I had heard Boston was expensive. The 3.5k is just for flights and accomodation so will have more for food/activities but will be on a budget.

This was not my experience. Food was cheaper and sizes were enormous. (Nashville & Memphis TN & Atlanta)

Have just returned from Florida and it was very expensive. Also supermarket food. Maybe because it’s so touristy.

We can fly from any London airport. Yes, we could do a stop over.

You can do immigration at Dublin which is quicker and easier than in the states.

Norse Atlantic is a no frills airline to Vegas, LA, Orlando, Miami… very cheap but you don’t get lots of meals or extras like blankets. Like the long haul Ryanair

3.5k is just for flights and accomodation. I will have other money for food.

I'll definitely look into Washington DC. Seems a good option, thanks.

I would look at norse to orlando from gatwick (im a travel agent). Hand luggage only and something likr the rosen inn at pointe. loads to do, pool days, hot weather (although hurricane season but it wouldnt stop me), hire a car and have a day at the beach, island H2O waterpark, top golf, loads to do thats not the parks and loads of budget eateries like panda express, maccies, dairy queen etc

Thank you - I've been looking at this airline. Exactly what I'm looking for - no frills!

Thank you. Can you get about without a car?

ooh I just did a quick search. We always have to go in school holidays because I work in a school and prices are MAD. I just found 2 weeks in San Diego at the Days Inn by Wyndham in Mission Valley/Old Town Room Only for a 2 Queen Bed room. Flights for 3 adults are return from Heathrow non stop 9th - 23rd September, total for flights and accommodation is £2906. San Diego is fantastic. We had a car but you can use public transport or Uber fairly easily.

If you haven't been to the US recently, be prepared for your daily spending over there to be extremely expensive. Even having one main course only at a meal can really add up.

Anyway, as long as you've got some flexibility over dates, and you're prepared for the eye watering daily costs once you're over there it looks like it's possible, out of school holiday time.

Do a search to USA from London for the dates you're thinking of and see what comes up. If you see a BA flight which comes up you can go to the website to select the flights and it will give you the option to add a hotel too (you'd need to change it from 2 rooms to 1, and all share a 2 Queen bed room - very doable, we've done that loads, 2 adults and 2 teen boys)