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.

Try and stay in Airbnb so you don't have to really spend a lot of food. There are a lot of deli's and supermarkets where you can buy prepared meals for picnic etc.,

Fly play from Stansted to Baltimore is under 1000 pounds, Boston is 1600 and NY for under 1000 sterling, but I would probably avoid the NY route as it's way out of the city at a small airport called Stewart. Baltimore airport is actually not too far from Washington and you can get the train if you don't want to drive. Weather in September will have lost its intense heat so it's a great time to visit.

I would HIGHLY recommend Washington for that age, it's fantastic, easy to get around, the Smithsonian Museums are free, the food is great and watching Secret Service snipers on the roof of the White House at the W hotel is great. Arlington Cemetery with the Kennedy grave is great and honestly it's like movie. You can get public transport out to Mount Vernon, Washington's place too.

We've stayed in Rosslyn as it's right on the underground station, at the Holiday Inn, they do a free (at least they used to ) breakfast on a roof top restaurant overlooking Reagan Airport. Homewood Suites are good as they tend to give you a kitchenette as well as being a bit more spacious with teenagers. Sonder will be good as well, a bit more space for a week but bear in mind they are functional, clean and not terribly fancy. Other areas to consider is Georgetown (where the diplomats tend to live).

Check out the Founding Farmer's restaurant and make sure you book White House, Congress Library before you come. Haven't been to Boston but my husband works there sometimes and loves it. New York would be third on my list of those three places, I'm really not a fan, too unfriendly, expensive and dirty these days.

Thank you so much!

I've not been to the US for over 20 years!

I will need to look into costs for food to make sure I can afford it.

The DC are used to doing budget trips, though so won't expect lots of restaurant meals etc.

I would second this my teens liked DC more than NYC. The museums are free or very cheap. Stay over the river- a few stops on metro or short taxi and much cheaper...

BUT - do not underestimate how much things will cost when you are there. A $15 meal with soft drink and tax and tip will cost you about $80 for 3 people. Try and get a hotel with breakfast ( not the norm). Budget £120 + a day on food before you pay for any activities.

Thank you for all the information.

If you’ve no car, you’re either looking to fly domestically or take the train which is not really a thing over there. If NY is not completely out, you could do Washington DC and then take the train up to NY. Philadelphia and Boston are also on the same stretch and not too far so you could skip NYC.

DC is great for kids of all ages, we really enjoyed it. If you want to fly internally, perhaps Chicago could be an option.

USA has become very expensive post Covid, especially eating out and hotels. So your budget of 3.5k for both flights and accommodation is very, very tight if you’re hoping to go for 2 weeks.

The weather in New England will be lovely in September and prices generally drop after Labor Day. You could try Portland, Maine for a few days (very walkable waterfront city) and there are pretty beaches nearby. Lots of quaint small towns up and down the Maine coastline.

There's train service that connects Boston to Maine:

https://amtrakdowneaster.com/

Look into accommodation outside of Boston but close to the "T" (subway). Will be much more affordable than Boston itself.

Look into taking the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. I'd consider a day trip as food and lodging on the Vineyard is outrageous.

Cape Cod National Seashore - stunning and crowds should thin out in September (but nice beach weather)

I found it really expensive too. Even self catering and supermarket costs are more.
US average salaries are higher and the prices seem to reflect that.
But that was compared to prices here a couple of years ago so it might be similar now.

First of all - fly from Dublin! Pre clearance is a game changer

Following while I think of more tips.

I'm flexible on how long we go for.

My 2 have never been to the US but are keen to go so I'd like to try and do it for them if at all possible!

I'd look at a couple of places with a big Amtrack train adventure. Book a roomette and go for an overnight trip.

Thank you, that's very helpful.

It is possible to go for one week. You’ll be knackered but it is possible. We did a 7hour flight for one week and it was great. We did hand luggage only as well 🤣

We are a bit nuts though

Yes a week is hardcore, I must admit!

I'm thinking of cabin luggage only on the way out but a hold suitcase on the way back as my DD will definitely wanting to bring lots of souvenirs home!

Honestly you will probably buy very little. Unless you have a car and can get to the outlet malls nothing feels like good value anymore - often more expensive than home. Stick to one tshirt souvenir and a keyring!

I didn’t love DC … It’s a relatively small city and I got a bit bored there. I wouldn’t spend more than 3 days there really.

You could combine DC / Philadelphia / NYC. There is a good bus route between them all. I did this in 2018 and I remember it being very affordable then but I don’t know how much it will have increased! NYC imo is the best city in the world and shouldn’t be missed.

Boston is also a great city but accommodation is eye wateringly expensive. There is a lot of interesting history and in September you can go whale watching which is amazing!

I would avoid leaving the north eastern cities if you aren’t able to hire a car. There is very little in the way of public transport in much of the rest of the US. I would have found Orlando/ Houston/ California all impossible without a car.

Just to add that NYC alone is perfectly doable in 5/6 days … I would choose to do this over 2 weeks scraping by in a different city.

I live in Florida. That budget would be too low for 2 weeks here. September is Labor Day too
(beginning of September), and prices around then are very high. Food - things have gotten very expensive here lately. I see people have mentioned McDonald’s and Dairy Queen but do you really want to do that? For 2 weeks? Surely you gave McDonald’s and others at home. You don’t need to come here for it. There’s so much better to do and eat here. It would be a shame to miss out on that.

Also, does your budget include trip protection? You would need at least medical coverage. You don’t necessarily need full CFAR coverage.

Just came back from Florida, most half decent meals were $20+ for a main, sometimes even $30. 20% tip is absolutely expected and sometimes even added on.
we spent at least $12 each for supermarket food incl fruit and a drink. It was all very expensive (I have been to NY and Miami before Covid and prices have gone up lots).

OP - same for souvenirs. We went to an outlet mall in Orlando last week and Skechers and Nike were the same price as they are in the UK!

Another vote for Washington DC. Your budget is very tight though, my flights were £800 (cheapest option at the time) and hotels in the city are pricey, you might find a 2bedroom apartment better value. The time difference is only 5 hours too so jetlag is less of an issue than going to the west coast.

You will probably buy very little unless you are specifically looking for things not available here. I find everything more expensive over there.

Yeah those prices sound spot on and current to me.

I would definitely not do Florida in the middle of hurricane season. Washington sounds one of the most practical option without a car, but really anywhere with an airport with good transport links to where you want to stay is worth considering. For inspiration you could try using the London to USA in September search option in Skyscanner. (Edit - San Francisco looks very possible direct from London).

We always self cater in the USA which does keep the costs down. We buy rotisserie chicken, salad, pizzas etc. from the supermarket and also make sandwiches for some of our days out (we spend most of our time hiking rather than in cities though). When eating out, breakfasts are very good value - we often take the leftovers away with us.

Everything is so spread out I think you’ll struggle to see much without a car unless you do somewhere like New York or Disney. Even the majority of major cities are designed to be navigated around in a car.

If it's just flights + hotel at £3.5k that's completely doable.

We're going to LA (6 of us), flights + hotel + car rental at £4.5k