USA
The USA is huge, attempting to backpack around America all in one go would be a monumental task if not impossible. Its not cheap and there is not really a set backpacker trail here. To make the most of it you need you own transport which really adds to the cost.
For our trip we choose to do drive the West Coast starting in Seattle and finishing in LA. Other possible road trips include include the Deep South, East Coast and Route 66.
Average Cost Per Day for a Couple. $250
Our average costs includes:
- Car Hire
- Fuel Petrol\Gas
- Hotels and Campsite Fees and Camping Equipment ($200)
- Daily Spends
We camped for 14 nights on this trip to reduce the costs but this could have been reduced further by camping for longer and avoiding staying in hotels. If you look hard enough there are free campsites available but without any facilites.
Typical Costs
- Petrol: typical costs per gallon $2.5 to $5 per gallon depending on state and location.
- Petrol Total Trip: $375 – This covered 4000 miles.
- Campsites: ranged from $15-$40 per night
- Car Hire: $65 per day
- Hotels: Average $100 per night
- Fire Wood: $5-10
- Wine Tasting: $7-$10pp
- Bottle of Wine in Sonoma: $30-$40
National Park Fees per Vehicle
- Redwood National Park - Free
- Death Valley: $20
- Zion: $25
- Monument Valley: $25
- Gran Canyon: $25
- Big Sur: No upfront cost but you get charged $10 dollars to park anywhere with attractions near by. Try find a free space on the side of the road instead.
Transport
Im sure you could do this cheaper if done using GreyHound buses but these only go between cities and theres no way to get to the national parks. You could of course hitchhike, there are much more people doing it in the USA than the UK, we even took a lady from Grand Canyon to Flagstaff.
- Bus – Greyhounds run regularly between major cities.
- Hire Car – Alamo appeared to be the cheapest and allows unlimited miles. But be aware you have to pay more to drop off the car at a different location.
- RV Motor Home
Most Americans travelled in RV motor homes. Most were hired from these companies.
Camping
Camping spots in America fill very quickly especially in peak season and you should think about reserving. Walk in sites are limited and fill in the morning. You can use ReserveAmerica.com to reserve sites in advance.
Canada
We only visited Vancouver on our trip to Canada, the following is more reflective of a short stay in Vancouver than Canada as a whole.
Average Cost Per Day for a Couple: $145 per day (Canadian dollars)
Typical costs:
- Budget hotel - $60 per night
- Taxi from Airport - $40 (including tip)
- Beer - $6-7
- Picnic from Granville market -$20
- Cinema on a Tuesday - $7.50
- Art Gallery - $20. Free on a Tuesday Evening but $10 donation per person is recommended
Budget Tip as a Couple : Coffees here are huge, if you need to buy one, buy an XL for 50 cents more and share it, you have saved a few dollars and probably have the same amount of coffee.
Best budget attraction: Stanley Park, its free to visit and you can easily spend a day wandering around this pristine piece of paradise. There is forest, beaches, gardens, lakes, sea and beaches. Look out for the totem poles and dont forget to take a picnic.
Budget Tip 1 - Vancouver art gallery is free on a Tuesday night
Budget Tip 2 - The cinema at Vancouver International Village offers half price tickets all day on a Tuesday
For those without a budget: Take an airplane taxi for an ariel view of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains or perhaps try the adreneline fueled sport of heli-skiiing.