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California


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Not in the story-mood? Scroll down for the Quick Budget Fact Overview: an itemized information summary of the United States! ↓

California Dreaming. I close my eyes and let the mental images of sun-drenched beaches, Hollywood glitz, and faint strains of Hank Moody pass by. While those stereotypes aren't entirely unfounded, the Golden State is a far more complex and captivating place than its far-reaching international reputation might suggest. It's a land of staggering diversity, both in its landscapes and its people, drenched in its Mexican roots and rejuvenated by slight promises of the American Dream. From the chaos-ridden streets of San Francisco, to the rock ‘n roll tapestry of Los Angeles and laidback coastal ambience of San Diego. Beyond the bustling cities, the true appeal of California lies in its natural backdrop. Imagine standing in the shadows of the towering rock formations of Yosemite National Park, then picture yourself in the stark, otherworldly beauty of Death Valley, a land of extremes where the silence is almost deafening and the heat shimmers off the horizon. California is a place that can challenge you, surprise you, and ultimately, leave you utterly spellbound. Hey, they should write a song about it.
 

San Francisco

“If you’re going to San Francisco… be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.”  The song* was the sole reason I wanted to set foot in this famous city one day, although I wouldn’t necessarily call all people… gentle. My very first encounter with both San Francisco and the entire state of California went as follows: I witnessed a man drive backwards out of his garage with the car door wide open, tumble out, have the then driverless car run him over (yes, you read that correctly) before ramming into a row of parked vehicles, after which he scrambled back behind the wheel and sped off into the wild, wonderful chaos of the city. I stood there, speechless, grappling with the sheer audacity of the situation. What truly cemented the experience, however, was the reaction of the bystanders. Or rather, the lack thereof. They continued on their merry way, totally unphased. A strong image. In that moment, I understood. This place on Earth must be downright apenuts, and I was ready to embrace the glorious madness.
 

* Well, okay, and maybe also the ridiculously cheap flight of the rather-crappy Frontier Airlines: A mere $38 flight from Portland, cheaper than a bus ride! Especially when you consider the airfare itself being a sole $3 (the rest being taxes, naturally). Hand luggage only, mind you. 
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My favorite corner of this pleasant madhouse turned out to be the Mission District. Stepping into it is like falling through a time portal straight into Mexico. You’d better hablas español when engaging with the locals – the district’s seemingly official language. One almost forgets he’s in the United States, until you remember: this entire region was Mexico once, and the heritage is vibrantly alive (a history you can dive deeper into at the Oakland Museum of California). I stumbled in initially seeking street art, specifically the murals adorning Balmy Alley, which, for the uninitiated, is a concentrated dose of vibrant social commentary painted across houses, fences, and garages. But I stayed for the vibrant atmosphere and the promise of authentic Mexican street food (for triple the price of actual Mexican street food).
​
Besides Mission, San Francisco throws a few other visual punches pleasantly knocking me off my socks. Alamo Square is home to the six Victorian houses nicknamed the Painted Ladies, made famous by the '90s sitcom Full House. Then there’s the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, a fountain inexplicably chosen to represent the man's powerful oratory. I suppose the quote about a "stream of words" offered a tenuous connection… or (unknown fact) was he just really into fountains? A more thorough impression was left by the Palace of Fine Arts, nestled within the Golden Gate Park. This neo-classical masterpiece could easily be mistaken for a Roman landmark, complete with reflecting pools and exquisitely lit fountains. And if modern pop culture is more your thing, go look for the Yoda Fountain. Which exists, somehow. San Francisco’s Chinatown happens to be a really well-done Chinatown, which specifically represents a welcome sight around lunchtime or dinner. It’s the birthplace of Bruce Lee, FYI.
You’re at the USA’s famous West Coast, so sooner or later you inevitably find yourself venturing along the waterfront of San Francisco Bay. Odds are high you’ll bump into Pier 39, a touristy funfair complete with a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant. Fisherman's Wharf is nearby, bustling with activity, magic shops, and overpriced everything. From the shore, the infamous silhouette of the Alcatraz Prison looms large. The name alone conjures up images of striped jumpsuits, clanging metal, and dead-stare inmates. Did you know that you can actually visit this once unhappy home for some of America's most infamous criminals? You just have to dig deep into that wallet. Capitalism, baby boy! For a closer (external) look on a budget, a day trip to Sausalito by ferry can do the trick. Pro tip: skip the expensive tourist boats and use your Clipper Card (the local transport pass, also readily available digitally on your phone wallet) for a cheap-ass $8 ride, sailing right passed Alcatraz. Sausalito itself is a beautifully located yet tourism-heavy town with its own offer of restaurants, shops and art exhibitions. From there, you can either take the bus back across the Golden Gate Bridge or, like me, embrace the walk! Traversing arguably San Francisco's most iconic landmark on foot is a rather surreal experience. The sheer immensity of the Golden Gate Bridge is truly felt on foot. The sidewalk is open daily from sunrise to sunset, offering a 2.7km (1.7 miles) stroll across. While noteworthy, I must admit: the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, which I gasped at from the plane, struck me as significantly more impressive with its staggering 7.2km (4.5 miles).
​

Speaking of Oakland: accessible via the BART transportation system, this is where I set up my temporary base. The first few days were spent housesitting for two feline overlords, the last with a deaf, former-hippie Couchsurfer, who had, in his youth, witnessed Jimi Hendrix live while tripping on acid. That, my friends, was probably the closest I was going to get to the quintessential images of San Francisco hippies. As otherwise, their whereabouts remained a mystery. With my host, I attended the "Festival of Lights," a hallucinatory immersive experience that felt, well, a bit like how he described his concert days.
San Francisco FREE Sights / Activities
​
  • Sights: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Promenade, Palace of Fine Arts, Yoda Fountain, Painted Ladies (Alamo Square), City Hall, Transamerica Pyramid, Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, 16 Avenue Tiled Steps, Marthin Luther King Memorial, Telegraph Hill, Twin Peaks,  Lotta’s Fountian, Balmy Ally Murals, Clarion Alley, Urbano Sun Dial, The Box Shop, Internet Archive Headquarters, Albian Castle, The Wave Organ, Fort Point National Historic Site, Cathedral of St. Mary The Assumption, Leroy King Carousel, Janis Joplin Tree, Peephole Cinema, Lombard Street, Union Square, Ghirardelli Square, China Town, Japantown, Mission Neighborhood, Presidio, Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood, The Embarcadero Neighborhood, Little Italy Neighborhood, Nob Hill Neighborhood, North Beach Neighborhood, Pacific Heights Neighborhood.
  • Museums: Museum of the Eye.
  • Hikes / Nature: Golden Gate Park, Lands’ End, San Francisco Bay, Baker Beach, Ocean Beach, Marshall’s Beach, The Coastal Trail, Woodline.
  • Daytrips: Oakland.
 

San Francisco PAID Sights / Activities

  • Sights: Alcatraz, Aquarium of the Bay, Sea Lion Center, Coit Tower.
  • Museums: Oakland Museum of California, Walt Disney Family Museum, Exploratorium, California Academy of Sciences, Cable Car Museum, Musee Mecanique, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, De Young Museum, Legion of Honor, Misalignment Ai Museum, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco National Maritime Historical Park, Wells Fargo Museum, Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze, Audium Theatre of Sound-Sculptured Space, Institute of Illegal Images, Good Vibrations Antique Vibrator Museum, Beat Museum, Museum of Russian Culture, Gregangelo Museum, American Bookbinders Museum, Showgirl Magic Museum.
  • Activities: Oracle Park (baseball), San Francisco Playhouse Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco Symphonie, Church of 8 Wheels.
  • Hikes / Nature / Daytrips: Sausalito, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, Angel Island State Park.
 

Full list here. 
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Los Angeles

Even the name rolls off the tongue with a whisper of sunshine, celebrity, and a feeling that you know the place, even if you have never physically been there. Even though it's the hometown of my dearest, it was my first time to set foot in this world famous city… and as he was still chained to his temporary desk in Seattle, unable to show me around, this triggered me to approach the City of Angels from a whole different perspective. A rather rough and loud one. Because LA isn’t only known for Holywood and all the glamour, fame and botox that entails, it’s also known as a cradle of rock where iconic bands such as Mötley Crüe, The Doors, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns ‘n Roses and Motörhead left their traces. So, ditching the typical tourist traps, my buddy Dave and I embarked on a pilgrimage… dedicated to the one and only personification of rock ‘n roll: Lemmy Kilmister.

Our journey began at the legendary Rainbow Bar, a place that now feels less like a bar and more like a living Motörhead museum. There, amidst the echoes of countless rock anthems, we raised a glass of whiskey on the exact spot where Lemmy daily drank it. We even ventured into the infamous “coke room,” a once-secret haven frequented by the likes of Slash and Nikki Sixx. Let’s just say the walls had stories to tell. From the Rainbow, we casually hopped by Lemmy's former home address, a somewhat surreal experience, and even ventured to his final resting place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The discolored patches of dried alcohol surrounding his area in the columbarium reveal the numerous toasts made in his memory. Our man’s in good company, by the way, resting almost next to another giant in metal: the one and only Ronnie James Dio. It was a melancholic moment, a testament to the enduring legacy of a true rock icon.
The Dalles


My first official connection with the state of Oregon, was during my weekend visit to the Dalles. Perched along the Columbia River, this city has witnessed the dramatic unfolding of the American West. From its role as a trading hub for indigenous peoples for millennia to its pivotal position on the Oregon Trail, The Dalles has served as a gateway to the Pacific Northwest for centuries. Standing on the bluffs overlooking the river, you can almost feel the weight of the wagons rolling into town, the stories of fur traders, and the culture of the tribes who called this land home long before settlers arrived. Apart from its important historical roots, The Dalles presents a stunning, rugged scenery that deeply resonates with the soul. The first thing that strikes you is the sheer scale of it all. The Dalles, perched on the banks of the mighty Columbia River, feels cradled by the vast expanse of the landscape. Rolling hills, painted in shades of burnt sienna and ochre by the sun, stretch out in every direction, creating the illusion of a moonscape. The river itself is a powerful presence, a constant reminder of the forces that shaped this land. As you drive or hike around, keep an eye out for the remnants of the old Oregon Trail; these faint tracks etched into the earth connect you to the pioneers who braved this very terrain generations ago. The feeling is strangely humbling, a sense of being part of a much larger, ongoing story. The environment here is a testament to resilience – hardy grasses clinging to the hillsides, wind-sculpted trees that have learned to dance with the elements. You see evidence of the area's arid climate in the sagebrush and juniper that dominate the landscape, a stark contrast to the coastal lushness just a few hours to the west.

Another great element of any visit is the welcome immersion in the local wine scene. Believe it or not, The Dalles is a hidden gem for wine enthusiasts. The same climate that creates such dramatic landscapes also provides the perfect conditions for grape growing. The warm days, cool nights, and well-draining soils create an ideal terroir, resulting in wines that are as bold and complex as the region itself. The Willamette Valley, in which The Dalles is located, is famous for its Pinot Noir… one of my personal favorites! Venture off the beaten path, seek out the smaller, family-run wineries, and strike up a conversation with the winemakers themselves. They are passionate about their craft and eager to share the unique story of their land. Their dedication shines through in every glass, a testament to the pioneering spirit that still permeates the region. We found ourselves perched on a patio overlooking a sun-drenched vineyard, the wind rustling through the vines, a glass of deep, ruby-red Syrah in hand. It was a moment of pure bliss, the perfect marriage of place and palate. A love story between me, him and Oregon.

 
FREE Sights / Activities

  • Sights: Old St. Peters, Pulpit Rock, The Dalles Dam Visitor Center, Downtown Murals, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.
  • Museums: The Dalles Fire Museum.
  • Nature: Sorosis Park, Klindts Cove, Coyote Wall Trail, Mount Hood, Tucker Park.
 

PAID Sights / Activities
​

  • Sights: Granada Theatre.
  • Museums: Fort Dalles Museum, Maryhill Museum of Art, The Dalles Art Center, Gorge Discovery Center, National Neon Sign Museum, Wonderworks Children’s Museum of the Gorge.
  • Nature: Mayer State Park, Starvation Creek State Park, Mather Regional Park, Columbia Hills State Park (Petroglyphs).
  • Wineries: Sunshine Mill, 15 Mile, The Pines 1852, Dry Hollow, Maison de Glace, Tierra de Lobos, Cascade Cliffs, Marchesi, Wy’East, Cathedral Ridge, Waving Tree, Domain Pouillon, ShadowBuck, Syncline, Idiot’s Grace, Phelps Creek, Grateful, Maryhill, Hood River, Graves, The Narrows, Jacob Williams, Cor Cellars, Klickitat Canyon, Sailor, Stoltz, Cerulian Wine, Hillside, Le Doubble Troubble, Windhorse, The Walls, Eight Bells.
​Other Oregon Cities: Salem (not THE Salem), Bend, Medford, Corvallis, Beaverton, Roseburg, Hillsboro, Astoria, Newport, Ashland, Grant Pass, Klamath Falls, Gresham, Coos Bay, Clackamas, Pendleton, McMinnville, Lincoln City, Tigard, Hermiston.
 
Other Oregon National, Regional & State Parks: Crater Lake NP, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, Nez Perce National Historical Park, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Oxbow RP, Ainsworth SP, Alfred A. Loeb SP, Bandon State Natural Area, Bates SP, Beverly Beach SP, Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor, Bob Straub SP, Brian Booth SP, Bullards Beach SP, Cape Arago SP, Cape Blanco SP, Cape Lookout SP, Carl G. Washburne Memorial SP, Cascadia SP, Catherine Creek SP, Collier Memorial SP, Cottonwood Canyon SP, Ecola SP, Elijah Bristow SP, Fort Stevens SP, Guy W. Talbot SP, Harris Beach SP, Hat Rock SP, Hilgard Junction SP, Illinois River Forks SP, Jessie M. Honeyman SP, L.L. Stub Stewart SP, Lake Owyhee SP, La Pine SP, Mayer SP, Memaloose SP, Milo McIver SP, Molalla River SP, Nehalem Bay SP, Oswald West SP, Port Orford Heads SP, Rooster Rock SP, Shore Acres SP, Silver Falls SP, Smith Rock SP, South Beach SP, Starvation Creek SP, State Capitol SP, Sunset Bay SP, The Cove Palisades SP, Tumalo SP, Umpqua Lighthouse SP, Valley of the Rogue SP, Viento SP, Wallowa Lake SP, White River Falls SP, Willamette Mission SP, William M. Tugman SP.

Quick Budget Fact Overview


US Facts
​
  • Capital: Washington DC
  • Language: English (Spanish)
  • Population: ± 334.9mln
  • Sq km: ± 9,833,517
  • Currency: Dollar ($ - USD)
  • Electricity Outlet: A + B / 120 V / 60 Hz.
  • Country Code Phone: +1
  • Emergency Phone: 911
  • Visa: Some countries need to apply for a visa, which can be done here .Residents of visa-exempt countries can apply online for a visa waiver, called an ESTA.  
  • Vaccinations: None.
  • Climate: The country is so huge, that we’re dealing with several climate zones. Find a map overview here.
  • High season: June-August. Summer attracts most crowds due to school vacations.
 

Short History Recap

1565: 1st permanent European settlement: St Augustine, now Florida (Spanish). 1607: Jamestown, Virginia, founded by English. 17th-18th centuries: 100,000s of Africans brought in as slaves to work on cotton and tobacco plantations. 1763: Seven Years' War: England gets control over territory up to the Mississippi. ’74: Colonists form First Continental Congress. ’75: American Revolution: Continental Army under George Washington fight British rule. ’76:  Declaration of Independence, colonies declare independence. ’83: Treaty of Paris, UK loses colonies. ’87: Founding Fathers, new constitution. ’89: George Washington first president. ’91: Bill of Rights, individual freedom. 1803: France sells Louisiana to US. ’08: Atlantic slave trade abolished. ‘12-’15: War of 1812 US -UK. Resistance by indigenous people. Massive European immigration. Number of states rises from 17 to 45.’46-48: Mexican War - US acquires large territories of Mexico, incl. New Mexico & California.’54: Abolitionists of slavery start Republican Party. ’60: Abraham Lincoln Republican president. ‘60-’61: 11 pro-slavery southern states secede from Union and form Confederate States of America = civil war with abolitionist northern states. ’63: Emancipation Proclamation by Lincoln, slaves in Confederate free. ’65: Slavery abolished in 13th Amendment. Lincoln killed. ’98: Spanish-American War = Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam & Cuba American. US annexes Hawaii. 1917-’18: US mingles in  WWI. Rejects membership of League of Nation. ’20: Women voting right. Sale and manufacture of alcohol forbidden. ’24: Indigenous people allowed citizenship. ’29-33: Wall Street stock market crash, triggers the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s "New Deal" recovery programme. Alcohol legal again. ’41: Japanese Pearl Harbour attack. Leads to US joining WWII against Axis powers. ’45: US drops 2 atomic bombs on Hiroshima & Nagasaki. ’47: Truman Doctrine: aid against communism. Start Cold War with Soviet Union. ’48: Marshall Plan. ‘50-’53: US participates in Korean War. ‘50-’54: Anti-communist crusade within US by Senator McCarthy.’54: Racial segregation in schools unconstitutional. Civil disobedience, pro African-American. ‘60: Nixon. ’61: Bay of Pigs = attempt to invade Cuba, unsuccessful. ’62: Cuban missile crisis. ’63: John F Kennedy assassinated. Johnson president. ’64: Military intervention Vietnam. Nationally, anti-discrimination law. ’68: Martin Luther King assassinated. ’69: Republican Nixon. Neil Armstrong on the Moon. ’73: Vietnam ceasefire. ’74: Watergate scandal, Nixon resigns. ’76: Carter. ’79: US embassy in Tehran hostage crisis. ’80: Reagan, Republican. Anti-communist. ’86: Bombing Libyan cities. ’88: Bush Sr. ’89: Panama invasion, Noriega arrested for drug-trafficking. ’91: Iraq War involvement. ’92: Clinton, democratic. ’92: Nafta. ’99: Nato bombardment Yugoslavia in response to Serb violence against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. 2000: Bush Jr. ’01: 9/11, excuse for War on Terror. Invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Against Taliban. ’02: Department of Homeland Security. ’05: Hurricane Katrina. ’08: Democratic Obama, 1st black president. ’09: 1st Tea Party rally = protest against bailing out banks and introduce healthcare reform. ’11: Presumed Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden killed. ’13: Snowden flees to Russia after leaking info on extensive internet and telephone surveillance by US. ’14: Diplomatic relations with Cuba. ’16: Trump. ’17: Trump restricts visas for Muslim-majority countries. Recognises Jerusalem as capital of Israel & sovereignty over Golan Heights. ’18: Trump meets Kim Jong-un (North Korea). New Trade deal with Canada & Mexico. ’19: Withdrawing troops from northern Syria. Turkey occupy Kurdish-run parts, create buffer zone. Trump impeached by House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. ’20: Covid-19 pandemic. Nationwide protests about killing of African-American George Floyd. ’21: Biden. ’25: Trump again. 
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Local Festivals

  • Wurstfest - Jan, Mount Angel
  • Backcountry Festival - Jan, North Powder 
  • Portland Winter Light Festival - Feb, Portland
  • Oregon Chocolate Festival - Mar, Ashland
  • Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Mar, Ashland
  • Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival - Mar-May, Woodburn
  • Portland Cinco de Mayo - May, Portland
  • Portland Rose Festival - May, Portland
  • Musicfest NW - May, Portland
  • Space Oasis Music Festival - Jun, Grass Valley
  • Oregon Country Fair - Jul, Veneta
  • Waterfront Blues Festival - Jul, Portland
  • Pendleton Whisky Music Fest - Jul, Pendleton
  • Pickathon - Aug, Happy Valley
  • Oregon Jamboree - Aug, Sweet Home 
 

Budget Bites
​
  • Main Supermarket Chains (Oregon): Trader Joe’s, Safeway, Wholefoods, Grocery Outlet, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Kroger, QFC, Albertsons.
  • Local Dishes (national): Hamburger, Hot Dogs, Buffalo Wings, BBQ Ribs, Roasted Turkey, Mac & Cheese, Meat Loaf, Sweet Potato Casserole, Fried Okra, Cobb Salad (avocado, chicken, hardboiled egg), Tex-Mex, Crab Cake, Corndogs, Clam Chowder, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Crayfish, General Tso Chicken, Chicago-Style Pizza, Chicken & Waffles, Biscuits and Gravy, Mission Burrito, Cheesesteak, Cornbread, Peanutbutter & Jelly Sandwich, Club Sandwich, Frybread, Po Boy (sandwich), Reuben Sandwich, Sloppy Joe, American Pancakes, Breakfast Burrito, Monterey Jack Cheese, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Brownies, Fudge, Jell-O, S’mores, Donuts, Hushpuppies.
  • The Veg Situation: Going veg is not so complicated in the United States, as vegetarianism and veganism is widely accepted. Most supermarkets contain veg products, be it very processed at times. Veg restaurants can be found here:  https://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/
  • National Drink: Coca Cola. 
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Sleep Cheap
​
  • Hostels / Hotels / Guesthouses: You probably knew already, before even booking your trip, that visiting the USA isn’t cheap. This goes for accommodation as well. Without being paid to say so, I love Booking.com: They have the biggest selection, are transparent about the final price and have an efficient search engine tailored to your specific needs (cheapest first!). If you use it often enough, Genius-discounts are applied. Air BnB is not what it used to be, price-wise, often displaying even higher rates than hotels. Be mindful of the additional booking and cleaning costs as well, as they can really add up. Writer’s Choice: In Portland I partly did a house- and petsit, and partly Couchsurfed. In Eugene I Couchsurfed as well. In Florence I wild-camped in the dunes, whereas in The Dalles I stayed in a hotel.
  • Couchsurfing: allows you to stay with locals. Nowadays it has a moderate sign-up cost (unless you put a third-world country as homebase), but paying extra for verification is unnecessary: Positive reviews are way more important. Once active, there are no costs for staying at someone’s house. In order to get accepted, make sure to write an elaborate review explaining why you applied to this specific profile and think you and your host are a good match (copy-pastes tend to be ignored). The Couchsurfing community in the US definitely is a rather active one, incl. events organized in most of the cities. If you’re bikepacking you can also look into Warm Showers, which is a bikepacking community focussing primarily on 1-night stays.
  • Wild Camping: is officially legal in the US on public lands and in national forests, grasslands and wildlife management areas. In national and provincial parks  as well as in the backcountry camping is only allowed with a permit, sometimes for a fee.
 

Mama Said

  • Safety: Overall, the United States is a safe country. Yet, all cities deal with a major drug addiction and homelessness problem, which can bring safety in jeopardy. Also, with guns legal to all, gun violence is always around the corner. Don’t trespass, interact with caution and like everywhere else in the world, go around using common sense.
  • Tap Water: is safe to drink. 
  • The best credit/debit card for traveling is Wise, as they use the live conversion rates with minimal exchange fees. Wise also has the lowest fees for sending money to foreign accounts. That said, I do find their customer service rather questionable. Revolut is comparable, but they have higher exchange fees in the weekend and less wallet-options. Also, you can only wire money to Revolut in the currency you opened the account with, whereas Wise has IBAN’s from a wide variety of currencies, so you don’t have to pay a double exchange fee. Both Revolut and Wise have the option to open an American Dollar wallet. Most American ATMs charge a fee for cash outs, but card payments are accepted everywhere.
  • Simcard: This can be of considerate cost in the United States. However, lately the market is opening up with more budget players entering the scene. During my 5-month visit, I order a Mint Mobile simcard, which has great coverage and offers low cost packages with particularly economical deals to new members. Other budget operators are Boost Mobile, Lyca, Mobile X, Ultra Mobile, Visible, Cricket, Metro and Tracfone. The main providers are AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. 
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Transport
​
  • Walking: The bigger American cities are quite spread out and designed for car traffic. Walking is generally a feasible option per neighbourhood, but might be too much of an effort on a city-wide level.  
  • Cycling: The United States does not have a cycling culture whatsoever. However, recently many cities are making an effort to promote this green way of transport by building cycle lanes and creating shared-bike-programs.
  • Public Transport: Within the bigger cities, public transport is usually widely available. Expect an extensive bus network, potentially including a metro, tram or light rail network. On the coast, ferries are generally included in the public transit system. Day passes offer affordable deals within the city limits. To get from city to city, public transportation options are limited to bus lines and certain train connections. Smaller towns and villages are harder to reach.
  • Taxi / Uber: The US has taxi apps such as Uber, Lyft and Easy Taxi.  
  • Train: The train network in the United States is limited. Trajectories are operated by Amtrak, BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. The cities on the east- and west-coast are well-connected, but land inwards only certain routes are available. Find an overview on this map. 
  • Car Rental: This is not a cheap option in the US. However, the best deals can generally be found when the car is picked up from an airport or… from Las Vegas.
  • Hitchhiking: is uncommon in the US, but certainly possible. Americans tend to be sceptical and scared in this regards, so it’s definitely not always easy to be picked up, yet I managed to get a ride on all the occasions when I tried to do so. Be aware that on some highway entries and around correctional facilities there are signs stating that hitchhiking is prohibited. More info on hitchhiking in the USA can be found on Hitchwiki. 
 
Next?
​
  • In The US: Washington, Montana, Idaho.
  • International Destinations Close By: Canada, Mexico, Cuba. 
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