Travel Links

Traveling in the USA

Adventure Tours

• Several operators provide organized travel/ adventure tours in the USA. For the best information, contact the the hostel where you plan to stay. Our hostels are the best source for local information and discounts on tours and attractions.
• Affordable Sightseeing Tours and Vacation Packages with Tours4Fun

Airfare/Airlines

• Many Airlines provide sevice between destinations with the USA. To get the best deal, it helps to research your options and book your tickets in advance.
• For discount flights for travel across America visit Cheapflights.com.

Things to do

• Discover America - www.discoveramerica.com
• Tickets.com - www.tickets.com
• United States National Parks - www.nps.gov

Ground Transportation

The USA is a big place. The distance from New York City to Los Angeles is almost 2,400 miles / 4,000 km. Its farther than going from Lisbon to Moscow. The transit systems in the USA are well developed, but interstate travel is dominated by a few national carriers. MegaBus is a great value coach service that connects with much of the HI-USA hostel network. AMTRAK is the national passenger rail service, and Greyhound is the largest motor coach operator. Many hostels will list directions from the nearest AMTRAK or Greyhound station. For destination or ticket information, see their websites below.

• MegaBus - Motor Coach service across the USA and Canada www.megabus.com
• Amtrak-Passenger train service across the USA - www.amtrak.com
• Greyhound-Motor coach service in the USA and Canada - www.greyhound.com

Guides

• Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel - www.frommers.com
• Let's Go Online - www.letsgo.com
• Lonely Planet Online - www.lonelyplanet.com
• Rick Steve's Europe through the Back Door- www.ricksteves.com
• Jeff Greenwald's The Ethical Traveler (13 Tips for the Accidental Ambassador) - http://www.ethicaltraveler.org
• Bakpak Travelers Guide - www.bakpakguide.com
• California Vacation & Travel Guide - www.go-california.com/

Travel Gear

• Altrec - www.altrec.com/travel
• ExOfficio - www.exofficio.com
• L.L.Bean - www.llbean.com
• Magellan's Travel Supplies - www.magellans.com
• Orvis - www.orvis.com
• Patagonia - www.patagonia.com
• Pacsafe - www.pac-safe.com
• REI - www.rei.com

Health, Safety & Documents

Planning ahead can help you make your next trip a safe and healthy trip. It helps should make yourself aware of any health or safety situatons that you may encounter on your journey. HI-USA members can take advantage of the basic travel insurance provided with your membership, or take advantage of upgraded coverage. Learn more about it here.

• Centers for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov/ncidod
• Embassies - www.embassypages.com
• TravelHealth.com - www.travelhealth.com
• U.S. State Department - www.state.gov/travel
• Visas - EmbassyWorld - www.embassyworld.com
• World Health Organization - www.who.int

Traveling Overseas

Guides

• Amazon - www.amazon.com
• Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel - www.frommers.com
• Let's Go Online - www.letsgo.com
• Lonely Planet Online - www.lonelyplanet.com
• Rand McNally Travel Site - store.randmcnally.com
• Rick Steve's Europe through the Back Door - www.ricksteves.com

Getting There

There are numerous flight options for international travel from all major centers across the USA. However, the range of options will vary depending upon the airlines actually operating in each particular center. This will impact the schedule and routing choices, as well as the flight costs from that center. Before you book your next international flight take some time to review multiple carrier option websites and as well as individual airline sites to compare, because prices can very greatly and change routinely, even for the same flight!

Getting Around

While travel across Europe has traditionally made use of the extensive rail network, budget airlines motor coaches are quickly becoming an inexpensive alternative. It helps to resarch your options as well as your itinerary to make the most of your time, and enjoy the journey.

• Backpack Traveler - www.europebytrain.com
• Europe on Rail - www.europeonrail.com

Health, Safety & Documents

• Centers for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov/ncidod
• Embassies - www.embassypages.com
• TravelHealth.com - www.travelhealth.com
• U.S. State Department - www.state.gov/travel
• Visas - EmbassyWorld - www.embassyworld.com
• World Health Organization - www.who.int