Thread: Tell me about Travelling in the US

Next Summer i will spending a month or two studying in Boston, that's providing i can get the funding.

But i plan to do a bit of traveling whilst i'm there, maybe meet a few people, see the sights or what not. But i'll be honest, i know nothing of being on my own in the US, i know nothing about the transport and cost of living etc.

Obviously i can't branch out too far due to the budget being tight, but i'm sure i'm well within reach of most places within the east coast.

1. Is it easy to get around?
2. Where are the best places to go?
3. Is it costly moving around and living over there?

Any general advice is great, as you can probably tell, i'm new to all of this "On your own in a big country" stuff.

I'm afraid I can't be of too much help in the travel area, as I don't travel much, but there are Greyhound buses that go most everywhere and are fairly affordable. Last I heard, you could go anywhere in the US for $80, but I don't know if that still holds true, or for how long it will with fuel prices still on the rise. Up and down the east coast there are also trains, but I know even less about them. No clue about taxi-cabs and the like, or even much about rental cars.

As far as best places to go... How about a nice little place called Callaway Gardens, in Pine Mountain, Georgia? I've got a yearly pass. I'll throw out some other suggestions in a bit, but you really should come visit me!

Motels average anywhere from about $35 a night on the cheap, not-so-great end to upwards of $120 a night in the pretty-good-to-very-nice range. Other than that... Like I said, I don't travel much.

Public transportation isn't that great in the United States, because almost everything is far away from everything else, but greyhound buses are usually worth it.

Hotels and Motels are a bit more expensive then they should be, if you are planning on spending many nights in america, choose one type of hotel and stick with it, I know Comfort Inn gives discounts and special rates to repeat users. My uncle travels alot and always stays at comfort inns, they usually have a deal like; if you stay two nights, the third one is for free. I'm not sure about other hotel chains, but go to the front counter and ask about special deals. Its worth it.

Boston sucks. All of the roads were made in like colonial times (the last time the British saw them) so they are very confusing to drive. Everyone is confused about where to go and the few that aren't confused honk ALL THE TIME. I live in Chicago and I've been to New York and I have never heard as much honking and seen as many angry people as in Boston. But I assume you won't be driving so it shouldn't matter. That was just my rant. The accent is also very annoying.

That said. The schools there are fantastic and fun to visit. If you get bored you can just look at some other schools. Boston College has the best campus I have ever seen. Of course that is very subjective.

I am not sure where you are from, but if the cost of living is anything like London, it is a lot cheaper to live here.

Oh, and find the next showing of Blue Man Group and go (it plays in New York and I assume Boston also). I am not sure if that is international.

Second the Blue Man Group, those guys are amazing.

Greyhound is probably your best bet for cheap transportation, though it takes a while to get around that way. Public transit in cities varies considerably and is mostly poor quality--I live in one of the few exceptions, Cleveland, but I have no idea of the situation in Boston. The only other US city I've seen a decent transit system is NYC.

What are you hoping to see? Cities? NYC and DC are probably within reach for you, and definitely worth a walking tour. Natural wonders? I have no idea what's right in that area. Your best bet is probably to make connections through where you're studying--you'll probably find people willing to show you around Boston or even make some daytrips to show off their favorite places. You won't have time to explore even much of Boston in a couple months, so you'll have to prioritize what you want to see.