Any cheap ways to travel through the USA?

[Bandito]

I'm coming to the States in May, to work a season job as a construction worker.
I have a flight from Belgrade to New York, but I would be situated far from NYC, maybe even West Coast, and I have to pay travel expenses from there to my job location, and don't have much money, since I work for 100 euros per month here, so I have no idea how to get there.
So, traveling tips are appreciated, and hitchhiking is not an option, since I will be carrying a lot of bags because I'm going to stay six months there.

[praxis1966]

You can always take a Greyhound bus (http://www.greyhound.com/home/). They're not very comfortable and they're slow (I just checked and a trip from New York to Seattle takes 3 days), but they're cheap and reliable. I'd avoid Amtrak (the national train system) as it's even pricier than flying. Apart from that, most of the metropolitan areas in the US have cheap, reliable bus and/or municipal trains that you can use. Let me know if you're going to be in the San Francisco Bay Area and we'll toss back a couple of pints together.

[Robocommie]

Is Amtrak more expensive? I took a cross-continent trip recently and found it to be quite affordable.

[brigadista]

can you do that thing where you drive a car to deliver to someone who lives in the area where you are going to??? however US freeways are really boring and everywhere looks the same

[Guerrilla22]

You can take Amtrak, or Greyhound it will take a few days to get to the West coast from New York though.

[Robocommie]

can you do that thing where you drive a car to deliver to someone who lives in the area where you are going to??? however US freeways are really boring and everywhere looks the same

That's what I liked about the train, the tracks went to really out of the way places and it's amazing just how much the scenery changed as I travelled from the east to the west.

[Os Cangaceiros]

however US freeways are really boring and everywhere looks the same

That's not true at all.

[Robocommie]

That's not true at all.

Depends on where you are. I live in the rural Midwest, and really, the highways and interstates out here really do all blend together.

[praxis1966]

can you do that thing where you drive a car to deliver to someone who lives in the area where you are going to??? however US freeways are really boring and everywhere looks the same

You've obviously never driven along the Appalachian Trail, through New Mexico, Colorado, or Montana.


Is Amtrak more expensive? I took a cross-continent trip recently and found it to be quite affordable.Amtrak is affordable, but it's more expensive than flying. For instance, to use the NYC to Seattle example I gave above, by Greyhound it's 94 USD, flying Delta it's 189 USD, and by Amtrak it's 224 USD. And that's just Delta. I'm sure if he tried other airlines he could find something cheaper. Although, there's always the "romance" involved in traveling long distance by train.

[Spawn of Stalin]

On my last trip to the states I took a Greyhound from Seattle to Chicago, it took two days and cost somewhere between 100 and 200$. I can't say it was the best two days of my life, but it did go quite quick and the scenery was to die for. Would recommend.

[Spawn of Stalin]

Sorry Portland not Seattle

[praxis1966]

On my last trip to the states I took a Greyhound from Seattle to Chicago, it took two days and cost somewhere between 100 and 200$. I can't say it was the best two days of my life, but it did go quite quick and the scenery was to die for. Would recommend.
Odd. It usually doesn't even cost that much. How far in advance did you book?

[Robocommie]

Amtrak is affordable, but it's more expensive than flying. For instance, to use the NYC to Seattle example I gave above, by Greyhound it's 94 USD, flying Delta it's 189 USD, and by Amtrak it's 224 USD. And that's just Delta. I'm sure if he tried other airlines he could find something cheaper. Although, there's always the "romance" involved in traveling long distance by train.

Interesting, but yes, I think it's that romance that's going to keep me going back to the train every time. I really did love watching the scenery on the trip, and the fact that you could get up and relax in the observation car was nice. Plus, I actually met four or five people on that trip, from all different walks of life and backgrounds, and had some very interesting conversations.

It's funny, I haven't been on a flight since 9/11, so I've only heard about how awful airport security has gotten, never experienced it.

[Bitter Ashes]

You could try hitchiking. I dont know how safe that is in the USA

[Robocommie]

You could try hitchiking. I dont know how safe that is in the USA

Wouldn't recommend it.

[praxis1966]

Interesting, but yes, I think it's that romance that's going to keep me going back to the train every time. I really did love watching the scenery on the trip, and the fact that you could get up and relax in the observation car was nice. Plus, I actually met four or five people on that trip, from all different walks of life and backgrounds, and had some very interesting conversations.

It's funny, I haven't been on a flight since 9/11, so I've only heard about how awful airport security has gotten, never experienced it.

Bah, the whole airport security gripe really is just mountains being made of mole hills. I've flown several times since then, and I can tell you that it's just a bunch of *****y, overfed, over-caffeinated, boogie ass holes who think that the rules don't apply to them who are doing most of the complaining. But yeah, I get what you're saying about the train. I've always wanted to travel cross country by train for all the reasons you described. But, he was asking about cheap, lol.


You could try hitchiking. I dont know how safe that is in the USA

Or he could just smash himself in the face with a ball-peen hammer repeatedly, because if he hitch hikes in the US the end results are probably going to be the same.

[bcbm]

Wouldn't recommend it.
Or he could just smash himself in the face with a ball-peen hammer repeatedly, because if he hitch hikes in the US the end results are probably going to be the same. lol you guys watch too many shitty movies. hitching in the us isn't always great but it isn't a death sentence. everyone i know hitchs around, its not that bad. but the op said he couldn't hitch due to having lots of bags anyway.

[praxis1966]

lol you guys watch too many shitty movies. hitching in the us isn't always great but it isn't a death sentence. everyone i know hitchs around, its not that bad. but the op said he couldn't hitch due to having lots of bags anyway.

You could be right. Or it could be that I just don't like being told I have a purty mouth.

[Lacrimi de Chiciură]

If you're going "downstream" down any rivers, you can canoe or raft down them because waterways are public thoroughfares.

There is a lot of construction work in the midwest.

[Os Cangaceiros]

You could be right. Or it could be that I just don't like being told I have a purty mouth.

:lol: I admit, I laughed.

The couple times that I've hitch-hiked have been good experiences, but definitely would not recommend it if you're travelling long distances and actually want to get to your destination in a reasonable amount of time. It has been my understanding that the cops will arrest you if they see you hitch-hiking on the interstate system, so you'd probably have to do it on the secondary highways. I've known enough people who've done it (and survived, even!) to know that it can be an interesting way to travel, if you want to take your time.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Depends on where you are. I live in the rural Midwest, and really, the highways and interstates out here really do all blend together.

That's kinda true. I've driven through the prarie states (Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois) and it does get old after a while.

That said, there's an immense variation of topography in the United States, and there's some really cool spots to drive through, even on the main interstate highways (especially in the Southwest).

[Robocommie]

lol you guys watch too many shitty movies. hitching in the us isn't always great but it isn't a death sentence.

You're only saying that because you're a nihilist, bro. Just wait. One moment you'll be admiring the dude's upholstery... then you will BE the dude's upholstery.

That's right. Human leather.

[Bitter Ashes]

If you're going "downstream" down any rivers, you can canoe or raft down them because waterways are public thoroughfares.

There is a lot of construction work in the midwest.
I cant get the image out of my head now of Bandito's avatar holding onto a giant tree trunk down some rapids now and then going over a waterfall. :laugh:

[Bandito]

Thanks for the tips, people. Actually this Greyhound thing will be my choice for sure, since it is really cheap, and I really thank you all for helping.
As I said in the opening post, hitchhiking is not really an option because of my bags. Who can take a guy with 5 big bags in the car, and who can carry those bags from car to car?

[Stand Your Ground]

You could try hitchiking. I dont know how safe that is in the USA
It puts the lotion on the skin, or else it gets the hose again!

[Bitter Ashes]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Walters

For humour's sake I have to mention this :D

[Nolan]

You could try hitchiking. I dont know how safe that is in the USA

If you want to die a slow, painful death at the hands of a redneck psycho in the boondocks where noone can hear you scream, then have your skin worn as a suit, be my guest.