Being an all-time favorite holiday spot, the United States Of America boasts tons of monuments, national parks and lakes that draw travelers from all over the globe. From the glitzy glamor of California to the lush greenery of Colorado, the USA offers a mix of diverse travel opportunities for travelers with varied interests. The country is blessed with plenty of wide open spaces which make the destination a perfect choice for long road trips.
There are tons of war memorials and museums in the USA that promise a deep glimpse into the country’s glorious history. Owing to the pandemic’s devastating impact, the USA witnessed only 340 thousand Indian tourists in 2020. Thanks to dropping covid cases worldwide, a marked increase is being observed in the number of Indian travelers flying to the US. However, people who don’t avail foreign exchange in advance face money-related hassles after landing in the USA.
This is why you must buy foreign currency notes prior to embarking on your trip to facilitate a worry-free travel experience overseas. Online forex tools like BookMyForex can go a long way in simplifying your forex buying experience for international trips. With forex tools at your disposal, you can check live USD/INR exchange rates and do away with the hassle of dealing with money brokers.
Keep in mind that travel costs vary depending on various factors like time of the year, duration of your trip, destination city etc. However, you can easily come up with a rough budget estimate for your vacation by considering all the possible expenses. It is recommended that you use a blank spreadsheet with separate columns for documenting your travel expenses in an organized manner.
We will now throw light on the top 6 expenses you should consider while preparing a budget for your USA trip.
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Airfare
Before moving to major expenses, you must take into account the flight expenses. The cost of airfare will depend on the airline you choose for flying to the US. The cheapest one-way flight for a single individual from India to the USA will cost somewhere between $500 to $700. While an economy class ticket will cost a lot less than a business class ticket, you will have to compromise on luxury to some extent.
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Accommodation
When it comes to traveling to the US, finding a decent accommodation is vital for ensuring comfort and convenience. If you are seeking fancy interiors, splendid lighting and luxuries of 5-star hotels, be prepared to spend a four-figure sum. On the other hand, the typical rate for average hotels is around $80 for a single night. In case you want to cut down on accommodation expenses, you can stay in a hostel for as less as $35 per night.
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Meals
There is nothing more fun than enjoying the incredibly diverse flavors of the USA. What’s good is that a budget of $50 can easily fetch you a stomach-filling meal in any of the restaurants in all major cities. If you have plans to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the US, the meal will most likely cost over $300.
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Shopping
A trip to the US remains incomplete until you buy some interesting souvenirs for your family back home. Being a world famous holiday destination, the USA is full of vibrant markets and malls which are an absolute wonderland for shopaholics. From old-school license plates and statues to themed snow globes, you can buy all sorts of mementos for your vacation. Hence, it is best that you set aside at least $500 for unexpected shopping expenses.
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Transportation
Once you have landed in the US, the next step is to decide how you are going to commute across cities. Given that the US is a well developed country, it boasts a wide range of transportation facilities. If you are skilled at driving, you can simply opt for a car rental. An economy car can be rented for a day for as less as $17. Whereas the cost for a rented SUV would come to be around $30/day. Alternatively, you can boost savings by relying on public transport facilities like buses and metro.
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Documentation
It is extremely important that you carefully consider all the expenses related to travel documentation. If you have not traveled in a long time, you might have to spend a few bucks for your passport and Visa renewal. Take note that the passport renewal fee is going to be between ₹1,500 to ₹2,000. As a smart move, you should always keep some extra cash handy to deal with emergencies and unforeseen situations that may arise during your trip.
Takeaway
Given the wide range of sky-high buildings, picturesque landscapes and bustling boroughs, it is no wonder why the tourism sector is flourishing in the USA. Being one of the world’s most developed countries, the US attracts both travelers and working professionals who are on the lookout for lucrative career prospects. What makes the country worth visiting is its thriving nightlife and dance scene which can be witnessed in any of the nightclubs of Las Vegas, New Orleans, Chicago etc.
A visit to renowned landmarks like Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island is sure to add that extra zing to your vacation. There are loads of culinary hotspots in the USA where you can feast on a wide variety of delicacies and satiate your foodie cravings. You can head to a 5-star hotel and relish the premiumly slick interiors if your budget allows. If you are short on money, there are ample streetside food stalls in America where you can treat your taste buds like never before.
When you are traveling to the USA, carrying a camera is a must if you want to return home with unforgettable moments. Above all, see to it that you calculate your trip expenses in advance and choose a reliable online forex tool to pave the way for a smooth holiday experience in the US.
