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Estimating a financial plan for your trip along the West Coast of USA can be rather challenging as costs vary considerably – it largely hinges on your lodging and food expenses: you can take an inexpensive trip to the West Coast, or alternatively, you can spend more than anticipated during your excursion through Western US.
In this post, we will help you estimate how much your itinerary traveling along the West Coast USA will cost, whether if you travel for 10 (as we did), 15, or 20 days.
WEST COAST USA TRIP COST BREAKDOWN
HOW MUCH DO FLIGHTS TO THE US WEST COAST COST?
One of the most important expenses to consider is the cost of flights to reach the West Coast. The three main airports for flying in and out of the West Coast are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.
Planning travel to these three locations that are quite distant requires considering preferences beforehand regarding flights. We`ve assembled a helpful guide for optimizing a itinerary for the West Coast.
If you don`t have much free time, I suggest purchasing a one-way flight into one city and out of another location, as this will provide more opportunities to discover intriguing places.
In our case, we took an inbound flight from New York City to Las Vegas and an outbound flight from San Francisco to New York City.
The cost of the flight from New York to Las Vegas was €245 per person.
Flight cost from San Francisco to New York = €220 per traveler
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HOW MUCH DOES RENTING A CAR IN West Coast America COST?
The next expense we have to take into account in our west coast US travel budget is a rented vehicle.
Public transportation is not exactly the strong point of the United States, especially in the West Coast. Generally, it is almost nonexistent, so the best way to travel to the West Coast is by renting a car.
We hired a rental vehicle in Las Vegas for €380. Additionally, we were charged a €45 drop-off fee for returning it at a different airport. And, of course, we purchased full coverage insurance for the 10 days for €200. Don’t skimp on car insurance even if that means an increase to your US West Coast travel budget.
Total cost for transportation = €725 (renting a car for 10 days)
For a hassle-free experience, I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance so you can bypass the lines.
ADVICE FOR SAVING MONEY on CAR RENTAL
Use an automobile rental platform like DiscoverCars, offering significantly better pricing and terms than the car rental agencies themselves. We’ve recently employed this website to search for rental vehicles and noticed cars in very good condition with comprehensive insurance coverage. It really assuaged our concerns.
HOW MUCH DOES GASOLINE COST ON THE WEST COAST of US?
While fuel is more expensive on the west coast than the rest of the US, it is still considerably cheaper than non-oil producing countries.
During our 10-day trip along the West Coast, we drove over 2,400 miles (4,000 km) and spent just €150 on gasoline.
Total cost for gasoline = €150 (4,000 km)
HOW MUCH DOES THE US VISA COST?
If you are from one of the countries on this list, you do not need a visa to visit the United States, only an electronic travel authorization called “ESTA”.
If you want to receive the ESTA directly via email within approximately 6 hours I recommend completing the process on iVisa.
Total cost for the ESTA per person = €30
HOW MUCH DOES TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE USA COST?
It`s more crucial than many other places to have travel protection for the United States. While I always advocate obtaining travel coveragewherever you go, the healthcare cost in this country is very steep. In an unfortunate scenario of needing to be hospitalized, your bill can easily surpass $10,000 without insurance. It`s recommended to have a policy with extensive coverage (never consider anything covering below $300,000).
You are able to get really good quality and price on insurance with Heymondo.
Total outlay for travel protection = 0.95 x 22.77 = € 22 / person
ACCOMMODATION COST FOR WEST COAST AMERICA – HOTELS AND CAMPGROUNDS
Depending on your preferences, lodging on the West Coast can be quite inexpensive or very expensive.
The cost of accommodations for two people in a motel will be around €150, and approximately €250 if it is a hotel.
And that wraps up our guide on the Jardin de Cactus in Lanzarote. I propose checking our tourist map of Lanzarote for specific areas of the premier places around the island. Besides, I advise visiting the Cactus Garden in the morning, so you have flexibility in how you spend your afternoon.
Check out this website to see what`s in the area.
We exclusively camped throughout our trip, some paid campsites inside the parks, and others with no charge. In total, we spent $75.
Total expense for lodging = €32 / person
Here you will discover the finest accommodations for the West Coast.
WHERE TO RESIDE IN SAN FRANCISCO
- HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel:Hostel located centrally in San Francisco that offers both shared and private lodging at very affordable prices. Free wireless internet is provided. Breakfast is included along with use of a kitchen for preparing one`s own meals.
- Buena Vista Motor Inn: Hotel offering complimentary parking in the heart of Lombard street. Wi-Fi and breakfast are provided at no additional cost. The surrounding area is quite secure for walking around at night. Just a brief stroll from Fisherman’s Wharf.
LOCATION OPTIONS IN THE LAS VEGAS REGION
- Venetian: Casino resort inspired by Venice, Italy with boat transportation included.
- Circus Circus:Themed casino hotel offering indoor entertainment park activities year-round.
- Stratosphere: High-rise casino resort with adrenaline experiences over 350 meters high.
- Bellagio: Inspired by Italy, this luxurious destination features gaming and attractions.
- New York – New York:Themed resort imitating New York City landscapes and artifacts.
- Paris Las Vegas:Ideally suited for couples seeking European flair with replicas of landmarks.
- Excalibur: Medieval themed casino hotel transports guests to royalty amongst castles.
- Planet Hollywood: Modern option with amenities and surroundings evoking Southern California culture.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN LOS ANGELES
- Hollywood Travelodge: Situated in near proximity to the renowned walk of fame. It provides breakfast, Wi-Fi and complimentary vehicular parking.
- Samesun Venice Beach: The premier option if one desires to enjoy the beachside boardwalk and coast of Venice. Cycle rentals are offered.
- Cal Mar Hotel Suites: Should proximity to Santa Monica beach be preferred, this option presents excellent value.
PLACES TO STAY IN GRAND CANYON
If we visit the South Rim, the most visited area of the Grand Canyon, it is quite crucial to lodge in the Grand Canyon Village, since two of the key attractions of this jewel of Western US rely on their sunrise and sunset views. Therefore, the nearer we are to the edge, the simpler it will be for us.
We camped at the Grand Canyon, at the Mather Campground on the South Rim.
If you prefer to stay at an accommodation, all lodgings at Grand Canyon Village are run by the company , and you can make reservations through their website.
WHERE TO STAY IN PAGE
- Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell: This hotel, situated in the center of Page, tends to run out of rooms quickly given its high reputation and the small, tourism-focused nature of the location. Advance booking is recommended.
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson: Undoubtedly the finest hotel in Page in terms of both cost and room amenities. While not located in the city center, it is nearer to Horseshoe Bend.
WHERE TO STAY IN BRYCE
Bryce is one of the prime locations to camp in the western region of the United States. In addition to two conventional campground sites ( North Campground and Sunset Campground), there are 12 backcountry campsites.
If camping is not suitable for you and you favor staying in one of the top hotels in the western part of the country, then I advise the Best Western Ruby’s Inn, a historic hotel at the gates of the national park that also has a camping area.
WHERE TO STAY IN ZION
- Bumbleberry Inn: One hotel near Zion with prices below $200/night and good value.
- La Quinta Inn: Another nearby hotel with reasonable rates that is highly rated, known for its breakfast buffet including homemade waffles.
WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY
If you want to enjoy the sunrise with spectacular views of the valley, I recommend camping at the site called The View Campground in Monument Valley. Reservations for this campground can only be made by telephone at +1 435-727-5802.
This camping area is associated with The View Hotel, a hotel managed by the Navajo Nation people that also provides magnificent scenery.
LOCATIONS TO LODGE IN SANTA BARBARA.
- Hotel Santa Barbara:One of the most suitable places to stay in Santa Barbara with a very good setting in the city center and in close proximity to the beach. It provides Wi-Fi, breakfast and free vehicle parking.
- The Eagle Inn:Positioned on the beach of Santa Barbara and in a lovely historical building. The price is somewhat higher but it incorporates a hot tub in the room.
WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE
During our Yosemite visit, we elected to camp at Camp 4, where the hippy movement originated in the 1960s before spreading across America.
However, if camping is not preferred, accommodations are amply provided. Some top hotels in Yosemite include:
LODGING ALTERNATIVES IN THE SAN DIEGO AREA
- Residing at Hotel Z:One of the top hotels located in downtown San Diego. Modern architecture and quite cost effective. It offers complimentary bicycles to its patrons.
- HI-San Diego Point Loma Hostel: A hostel with shared rooms, excellent value and situated next to the beachfront. Ideal if you visit San Diego with the aim of meeting other travelers.
PLACES TO STAY IN JOSHUA TREE
The best location to remain in Joshua Tree is in one of its campgrounds. There are 4 designated camping sites throughout the national park that may be reserved ahead of time, and an additional 4 campgrounds available on a first-come, first-served basis. All relevant information regarding the Joshua Tree campsites can be found on the National Parks Service website.
ACCOMMODATION IN DEATH VALLEY
- The Inn at Death Valley: This resort in the center of the desert is the most luxurious you`ll discover here. Recharge between your palm courtyard and its natural spring swimming pool and unwind in your spa area.
- The Ranch at Death Valley: Operated by the identical company as The Inn at Death Valley, it is the familiar and informal complement of the earlier one. If you wish to relax in a unique environment but without too much pretension, this lodging is for you.
- Panamint Springs Resort: This resort provides both tourist lodging and tent accommodation. It’s near the western entrance of the national park, from where you’ll have stunning views of the sand dunes.
WHERE TOURISTS REST IN MOJAVE DESERT
There are no motels inside Mojave National Preserve. Camping is the only way to spend the night. There are two family campgrounds open to all, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground and Mid Hills Campground. Both allow camping on a first-come, first-served basis.
Backcountry camping is also possible. For more information, check the US National Parks Service website.
LODGING RECOMMENDATIONS IN ARCHES
There are no sites for pitching tents or locations for lodging within the boundaries of Arches National Park. The optimum choice is to remain somewhere near one of the entrances to the park:
- Red Cliffs Lodge: All rooms provide panoramic perspectives of the Colorado River. Also, you can access a private living area containing a refrigerator and microwave. This accommodation represents the finest option if you visit Arches National Park from the west. Be certain to check out its western cinema museum.
- Under Canvas Moab: Positioned east of Arches National Park, this facility offers already erected tents, certain ones containing private bathing spaces. If you do not favor camping environments but still wish to attempt the experience, this serves as your choice. Additionally to the bed linens, the hotel will provide towels and flashlights. A highly convenient approach to discover a modicum concerning American camping culture.
WHERE TO STAY IN SEQUOIA
- Montecito Sequoia Lodge: This quiet lodging set amid woods and peaks offers a place to unwind surrounded by lakes, forests and towering hills. It has a dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets.
- Bearpaw High Sierra Camp: This well-established camp features 6 canvas tents built on wood floors. The panoramic views are amazing. Breakfast and dinner are part of the accommodation price.
- Wuksachi Lodge: It is the emblematic hotel of Sequoia, an incredible mountain hut constructed of stone and cedar situated in the heart of the park, encircled by a majestic sequoia forest and soaring peaks of the sierra.
LODGING NEAR HAVASU FALLS
The route initiates in the town of El Golfo, a small fishing village nearby one of the highly praised beaches in Lanzarote, Charco de los Clicos, a black sand beach. There is a parking area here where you can leave your vehicle, so I recommend investing the day exploring this region either before or after accomplishing the hike.
LODGING OPTIONS IN YELLOWSTONE
There exists just 9 hotels within Yellowstone National Park, therefore in peak traveler seasons, most visitors generally only locate lodging outside the park.
You are able to find the best choices on our guide on where to stay in Yellowstone National Park, but my favored hotels are:
ACCOMMODATIONS IN GRAND TETON
There are numerous places where one can remain within Grand Teton National Park, but my preferred locations are:
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO EAT IN THE WEST COAST?
Similar to accommodation, your choice of sustenance can make your trip cheap or very expensive. It is important to consider this for your West Coast America trip budget.
If dining at nice restaurants is desired, expect to pay $15 – 20 for breakfast and $20 – 30 per person for lunch/dinner.
However, there are two ways to spend significantly less on food. One is fast food, as it is the most affordable option in the United States. You can easily get breakfast, lunch, and dinner for approximately $5 each item.
Another option I suggest considering would be preparing meals yourself.
If camping, I advise bringing a Jetboil like the one recommended in this post to include with your adventure backpack.
We made a $185 food purchase upon arriving in Las Vegas and prepared meals throughout our trip. One morning, we indulged and relished a breakfast buffet at The Majestic Yosemite Hotel for $24 per person.
Total expenses on sustenance = €100 / person
TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
In addition to flights and car rentals, tours and activities were another significant expense of our trip to the West Coast. What you spend on activities along the West Coast will entirely depend on your planned itinerary.
For us, the initial major cost was purchasing the America the Beautiful annual pass, so we could access all national parks and some state parks for a flat $85 fee. Once you have scheduled your West Coast schedule, check if separate tickets or the annual pass is cheaper. Here is a list of all the recreational areas that are included in the pass. This saved us a significant amount on entry fees.
Other major expenses include optional tours that we took, such as the ones at Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon.
We took tours of both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Dani paid $130 for a photo tour and I paid $74 for the standard one at the Upper Antelope Canyon. The Lower Antelope Canyon cost us $27 each.
In conclusion, we arranged a Grand Canyon air tourthat was $150 per person. This trip accentuated our US West Coast vacation but was worth the slightly higher cost. I suggest reading our experience.
Total activities expenses = €270 / person
