9+ Cheapest Places To Travel Now In USA: USA Travel Guide On A Shoestring

Nov 11, 2024

Last Updated on: Aug 25, 2025

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The USA has much to offer with its natural abundance, wildlife, and historic and archaeological sites. National parks are the cheapest places now in USA. However, the USA also has beaches and small towns, allowing you to enjoy many marine activities and a quiet holiday.

Further, the most affordable travel destinations in the USA are perfect for all types of tourists. You can be a solo traveler eager to soak in the unmissable energy of the country, or you can even be on a much-awaited family vacation. 

So, let’s explore the options and hit the locations you will love!

Cheapest Places To Travel Now In USA: Know The Budget-Friendly Destinations

Cheapest Places To Travel Now In USA

The tourism market in the USA is growing. By 2029, the tourism market in the USA is expected to reach a whopping revenue of US$214.40. 

After COVID-19 impacted the tourism scenario of the USA and all other countries, these new figures are more than promising. Further, the USA has generated its tourism revenues through online sales, and it is likely to leave all other countries behind in the sales figures. 

It’s time for you to experience the best tourism experiences the USA offers. Further, the cheapest places to travel now in USA are available for everyone, eliminating the budget hiccups. 

1. Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Location: Wyoming

Nearest Airport: Jackson Hole Airport

The U.S. News list for the cheapest places to travel now in the USA has Grand Teton National Park at the top. You can travel to this park from various parts of the USA by car. 

You can fly to the Jackson Hole Airport and take a car ride from there. At this national park, the pocket pinch per person is just $35 in the form of entry fees. 

The Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center tells you about the unique history and geology of the park while you can indulge in the wonderful view of the Teton Range.

At Grand Teton National Park, you can also participate in outdoor pursuits like hiking, mountain climbing, and kayaking. 

2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nearest Airport: Philadelphia (PHL) Airport

Best Place to Stay in Philadelphia: The Logan Philadelphia, Curio

Philadelphia, one of the cheapest places to travel now in USA, will introduce you to the history of the country. Taking a walk down Philadelphia’s Old Town is an experience that triggers goosebumps. 

Further, Old Town is the first Heritage City in the USA, and it is the “birthplace of the nation.” Your budget here is not a constraint at all. You must explore the following activities to learn much with spending less than one can expect.

  • The Liberty Bell
  • The President’s House (It was the original White House before the one now in Washington, DC.)
  • Elfreth’s Alley

Further, Philadelphia is famous for its beer. You can tour the local breweries and beer gardens to cherish the best beverage. 

3. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

Location: California

Nearest Airport: Yosemite International Airport (FAT)

Yosemite National Park stands out due to its rich geological features. You will find amazing glacier features complemented by large granite domes here. 

May to September is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park. Further, hiking is the most popular outdoor activity in Yosemite National Park. 

The hiking trails will take you to beautiful waterfalls, lakes, and mountain summits. As you take a walk through these trails, you will also encounter the wonderful wildlife in the park.

While in Yosemite National Park, you can explore the following hiking trails.

  • Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
  • Nevada Fall via the Mist Trail
  • Lower Yosemite Falls Trail 
  • Mirror Lake Loop

Moreover, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this national park is famous for rock climbing and stargazing. 

4. Arches National Park

Arches National Park

Location: Utah

Nearest Airport: Moab (CNY) Airport and Grand Junction Airport 

As the name suggests, Arches National Park has some of the most amazing natural geological formations in the world. Further, the formation of these stone formations has a history of 65 million years. 

Once you enter the national park, you will find more than 2000 stone formations. Further, these arches look surreal, bathed in sunrise and sunset lights. 

You will love the following arches in the park.

  • Delicate Arch
  • North And South Windows
  • Landscape Arch
  • Navajo Arch
  • Turret Arch

However, Double Arch, the tallest natural rock formation in the park, collapsed in August 2024. It was one of the important geological landmarks in Utah and the USA. 

5. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Location: Wyoming 

Nearest Airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

Yellowstone National Park, one of the cheapest places to travel now in USA, offers you the best wildlife experience. It is also a place to learn about human history as it tells the tales of Native Americans who lived here around 11000 years ago. 

Moreover, Yellowstone National Park has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique geothermal properties. You can visit the following spots and get drenched in geothermal water with healing properties.

  • Old Faithful
  • Castle Geyser
  • Riverside Geyser
  • Steamboat Geyser

Furthermore, the most prominent wild animals you will meet here are elks, black and grizzly bears, American bison, bighorn sheep, etc. 

6. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Location: California

Nearest Airport: Palm Springs International Airport

Joshua Tree National Park is a great place to travel in the USA on a budget because 85% of this national park is still pristine wilderness. Further, with a history of human lives of 15000 years, Joshua Tree National Park has spiritual significance. 

The Joshua trees, with their raised branches, reminded the Mormon pioneers about Joshua. Joshua stretched his arms to the sky and prayed for the Israelites. He also led Israelites to the promised land. 

Moreover, being a pristine landscape, Joshua Tree National Park is great for stargazing. Pinto Basin, Hidden Valley, and Quail Springs are the best spots in the park for gazing at the night sky. 

7. Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Location: Montana

Nearest Aiport: Glacier Park International Airport

Sharing its border with Canada, this national park in the USA is a priceless mine of wildlife, fossils, and geological wonders. There is a reason why Glacier National Park is called the “Crown of the Continent.”  

With 1,583 square miles of wilderness and 700 lakes, this park also boasts many hiking trails. To explore the best of the park, you must hit trails like the Avalanche Lake Trail, Highline Trail, Siyeh Pass, and Hidden Meadow. 

8. Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park

Location: California

Nearest Airport: Fresno Yosemite International Airport

As you can know from the name, the giant sequoia groves are the main attractions of Sequoia National Park. Further, the landscape of Sequoia National Park is varied, and you can encounter a variety of wildlife creatures like mountain lions, bears, bobcats, and gray foxes. 

You must pay $35 to enter the national park with a vehicle. Further, hiking through the trails and participating in the ranger-led programs will more than makeup for the fees. 

9. Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park

Location: Washington

Nearest Airport: Seattle-Tacoma International

With an area of 1 million acres, Olympic National Park has the best vistas of “glacier-capped mountains.” Further, it is the hub of outdoor activities like fishing, stargazing, and hiking

However, the biggest attraction of the Olympic National Park is the different species of whales you get to see. The best months for watching whales in Olympic National Park are April and May and October and November. 

10. Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor

Location: Maine

Nearest Airport: Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport

Bar Harbor, one of the cheapest places to travel now in USA, is a quiet seaside destination for anyone looking for a relaxing holiday on a budget. It is also the gateway to the Acadia National Park. 

You will love the scenic views here while taking a stroll along the Shore Path. In addition, you can enjoy a family picnic at waterfront Agamont Park. 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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If you are traveling solo, it will be easier, considering the cabin's layout is 1-2. The window aisle is cool for solo travelers. The leg space in front of the seats is quite spacious compared to other low-budget carriers. The window placements are also good, as they are at an appropriate height. The flight attendants were quite relaxed in their approach as they offered passengers to sit anyplace they liked, as many seats were empty. Especially on weekdays, the crowd could have been better. There were also options for water and snacks served by the Flight attendants, with choices between graham cracker squares or granola bars. The Drawbacks That I Noticed The flights have tiny overhead bins, which is a way of restricting carry-on luggage. There is less security even though there is a justified reason that there are a limited number of people. However, it cannot be a reason for scarce security! 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