Planning a trip to the United States in 2026? You're looking at one of the world's most expensive travel destinations—but also one of the most diverse. From New York's skyscrapers to California's beaches, from Florida's theme parks to the Grand Canyon's vastness, the USA offers experiences you won't find anywhere else.
Here's the honest truth: the average traveler spends $325 per day in the USA. But budget travelers can manage on $121 per day, while luxury seekers might spend $925 or more. The difference comes down to where you go and the choices you make. This guide gives you real 2026 prices and practical strategies to make your American dream trip fit your budget.
Critical 2026 Changes: New Fees for International Visitors
Starting January 1, 2026, the USA has introduced significant fee changes that affect international travelers:
National Park Fees for Non-US Residents:
- $100 per person surcharge at the 11 most-visited national parks (on top of regular $35 vehicle entry)
- Annual Pass: $250 for non-residents (was $80, same as residents)
- US residents still pay $80 for annual pass or $35 per vehicle
- Fee-free days no longer apply to international visitors
The 11 parks with the new $100 surcharge include: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Rocky Mountain, Glacier, Acadia, Grand Teton, Olympic, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, and Joshua Tree.
What this means for your budget: If you're planning to visit multiple national parks, buy the $250 annual pass. It pays off after visiting just 3 parks. Solo travelers visiting only one park face a tough choice: pay $135 total (standard $35 + $100 surcharge) or skip it for less expensive alternatives.
How Much Does the USA Cost Per Day in 2026?
Your daily costs vary dramatically depending on your travel style and which cities you visit. Here's what real travelers spend:
Budget Traveler: $121-150/day
- Hostels or budget motels
- Fast food, supermarkets, cooking
- Public transport, walking
- Free attractions, national parks
Mid-Range Traveler: $200-350/day
- 3-star hotels, Airbnb
- Mix of restaurants and casual dining
- Car rental or rideshares
- Major attractions, some tours
Luxury Traveler: $500-925+/day
- 4-5 star hotels, boutique properties
- Fine dining, tasting menus
- Private transfers, rental cars
- VIP experiences, premium seats
Accommodation Costs by City
Hotel prices in the USA vary wildly by city. New York and San Francisco top the expensive list, while cities in the Midwest and South offer much better value.
Most Expensive Cities (2026):
- New York City: $175-327/night (low to high season)
- San Francisco: $150-300/night
- Miami: $120-250/night
- Los Angeles: $103-300/night
- Boston: $150-280/night
Budget-Friendly Cities:
- Phoenix: $80-150/night
- Houston: $90-160/night
- Dallas: $85-150/night
- Denver: $100-180/night
- New Orleans: $95-170/night
Accommodation Options:
- Hostels: $36-60/night for dorm beds (limited availability compared to Europe)
- Budget motels: $70-120/night (Motel 6, Super 8)
- Mid-range hotels: $150-250/night (Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn)
- Vacation rentals: $100-300/night (often better for groups)
- Luxury hotels: $350-800+/night
Money-saving tip: Stay outside city centers. A hotel in Jersey City costs 30-40% less than Manhattan but offers PATH train access in 15 minutes. Same strategy works in LA (stay in Pasadena), San Francisco (stay in Oakland), and Miami (stay in Fort Lauderdale).
Food Costs: The Tipping Factor
Food prices in the USA come with a hidden cost that catches international visitors off guard: tipping is mandatory. Add 18-25% to every sit-down restaurant bill, and budget $3-5 for coffee shop tips.
Typical Meal Costs (before tip):
- Fast food combo: $11-15 (McDonald's, Wendy's, Chick-fil-A)
- Casual restaurant lunch: $15-25
- Casual restaurant dinner: $25-45
- Mid-range restaurant: $40-70
- Fine dining: $100-300+
Budget-Friendly Food Options:
- Grocery stores: Trader Joe's, Aldi, Walmart—prepare simple meals for $15-25/day
- Food trucks: $8-15 for full meals
- Happy hour specials: 50% off appetizers and drinks (typically 3-6 PM)
- Lunch specials: Same restaurant, 30-40% cheaper than dinner
- Chipotle/Panera: $10-14 for filling meals, no tipping expected
Daily Food Budget Examples:
- Budget: $35-45/day (grocery breakfast, food truck lunch, casual dinner)
- Mid-range: $60-90/day (café breakfast, restaurant lunch, nice dinner)
- Foodie: $120-200+/day (brunch spots, trendy restaurants, craft cocktails)
Regional Specialties Worth Trying:
- NYC: Pizza slice ($3-5), bagels ($4-8), deli sandwiches ($12-18)
- LA: Tacos ($3-5 each), In-N-Out Burger ($8-12)
- New Orleans: Po'boys ($12-18), beignets ($5-8)
- Texas: BBQ plates ($15-25)
- San Francisco: Sourdough bread bowls ($12-18), dim sum ($25-40 per person)
Transportation: The Biggest Variable
The USA is massive—about the same size as all of Europe combined. Getting around is your biggest logistical challenge and often your largest expense.
Getting Between Cities:
Domestic Flights:
- NY to LA: $180-350 round trip
- NY to Miami: $150-280 round trip
- LA to San Francisco: $80-150 round trip
- Chicago to New Orleans: $120-220 round trip
Budget airlines (Spirit, Frontier, Southwest) offer cheap base fares but charge for everything—bags, seat selection, even water. Factor in $60-100 in fees for realistic pricing.
Amtrak Trains:
- NY to Washington DC: $50-150 (3-4 hours)
- Chicago to New Orleans: ~$110 (20 hours)
- NY to LA: ~$280 (3 days)
- USA Rail Pass: $499 for 15 days unlimited coach travel
Trains are scenic but slow. Best for the Northeast Corridor (NY-DC) and California coast.
Greyhound/FlixBus:
- Budget option: $30-80 between major cities
- NY to Boston: $25-40 (4-5 hours)
- LA to San Francisco: $35-60 (7-8 hours)
Getting Around Cities:
Public Transit:
- NYC Subway: $2.90 per ride, $34 weekly unlimited
- LA Metro: $1.75 per ride, $5 day pass
- Chicago L: $2.50 per ride
- San Francisco BART/Muni: $2.50-12 depending on distance
Rideshares (Uber/Lyft):
- Short trips: $10-20
- Airport transfers: $30-70
- Cross-city: $25-50
Car Rental:
- Economy car: $40-70/day
- SUV: $70-120/day
- Gas: ~$3.50/gallon (varies by state—California highest at $5+)
- Parking: $20-50/day in major cities
When to rent vs. not rent:
- Rent: Road trips, national parks, Florida, Texas, Southwest
- Don't rent: NYC, San Francisco downtown, Chicago—parking is expensive and stressful
Attraction and Activity Costs
Free Attractions (World-Class):
- All 19 Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC
- Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, High Line (NYC)
- Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier (LA)
- Getty Center, Griffith Observatory (LA)
- National Mall and monuments (DC)
- Most beaches nationwide
National Parks (2026 pricing for international visitors):
- Major parks: $35 vehicle + $100/person surcharge = $135+ total
- Annual Pass: $250 for non-residents (covers all federal lands)
- Less-visited parks: Many have no entry fee
Theme Parks (2026):
- Walt Disney World (Orlando): $119-209/day per park
- Universal Orlando: $119-169/day; Epic Universe: $139-199/day
- Universal Studios Hollywood: $109-159/day
- Disneyland (California): $104-194/day
Add $50-100+ for express/lightning lane passes if you hate queues. Multi-day tickets reduce per-day costs significantly.
Popular Paid Attractions:
- Empire State Building (NYC): $44-79
- Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island: $24
- One World Observatory (NYC): $43-63
- Alcatraz (San Francisco): $42
- Kennedy Space Center (Florida): $75
- 9/11 Memorial Museum (NYC): $33
- Museum of Modern Art (NYC): $30
City Passes:
- NYC CityPASS: $146 (saves 40% on 5 attractions)
- LA Go City Pass: $89-249 (multiple options)
- Chicago CityPASS: $115 (5 attractions)
Mobile Data: Your Critical Connection
Staying connected in the USA shouldn't drain your budget. International roaming charges are brutal—often $10-15 per day or $2-3 per MB. Over a 10-day trip, that's $100-150+ just for basic connectivity.
Your Options:
International Roaming (Avoid): $10-15/day from most carriers. A 10-day trip costs $100-150+.
Airport SIM Cards: $40-60 for limited data, requires store visit, wastes vacation time.
Simbye eSIM (Recommended): The Simbye USA eSIM runs on T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks—the same premium networks Americans use. Install it before you leave home, activate when you land.
Simbye USA eSIM Plans:
- 100MB FREE (app only)—test before you commit
- 1GB / 7 days: $3
- 3GB / 30 days: $8
- 5GB / 30 days: $12 (most popular for 1-2 week trips)
- 10GB / 30 days: $15
- 20GB / 90 days: $20
- 50GB / 180 days: $40
- Unlimited 7 days: $20
- Unlimited 15 days: $30
Why Simbye wins for USA travel:
- Premium network coverage (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T)
- Works coast to coast, including national parks
- Keep your WhatsApp number active
- Hotspot included—share with travel companions
- Install at home, no airport queue
- Top-up anytime if you need more data
- 24/7 human support (not chatbots)
Complete Trip Budgets for 2026
7-Day Budget Trip (NYC or LA):
- Accommodation: $560 (hostel/budget hotel, $80/night)
- Food: $280 ($40/day including tips)
- Transport: $100 (public transit + airport transfer)
- Activities: $150 (mix of free and paid)
- eSIM data: $12 (5GB Simbye)
- Total: ~$1,100 (excluding flights)
10-Day Mid-Range Trip (Multi-City):
- Accommodation: $1,700 ($170/night average)
- Food: $700 ($70/day with tips)
- Transport: $400 (domestic flight + car rental + rideshares)
- Activities: $400 (attractions, tours)
- eSIM data: $15 (10GB Simbye)
- Total: ~$3,215 (excluding international flights)
14-Day Road Trip with National Parks:
- Accommodation: $2,100 ($150/night mix of hotels/motels)
- Food: $980 ($70/day)
- Car rental + gas: $800
- National Park pass: $250 (international annual pass)
- Activities: $300
- eSIM data: $20 (20GB Simbye)
- Total: ~$4,450 (excluding flights)
Simbye vs International Roaming vs Airport SIM
| Feature | Simbye eSIM | International Roaming | Airport SIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Day Cost | $12-15 | $100-150 | $40-60 |
| Network | T-Mobile/Verizon/AT&T | Varies | Single carrier |
| Activation | Before departure | Instant | At airport |
| Keep Home Number | Yes (WhatsApp) | Yes | No |
| Airport Queue | None | None | 30-60 min |
| Hotspot | Yes | Usually extra | Sometimes |
| Top-Up | Instant in app | Automatic (expensive) | Store visit |
| 24/7 Support | Human agents | Call center | Store hours only |
15 Money-Saving Tips for USA Travel
Accommodation:
- Book hotels with free breakfast—saves $15-25/day per person
- Stay in secondary cities—Jersey City over Manhattan, Oakland over SF
- Use hotel reward programs—IHG, Marriott, Hilton points add up fast
Food:
- Eat your main meal at lunch—same restaurant, 30-40% cheaper
- Hit happy hours—3-6 PM for half-price food and drinks
- Grocery shop at Trader Joe's—high quality, reasonable prices
- Skip tourist area restaurants—walk 2 blocks for better prices
Transport:
- Book flights on Tuesday/Wednesday—cheapest days to fly
- Use Southwest for free checked bags—saves $70+ round trip
- Get weekly transit passes—NYC unlimited: $34 vs $2.90/ride
- Compare Uber vs Lyft—prices vary by 20-30% for same route
Activities:
- Visit museums on free days—many offer free evenings or specific days
- Calculate national park pass value—$250 annual pass breaks even at 3 parks
- Book attractions online—often 10-20% cheaper than gate prices
- Get eSIM before departure—save 85-90% vs roaming
Best Time to Visit the USA
Peak Season (Most Expensive):
- Summer (June-August): School holidays, highest prices everywhere
- Thanksgiving week (late November): Domestic travel surge
- Christmas/New Year (December-January 1): Peak pricing, crowds
- Spring Break (March-April): Florida and beach destinations
Shoulder Season (Best Value):
- September-October: Beautiful weather, fall colors, fewer crowds
- April-May: Spring blooms, pre-summer pricing
- Early December: Before holiday rush
Low Season (Cheapest):
- January-February: Post-holiday slump (except ski resorts)
- November (pre-Thanksgiving): Business travel only
Regional Considerations:
- Florida: Summer is hurricane season and brutally hot—winter is peak
- Southwest/National Parks: Spring and fall ideal; summer dangerously hot
- NYC: Year-round destination; December is magical but crowded
- California: Good year-round; May-October best for beaches
Entry Requirements for 2026
Visa Waiver Program (ESTA):
- Citizens of 41 countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days
- ESTA application: $21 (valid 2 years)
- Apply at least 72 hours before travel
- Countries include: UK, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, most of EU
B-2 Tourist Visa:
- Required for citizens of non-ESTA countries
- Application fee: $185
- Interview required at US Embassy
- Processing time varies (weeks to months)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget per day for USA travel?
Plan for $121/day on a tight budget, $200-350/day for comfortable mid-range travel, or $500+/day for luxury. Major cities like NYC and San Francisco run 20-30% higher than the national average.
Is the USA expensive compared to Europe?
Overall costs are similar to Western Europe, but the USA lacks budget infrastructure (fewer hostels, no cheap trains). Food portions are larger, potentially offsetting some costs. Tipping adds 18-25% to restaurant bills.
Do I really need to tip in the USA?
Yes, absolutely. Servers earn below minimum wage and depend on tips. Standard is 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, 15-20% for taxis/Uber. Not tipping is considered extremely rude.
Should I rent a car in the USA?
Depends where you're going. Essential for national parks, road trips, Florida, and Texas. Avoid in NYC, San Francisco downtown, and Chicago—parking is expensive ($30-50/day) and stressful.
How do the new national park fees affect my trip?
If you're not a US resident and plan to visit major parks like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, or Yosemite, budget $100 extra per person per park, or buy the $250 annual pass for unlimited access.
What's the best eSIM for USA travel?
The Simbye USA eSIM offers the best value with plans from just $3 for 1GB. It runs on T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks for premium coverage coast-to-coast, including remote national parks.
How far in advance should I book?
For best prices: flights 1-3 months ahead, hotels 2-4 weeks ahead (except peak season—book earlier). Theme parks require advance reservations at Disney and Universal.
Is public transportation good in the USA?
Excellent in NYC, good in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Washington DC. Poor to nonexistent elsewhere—most of America requires a car.
What's the cheapest way to see multiple cities?
Book budget airlines (Spirit, Frontier, Southwest) for inter-city travel, or use the USA Rail Pass ($499/15 days) if you prefer trains. Greyhound/FlixBus is cheapest but slowest.
Are theme parks worth the high prices?
Disney and Universal are bucket-list experiences but expensive. Budget $200-300+ per person per day including tickets, food, and add-ons. Multi-day tickets significantly reduce per-day costs.
Stay Connected with Simbye
The USA's size means you'll rely heavily on your phone for navigation, rideshare apps, restaurant finding, and staying in touch. International roaming costs of $10-15/day add up fast over a multi-week trip.
The Simbye USA eSIM gives you premium T-Mobile/Verizon/AT&T coverage at a fraction of roaming costs—starting at just $3 for 1GB. Install before you fly, activate when you land, and top up anytime you need more data.
Ready to explore America? Get your USA eSIM and enjoy the cheapest prices, instant activation, and 24/7 human support. Try our free 100MB trial—no credit card required.
Download the Simbye app for the easiest experience:
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