How to Find Cheap Hotels In the United States

The continental U.S. spans over 3,000 miles east to west and 1,500 miles north to south and includes the Pacific islands of Hawaii and the northern area of Alaska between Canada and Russia. The United States is, in fact, so large and diverse that culture, cuisine, dialects and customs can vary from state to state.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Accommodations

1. Explore lodgings for all destinations in the United States when you visit the U.S. Tourist Office website. Also each state in the nation has its own tourism office. (see Resources below)

2. Camp under the stars for truly cheap accommodations. The United States has extensive campgrounds, often with visitor centers and facilities. Entrance fees can be as low as $8 per night per campsite.

3. Enjoy the comforts of home in a bed-and-breakfast, a cozy inn that usually offers home-cooked meals.

4. Opt for a vacation rental if you are traveling with a large group or family. Vacation rentals are especially popular in cities with high rates of tourism. They are essentially rentable houses, usually with kitchens, multiple rooms and back yards.

5. Stay in a motel; they're safe and inexpensive, especially in rural areas. Rooms can cost as little as $20 per night. In cities that attract a high number of tourists, expect to pay about $100 a night.

Transportation

6. Get around the United States by plane for long hauls or by bus and train for shorter distances. The further in advance you book, the lower the airfare. Cheap bus and train tickets can usually be bought for same-day travel with no penalty.

7. Book a package deal through travel agencies. This will generally include travel and hotel accommodations, as well as possible discounts on venues and events. For major cities, this can mean big savings.

8. Rent a car and see the land. For touring families, this is easily the best bargain. Car rentals are relatively inexpensive, and gas prices are still low compared to the rest of the world.

Know Your Destination

9. See some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. From the Rocky Mountains, to the Grand Canyon, to the beaches and redwood forests of California, the United States is blessed with abundant natural beauty.

10. Experience the "melting pot" of America. Including Native Americans, African-Americans and immigrants from every country on earth, the United States is the most culturally diverse nation on the planet.

11. Experience world-class sports, theatre, art and more.

Tips & Warnings

• For information about traveling to the United States, contact the U.S. Department of State by visiting their website (see Resources) or by calling. From within the U.S., call 1-888-407-4747; from overseas, call 202-501-4444 (plus your country's overseas code).
• Dial 911 from any phone to connect to the emergency service system.
• The United States is diverse, but can be inhospitable to strangers in certain homogenous, small-town areas.