East & West Coast USA
12 days from £3,495
Travel America for a super-sized adventure you’ll never forget! There’s no destination quite as famous and naturally diverse as this one, with 50 entire states that await exploration. Maybe you’re a New Yorker at heart and feel like the shining city that never sleeps is your true home. You could be a movie buff chasing the Hollywood sign and glistening golden coast, a hiker hoping to discover America’s finest national parks or a music lover hoping to rock out in Memphis, learn how to line dance in Nashville or sway to the sound of Jazz in New Orleans. Whatever kind of traveller you are, there’s bound to be a USA experience that suits you. No matter if you’re planning a gap year, epic USA road trip or a short but sweet getaway: Chase your own American dream today!
Read more in our USA Travel Guide.
12 days from £3,495
11 days
from £2,685 £2,138
12 or 21 days
from £3,005 £2,404
Epic LA to Miami road trip across the Deep South!
Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Vegas, Dallas, Memphis, New Orleans, Miami. This trip is non-stop iconic. Choose between 12 or 21 unforgettable days on the road.
13 days
from £3,385 £2,696
13 days
from £3,595 £2,875
8 or 14 days
Up to 12 months or longer from £8,599
4.5 1767 days to 6 months! from £40
5.0 6Drive across America on a budget in a unique campervan!
Hire a campervan and explore America at your own pace! Stay in funky hand-painted vehicles. Whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go - you're in the driving seat!19 weeks or longer from £13,150
4.5 171An epic round-the-world adventure of a lifetime!
Cross more places off your bucket list and do some in-depth travelling to Thailand, Bali, Australia, New Zealand and the USA - all on one breathtaking Round the World trip! Uncover hidden gems, glorious beaches, great landmarks and take yourself on a once in a lifetime trip!16 weeks or more from £10,999
4.5 166The USA’s climate variety is huge, with each of the five regions offering something different to travellers. From arctic wonderlands to tropical beaches and national parks, you can experience every end of the weather spectrum in just this one country. Escape to the Rockies for hiking trails and skiing, fall head over heels for New England’s autumn foliage and go for long walks on California’s golden beaches.
Because of how naturally diverse the country is, there’s always a good time to travel America and join USA tours! Some states have weather seasons, so it is always best to check before you travel for each region you plan to visit.
December and March is an ideal time of year for skiing and wintery city breaks. Meanwhile, June to August is perfect for beach days, Fourth of July parties and water activities. The shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October typically have milder weather and cheaper prices; so they’re a great time for exploring the national parks or planning a road trip.
America is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and so cultural customs will vary based on where you travel. Small talk and a smile go a long way here, as does respecting people’s personal space and beliefs.
Tipping culture is the norm here, and it is customary to tip 20-25% for bars, cafes, restaurants and taxis. While this sounds like a lot, the USA is comparatively cheaper than the UK when it comes to public transport, petrol and car hire. The portion sizes at restaurants are also much bigger, so you’re getting more bang for your buck!
The majority of British passport holders will be eligible for the ESTA visa waiver, but we always recommend that travellers check the list of requirements first before booking any trip in case they need to complete a visa application.
Your passport must be in good condition and be valid for the duration of your stay while visiting the USA.
Medical treatment is expensive and some hospitals may ask you to pay a deposit upon admission. Before you travel abroad, always organise travel insurance to cover the length of your stay. At least 8 weeks before you travel, check that you have the necessary vaccinations.
The USA is a great destination for tourists and general precautions are encouraged. Laws can change slightly from state to state, so it is always best to read up on each destination you plan to visit. Extreme weather is uncommon but can occur in some parts of the USA; follow the advice of local authorities in an emergency.
America is an incredible location to do a gap year in. With 50 states to explore, you’ll never run out of activity options or destinations here! There’s something for everyone in the USA - whether you’re a city break person, a nature lover looking to explore a few national parks or wanting to run to the nearest beach. We offer multiple America tours that cover country highlights and regions in closer detail, or you could even apply to be an Au Pair!
Flight times will vary slightly depending on which region of the USA you plan to visit, but most flights are typically direct. London to New York is typically the fastest route at around 7-8 hours, while flights to Nashville and Miami take around 9 hours. If you’re visiting Los Angeles from London, your flight length will typically be 11 hours and 20 minutes. Finally, if you are flying to Alaska or Hawaii from London, there will be one stopover as flights take at least 13 hours and 17 hours each.
Because the minimum wage in America is quite low, workers rely on tipping to make up this difference. Travellers are encouraged to tip 20 to 25% for services like at a restaurant, bar, cafe, hotel, taxi or delivery food service. However, sometimes your tip will automatically added to your bill as a gratuity; if you see this, then it means you don’t have to tip any extra (although you’re welcome to!). If you join one of our America tours, then the trip leader will be happy to go over how tipping works in the USA.
Most car hire companies in the USA will only accept drivers who are aged 21 or over. It is sometimes customary for drivers who are under the age of 25 to pay a higher amount in insurance to cover their car hire. While a USA road trip is an incredible travel opportunity, it may be more budget-friendly for you to join one of our USA tours or look into renting a campervan where you can take your accommodation with you!
The legal drinking age in the USA is 21. While this can be frustrating for under 21 travellers, a gap year in America can still be a fantastic experience with epic national parks, exciting city breaks and exhilarating theme parks for you to explore!
Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay in the USA. Most British passport holders are eligible for the ESTA visa waiver, but we always encourage travellers to check the requirements before they book any America tours or trips. Your ESTA visa waiver will cover any trip to the USA for tourism purposes under 90 days.
12 trips
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