HOWDY
RANCH
To guide you once you're there: To make sure that we didn't miss out on anything, we checked on websites such as Pinterests, Tripadvisor, Yelp, the app AroundMe or even some blogs we found on the internet searching for "blog New-York", "blog California",...
These tools can help you to find: bars, restaurants, hotels, pharmacies, coffee shops, activities, events, museums, ... Everything you will need!
Renting a car: your first instinct might be to visit a comparator, like Kayak, to get an idea about prices and entreprises.
Note:
- if you book a car from France for the USA, that will be much cheaper. Once you arrive in USA, you might know someone who can do that for you from Europe.
- Be sure to check with your bank, it is possible that if you pay with your French credit card, you will be insured.
- rates for people under 25 are not displayed on comparator websites, thus, expect to pay more than the prices that are displayed. The comparator's purpose is to guide you to the 2 or 3 cheapest companies. Afterwards, launch simulations on their websites:
Our experience with Airbnb et Couchsurfing:
"I regularly rent with that website and I never had any issue. You can pay online safely. You can save money for your future trips with friends sponsoring and you will receive deals from time to time."
"Website to be used everywhere in the world. It is important to read reviews left by previous users in order not to get to bad spots. Usually people that lease their appartment on airbnb are available and will give you a lot of tips to visit the surroundings."
"This website offers me to visit every country while meeting people who live in totally different universes and saving money at the same time!"
"Couchsurfing is also a way to meet people with the same centers of interest: paragliding, cinema, dance, business,..."
Find your housing: Obviously, you can book a hotel through websites like booking.com in order to find good deals.
You can also register on airbnb, in order to rent a room in an apartment, or an empty apartment in general! This website is very safe, and usually has good prices. It is also a great way to meet Americans.
Finally, Couchsurfing will allow you stay with local inhabitants, without having to spend anything. Step by step, you will create your network, and you will also get recommendations. The idea is obviously to be available when a couchsurfeur comes to visit your city, at least to have a coffee and to give him some tips!
Book a flight ticket: to book a flight for an attractive price, you will need the essential "matrix" created by Google. It will allow you to compare prices from different departure and arrival airports to optimize your trip. You also have the possibility to set precise dates, or to give a 1 month span. The matrix will give you the cheapest dates, and it will give you the website of the airline where you would have to book your ticket. You can also use Kayak.
NB:
- you can find the application "OnTheFly" for your smartphone or your tablet. The app is way easier to use than the website!
- some companies, like Southwest airlines, are not referenced in the comparators
Practical tips
