Mid-Range Travel Guide: United States

Accommodation

$80-180 per night

Mid-range hotels, private Airbnb rooms, boutique inns, and chain hotels

Food & Dining

$40-85 per day

Casual restaurants, breweries, local cafes, some fine dining, and hotel breakfast

Transportation

$25-65 per day

Mix of public transport, regular rideshares, domestic flights, and car rentals

Activities

$30-75 per day

Paid attractions, guided tours, entertainment venues, national park fees, and cultural experiences

Cook meals in accommodations with kitchens instead of eating out for every meal (typically saves 60-70% on food costs)

Use public transportation and city transit passes instead of taxis and rideshares (usually 70-80% cheaper)

Visit free attractions like national monuments, public beaches, and hiking trails instead of paid theme parks

Book accommodations outside city centers and tourist districts (generally 30-50% less expensive)

Travel during shoulder seasons rather than peak summer or holiday periods (typically 25-40% savings)

Buy groceries at regular supermarkets instead of convenience stores in tourist areas (usually 40-60% cheaper)

Look for happy hour specials and lunch menus at restaurants instead of dinner pricing (often 30-50% less)

Relying exclusively on rideshares and taxis instead of learning public transit systems (can cost 3-5x more daily)

Eating only in tourist districts and hotel restaurants instead of exploring local neighborhoods (typically 100-150% markup)

Booking last-minute accommodations during peak travel times (often 200-300% higher than advance bookings)

Not researching free activities and assuming all attractions require paid admission

Exchanging money at airports and tourist areas instead of using ATMs or banks (typically 5-15% worse rates)