We don’t all have the funds to be travelling to the United States of America. Although, as students, plenty of different opportunities present themselves throughout the duration of our degrees.
We might be fortunate enough to travel to the USA for overseas placements, summer camp jobs and/or to study abroad: witnessing some of the fantastic sights and prospects that the country has to offer. Whilst this doesn’t make it cheap, it does provide students with the opportunity to truly embrace the wonders of the USA under circumstances that wouldn’t usually present themselves if we weren’t at university.
In May this year, I travelled to Los Angeles in California, Las Vegas in Nevada and the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona during a week of annual leave from my university placement. The vastness of the USA is truly fascinating.
I had the most energetic, fast-paced and busy week I’ve ever had. From the Hollywood Hills to the Fountains of Bellagio and the Grand Canyon; it was a genuinely life-changing trip, albeit a costly one.
Traveling whilst budgeting means you don’t want to be hit with unexpected costs. Making sure you’ve got the correct travel insurance is another great way of preserving your budget. The government’s advice on travel insurance conveys how to purchase the right travel insurance.
Make sure you declare any medical conditions that you may have. Travel insurance is vital, it prevents incredibly expensive medical bills and ensures you receive the right cover for any activities that you plan on partaking in. Another unexpected expense that I encountered was tipping.
US Tipping Culture
Don’t get me wrong, tipping culture is always a great thing; workers end up being paid better wages and customers get more attentive service. However, the USA’s tipping culture is very high-priced, particularly in capital cities and popular destinations. This can really affect budgeting and is something more people should be aware of before travelling to the United States.
Money worries are no joke when you’re approximately 4000 miles away from home, especially if you’re travelling alone. Problems with money and budgeting feel extremely scary, intimidating and isolating. As well as travel insurance, government guidelines and advice, money is perhaps the most crucial factor when it comes to foreign travel.
When I was in LA this year, I spent most of my time in Hollywood. This is also where I was quite abruptly introduced to the expensive tipping culture of the USA. Due to prices rising pretty much everywhere in the world, this has also meant that expectations regarding tipping percentages have increased.
Some places in Hollywood expected a tip upwards of 25% for their services. When you just go out for drinks, alcoholic or not, you are also expected to tip.
Tipping isn’t just exclusive to food and drinks. Tour guides and most public sector workers expect to be tipped for their tours and services. For example, when I went on a Beverley Hills tour and a Las Vegas night tour, the driver and tour guide expected to be tipped at the end. There were signs all over the buses which promoted tipping and provided a minimum tipping expectation. This had such a massive impact on the overall price of day-to-day life.
It’s also wise to have an emergency fund saved should anything unexpected occur, potentially leaving you financially compromised whilst on holiday. Even with travel insurance, a trip to the doctor’s may set you back a couple of hundred dollars.
You may also need to pay the money out first, before claiming back on your insurance. Whilst travel insurance covers you for the most part, it’s always recommended that you have extra money saved if possible.
How to Budget for the US
The best way to budget and prepare for tipping in the USA is to be educated about it beforehand. Popular tipping culture suggests tipping between 15% and 25%. Again, I must highlight that workers expect tips on the larger end when you’re in peak tourist spots and cities. If you ‘undertip’, it’s possible that industry workers will confront you about this and ask why.
Below is a list of things you should tip for:
- Food
- Drinks
- Taxis and Ubers
- Tours and attractions
- Luxuries (such as spa days and salon appointments etcetera)
You should work out the approximate cost of your trip and add an extra 20-25% of this to your budget, so you can allow for tipping. Making sure you’ve budgeted correctly is the best way to enjoy your trip to the USA.
Preparing your tips and organising a budget before leaving is likelier to keep you safe and prevent issues whilst you’re travelling.
Get Advice Before Travelling to the US or Abroad
Budgeting is a challenging concept, particularly when you’re travelling. When ‘holiday mode’ kicks in and the compromising voice of ‘go on then, we’re on holiday’ is bounding around in your head, budgeting can seem impossible.
Managing this mentality can keep you safe and secure during your travels. It’s really important to be informed about the cultures, local laws and customs when you’re travelling overseas.
The quickest and best way to do this is to check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s travel advice. You can also sign up for travel alerts for the country you’ll be visiting. If any travel issues emerge before your trip or whilst you’re abroad, then you will be updated immediately.
This article was written by Georgia Pearson, a Student Brand Ambassador for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office