Je m'excuse de démarrer une nouvelle discussion sans doute maintes fois évoquées, mais j'ai passé du temps à consulté les posts qui m'intérressaient, et au final, j'ai pu lire des choses et leur contraire. Par conséquent, je fais appel aux connaissances des voyageurs avertis🙂
Donc je pars dans une quinzaine de jours dans l'ouest des USA pour faire le circuit suivant :
Las Vegas > Grand Canyon > Las Vegas (retour) > Los Angeles > San Francisco.
Peut-être un petit détour par Death Valley à prévoir, en fonction du temps qu'il nous restera.
Donc nous avons loué un véhicule pour 11 jours, et avons payé pour l'instant la somme de 425€ (soit environ 535 USD).
Un complément est à régler directement sur place à l'agence de location pour les prestations suivantes :
- GPS : environ 150 USD
- Conducteur additionnel : 107 USD (sachant que la personne qui m'accompagne est titulaire du permis depuis 1980...).
Pour en venir à l'essentiel, les frais de location du véhicule s'élèvent pour le moment à 535 + 150 + 107 = 792 USD (soit environ 620€).
Je trouve ce montant assez cher, mais bon, pour ma première fois aux States, je suis prêt à accepter certaines choses😎
En fait, ce qui m'interresse surtout, c'est de savoir si d'autres frais viendront se greffer au montant déjà indiqué au dessus :
- Existe-t-il des frais de "dropoff" entre Las Vegas et San Francisco, et le cas échéant, à combien ceux-ci s'élèvent t'ils ?
- Le fameux montant de la caution, pour un véhicule de catégorie intermédiaire ?
En fait, nous partons avec la somme de 3000€, et je commence à flipper un peu en pensant à tout ce qui nous reste à payer là-bas (essence, hôtels, nourriture, etc...).
Merci d'avance aux lecteurs qui voudront bien me répondre.
C'est clair qu'à ce prix-là, ce n'est pas une affaire du tout, votre location 😕 (avec quelle agence ?)
L'année dernière, pour 12 jours, à Los Angeles, 320 euros pour un mid-size SUV (Rav4), conducteur additionnel inclus et GPS compris. Chez Alamo via locationdevoiture.fr.
Vous ne pouvez plus annuler pour trouver plus intéressant ? 😕
PS : pas de frais d'abandon entre Las Vegas et la Californie. Ne les laissez pas vous en compter. Et vous pouvez toujours acheter un GPS sur place, ce sera bien moins cher et au moins, il sera à vous.
Circuit dans l'Ouest : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2744058
Floride-Louisiane : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=3536861
Une semaine à New York : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4550454
New York, again http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5593646
Justement, j'ai reservé ma voiture directement sur le site de Alamo.com. Ils m'ont prélevé la somme de 425€ sur mon compte, et dans leur mail de confirmation, il est indiqué que la somme de 261€ environ, sera à payer directement sur place.
La voiture que j'ai loué est de type intermédiaire (pontiac G5 ou équivalent).
Bien entendu, je peux annuler, mais le problème c'est que le départ est le 27 jullet, donc il reste que 13 jours, et je n'aurai pas le temps de récupérer mes sous avant mon départ.
Donc certes, je paye plus cher, mais je mets ça sur le compte de la saison estivale 😉, etc...
Vous êtes vraiment sûre que je peux refuser les frais de dropoff ? En fait, j'ai un peu peur de me faire rouler dans la farine, vu que c'est la première fois que je vais à Vegas... Je ne vois pas quel argument je pourrais leur opposer si je devais refuser de payer les frais d'abandon...
Et avez-vous des informations concernant la caution ?
A priori, un remboursement se fait quasi instantanément sur la carte de crédit.
C'est la loi, l'absence de drop-off entre la Californie et le Nevada. Faites une recherche sur le forum 😉. Il y a beaucoup de discussions sur la location de voiture.
Pour la caution, on n'en prélève pas, juste une empreinte de la carte de crédit.
Circuit dans l'Ouest : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2744058
Floride-Louisiane : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=3536861
Une semaine à New York : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4550454
New York, again http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5593646
Pas de frais d'abandon entre Las Vegas et San Francisco donc... Franchement, ca me rassure.
Au passage, je viens de consulter votre carnet de voyage dans l'ouest des USA que je trouve très bien fait🙂
Autre question : dans la mesure où tu es passée à Las Vegas, penses-tu que l'on puisse trouver des "cheap hotels" à cet endroit ? J'ai l'impression que c'est plutôt une ville très luxueuse (à moins que ma perception soit déformée par ce que je vois au cinema...) ? En fait, je n'ai pas trop envie de me ruiner pour simplement dormir. Un simple lit dans un placard me suffira amplement🙂
Oui, certainement, mais je ne peux pas trop t'aider car moi, j'aime les beaux hôtels 😉
Las Vegas est par contre l'occasion de se payer un très bel hôtel pour un prix très raisonnable. Et ce qui est super important à mes yeux, c'est d'être bien placé sur le Strip. Pour moi, le meilleur emplacement : aux alentours du Bellagio/Caesar Palace. Perso, je recommande toujours le Flamingo, très raisonnable, super bien placé, chambres géniales (Go Luxe with strip view et vue sur le strip. Environ 100/115 dollars hors w-e.
Et merci pour le compliment, ça fait plaisir ! 😉
Circuit dans l'Ouest : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2744058
Floride-Louisiane : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=3536861
Une semaine à New York : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4550454
New York, again http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5593646
Une dernière petite question : dans mon contrat de location, j'ai pu lire que j'avais souscrit une assurance CDW et une assurance "extended protection".
Est-ce que l'assurance extended protection est l'équivalent de la responsabilité civile chez nous ?
Concernant les hôtels, je me permets de répondre en passant par hasard : nous avins payé 30 dollar la nuit au stratospher ! c'était super, chambre immense (à l'américaine bien sûr) et le plus c'est qu'on pouvait aller gratuitement en haut de la tour et voir toute la vue magnifique sur LV et le désert, alors que sinon c'est assez cher.
mais c'était en décembre bien sûr... ce n'est peut-être pas pareil en ce moment
on avait réservé par internet sur expedia ou hotelbooking, un truc comme ça, 1 heure avant d'arriver...
Autre question : dans la mesure où tu es passée à Las Vegas, penses-tu que l'on puisse trouver des "cheap hotels" à cet endroit ? J'ai l'impression que c'est plutôt une ville très luxueuse
Salut,
L'an passée, on (2 adultes et 3 garçons de 14/14 et 17 ans) est allé à l'Excalibur qui est au début du Strip et on a payé 50 dollars pour le Jeudi et 80 dollars pour le Vendredi et le week end (c'est comme ça, c'est plus cher en fin de semaine), mais c'était l'an passé et il y avait la "crise"
Mais ne réserve rien de France car tu sera obligé de prendre 2 chambres (ça a été notre cas en 2004) pour 5 personnes alors qu'en 2009, on a pris la, et je dis bien la chambre directement sur place (ne t'en fait pas, il y a énormement de lits à Las Vegas)
Donc prendre un hôtel "cheap" ne te fera rien économiser ou si peu et tu ne pourras pas profiter des piscines énormes ou d'une chambre "class"
A moins que tu ne préfère qu'un placard à balai où l'on dort debout
Donc j'aviserai directement sur place, de toute manière je n'ai encore rien payé pour l'hôtel
Je réserverai quand même la première nuit uniquement, parce-qu'à l'arrivée, avec la chaleur, la fatigue et le décallage horaire, je pense que j'airai directement faire dodo🙂
Le budget que j'ai prévu pour l'hébergement, c'est à peu près 50 à 100 USD par jour, donc si je me fie à vos messages, ca suffira amplement🙂
Pas de réponse concernant l'assurance "extended protection" ?
nous partons avec la somme de 3000€, et je commence à flipper un peu en pensant à tout ce qui nous reste à payer là-bas (essence, hôtels, nourriture)
Salut,
Ne t'en fait pas pour l'argent !!!
Je m'explique :
L'an passé, nous (2 adultes et 3 garçons : 14/14 et 17 ans) avons fait les Etats Unis pendant 5 semaines
J'entends déjà ceux qui vont hurler au loup parce qu'on aura fait que survoler les Etats Unis
Mais tout de même:
On est passé par New York, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Philadelphie, Washington, Denver, Cheyenne, Le Mont Rushmore, Le Crazy horse Memorial, Devil's Tower, La Medecine wheel, Cody, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Paris, Salt Lake City, Antelope island, Wendover, Moab, Arches, Canyonland, Dead Horse Point, Mexican Hat, Monument Valley, Page, Horseshoe bend, Zion Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Le Grand Canyon Versant Nord, Flagstaff, Meteor crater, la Route 66, Seligman, Las Vegas (on s'est remarié làs bas), San Francisco, Sausalito, Muir woods, Alcatraz, Miami, Les Everglades, Les Key's, Key Largo, Key west et à nouveau Miami (North Miami, Key Biscayne, Miami beach ...)
Et tout cela pour 4000 dollars par personne comprenant les billets d'avion internationaux et les vols intérieurs au nombre de 4, la location d'une voiture pour 4 semaines, les motels et les hôtels (mais plus souvent des motels), la nourriture et les boissons type supermarché et les restaurants (sans trop nous priver), le Pass America The Beautiful, L'essence, le développement de photos numériques sur place, 2 glacières en polystyrène, une alliance américaine trois ors pour ma femme (20 ans de mariage), des frais bancaires pour nos achats en carte bleue et nos retraits dans les ATM, une carte Mastercard Platinum pour être couvert en cas d'accident pour les dégâts occasionnés à la voiture de location (cela nous a été trés utile car j'ai eu un effectivement un accident à Seligman sur La Route 66 et cela a été entièrement pris en charge par Mastercard ainsi que la franchise, mais j'ai du payer la réservation et la location avec ladite carte (cela marche aussi avec une Gold ou une Visa premier)) et quelques souvenirs
lors de mes réservations passée avec Alamo je n'ai jamais rien du payer en arrivant sur place.
Je prend juste la plan GOLD pour les chauffeurs additionnels et ne pas me soucier du carburant lors de la restitution de la voiture.
A Vegas, j'ai été surpris du prix des Hôtels, le luxe pour pas chère, si l'on réserve en semaine.
Car la nuit du Samedi au Dimanche est souvent hors de prix, je sais plus quel hôtel, mais lors de mes recherche en décembre, il affichait un prix 10X plus élevé pour la nuit du samedi au dimanche.🤪
Nous partons le 1er septembre pour 3 semaines et nous souhaitons savoir ce que vous pensez des loueurs de véhicules entre autoescape, avis et alamo? Au niveau…
voila j'ai le projet de partir en juillet ou septembre faire un circuite dans l'ouest des etat unis avec deux autres copines, nous somme dans le debut de nos…
Je suis en train de faire mes calculs pour louer une voiture cet été et je me demandais quel est le prix d'un litre (gallon) d'essence en californie en ce…
Je lis avec intérêt les nombreuses discussions sur les projets de vacances des forumistes dans l'Ouest des Etats-Unis. En effet, je pars avec mon amie du 12 au…
Préparant notre voyage (4 pers) pour l'ouest américain, voila les tarifs que j'ai pu relever, qu'en pensez vous? Alamo pour 75 euros par pers (assurance jeune…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
