Je viens de découvrir votre site en préparant mon prochain voyage en Californie.
Je vais partir fin mai début juin avec ma copine et je ne sais pas trop quel type de voyage faire.
On va aterrir à San Francisco, et on va aller dans différents parcs naturels et différentes villes (Las Végas, Los Angeles, San Diego...). Nous cherchons donc le moyen le moins cher de faire tout ça. Nous ne savons pas encore si nous allons faire du camping ou aller de motel en motel, voire louer un camping car...
J'ai donc besoin de tous vos conseils, et bon plans, les pièges a éviter, etc....
Je précise qu'on sera 3 ou 4 adultes mais je serai le seul à pouvoir conduire (et le seul à ne pas parler anglais😉)
J'ai plein d'autres questions, mais je ne vais pas écrire un message trop long, mais vous pouvez répondre à toutes mes questions, meme celles que je ne formule pas😛
Pour ce qui est des pieges: les distances entre ce que tu cites sont enormes, il te faudra beaucoup de temps pour tout relier. Calcule bien.
Si tu atteris a SF, pas besoin de voiture dans la ville, elle est tres bien et il y a des auberges pour te loger pas cher. Ensuite il va falloir te trouver un moyen de deplacement, ca risque de couter cher surtout avec l'assurance (je deconseille de faire des economies la dessus, les dommages et interets peuvent etre faramineux en cas d accidents). L'essence est aussi beaucoup plus cher en californie que dans le reste des EU. Mais je pense pas que tu puisse te passer d'une voiture, surtout si tu veux voir LA (assez moche comme ville d'ailleurs, banlieus residentielles mises bout a bout) et les parcs. Les parcs demandent en general un droit d entree par voiture ou par personne mais souvent ce droit permet d aller dans plusieurs parcs. Camping car je sais pas mais ca risque de couter plus que la caisse+motel. Les motels sont super pas chers du moment que tu es flexible, orbitz.com, priceline.com et hotwire.com permettent de trouver des super bon plans mais je crois que la plupart n'acceptent que les cartes de credit americaines. Le moins cher sera le camping meme si c'est pas le meme confort. Dans les parcs les zones de campings sont reglementees (et l essence coute encore plus cher, fais le plein avant).
Tu peux toujours essayer Amtrack mais ca dessert pas les villes les plus interessantes.
San Diego est tres bien, bonne ambiance de fete. Vegas tu trouveras des hotels pas chers mais ensuite il faut de l'argent pour jouer, pour voir les spectacles etc. Si tu as un budget serre tu pourras te balader, regarder les hotels mais c'est limite et c'est pas ce que la plupart des gens vont faire la bas. Si tu as des mineurs avec toi (- de 21 ans) ils ne pourront pas commander d alcool, pas entrer dans bcp de bars et theoriquement pas dans les casinos. Pas besoin de voiture la bas vu que tu resteras surement dans le strip (la zone de jeu et des attractions). Par contre tu voudras peut etre aller voir le grand canyon (5-6 heures de route) en passant par le Hoover Dam, attention une balade dans les gorges du Canyon se prepare. L'Arizona est splendide niveau paysages, surement le plus bel etat ou je suis passe.
Voila... Sinon la Californie est tres belle, la police est tres tres presente sur les routes aux EU.
Par contre tu voudras peut etre aller voir le grand canyon (5-6 heures de route) en passant par le Hoover Dam, attention une balade dans les gorges du Canyon se prepare. L'Arizona est splendide niveau paysages, surement le plus bel etat ou je suis passe.
Voila... Sinon la Californie est tres belle, la police est tres tres presente sur les routes aux EU.
On compte bien aller voir le grand canyon, mais que veut tu dire quand tu dis qu'une balade dans les gorges du canyon se prépare?
Je rajouterais un détail pour la conduite sur de longues distances. En avril dernier, nous avons pris un vol Montréal-Los Angeles. De là, nous avons loué une voiture pour descendre à San Diego. Suite à quelques conseils recueillis sur des sites comme celui-ci, nous avons décidé de prendre notre vol le samedi et de parcourir la distance LA-San Diego le même jour. Les autoroutes sont assez imposantes, mais le traffic est beaucoup moindre les fins de semaine, alors presque pas de bouchon - sauf exception, bien sûr. La route est très belle, pas compliquée, facile de sortir pour se restaurer et aussi facile à reprendre. Et à San Diego, nous sommes allés à l'auberge de jeunesse près de Point Loma. Quartier résidentiel, personnel très gentil, chambres et sdb propres, grand salon avec grande télé pour le soir avant le dodo. Et San Diego est une ville assez facile avec une petite carte routière pour se repérer (contrairement à LA ou j'ai déjà passé une semaine il y a qques années, dont une journée entière dans un bouchon de circulation 😕).
Le grand canyon il faut déja y aller. Si tu pars de Vegas comme je l’ai dis, c’est 5-6 heures de route, en arrivant la journee est deja bien entamee. Le mieux est de se loger dans un motel le plus pres possible du parc, il y en a tout le long de la route.
Arrive la bas, la plupart des gens ne font que regarder a partir des points d’observation, y en a un bon nombre, accessible en voiture. C’est tres bien ammenage mais je crois qu’on a vraiment envie de descendre dedans. Donc quand je dis que ca se prepare, le pb c’est que descendre au fond c’est 1500 m de denivele. En juin les temperatures seront elevees ils conseillent de prendre au moins 3 litres d eau par personne + bouffe + ne pas y aller seul + connaître on trajet + estimer le temps (toujours tenir compte de la remontee, ils conseillent de prevoir deux fois plus de temps que pour la descente).
Le plus frustrant maintenant, ce que j’ai vecu: aller au fond du grand canyon et remonter en une journee est fortement deconseille, la marche fait plus de 30 km. C’est quasiment impossible a moins d etre bien entraine et un brin inconscient surtout en ete. Et si tu veux camper ou dormir (places limitees pour les couchettes) a Phantom Ranch au fond du canyon, il parait que l’experience est superbe mais il faut reserver pour camper, pour manger, pour tout. Et les reservations se font 1 a 2 ans a l’avance (oui oui). Tu peux toujours essayer le jour meme de voir s ils y a une annulation mais les chances sont minces.
Alors il reste la possibilite
- de faire un treck de 8h qui t emmene a mi chemin, c’est beau mais frustrant
- ou alors tu peux payer pour qu’on t emmene voler au dessus du grand canyon ou mieux, un helico peut te deposer au fond du canyon, tu passes pas la nuit, c’est cher (tour en avion sans atterir a partir de Vegas, 200 dollars), tu as pas de liberte d’action mais pas besoin de reserver.
Consolation : rien que la vue est a couper le souffle.
Hi,
My trip to the Algarve, which was postponed, is now taking shape.
On October 13th, I’m leaving for 2 weeks. When I arrive, I’ll be staying in Lisbon for 3 nights. So, I’d love to find somewhere affordable and well-located to stay—any suggestions would be great!
After that, I’ll head to Faro, where I plan to rent a car. Would it be best to rent directly from the airport? I can’t seem to find any agencies in Faro city where I could pick up the car and drop it off at the airport at the end of my stay. Is it possible to return a car at 6 AM at the airport?
Can I get the Portuguese motorway pass in France?
Thanks so much for your help!
Jofra
Hello,
Does anyone know a good local French-speaking agency for a discovery/trekking trip in Maharashtra? For about 3 weeks, a custom trip, but not too expensive!
Thanks in advance,
Laura
Hello Voyage Forum members.
For my wife’s birthday and her 64th year, I’d love to plan a two-week road trip with her—using our own car—preferably avoiding overly touristy spots, so off the beaten path where possible. That said, we wouldn’t mind stopping at must-see places along the way. The trip would cover Emilia-Romagna and/or Tuscany if combining both regions is doable in that timeframe, with the option for some hikes during the period. We’re looking at late November 2026. I’d prioritize the most authentic accommodations, ideally with breakfast included, without exceeding 100 € per night if that’s possible. So, stays like private rooms in hostels or homestays would be perfect.
Based on these details, I’d really appreciate any recent tips or insights from Voyage Forum members to help me plan this surprise anniversary trip.
Hi,
I’m looking for recent opinions on where to stay: Ella or Haputale.
Doesn’t Haputale also have the added advantage of the train?
Thanks for your input!
Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February.
Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!
Hello,
I’d like to travel from Lille in the North of France to Italy safely and on a budget.
Preferably by bus.
If you have other ideas, I’m all ears!
I’m interested in any suggestions.
How can I get to Italy?
Which city is the cheapest?
The most visited?
Is it safe, please?
Thanks for your replies.
Best regards,
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to spend 8 days or more in Georgia, and I love multi-day hikes at a moderate level.
Any tips?
Is it easy to exchange money in Tbilisi?
Is Kutaisi worth a visit?
I’ve heard the Black Sea is meh.
And apparently, the food and drink are amazing everywhere in Georgia.
So, is it worth checking out a wine region?
Thanks a lot!
Good evening,
As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November.
Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle.
So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable.
The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide.
Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Jacques
After more than ten solo trips to India, I’ve decided to explore a new country: South Korea.
In October, I’ll be flying Lyon-Delhi, then in November Delhi-Seoul. I’ll be staying in this new (for me) country for over a month.
My main motivation when traveling is discovering a country through the people (locals) I meet. In India, I made friends through Couchsurfing that way.
I’m currently getting in touch with host families (via Servas), but if you have any ideas for authentic and budget-friendly accommodations, I’d love to hear them.
I’ll plan my route based on my hosts, and I’m also thinking of spending a few days in Seoul and Jeju.
Hi there,
I’m heading to the Greek island of Ikaria for two months and I’m looking for any tips or advice—especially on budget-friendly accommodation options like a room to rent or staying with locals. Thanks!
Hi everyone, I'm traveling solo in Spain for 8 days without a car, on a tight budget. What train/bus route do you recommend between cities, and where can I find the best prices? Looking forward to your tips! Thanks
Hello! 👋
I’m new to this site and feeling a little desperate. 😢 My boyfriend’s birthday is in 4 days, and I wanted to surprise him with a New Year’s trip to London... except I just found out he’s already been there as a kid. Well, there goes my surprise! 😅
Since we both love Christmas and winter, I’m looking for a destination where we can really feel the holiday magic—with a budget of around 500 € for transport + accommodation for two (yes, I know, I might be asking for a Christmas miracle here 😇).
We’ve already been to Bucharest, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, so I’d love to find something a little more offbeat, not too expensive, and with a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.
Please help me! 🙏 On social media, it’s always the same ultra-touristy cities... I’m sure there are hidden gems I haven’t discovered yet!
Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries.
We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it.
The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso.
We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso.
Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Didier
I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!
Hi there,
I'm heading to Morocco for 10 days as a backpacker, with my car and a tent canvas if needed. Does anyone have great experiences in this country around the Tétouan and Tangier areas?
I'd love to spend time with locals, rent a small room, and take part in daily life.
If you've got any addresses to share, that'd be awesome!
Thanks a million for your replies!!!😉
Christine
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi there,
After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us:
1. Arrive in Lima in the evening.
2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto.
3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else.
6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car.
7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town.
8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba.
9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca.
10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both.
11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area.
14. Overnight bus back to Lima.
15. Lima.
16. Depart at 8 PM for France.
What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice.
Thanks
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Hi,
I need to stay in Paris or Créteil for 2 nights a week for a month. I know some cheap backpacker options, but I’d like something even cheaper. Do you know of any rooms for rent from private individuals?
Thanks
We’re a young couple planning our first trip to Albania from June 23, 2026, to July 2, 2026. We have a pretty tight budget and want to make the most of this amazing country without breaking the bank.
We’re looking for all the advice you can give to help us plan our stay:
* What are the must-see places to visit?
* Which cities or villages are really worth the detour?
* What natural sites, hikes, canyons, springs, or viewpoints do you recommend?
* Do you know of any free, uncrowded, or particularly beautiful beaches?
* Where can we responsibly observe or swim with sea turtles?
* What are the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera that are accessible on a small budget?
* What budget-friendly accommodations (hotels, hostels, homestays, campgrounds) do you recommend?
* What are the best ways to get around between different regions at a low cost?
* Do you know of any reliable and affordable agencies for renting a vehicle (car, scooter, or motorcycle)? What are the average rates at the end of June, and which rental companies do you recommend or advise against?
* Is it better to rent a vehicle right when we arrive or stick to local buses and minibuses to keep costs down?
* Which restaurants or local specialties offer the best value for money?
* Are there any free or low-cost activities we shouldn’t miss?
* Which places do you think are overrated or can be skipped when you’re short on time and money?
* What practical tips would you have wished you knew before your first trip to Albania?
We’d also love any 10-day itineraries that you particularly enjoyed, along with your budget estimates for accommodation, meals, and transportation.
We’re open to off-the-beaten-path spots and local tips. If you have any secret addresses, hidden beaches, favorite accommodations, or mistakes to avoid, we’d love to hear about them! 😊
I traveled through southern Peru in November 2024 and now I’d like to explore the north.
We’re a group of 5 people for a 15-day trip.
Iquitos or Nauta for the Amazon rainforest—I saw that you have to fly there.
Chiclayo
Chachapoyas
Kuelap
Leimebamba
Cajamarca
Trujillo
And if we have time, Huaraz for the Andes cordillera.
No problem taking overnight buses—they save a lot of time.
Or renting a car and figuring it out as we go.
We’d also love to take the train from Lima to Huancayo, but it seems complicated—I don’t understand when it runs.
I’d like to drive to Morocco from Paris via Spain. I was really surprised to see the ferry crossing prices—around 500 €—but especially the crossing time (about 1 hour). Normally, I pay 3000 € to go to Tunisia from Genoa, but that’s for a 24-hour crossing.
My question: is it cheaper to buy the ticket on the spot, as some Moroccans have advised me? Though I’ve also heard the opposite.
What do you think, considering I need to get to Tétouan around July 17th and return from Tangier around August 4th?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...
Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.
Hi there,
Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?
I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?
Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?
My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?
