Full Details
Remember that your Los Angeles to New York Cross Country backpacker bus pass SUPER FLEXIBLE so once you book you can make as many changes as you want to your itinerary, before or during your trip. This is just a recommended itinerary so you can work out the perfect schedule for your trip depending on the time you have to travel. En route you can hop off and stay as long as you want. The route is valid one way and maximum 12 months.
Concierge Service: En route you will have English Speaking Assistance (Skype, Online Chat Gmail, MSN, Telephone), so if you have any questions regarding your itinerary you can contact us there and then.
Min. amount of time you need is 21 days. Recommended 25 at least!
- Day 1: Enjoy your free day in Los Angeles and add an optional extra activity.
- Day 2: Enjoy your free day in Los Angeles and add an optional extra activity.
- Day 3: Hollywood Trolley Explorer
- Day 4: Today you will take a transfer from Los Angeles to Las Vegas by Public Bus.
- Day 5: Enjoy your free day in Las Vegas and add an optional extra activity.
- Day 6: Grand Canyon Day Trip
- Day 7: Today you will take a transfer from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City by Public Bus.
- Day 8: Enjoy your free day in Salt Lake City and add an optional extra activity.
- Day 9: Today you will take a transfer from Salt Lake City to Denver by Train.
- Day 10: Enjoy your free day in Denver and add an optional extra activity.
- Day 11: Today you will take a transfer from Denver to Chicago by Train.
- Day 12: Enjoy your free day in Chicago and add an optional extra activity.
- Day 13: Chicago River Cruise
- Day 14: Today you will take a transfer from Chicago to Buffalo / Niagara Falls, NY by Train.
- Day 15: Enjoy your free day in Buffalo / Niagara Falls, NY and add an optional extra activity.
- Day 16: Today you will take a transfer from Buffalo / Niagara Falls, NY to Washington DC by Public Bus.
- Day 17: Washington DC Unveiled
- Day 18: Today you will take a transfer from Washington DC to Philadelphia by Public Bus.
- Day 19: Foodie 9th Street Market Experience
- Day 20: Today you will take a transfer from Philadelphia to New York City by Public Bus.
- Day 21: New York City Day Trip
Activities included in detail
Hollywood Trolley Explorer
This fully-narrated one-hour trolley tour of Los Angeles, CA takes passengers by some of the city’s most famous landmarks. In addition to staples like the Walk of Fame and Dolby Theater, the trolley will pass locations like the Egyptian Theater, Capitol Records, Paramount Studios, and the location of the Pretty Woman apartment. The tour departs four times daily from the Chinese Theater and returns there for dropoff. The tour is 1 hour.
Dolby Theater The Dolby Theater– known as the Kodak Theater until 2012– is a massive shopping complex and entertainment arena that is best known for hosting the Academy Awards. It has been the home of the Oscars since 2002.
Hollywood Boulevard This internationally famous neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles attracts a litany of tourists every year to its iconic hills. With a seemingly endless supply of famous landmarks, shops, and eateries, visitors will be floored by this centerpiece of cinema.
TCL/Grauman’s Chinese Theatre The TCL Chinese Theater (Grauman’s Chinese Theatre until 2013) on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California is a world-famous theater that has been standing since 1926. The theater is named for its style of architecture.
Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a world-famous attraction in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles California. The entirety of the Walk spans 18 blocks and contains more than 2,400 stars emblazoned with the names of celebrities deemed worthy.
Grand Canyon Day Trip
Depart from the crazy town of Las Vegas early in the morning to start off on this exciting day trip to one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world, the Grand Canyon. The trip is 14 hours does not include hotel, but does include pick up from most hotels and hostels. Including Lunch and entrance fees.
Drive past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam about an hour outside of Vegas and make a quick stop to take a few photos and stretch your legs. Upon departure from Hoover Dam you will find yourself cruising through the dry desert toward the middle of nowhere. Williams, Arizona is situated on the Historic Route 66, which once was the most important interstate in the US traversing the country from Chicago to Los Angeles built in the year 1926. From Williams, we will head north about 80 kilometers to reach the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the most beautiful and popular points for it’s excellent view points. We will make our first stop at Mather Point (which is located above the deepest part of the Canyon) where you can take a peek into the visitors center or walk to Yavapai Point (closed to vehicles).
The bus will bring us to Bright Angel Lodge, where you can admire breathtaking views of the canyon and take photographs on the edge of the cliff. Walk along the rim path or visit the museum and historical buildings in the area. A short walk away will bring you to the Hopi House with a gift shop and Indian Art Museum. You will have approximately 3 hours total to spend at your leisure at the Grand Canyon and a light lunch will be provided for you here. If you need something else to eat there are small convenience shops, snack bars and restaurants. Otherwise you can plan to bring snacks and drinks with you from Las Vegas.
We will board the bus again and head out of the Grand Canyon National Park the same way we entered through the South Rim Entrance continuing to the town of Williams where we will take the highway back to Las Vegas making a stop along the way in Kingman to stretch your legs. We will pass back by Hoover Dam and return to Las Vegas by approximately 7:00 – 7:30 pm depending on traffic conditions.
Chicago River Cruise
Experience one of the world’s most beautiful cities on a 1-hour cruise on the historic Chicago River.
On this architecture cruise, head down the main branch of the Chicago River, up the north branch to the East Bank Club, and then south past Willis Tower (Sears Tower) to the old Post Office Building. Take in magnificent city skyline views as you see more than 40 notable buildings, including the John Hancock Center and the Wrigley Building, and learn about their distinctive architecture from your onboard guide, an expert in architecture.
Highlights
- Architecture cruise down the historic Chicago River
- Discover all three branches of the Chicago River with your guide, an expert in architecture
- Enjoy the best vantage point to admire the distinct city skyline and admire world-famous architecture
- See more than 40 buildings including the John Hancock Center, the Wrigley Building and the Aon Center
- Discover the major events that helped shape the architectural history of Chicago
Washington DC Unveiled
Slide into our lean, green e-machine to see DC in a sustainable way. From the Supreme Court to the Smithsonian, this Washington DC tour leaves the oversized tour buses behind to deliver you straight into the heart of Washington. 2 Hour tour includes guide and transfer.
Itinerary: We’ll begin the tour at one end of the Smithsonian complex, and proceed through the monument areas. Marvel at the famous Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington Monuments, which are Washington, DC icons. We’ll also pay visits to the tributes to World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Continuing along, we’ll pass perhaps the most famous Washington, DC landmark of all – the White House.
As we meander through Washington, DC on the eCruiser, you’ll be entertained with stories and historic tales that make this city so unique. We’ll also be sure to point out any festivals, exhibits, demonstrations, or special events occurring along the way, in case you want to pop back after your tour.
Experience everything Capitol Hill has to offer, by seeing the US Capitol, Visitor’s Center, US Supreme Court, and Library of Congress buildings. From there, we’ll head back over to the Smithsonian complex, where we’ll end the tour in the heart of Washington, DC.
Don’t just observe Washington, DC…experience it!
Foody 9th Street Market in Philly
Hit the oldest and largest everyday open-air market for some authentic, Philly foodie action. Fill your calorie quotient with cheese, chocolate, deli items, and baked goods, then wash it all down with a Philly Cheesesteak chaser at an iconic spot – Pat and Geno’s.
Highlights:
- Wander through the famous 9th Street Italian Market
- Meet local store owners and workers
- Discover the history of the markets
- See the street made famous by Rocky
- Get your fill with tasty food samples
- Be spoiled for choice by ethnic food stores
- Get in touch with your inner food critic while chomping down on a Philly cheesesteak
Itinerary:
Starting at the always-colourful South Street, head off with your local guide through the neighbourhood of Bella Vistain South Philly. Grab a drink at a local coffee shop and see one of the city’s great murals located across from a typical neighborhood park. Swing by a historic deli, duck into a tempting bakery and stroll along Christian Street before getting to the noises, aromas and sights of the famous Italian or, more accurately, 9th Street Market.
The market is the oldest and largest everyday open-air market in the USA, and it’s easy to understand why it is one of Philly’s must-see attractions. With your local guide leading the way, explore the huge variety of stores located here, many of which are Italian in heritage. Tempt taste buds as you wander past cheeses, chocolates, spices and olive oils. Discover bakeries, butchers and myriad other produce stalls plus a wonderful kitchen store. And don’t worry, if the temptation to purchase becomes too great, you’re likely to get a bargain as many of these stores discount for our travellers. Along the way you’ll get the chance to talk to some of the owners and employees of these shops and stalls, and hear fascinating stories of the development of this area over the years.
After leaving the market, cross over the main intersection and head towards a variety of Mexican stores. If this area looks familiar it’s probably because it was here that Rocky ran through the streets on one of his famous training runs. Nearby you’ll also see a selection of Asian stores, brimming with aromas and sights that are sure to delight the senses. Continue on for another block or two and arrive at the intersection made famous by local restaurants Pat’s and Geno’s, where you’ll be able to choose between their competing Philly cheesesteaks. Select your topping, with or without onions, and what cheese you’d like, and pull up a seat on the street to enjoy a quintessential Philly culinary experience. It’s a delicious way to end your market walking tour.
New York City Day Trip
A kick ass tour of New York City including transport via Minivan and a tour leader taking you to different museums (own expense). Its a 10 hour tour so you´ll be busy that day!
We kick off our tour in New York City by heading to Ground Zero, site of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, to witness the massive rebuilding efforts and memorial that has been dedicated to the victims. Next, we’ll head to nearby Wall Street at the heart of the financial district, home to America’s wealth, business interests, and ambition.
Next, on a waterway cruise* around New York City harbor, we’ll view the city’s magnificent skyline and sights, including the busy South Street Seaport, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge from the Hudson and East River (note: our boat does not stop at Ellis Island or Statue of Liberty.) We will visit Rockefeller Center, home to NBC Studios, and the surrounding shopping district along Fifth Avenue, mecca of the fashion industry and luxury brand retail stores. And no tour of New York City would complete without a trip to the top of the Empire State Building*, where on the 86th floor, 1,050 feet above the city’s bustling streets, the observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion.
Additional visits will include the newly transformed USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum*, as well as the glorious Metropolitan Museum of Art, which contains many of the most famous works of art in the world. Then, we will go to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum*. Here we’ll have the chance to see many meticulously crafted wax models of celebrities and historical figures. After looking at some statues, you will be surprised to look at real human beings and mistake them to be statues and statues to be human beings…… That’s the fun part of this museum. The tour continues to the bright lights of Time Square and the Broadway Theatre District, and finally, on to the United Nations, a gathering place for 192 countries to meet and discuss important issues of the world such as world peace, poverty, hunger and human rights. The tour will conclude in Chinatown, and will drop passengers off at the two original pick-up locations in the evening around 6:00 pm.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We regret to inform you that during the government shutdown (beginning 01Oct2013) several national monuments and museums will be closed to the public. Please check back with us for more information on the re-opening of these attractions. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
We do NOT allow customers to use the CITY PASS to join the New York City sightseeing attractions included in this tour. You must purchase at least 2 attractions tickets in order to participate in the tour.
Entrance Fees are as follows:
- Empire State Building / Top Of Rock: $25 USD
- Statue of Liberty Cruise: $29 USD
- U.S.S Intrepid: $24 USD
- Wax Museum: $25 USD
- Metropolitan Museum: $25 USD
Note: The Metropolitan Museum is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1
*All prices are subject to change without prior notice. If you do not wish to visit any of these attractions, please organize your own transportation.
Trip Frequently Asked Questions
Yes its perfect to combine. You can get on the bus daily so we are very flexible. It would go great with travel in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Australia…..
We offer you safe and efficient local transportation in each sector. You may travel aboard a public bus, on a train, boat, ferry or a shared shuttle. Whatever the mode of transportation, getting from one point to the next will surely be a memorable experience.
The trip caters to independent travel so many people travel on their own, however you will always have the chance to meet people on a group trek, transportation, recommended hostels or activities.
Accommodation is not included in the pass price because we know that everyone prefers something different when it comes to choosing lodging. We provides you with a list of recommended hostels or budget hotels in each destination so you can choose where you want to stay according to your needs.
Send us an email a few days prior to your initial departure date so we can send you all the information regarding your pass and included experiences. You can also give us a call on the phone or contact us on skype to speak with a representative in person at any time. Your tickets will be sent to you electronically via email.
For our route detailed instructions will be emailed to you at least one day prior to departure.
Your Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass can only be used in the direction of the pass purchased. If you would like to add sectors or change the dates of departure you can reach us via email, skype, or telephone anytime!
Every Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass has a one year validity meaning you can begin and end your pass anytime you want, taking as long as you desire between stops to enjoy all of the unique and interesting destinations as well as included experiences along the way.
Yes! The Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass is a flexible and convenient way to travel which allows you to make changes to your itinerary (departure dates) any time you desire so you can enjoy each destination to the fullest! In order to confirm availability we strongly recommend making changes at least 48 hours in advance.
Travelling alone is a great way to get to know yourself and meet new friends. Many travelers on this trip arrive on their own and find that they quickly meet people along the way at their hostels and on their free activities. Enjoy the freedom to change your departure dates if you want to link up with a new travel partner.
