Chicago new orleans trip

Question

I am Planning a trip in May chicago-new orleans-nyc-chicago

I want to be in us for 2 weeks. It will be an economical trip $2-2.5k. Travel by bus or amtrak.

Initially I want to be in Chicago 2/3 days, in New Orleans 4/5 days, in New York 2/3 days and return to Chicago

Please tell me if it is feasible in terms of time.

What do you think about

Do you have travel experience

Answer

Planning a trip like this with a budget of $2,000 to $2,500 and using bus or Amtrak as your primary modes of transportation is certainly feasible, but it will require careful planning to make sure everything fits within your budget and time constraints. Here's a breakdown of your itinerary and some tips to consider:

Time Feasibility: Based on your timeline of 2 weeks, here's how your proposed trip might look:

Chicago to New Orleans: A bus or Amtrak ride from Chicago to New Orleans can take about 24-30 hours. Amtrak’s City of New Orleans route takes about 19-24 hours depending on the specific train, but buses can be slower due to stops. If you're traveling by bus, I recommend budgeting at least 1.5 days for travel in each direction. Once you factor in a day for the bus, you could spend 4-5 days in New Orleans.
New Orleans to New York: The bus ride from New Orleans to New York City can take around 26-30 hours. If you take the Amtrak Crescent line, it typically takes about 26-27 hours. This will eat up a significant chunk of your time, so you might only have about 2-3 days in NYC, which could feel rushed.
New York to Chicago: The bus ride back from New York City to Chicago can take anywhere from 20-24 hours. Amtrak's Cardinal or Lake Shore Limited trains offer a similar duration. Depending on your departure time, you could arrive back in Chicago within 1.5 days, leaving you a bit of time for the final days of your trip.

Budget Considerations: For transportation within your budget, Amtrak and buses are relatively economical options. However, these long-distance routes will still take up a significant portion of your budget, especially in terms of time spent traveling. Here’s a rough estimate:

Bus/Amtrak tickets: The cost for a bus or Amtrak ticket from Chicago to New Orleans, New Orleans to NYC, and NYC to Chicago will likely range from $100-$150 each way, depending on how far in advance you book. If you’re booking a few months ahead, you may be able to secure lower fares.
Accommodation: Depending on where you stay, budget accommodations in Chicago, New Orleans, and New York City could cost around $100-$150 per night for budget hotels or hostels, although this can vary greatly depending on the location. In New York City, expect to pay more, especially for centrally located options.
Food and Sightseeing: Budgeting $20-$40 per day for meals and another $20 for attractions, depending on your preferences, will allow you to enjoy a nice mix of inexpensive food options and sightseeing activities in each city.

Suggested Adjustments: While the timeline is feasible, it may feel a bit rushed, especially considering travel times and the amount of time you'll spend on buses or trains. To make this more manageable, I’d recommend the following adjustments:

Consider fewer destinations or longer stays: Instead of trying to fit in all three cities (Chicago, New Orleans, NYC) in a two-week trip, you could cut down on travel time by focusing on 2 destinations. For instance, you could either spend more time in Chicago and New Orleans (about 5 days in each) and skip New York, or spend the entire 2 weeks in the Midwest/South.
Use cheaper accommodation options: Consider staying in hostels, Airbnb, or budget hotels to save money on accommodations. In New York, you could also look for accommodations in outer boroughs like Brooklyn or Queens, which tend to be more affordable than Manhattan.
Look into budget airline options for NYC: If you're open to flying, you may find that booking a budget flight between New Orleans and New York could save you time and possibly money, especially if you book well in advance. From NYC to Chicago, consider looking for discount flights as well.

Experience Tips: Based on my travel experience, this trip could be a memorable one, but it will be packed. Here are a few tips for each destination:

Chicago: Spend 2-3 days in Chicago exploring the iconic sights like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Art Institute of Chicago. If you have time, check out neighborhoods like the Loop and Wicker Park. The city’s public transit is easy to use, so getting around is straightforward without a car.
New Orleans: In New Orleans, focus on experiencing the local culture. The French Quarter, the National WWII Museum, and the Garden District are all worth visiting. You can easily get around the French Quarter on foot or by streetcar.
New York City: NYC offers an abundance of things to do, from Central Park to Times Square, museums like the MET, and iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. Given your limited time in NYC, focus on seeing the main highlights or consider a guided city tour to make the most of your visit.

Final Thoughts: If your main goal is to experience a bit of each city without breaking the bank, this itinerary is feasible with careful planning. However, be prepared for a fast-paced trip, especially with long travel times. If you’re open to adjustments, reducing the number of cities or considering budget flight options could help you better balance travel time with exploring each destination.

Chicago new orleans trip

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