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

Your two-week trip from Chicago to New Orleans to New York and back to Chicago sounds exciting! Let's break down your plan in terms of travel time, feasibility, and budget to see if it aligns with your $2,000–2,500 budget and the time available.

Travel Time

Traveling between these cities by bus or Amtrak will take some time, and it's important to factor in the travel durations when planning your itinerary. Here's a general idea of travel times for each leg of the journey:

Chicago to New Orleans: By Amtrak, the trip typically takes around 20-24 hours, depending on the route and time of day. By bus, it may be a bit quicker but can still take approximately 18-20 hours.
New Orleans to New York: This leg will take roughly 26-30 hours by Amtrak or bus. It's quite a long haul, but both options are available. If you choose to travel by Amtrak, you may get the advantage of more space and comfort compared to buses.
New York to Chicago: The Amtrak journey from New York to Chicago takes around 20-24 hours. Buses can be slightly quicker, around 18-22 hours, but it depends on the schedule.

Given the distances involved, you'll need to consider whether you're comfortable spending such a significant portion of your trip in transit. With your plan, you'd be spending a substantial amount of time on buses or trains, which could reduce the amount of time you have to actually enjoy each destination.

Time Allocation in Each City

Here’s how much time you’d realistically have in each city based on your initial plan:

Chicago (2-3 days): This seems doable, as Chicago is an excellent city to explore in a short amount of time. You can focus on the major highlights like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as grab a bite of the city’s famous deep-dish pizza.
New Orleans (4-5 days): This is a solid amount of time, and you’ll have enough time to explore the French Quarter, take a tour of the Garden District, visit the National WWII Museum, and enjoy the unique cuisine and live music culture. If you’re visiting in May, the weather will be warm, so you’ll want to enjoy the outdoor spaces as well.
New York (2-3 days): Two or three days in New York is fairly tight but doable. The city is huge, so you’ll have to prioritize your must-sees like Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and possibly Broadway shows or museums. You’ll likely need to rely on subways and taxis to maximize your time in this bustling city.

Feasibility

In terms of time, your itinerary is feasible, but you’ll be spending a good portion of your two weeks traveling between cities. Here's a rough breakdown of your schedule, including travel and sightseeing:

Day 1-3: Chicago (Travel to Chicago, explore for 2-3 days)
Day 4-5: Travel to New Orleans (by bus or train, around 20-30 hours of travel)
Day 6-10: New Orleans (4-5 days to explore the city)
Day 11-12: Travel to New York (26-30 hours)
Day 13-14: New York (2-3 days to explore)
Day 15-16: Travel back to Chicago (20-24 hours)

It’s a packed schedule with some long travel legs, which means you’ll need to carefully plan your time in each city to avoid rushing through the highlights. I would recommend focusing on the most important sights and not trying to do everything.

Budget Considerations

For a $2,000–2,500 budget, here’s a rough estimate of costs for the entire trip:

Transportation: Amtrak tickets range from $100–$200 per leg (depending on availability, class of service, and time of booking). Bus fares are generally cheaper, with tickets costing between $50–$150 each, depending on the route. Let’s assume the total cost for transportation (round trip) might be around $500–$800, depending on how early you book and the type of travel you choose.
Accommodation: Budget hotels or hostels in each city typically range from $75 to $150 per night. For 2 weeks, expect to spend about $1,000–$1,500 on lodging. Since you're traveling on a budget, consider staying in budget-friendly places or using Airbnb for more affordable options.
Food & Activities: You can expect to spend around $25–$40 per day on meals, plus entry fees for various attractions (museums, tours, etc.). A rough estimate for food and activities might be $500–$700.

In total, your budget of $2,000–2,500 should be sufficient, but you’ll need to be mindful of your spending, especially on meals and lodging. You might also want to look into special deals or discounts for attractions or transportation to make the trip more economical.

Suggestions

Look for deals: Check Amtrak and bus companies for special deals or discounts. Booking in advance will help you save money.
Limit your stops: If time and budget become tight, consider cutting down the number of cities you visit. For example, spending more time in just Chicago and New Orleans could give you more relaxed time to explore each city.
Consider flying for some legs: If the bus or train travel takes too long, check for affordable flights between cities. Sometimes, booking in advance can get you good deals on flights that are faster than buses or trains.

Ultimately, this trip is definitely doable with some careful planning. If you're comfortable with long travel times and have a clear idea of what you want to see and do, it will be a memorable journey!