18 Days • 17 Nights
Grand USA: Coast to Coast
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- New York and Washington DC on the East Coast
- The national parks of the Southwest
- Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon
- The Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur
- Los Angeles and San Francisco
- The full coast-to-coast scope of America
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 18-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your Manhattan hotel, with a welcome dinner and the buzz of the city to begin.
A guided tour of the city's icons, with free time to explore its neighbourhoods, museums and Broadway.
A free day to make the city your own.
A scenic rail journey to the capital, beginning your exploration of the National Mall at dusk.
A guided tour of the capital's monuments and Smithsonian museums.
You fly west to Las Vegas, settling in for an evening on the dazzling Strip.
A journey into the national parks, exploring the soaring walls of Zion and, if time allows, the hoodoos of Bryce, overnighting in canyon country.
You drive to the iconic buttes of Monument Valley for a Navajo-guided tour at sunset.
A visit to the swirling sandstone of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, then on to the Grand Canyon's South Rim for sunset.
A morning at the Grand Canyon before returning to Las Vegas and flying to Los Angeles for the California leg.
A guided tour of LA, Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills and the beaches.
A free day for the beaches, theme parks or museums of LA.
You drive the legendary Pacific Coast Highway north, past Santa Barbara and the cliffs of Big Sur, one of the world's great coastal drives.
Continuing up the coast through Monterey and Carmel, with their aquarium and cypress-lined shores, you reach San Francisco.
A guided tour of San Francisco's hills and highlights, the Golden Gate, cable cars and Chinatown.
A free day for Alcatraz, the wharf, or the redwoods of Muir Woods.
A final day in the city or an optional excursion to the Napa wine country, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your onward flight, having crossed the whole of America.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 17 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, a Grand Canyon lunch and a farewell dinner
- Airport transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert guides
- Ground transport, rail or car hire as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- city tours, national park entries, a Pacific Coast Highway drive, and domestic flights coast to coast
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Fuel and parking for the self-drive sections
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & ESTA: Visa Waiver Program travellers (including UK, EU, Australian and many others) need an approved ESTA authorisation before flying; other nationalities need a US B-2 visitor visa. A passport valid for the duration of your stay is required, and we advise you based on your nationality
- Currency & cards: The currency is the US Dollar and cards are accepted virtually everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors. Prices are usually shown before sales tax, which is added at the register
- Tipping: Tipping is an essential part of US culture and service staff rely on it; budget around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants, and tips for guides, drivers, bartenders and hotel staff, which are not included unless stated
- Distances & getting around: The USA is vast, so itineraries combine domestic flights, rail and self-drive; if driving, remember Americans drive on the right, and we arrange car hire, transfers or flights as needed
- Best time to visit: Timing depends on the region; summer suits the northern parks and coasts, autumn brings spectacular colour to the East, spring and autumn are ideal for the deserts and cities, and winter suits the south and skiing
- Health & insurance: No vaccinations are required, but US healthcare is very expensive, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Bring any prescription medicines in their original packaging
- Age & ID rules: The legal drinking age is 21 and photo ID is required to buy alcohol or enter bars regardless of age; some car-hire firms add fees for drivers under 25
- Power & connectivity: Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so bring an adapter; wifi is widespread, and a US eSIM or roaming plan keeps you connected on the road
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eighteen days too long or just right?
For a country as vast as the USA, eighteen days is a wonderful balance, long enough to see both coasts and the national parks in between without rushing, with two to three nights in the key cities. Everything is paced and arranged for you.
How do the flights and driving combine?
We use domestic flights for the long coast-to-coast hops and comfortable self-drive (or private touring) for the scenic national parks and the Pacific Coast Highway, giving you the best of both. It is all built into the itinerary.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included on most nights, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner. America's dining is a highlight in itself, so most lunches and dinners are left free so you can explore, with recommendations from us.
How do we get around such a large country?
We combine the most efficient options for your route, domestic flights for long hops, scenic rail where it shines, and self-drive or private transfers for touring. Everything is arranged and built into your itinerary.
Do I need an ESTA or visa?
Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying; other nationalities need a US visitor visa. We confirm exactly what you need for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to travel?
It depends on the regions in your itinerary, summer for the northern parks, autumn for East Coast colour, spring and autumn for the deserts and cities, and winter for the south. We will advise the best timing for your chosen route.
Is tipping really expected?
Yes — tipping is a genuine part of US culture and service staff rely on it. Budget around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants and tips for guides and drivers; we brief you fully so there are no surprises.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the cities, parks and regions, change the pace, mix self-drive with flights and rail, and tailor hotels to your interests and budget. Every itinerary is a starting point.
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