USA Classic Grand Tour 12N 13D

How the route links together

The route runs east to west: New York, Washington D.C., Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco, then Los Angeles for departure. No city repeats, so you unpack six times and never double back.

New York to Washington is a morning Amtrak rail transfer, which saves airport hours. Orlando, Las Vegas and San Francisco follow by domestic flight, and San Francisco to Los Angeles is either a short flight or a full-day coastal drive. Days 5, 8, 10 and 12 lose part of the day to airports, so sightseeing is planned around them. The exact rail timings and flight sectors are confirmed at booking.

The best time to visit USA from India on this route is spring (March to May) or early autumn (September to October), when crowds are medium. June to August is the peak for both crowds and prices. January, February and November are quieter, but mountain roads can close in winter and Zion-type canyon areas are not part of this route. Browse other USA tour packages if you would rather swap a city before fixing dates.

What ties these six cities together

The common thread is spectacle and storytelling, told differently in each city. This trip is built around how America presents itself, not around one landscape.

Washington's Smithsonian museums and memorials explain the country's history. Broadway stages it live. The Orlando parks turn stories into rides, Las Vegas sells pure spectacle, and Hollywood shows how films get made. Most 12-night USA plans pick one coast; this one keeps both and adds Florida, which gives each stop a different character for a couple travelling together. If two cities are enough for you, a shorter New York and Las Vegas itinerary is the lighter option.

Places and what to know

Six stops carry most of the trip. Each has one practical detail worth knowing before you land.

• Times Square, New York: best after dark when the screens are lit. New York subways and local buses charge a $3.00 fare from 2026, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and run on tap-and-ride payment.
• National Mall and Smithsonian museums, Washington D.C.: memorials are outdoors and walkable, museums line the Mall. Pick two adjacent museums instead of attempting all of them.
• Disney World, Orlando: needs a full day and a date-specific ticket. Reach the gates at opening, because queues build from late morning.
• Universal Studios, Orlando: a separate ticket and a second full day. Plan a midday break at the hotel if it is close.
• Las Vegas Strip: an entertainment district best seen on foot in the evening. Afternoons are for rest because nights run late.
• Golden Gate Bridge and Hollywood: bridge mornings are usually clearer, and Hollywood is an easy half day before departure. Book any guided bridge walk or cycle slot in advance.

Etiquette, timings and access

Dress is casual in cities, smart-casual for Broadway and hotel restaurants, and layered for coastal San Francisco, where evenings turn cold even in summer. Tipping is expected at restaurants and for hotel staff, so keep small notes ready.

Museum and memorial timings differ by building, so check each one's website before the day. Photography is generally fine at outdoor memorials, while galleries and theatre shows restrict flash, tripods and video. Ask at the entrance if unsure.

Step-free entry exists at major museums and at the Orlando parks. Ask at the ticket counter for the accessible route, and allow extra time for security queues. Wheelchair assistance at airports is booked through the airline in advance.

Pace and comfort over 13 days

Expect two long walking days in New York, two full theme park days in Orlando, and lighter city days elsewhere. Twelve nights over six cities is a moving trip, so keep slow mornings after every internal flight.

Transfer hours tire people more than sightseeing does. Day 9 in Las Vegas is deliberately unscheduled, and evenings in San Francisco and Los Angeles are kept loose. Senior travellers do better with a shorter theme park day, an afternoon break at the hotel and pre-booked airport assistance. If walking is limited, tell us at booking and we will adjust the New York and Washington days.

Local food and shopping

Vegetarian food is easy to find in major US cities, and chains such as Chipotle, Sweetgreen and Panera Bread have vegetarian options. Jain and halal availability is not documented consistently across all six cities, so confirm with each hotel before travel.

Worth trying: New York-style pizza and bagels in Manhattan, Mexican food in Los Angeles, and seafood chowder near the San Francisco waterfront. Portions are large, so sharing a plate works. For shopping, theme park merchandise and outlet malls are the practical picks. Sales tax is added at the counter, not shown on the price tag.

Where you stay: six city hotels on this route

Stays are standard 3-4 star hotels on twin sharing, with breakfast at most properties. New York and San Francisco rooms are compact; Orlando and Las Vegas rooms are usually larger in the same category. Exact hotels and room types are confirmed at booking.

All tiers are indicative, per person, land only, and exclude international flights.

USA entry, money and flights for Indian travellers

Indian passport holders need a valid US visitor visa for tourism. Apply through the official US visa services portal, attend the consulate interview, and check the official portal for the current fee and appointment wait. Our USA visa for Indians guide lists the documents.

The local currency is the US dollar. Carry a card plus a little cash for tips, and check your bank's forex charges. Flights from Delhi and Mumbai to New York JFK take about 15 hours, as of September 2026. From Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Kochi, plan roughly 23 hours with a US gateway connection. Airfare is not included in this price.