StateHopper Travel advice

Healthcare: For travel around the US you shouldn't need any injections, but if travelling around Mexico, Malaria precautions are advisable. Please check with your local doctors surgery to be sure. Also make sure that your travel insurance covers healthcare just in case!

Exchanging Money: Talk to the post office for changing pound/euros into dollars or buying travellers cheques. An American Express traveller cheque card is also available from most banks which StateHopper recommends looking into.

Time Zones: In the USA there are 4 different time zones. Check these out before you leave to avoid jet lag! Also remember that each of your flight times leaves at 'local time' so make sure you don't miss your flight due to time zone confusion.

Travel Posture: When flying make sure that you maintain a good posture to avoid a sore back. Try some seat exercises to keep the blood circulation going on those long hauls! Also, why not take a travel pillow. They are excellent for avoiding neck pain. Also wear sensible clothes and footware. High heels can be very uncomfortable and skimpy clothes from a trip to Miami may be too cold for a destination in Alaska or Canada! Ask your ambassadors for more information.

Above all, be safe and have a wonderful experience! And something to think about once you've come back, why not become a Statehopper ambassador, you'll be able to earn some cash just for talking about how good your experience was!

We want to hear about your experiences with Statehopper travel!

At the moment we'll give you £10 for every travel article you submit and we approve of, (min 250 words) about your 'discover America' adventure; subject to terms & conditions.

(please have paypal acount before submitting or we can't pay you!)

StateHopper is a 'no frills' flying experience which means we can offer exceptionally cheap rates. But it also means that a lot of planning needs to be put into your trip to make the most out of your experience.

Your university ambassador will have more in-depth advice but this is page is a good thinking point for things you may need to consider and what you might expect.

Luggage Allowances: You will not be allowed much luggage allowance so make sure you pack carefully. Luggage allowances are around 22 kilos but there are different regulations depending on which airline you travel with. Remember you may be allowed a larger baggage allowance on the transatlantic journey but as soon as you start travelling internally the allowance may be reduced and anything over the extra luggage weight will be subject to airline fees. A good backpack weighing around 15-20 kilos should be about right. Make sure you clearly label it though because lost luggage can be an absolute holiday wrecker!

Travel insurance: there is no such thing as an NHS in the USA. If you don't have the money you won't get any healthcare treatment no matter how serious your condition. Travel insurance however, solves this problem. Our affiliate travel agent for student travel with StateHopper is GlobeLink. Click on the links on this site to check out their policies. Important, make sure you are covered for all the activities you plan to do (i.e. winter sports cover) and make sure you can afford the 'excess'.

Visa/ Visa Waiver Programme: All non-US citizen travellers to the USA require a Visa or must be eligible under the Visa Waiver Programme. Travel under the Visa Waiver Programme can only be up to a maximum of 90 days. For more information consult your nearest US embassy or speak to your ambassador.

If something goes wrong: Make sure you know what to do if the worst happens. Talk to ambassadors or check out the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website URL<http://www.fco.gov.uk/.

Statehopping for only £590-£1090 (5-10 stops); in the USA, Canada & Mexico

Speak to your University Ambassador now for more details.