Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Some of the best attractions in the United States are completely free, and it’s possible to find an inexpensive hotel room while still staying in style. Rental car? Skip it by visiting a walkable city. Plane travel? Skip that too by buying a bus ticket.
USA TODAY 10Best enlisted a panel of travel experts to help us select the top nominees in the budget travel categories of Best Bus Service, Best Buffet Restaurant, Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand, Best Free Attraction, and Most Walkable City to Visit in the United States.
Now, it’s your turn to vote. Voting ends on Monday, June 17 at noon ET, and you can vote once per day, per category.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand
Lodging can easily become one of the biggest expenses when it comes to travel, but you shouldn’t have to blow through your budget or stay in a drab, personality-less room in order to save. These 20 hotel brands — nominated by an expert panel as the best — combine affordable rates, lots of amenities, and frequent freebies to set the scene for a comfortable and wallet-friendly stay, whether for business or pleasure.
Which budget-friendly hotel brand is your favorite?
Vote: Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand »
Best Buffet Restaurant
Buffet restaurants are popular across the United States for good reason. They’re affordable, convenient, and offer a variety of dishes and cuisines to suit different tastes and preferences. That makes them a great option for a group outing on a budget.
These buffet restaurants have been selected by an expert panel for their quality offerings at an affordable fixed price. Now, we need your help in crowning the 10 winners.
Which buffet restaurant do you favor?
Vote: Best Buffet Restaurant »
Best Bus Service
When you travel by bus in the United States, you can enjoy a unique blend of comfort, convenience, and adventure. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly and economical choice for those looking to explore the vast landscapes and diverse cities of the nation without the hassle of driving themselves.
Many bus companies — including these that have been selected by an expert panel as the best in the U.S. — provide amenities like free Wi-Fi, onboard restrooms, and comfortable reclining seats, so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Which bus service do you think is best?
Best Free Attraction
When you visit one of these 20 free attractions — chosen by a panel of travel experts as the best in the U.S. — you can save big travel budget bucks for other things. Even though they come at no cost, in each case, you get way, way more than you pay for.
Which free attraction would you most like to visit?
Most Walkable City to Visit
Visiting a walkable city in the United States offers a lot of benefits for travelers who want to explore different attractions, enjoy the local culture, stay healthy, and especially save some money. Not to mention, you’ll be doing the environment a favor by reducing your carbon footprint.
These 20 cities — chosen by a panel of travel experts for their walkability — offer lots of things to do, places to eat, and places to stay, all connected by pedestrian-friendly streets.
Which destination gets your vote?
Vote: Most Walkable City to Visit »
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Wednesday, June 26.