Bro
If you cannot afford a car, forget the plane.
If you are fit you can cycle, note the Yosemite valley floor which is the most touristy and crowded because few people venture out after getting recommendations that centre on this place only.
This valley is about 500 ft below the road that winds into the valley. At the Tioga Pass for example, you are 3041m above sea level. If you can hack it and cycle in, why not? Good views.
There is a free shuttle bus within the valley so this discourages people from driving from point to point. But it may not work in winter.
IMO, it has the worst view, since you are at the bottom and it is way too crowded.
Nevertheless, even this place is superb and Yosemite is my fav destination.
Note, if you go too close to winter, be prepared for cold weather and possible snow. Unless you are equipped or are used to cold weather, it is best to plan properly i.e. not like the typical ignorant tourist from Singapore
Take some time to understand the weather, the roads, and also the places you wish to see, many simply come for a day trip, stay a night and leave.
Taking a tour is a simple way out if you are not adventurous or do not like to plan. If you want to go budget, then join the two trekking groups instead. They sleep in tents and you save. But you will be cold in October, very cold if you sleep outdoors and have never done so before.
I used a -20C sleeping bag for my trips. And I still wear my ski pants and 3 layers to bed.
The US National Park website has a lot of useful info.
http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm
Ok, so i should plan for Oct onwards...stay in the park and plan for a 2 days stay. Cause I dun think I can make it in early 2010..summer is out and therefore Oct onwards seems the best.
Is it advisable to cycle while inside the park? I wan to roam ard the park on my own, less restrictive ;p
Also, I read about catching a plane from San Francisco to a small airport nearby..will it cost much more than if I take a coach? Wat other available transport do we have inside the park?
A car seems out, it may be too expensive for a single and budget traveller like me :bsmilie:
Edit:
You can spend a week, taking some of your most awesome photos, so please plan. Climb out of the valley, since you mentioned cycling, I assume you are pretty fit? Then a hike of 6 hours will be peanuts to you. But bring lots of water and tell someone where you are going.
It is best to go in a group unless you are excellant at topo or a good woodsman. A GPS is defintely useful. Beware of bears, the threat is real. Use bear proof containers, and also do not sleep in tents with clothes in which you have food stains or crumbs.