Check entry requirements early
Entry rules for the United States depend on your passport, and they can change. Many visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries travel on an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) rather than a visa. Others need a visitor visa, which usually involves an application and an interview.
A few habits help whatever your situation:
- Check the official U.S. government sources (the State Department for visas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection for ESTA) rather than third-party sites. Some unofficial sites charge extra fees for the same application.
- Apply well ahead of your trip instead of in the last few days.
- Make sure your passport is valid for the period required for your nationality, and that the name matches your booking.
- Keep your accommodation details and return or onward travel information handy, since border officers may ask about them.
Your own government’s travel advice page is also a good place to check current conditions and entry notes.
Money, tipping and sales tax
Prices at the shelf are not final. Sales tax is generally added at the register and varies by state and city, so the total will be higher than the displayed price. Hotels may also add local taxes and, in some places, resort or destination fees.
Tipping is a real part of pay for many workers. As a general guide:
- Sit-down restaurants: roughly 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is typical, with around 18 to 20 percent common in many cities.
- Bars: often a dollar or two per drink, or a similar percentage.
- Taxis and ride-hailing: commonly 10 to 20 percent.
- Hotel housekeeping and porters: a few dollars is customary, though practices vary.
- Counter-service places usually do not require a tip, even if a screen suggests one.
Cards are widely accepted, and contactless payment is common, but carrying a small amount of cash for tips or small vendors can be useful. Tell your bank you are travelling and check foreign transaction fees before you leave.
Distances and getting around
The biggest planning mistake is underestimating size. A map can make Los Angeles to San Francisco look like a short hop, but it is a long day of driving or a flight. Think in regions rather than trying to see “the USA” in one trip.
- Flights are the normal way to cover long distances. Domestic flights can be affordable if booked ahead, and baggage fees are common on budget fares.
- Driving is the best option for national parks and road trips; our 10-day California road trip and long drive tips show how to plan one. Americans drive on the right. Check your licence requirements and whether you need an International Driving Permit, and read the rental terms on insurance and age surcharges.
- Trains such as Amtrak work well on some corridors, notably the Northeast, but are less frequent elsewhere.
- Cities differ widely. New York has extensive public transport (see our first-time New York tips), while many other cities are easiest with a car or ride-hailing.
Health care, insurance and emergencies
Medical care in the USA can be very expensive for visitors, and your home health system or insurance may not cover you there. Many travellers buy travel health insurance that covers medical treatment and, if relevant, emergency evacuation. Read the policy for exclusions such as adventure activities.
For emergencies, call 911 for police, fire or ambulance. For anything non-urgent, urgent care clinics are often a more practical choice than an emergency room. If you take prescription medication, carry it in its original packaging and check the rules for bringing it in.
Everyday logistics
- Plugs and voltage: The USA uses 120V with two-pin flat plugs (some with a third round pin). Visitors from many countries need an adapter, and sometimes a voltage converter for certain devices.
- Phones: Check roaming costs with your provider, or consider an eSIM or local prepaid SIM. Coverage can be patchy in national parks and remote areas, so download offline maps. Our apps for international travel guide covers eSIMs, maps and payments.
- Units: Distances are in miles, temperatures in Fahrenheit, and weights in pounds and ounces.
- Dates: Written month first, so 10/11 usually means October 11.
- Time zones: The mainland spans four, which matters for flights, tours and park reservations.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Planning too much driving between far-apart places.
- Forgetting that tax and tips come on top of listed prices.
- Travelling without health insurance.
- Leaving bookings for popular attractions too late. Some national park entries, lodging and attractions need advance reservations (see our Havasupai Falls planning guide as an extreme example).
- Not checking seasonal conditions: hurricanes in parts of the Southeast, extreme summer heat in desert areas, and heavy snow in mountain regions can all disrupt a trip.
- Treating all cities the same. Customs, tipping habits and transport differ by region.
- Assuming small talk is insincere. Friendliness from strangers is generally just friendliness.
Choosing where to go
Pick one or two regions and give them time. For ideas, see our guides to five days in New York City, first-time Disney World planning, and fall travel destinations in the USA if you are visiting in autumn. Travelling with children? See our top family travel destinations.
Rules, fees and prices change, so confirm details with official sources close to your travel date.