Travel to USA

The United States is one of the largest countries in the world and the second largest in North America, just behind Canada. Most people call it the USA, the US, the States or simply America, and almost everyone arrives with a picture of it already in their head, shaped by films, music and TV.

Across the 50 states, the cities are the big draw. New York, Miami, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas each pull visitors for very different reasons. The landscapes are just as much a reason to come: Yellowstone and Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, the Black Hills, the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, the surf breaks of Oahu and the wilderness of Alaska. Hiking, surfing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing and boating are all possible somewhere in the country.

Most first trips include a few classics: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Hollywood Sign, the Las Vegas Strip, the Golden Gate Bridge and the White House. They are a starting point. The country is too big and too varied for one typical American trip, and every visit can look completely different from the last.

Our travel tips below are sorted by place and by what you want to do: California, Los Angeles, Florida, New York, Alaska, Virginia, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Things to Do and See, Outdoor and Nature, National Parks, Beaches and Water Sports, Food and Drinks, Where to Stay, Transport and General Travel Tips.

Visa Requirements for the USA

Citizens of the more than 40 countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can visit the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. You need an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before you board a plane or ship to the US. Apply only on the official ESTA website of US Customs and Border Protection. An ESTA currently costs $40 and is valid for two years, or until your passport expires if that comes first.

Canadian and Bermudian citizens do not need a visa for most short visits and can usually stay up to six months. Mexican citizens living near the border can use a Border Crossing Card.

Everyone else needs a visa before arriving. For a holiday this is usually the B-2 tourist visa, applied for through your nearest US embassy or consulate. Plan well ahead, as interview waiting times can be long, and check the current fees on the embassy website, as new charges have been added recently. Entry rules have changed several times since 2025, so check travel.state.gov before booking.

Important Cultural Information

America is made up of several different ethnic groups, with varying cultures throughout the country and even within the same city. Take a city like New York, for example, you will find different ethnicities represented in each neighborhood. Despite these differences, the country has a strong national identity with certain common cultural traits.

Politics is a big part of American culture. Most Americans will defend their political opinions across a wide range of issues. Political debates often get heated and lead to insults and personal attacks. For this reason it is best to avoid any political discussions with Americans, unless you know the person well. Most will be happy to share their views with you, as long as you don’t get too defensive against what they are saying.

Americans are generally perceived as loud, passionate and curious conversationalists that tend to be quite open and vocal about various issues that other cultures may be more reserved about. Americans may also seem superficial or rude in some parts of the world, though this is simply how they come across.

Another interesting part of the American culture is that Americans often tend to identify with the country of their ancestry, even if several generations of their ancestors were born in the U.S. For example, many people of Irish, Italian or African descent identify as Irish American, Italian American or African American.

Banking & Money in the USA

The currency is the US dollar ($), divided into 100 cents. The most common bills are $1, $5, $10 and $20. $50 and $100 bills exist, but some smaller shops won’t accept them.

Cards rule. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, even for a $2 coffee, and contactless payment and Apple or Google Pay are standard in the cities. A few places still say “cash only” at the door, so carry a little cash, especially for tips. ATMs are everywhere, but expect a fee from both the ATM owner and your home bank. Tell your bank you are traveling before you go.

The big banks with branches and ATMs in most cities are Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citibank. Exchange counters at airports offer poor rates, so it is usually better to withdraw dollars from an ATM.

Prices on shelves and menus usually do not include sales tax. It is added at the till and varies by state and city.

Medical Emergency Information

The emergency number for police, fire and ambulance is 911. It works from any phone, including mobiles without a US SIM.

Healthcare in the US is excellent but very expensive. A short hospital visit can cost thousands of dollars, so do not travel without travel insurance that covers medical costs. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are easy to find, and many are open late or around the clock. For minor problems, urgent care clinics are much cheaper and faster than a hospital emergency room.

If you’re looking for travel insurance, we are an affiliate of SafetyWing, a travel medical insurance provider.

Wi-Fi and Internet in the USA

Free Wi-Fi is easy to find in cafes, restaurants, hotels, libraries and most airports. It is common on long-distance trains and on many flights, though often paid on planes. Use a VPN on public networks, like ExpressVPN.

For mobile data, an eSIM is the easiest option: buy and install it before you fly and you are online as soon as you land. If your phone does not support eSIM, prepaid SIM cards from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon are sold in their own stores and at Target, Walmart, CVS and Walgreens. Check first whether your home plan already includes US roaming, as many do.

Coworking spaces exist in every major city and plenty of smaller ones, if you need to get some work done on the road.

Arrival in the USA

Most visitors arrive by plane. The main gateways are:

• From Europe: New York (JFK and Newark), Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Orlando and Miami.
• From Asia and Oceania: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Honolulu.
• From Latin America and the Caribbean: Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles. Most large US airports have direct flights to the main cities in Mexico.

Security on US-bound flights is strict, so check the latest rules before you fly. Coming from Canada, you can clear US immigration and customs before departure at the larger Canadian airports and arrive as a domestic passenger.

Search for flights to America on Expedia.

Arriving overland from Canada or Mexico is easy by car or bus, but the border crossings are some of the busiest in the world, so expect queues. Consider Europcar for car rental in the US. Bus companies such as Greyhound run cross-border routes, and Amtrak runs trains into the US from Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. There are no passenger trains across the Mexican border. The closest stations are San Diego and El Paso.

Areas of the USA

Fifty states, six time zones and almost every landscape you can think of. To make it easier, we’ve grouped the country into 13 regions that most visitors plan around.

New England

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Think Boston, lighthouses, lobster shacks, fall colors, ski slopes and small towns full of early American history.

Mid-Atlantic

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC. This is where you’ll find New York City and some of the most densely populated and cosmopolitan areas in the country, plus the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes and Chesapeake Bay.

South USA

Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas (here’s a few things to do in Little Rock) and Louisiana. The South is about hospitality, home cooking and music, from blues and jazz to rock ‘n’ roll and country. The landscape runs from the Blue Ridge and the Smoky Mountains to bayous, old plantations and long sandy beaches.

Florida

Beaches, theme parks, the Everglades and the Keys. Florida is one of the most visited states in the country, from Miami and Key West to Orlando and historic St Augustine. Coral reefs, mangroves, manatees and alligators make it just as interesting for nature lovers.

Here’s a few things to do in St Augustine, a coastal city in Florida.

Midwest of USA

Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan (where you’ll find Torch Lake), Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. Chicago, the Great Lakes shoreline, farmland, forests and friendly small towns.

Texas

The second largest state, with a strong Spanish and Mexican heritage. The landscape ranges from Gulf Coast beaches and Hill Country to deserts, canyons and cattle ranches. The big cities are Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin.

Great Plains

North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. Wide open prairie, big skies, the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore, and some of the best road-trip stretches in the country.

Rocky Mountains

Colorado (here’s the best things to do in Pagosa Springs), Montana (here’s the best outdoor activities in Montana), Wyoming and Idaho. Hiking, rafting and skiing in the mountains, plus Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Southwest of USA

Arizona, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico, with cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix and Santa Fe. Strong Native American, Spanish and Mexican influences, and the land of canyons, red rock, sand dunes and desert national parks.

California

Modern cities, redwood forests, a long coastline, snowy mountains and deserts, all in one state. The main cities are Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento, with Santa Barbara, Big Sur and Lake Tahoe close behind. Highway 1 along the coast is one of the most famous road trips in the world, and the beaches in Northern California are worth the drive.

Pacific Northwest

Washington State, Oregon and northern Idaho. Seattle and Portland, rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula, volcanoes like Mount Rainier and a wild coastline, with good food, coffee and craft beer along the way.

Alaska

The biggest state by far, reaching well into the Arctic. Around 15 percent of Alaskans are Alaska Native, with cultures including Tlingit, Iñupiat and Yup’ik. Glaciers, bears, Denali and the Alaska Dalton Highway for anyone looking for real adventure.

Hawaii

Laid-back island life, volcanoes, rainforest and some of the best surf on the planet. Each island feels different, from busy Oahu to Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. Here’s an itinerary for Maui.

Transportation in the USA

Distances are huge, so most travelers fly between regions. Coast to coast takes about five to six hours. Almost every city has at least one airport with domestic flights (California alone has several international airports), and smaller towns often have a regional airport with connections through a hub. Search for domestic flights here.

Road trips are the classic way to see the country, whether it’s Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway or a loop through the national parks of the Southwest. To rent a car you normally need a credit card and a license you have held for at least a year, and drivers under 25 pay extra. An International Driving Permit is a good idea if your license is not in English. Consider Europcar for your car hire.

Amtrak is the national rail network. It works well along the Northeast Corridor between Washington DC, New York and Boston, while the long-distance routes are scenic rather than fast. Book early for the best fares. Greyhound covers most long-distance bus routes and is usually the cheapest way to get around.

Public transport is good in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago and San Francisco. Outside those cities most people drive, and you will probably want a car too.

Accommodations in the USA

You’ll find every kind of accommodation in the US, at every budget. Motels line the main roads and highways and are the classic road-trip stop: simple rooms, free parking and easy check-in. Hostels, guesthouses and budget hotels are found in most cities.

With a bigger budget, there are boutique hotels, luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts. Across the country, and especially in the West, many towns still have historic hotels. They are fun for a night or two, but don’t expect every modern comfort.

Check the final price before you book. Hotel taxes in many cities add 15 percent or more, and resort fees are common in Las Vegas, Hawaii and Florida.

Read our guide on where to stay in New York for the best places to sleep in the city. And for the outdoor fans, here’s the best camping places in the USA.

Book ahead for popular destinations, national parks, holidays and big events. We recommend checking accommodation on booking sites like Booking.com and Expedia.

What to Eat and Drink in the USA

The food scene in the States is far more than burgers and fast food. From 24-hour diners and food trucks to fine dining, every region has its own specialties, and in the big cities you can find almost any cuisine, from Chinese and Italian to Mexican, Ethiopian and Middle Eastern.

Some regional highlights: barbecue in Texas, Kansas City, Memphis and the Carolinas, each with its own style. Steaks in the Midwest and the Rockies. Lobster rolls, clam chowder and steamers in New England. Blue crab in Maryland. Cajun and Creole cooking in Louisiana, especially New Orleans. Southern soul food like fried chicken, biscuits and grits. Fresh, seasonal, farm-to-table food in California and the Pacific Northwest.

American classics you’ll find everywhere include burgers, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteaks, pizza and sandwiches, and Americans love Mexican food, especially tacos.

A USA trip often ends with a few extra pounds added…

Tipping is expected. In restaurants, 18 to 20 percent of the bill before tax is normal, and bartenders usually get $1 to $2 per drink. Many card machines at counters now suggest a tip too. That one is optional.

Things to Do and See in the USA

The list of things to see and do in the USA is endless, for every kind of traveler. From seeing a show on Broadway in New York City and spending some time on the slots in Las Vegas to taking a classic American road trip or hiking a stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

While we couldn’t possibly list everything to see and do in America in one post, here are some of the top places to visit:

• Grand Canyon – one of the most visited natural sights in the US.
• Mount Rushmore – four former presidents carved into a granite cliff in South Dakota.
• Denali National Park – featuring North America’s highest peak.
• Mesa Verde National Park – well-preserved Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings.
• Niagara Falls – massive waterfalls on the border with Canada.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park – the most visited national park in the US, in the southern Appalachians.
• Yellowstone National Park – the world’s first national park and the site of the Old Faithful geyser. Here’s why you should visit Yellowstone National Park in winter.
• Yosemite National Park – El Capitan, Half Dome and the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove. Read our guide on things to do in Yosemite along with the best hikes in Yosemite.
• Zion National Park – hike through the canyons of this Utah national park.
• Walt Disney World – because everyone loves a bit of Disney adventure.
• Golden Gate Bridge – the landmark of San Francisco.

Other popular things to add to a USA trip: a big baseball, basketball or football game, the free Smithsonian museums in Washington DC, wine tasting in Napa Valley, the jazz scene in New Orleans, the Hollywood sights in Los Angeles, the top sightseeing spots in New York or a surf lesson in Hawaii.

Shopping in the USA

Every major international brand, from luxury to high street, is available in the US. America invented the modern shopping mall, and the suburbs are full of strip malls, with long rows of shops sharing one parking lot. Big cities have shopping districts rather than pedestrian shopping streets.

The main department stores are Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Kohl’s and JCPenney. Walmart, Target and Costco are the best-known discount stores, while Kroger and Albertsons are two of the largest supermarket chains.

Outlet malls are popular and usually sit along the Interstate highways outside the big cities. Simon Premium Outlets is the largest chain.

Prices on tags do not include sales tax, which is added at the till and varies by state. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax.

For bargains, look for weekend garage sales in the suburbs, flea markets and thrift stores.

USA’s Nightlife

New York is rightly nicknamed the city that never sleeps. There is always something on, from Broadway shows and live bands to packed bars and nightclubs.

Most of America’s big cities change character completely when the sun sets. Some of the cities with the best nightlife include Miami Beach, Tampa and Key West (Florida), Las Vegas (Nevada), New York City, New Orleans (Louisiana), Chicago (Illinois), Nashville and Memphis (Tennessee), Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco (California), Austin and Houston (Texas), Boston (Massachusetts) and Seattle (Washington).

In every city you won’t have to look far for a bar or nightclub, and most have a busy live music scene, from country to hip hop and rock.

Safety Tips for the USA

The USA is generally a safe country to travel in, with the same common-sense rules as anywhere. Watch your belongings in crowded places and never leave anything visible in a parked car, not even in the trunk, as break-ins of rental cars are common in some cities.

Violent crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and rarely involves tourists. Ask your hotel or locals which areas to avoid, and take care in unfamiliar places at night.

Respect nature. Every year visitors get hurt in national parks because they underestimate heat, distances, wildlife or weather. Carry enough water in the desert, keep your distance from bison and bears, and check park alerts before you go.

In the areas along the Mexican border in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas, stay alert and follow the advice of local authorities.

Here’s how not to look like a typical New York tourist.

Conclusion

America might be the one country people from all over the world feel they know before they ever arrive. Through films and TV, we already know the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles and the White House in Washington.

There’s much more to explore beyond the big city sights. The national parks have some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet: the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes and the Everglades are just a few.

Most visitors leave with a list of places for the next trip.