Travelling to the United States

US Visa Requirements & Entry Rules

Entry requirements for the United States depend entirely on your citizenship. The US applies strict border procedures to all international arrivals through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) u2014 and it’s one of the more thorough border processes you’ll encounter anywhere in the world. Understanding your entry category before you fly is important, not optional.

• Maximum stay: Most visitors are admitted for up to 90 days under ESTA, or for the duration specified in their visa. The date stamped in your passport is your hard deadline u2014 overstaying by even one day can result in a ban from future entry.
• Customs declaration: Every international arrival must complete a CBP declaration form. Declare all food, plant materials, agricultural products, and cash or monetary instruments over USD $10,000. Failure to declare is a federal offence and can result in fines or confiscation.
• Biometrics on arrival: Almost all international visitors are fingerprinted and photographed at the port of entry. This applies to everyone, regardless of visa type or nationality, and is standard procedure.
• CBP interview: Border officers may ask about the purpose of your visit, your accommodation, and how you plan to fund your trip. Be clear, honest, and concise. Having a return ticket and hotel confirmation on hand is a good idea.
• Criminal record: Even older or minor criminal convictions can result in entry being denied. If this applies to you, contact the US Embassy in your home country well before you travel to understand your options.

Best Time to Visit the United States

The United States is so large that there is no single best time to visit u2014 the right season depends almost entirely on where you’re going and what you want to do. Florida and Arizona are winter destinations. The Pacific Northwest is mild year-round but rainy from October to April. New England has four distinct seasons. Hawaii is welcoming any time of year. Knowing your destination is the first step to choosing your dates.

Top US Destinations for Travellers

With 50 states to explore, choosing where to go in the United States is genuinely challenging. The cities below are the most popular starting points for international visitors u2014 and all for good reason. That said, some of the most memorable American experiences happen well off the beaten path, in the back roads and small towns that rarely make the highlight reel.

Transportation in the United States

The United States is built around the car. Outside of a small number of major cities, public transit ranges from limited to nonexistent. If your itinerary takes you beyond a single urban area u2014 and most do u2014 you’ll need to plan whether you’re flying or driving between destinations.

• Domestic flights: The fastest and most practical way to cover long distances. Major carriers u2014 American, Delta, United u2014 connect virtually everywhere. Budget airlines including Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier offer lower base fares, but watch for added fees on bags and seat selection. Booking 6u20138 weeks in advance typically yields the best prices on domestic routes.
• Renting a car: Essential for national parks, the Southwest, rural areas, and the South. Most rental agencies require drivers to be at least 25 years old to avoid young-driver surcharges; travellers aged 21u201324 can usually still rent but will pay significantly more. An International Driving Permit is recommended if your licence is not in English or Latin script.
• Amtrak rail: The national passenger rail network is scenic but slow on most long-distance routes. The main exception is the Northeast Corridor u2014 Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. u2014 where Amtrak’s Acela and regional trains are fast, frequent, and genuinely competitive with flying when you account for airport time. For everywhere else, treat a long-distance train journey as an experience rather than an efficient way to travel.
• Intercity buses: FlixBus and Greyhound offer inexpensive connections between many cities not well-served by rail. A good option for budget-conscious travellers with flexible schedules, though journey times can be long.
• Urban transit: New York City, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., and San Francisco all have strong, affordable metro systems. Most other US cities are car-dependent. Uber and Lyft operate in every major city and are often the most practical option for getting around without a rental car.
• Road trips: The US has some of the world’s most iconic road trip routes u2014 Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road. If you’re planning a multi-destination trip, renting a car or campervan and building your own route is often both the most cost-effective and most rewarding option.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel?

Travel costs in the United States vary significantly depending on where you go and how you travel. New York City and San Francisco sit at the expensive end of the spectrum; smaller cities in the South and Midwest offer noticeably better value. One cost that stays consistent across the entire country is tipping u2014 it’s woven into the culture and the economy, and it’s expected.

• Tipping culture: In the US, tips make up a meaningful portion of service workers’ wages. The standard at sit-down restaurants is 18u201320%; anything below 15% is considered low. Tip bartenders USD $1u20132 per drink, hotel housekeeping USD $2u20135 per night, and taxi or rideshare drivers 15u201320%. Many card payment terminals now prompt for a tip at coffee shops, bakeries, and takeaway counters u2014 use your judgement, but be aware it’s increasingly expected.
• Sales tax: Prices in the US are almost always listed before tax. Sales tax ranges from 0% (in states like Oregon and Montana) to over 10% in some cities, and is added at the register. Budget for 5u201310% on top of any listed price. There is no tourist tax refund scheme in the US.
• Paying by card: Credit and debit cards are accepted almost universally. Visa and Mastercard work everywhere; American Express is accepted at most mid-range and upscale establishments. Contactless tap payments are widely supported.
• Using ATMs: Stick to ATMs at major bank branches u2014 Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are the most common. Private ATMs at convenience stores, tourist attractions, and airports regularly charge USD $3u20135 per transaction in addition to your own bank’s foreign withdrawal fees.
• Currency exchange: Only USD is accepted in the United States. Exchange cash before you leave home or use a bank ATM on arrival for a reasonable rate. Currency exchange kiosks at airports are consistently poor value.

Health, Safety & Travel Insurance

The United States has world-class medical facilities, but healthcare is fully privatised u2014 and one of the most expensive systems in the world for anyone without local coverage. A minor emergency room visit can cost several thousand dollars before treatment even begins. Travel insurance isn’t just recommended for the US; it’s something you genuinely should not travel without.

• Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required to enter the United States. Routine immunisations u2014 including MMR, tetanus-diphtheria, and flu u2014 are generally recommended before any international travel. Check your government’s travel health advisory for the most current guidance.
• Emergency services: Dial 911 for police, fire, or ambulance anywhere in the country. This call is free from any phone, including a phone without a SIM card. Emergency response times are generally good in urban areas; response times in remote and rural areas can be longer.
• Prescription medication: Bring a full supply of any prescription medication for your entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Keep medications in their original, labelled packaging. Some substances that are controlled or banned in the US may be unregulated in your home country u2014 and vice versa. It’s worth checking before you pack.
• Personal safety: The US is generally safe for tourists in most areas. Crime rates vary significantly by city and neighbourhood u2014 the same city can have very different safety profiles depending on where you are. Do a quick look at the specific areas you’re visiting and apply standard urban awareness wherever you go.
• Extreme weather: The US experiences a wide range of serious weather events. Hurricanes affect Gulf and Atlantic coastal states from June through November; tornadoes are most common across the Midwest in spring; wildfires impact large areas of the western states in summer and autumn; major winter storms affect the Northeast and Midwest from December through February. Check weather alerts for your region and follow official guidance if conditions deteriorate.
• Sun and heat safety: UV radiation is strong across the South and Southwest year-round. In desert destinations like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon, summer temperatures can be genuinely life-threatening. Stay hydrated, cover up during the hottest part of the day, and don’t underestimate how quickly dehydration sets in at high temperatures.

Accommodation in the United States

The US offers accommodation at every price point u2014 from budget motels along the interstate to iconic luxury hotels in the heart of New York or nestled inside a national park. Budget options are widely available in most destinations, though room rates in Manhattan and San Francisco rank among the most expensive in the world. One cost that trips up many international visitors: hotel taxes, which are added on top of the listed room rate and can add 14u201318% to your final bill.

American Culture, Food & Etiquette

American culture is both familiar and surprising. Films, music, and television have given most of the world a picture of the United States, but the country is far more varied than any single image suggests. Each region u2014 the Deep South, New England, the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, the Midwest u2014 has its own distinct character, food traditions, dialect, and pace of life. The America of New Orleans is a genuinely different country from the America of Seattle or rural Montana.

• Regional American cuisine: Some of the best eating in the US is tied to a specific place u2014 New England clam chowder and lobster rolls; Texas-style BBQ brisket and breakfast tacos; Southern fried chicken and biscuits; deep-dish pizza in Chicago; Dungeness crab and fresh salmon along the Pacific Northwest coast; Hawaiian poke. Seek out regional food wherever you are u2014 it’s almost always better than anything generic.
• Restaurant portions: Portions in the US are famously generous by international standards. Sharing a main course is common and generally accepted at casual restaurants. Asking for a “to-go box” for leftovers is completely standard u2014 don’t feel awkward requesting one.
• Drinking age and alcohol laws: The legal drinking age in the US is 21, and it is strictly enforced. Expect to be asked for ID at bars and restaurants regardless of how old you appear. Alcohol laws also vary significantly by state and county u2014 some jurisdictions in the South are still fully or partially “dry,” meaning no alcohol is sold at all. Check local rules if you’re visiting smaller or more rural areas.
• Social culture: Americans tend to be friendly, outgoing, and quick to make conversation with strangers. “How are you?” is a standard greeting rather than a genuine question u2014 a brief “Good, thanks!” is the expected response. Service staff are generally warm and attentive, in part because tips make up a meaningful portion of their take-home pay.
• Cannabis laws: Cannabis is legal for recreational use in several states including California, Colorado, New York, Illinois, and others u2014 but it remains federally illegal. It cannot be carried through any US airport or across state lines, even if both states have legalised it. Check the specific laws of each state you visit before purchasing or consuming.
• Smoking rules: Smoking is banned in virtually all indoor public spaces across the country, including restaurants, bars, hotels, and workplaces. Designated smoking areas are located outside and away from building entrances. Vaping and e-cigarette laws vary by state and municipality.
• US public holidays: Independence Day (4th of July), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday of November), and Christmas Day are the major national holidays. Accommodation prices increase significantly around these dates, events and attractions are often booked up, and some businesses close. Factor these in when planning your dates.

Staying Connected in the US

Mobile coverage in American cities and along most major highways is generally excellent. In rural areas u2014 particularly across the West, inside national parks, and along remote stretches of highway u2014 coverage can drop off significantly or disappear entirely. If your trip involves any time in the backcountry or off major routes, plan for the possibility of having no signal.

• Prepaid US SIM cards: Available from T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon at airports, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy stores. T-Mobile generally offers the best value for international visitors, with plans starting around USD $30 for 5u201315GB of data valid for 30 days. T-Mobile also has the strongest rural coverage in the western United States, which matters if you’re visiting national parks.
• eSIM: International eSIM providers including Airalo and Holafly let you purchase and activate a US data plan before you leave home. This is a convenient option if your phone supports eSIM and you want to avoid hunting for a SIM card on arrival. Prices are competitive with local prepaid options.
• Wi-Fi access: Free Wi-Fi is standard at hotels, most coffee shops, fast food chains, and public libraries. Coverage at national park campgrounds and backcountry lodges ranges from slow and limited to nonexistent.
• National park connectivity: Many of the most visited parks have little or no mobile signal in significant portions of the park. Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, remote areas of Yosemite, and much of the Zion backcountry are among the notable dead zones. Download offline maps and trail guides via AllTrails before you enter the park u2014 don’t rely on a data connection once you’re inside.
• Backcountry safety: If you’re doing any overnight backcountry hiking or venturing into remote wilderness, a personal locator beacon or satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, SPOT) is a sensible safety measure. Emergency calls via mobile phone will not work where there is no signal.
• Useful apps for the US: Google Maps (download offline areas before you go), Uber and Lyft (rideshare), GasBuddy (find the cheapest gas nearby), AllTrails (hiking trails and maps), Recreation.gov (national park campground reservations), and Weather.com for forecasts.
• Power outlets and voltage: US outlets are Type A and B, running at 120V/60Hz. Most modern phones, laptops, tablets, and camera chargers are dual-voltage and only need a plug adaptor. Hair dryers, electric shavers, and other motor-driven appliances purchased in Canada or Europe may need a voltage converter u2014 check the label on the device before you pack it.