United States: know before you go

The United States admits citizens of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they hold approved ESTA clearance prior to travel by air, sea, or land. Apply as soon as you begin planning; approvals last two years or until your passport expires. You need an e-passport with a chip, and the passport must be valid at least six months beyond your planned departure unless your country has an exemption. The ESTA fee is now a minimum of $40, up from $21 before September 30, 2025. Travelers from outside the program need a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate, and VWP travelers who have recently visited certain restricted countries should check eligibility before booking.

Most visits start at an international airport, and arrival is where the paperwork gets checked. A CBP officer at the port of entry decides whether you are admissible; an ESTA or visa does not guarantee entry. At major airports, allow as much as three hours for check-in and security during peak periods. Carry-on liquids follow the TSA rule: containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less in a single quart sized bag. Crossing by land, travelers who need an I-94 record pay $30 at the border, up from $6.

Amtrak's national network reaches more than 500 destinations, and the Northeast Corridor is the one stretch where trains compete with flying, downtown to downtown. For long hauls, domestic flights are faster and usually the practical choice. The USA Rail Pass suits multi-stop trips: 10 segments over 30 days for a standard $499, with sales that have cut it to $250, as in a January 2026 promotion. It is not valid on Acela or Auto Train, and every segment needs a reservation before you board. Driving is the most flexible way to reach parks and small towns, with traffic on the right and rental cars at every major airport.

US cities range from a few dense metros where a car is a liability to places where a car is the only way in. Big cities mix subways, buses, and commuter rail with rideshares, taxis, and walking, and downtown parking is expensive. Outside the biggest metros, the country is built around the car, and the long hops between regions are usually domestic flights.

Money in the United States runs on the dollar, and card payments with tap to pay are accepted almost everywhere, including many transit systems. Still, carry cash for tips and smaller vendors. The price on the tag excludes sales tax, added at checkout; state rates run from zero to 7.25 percent, local taxes add up to 5 percent more, and combined rates can top 10 percent. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon levy no state sales tax. Hotel bills stack occupancy taxes of 10 to 18 percent plus resort or destination fees, and there is no VAT style refund when you leave.

The United States is generally safe for visitors who use big city habits: watch bags in crowds, use ATMs in busy, well lit places, and keep valuables out of sight in parked cars, where break-ins are a common problem at trailheads and tourist lots. Weather is the bigger planning risk. Hurricanes hit the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from June through November, tornadoes cross the central states in spring, and the Southwest bakes in summer. For any emergency, dial 911.

Health care in the United States is world class and extremely expensive, and visitors get no public coverage. A single emergency room visit can cost $500 to $3,000 or more without insurance, so buy a travel policy with medical and evacuation coverage before you fly. No vaccinations are required for most visitors. Tap water is safe to drink nationwide, pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens are everywhere, and sun protection is essential in the South and Southwest.

Mobile coverage in the United States is strong in cities and along major highways and patchy in rural areas and national parks. The simplest fix is a prepaid SIM or eSIM from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, sold at airports, carrier stores, and electronics retailers; plans start around $25 a month, and starter kits run $10 to $20. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you fly, or install an eSIM before landing so you have data on arrival. Public Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafes, and libraries.

Americans are informal and direct, small talk with strangers is normal, and a cashier's 'have a nice day' is sincere. The custom that trips visitors up most is tipping, because it forms part of how service workers are paid. At a sit-down restaurant, 20 percent is the standard guideline unless gratuity is already included. Bartenders get 15 to 20 percent per round or at least $1 a drink, porters $2 a bag, and hotel housekeeping a few dollars a day. Groups of six or more often see automatic gratuity added to the bill.

English is the language of daily life, road signs, and government paperwork, and a March 2025 executive order designated it the official language of the United States while leaving existing multilingual services in place. Spanish is widely spoken and often signed in Florida, Texas, California, and the Southwest, and big city visitor areas handle the major visitor languages.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires accessible design and equal service across public transit, hotels, restaurants, and attractions, so most major US museums, hotels, and transit systems accommodate wheelchairs with step-free routes and accessible restrooms. The recurring gaps are older buildings, subway stations without elevators, and small inns. In peak season, book accessible rooms and accessible tours early.

The United States has 11 federal holidays, and they matter mostly for logistics: federal offices, post offices, and banks close, while most stores, restaurants, and attractions stay open. Travel peaks around Thanksgiving, Independence Day, and the stretch between Christmas and New Year. The 2026 dates are New Year's Day (January 1), the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 19), Washington's Birthday (February 16), Memorial Day (May 25), Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19), Independence Day observed (July 3), Labor Day (September 7), Columbus Day (October 12), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (November 26), and Christmas Day (December 25). Weekend holidays shift to the nearest Friday or Monday.

In the United States, the things that sell out first are the ones with fixed capacity: Amtrak sleeping cars and the USA Rail Pass itself, since every segment needs a reservation; national park lodges, campgrounds, and permits; holiday week flights; and airport rental cars in summer. Several parks run timed entry or permit systems, and some reservations open months ahead, occasionally a year out. If your trip includes multiple parks, the America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 for US residents and $250 for visitors who live outside the United States.