United States travel guide for first-time visitors

For a first visit to the United States, most travellers combine one or two cities, such as New York and San Francisco, with a national park or a road trip through the Southwest. Allow 8 to 14 nights, check whether you need an ESTA or a visa well before booking, and expect to pay by card and tip for most services.

Who a US holiday suits

The US rewards travellers who like variety: museums and food in New York City, hiking and photography in the western parks, and long, scenic drives. Families do well on the Grand Canyon & Southwest Road Trip, while couples and city lovers often prefer the New York, San Francisco & Yosemite combination. Distances are large, so it suits people happy to fly domestically or spend several hours a day driving.

Entry and visa overview (as of November 2026)

Entry rules depend on your nationality. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can visit for tourism for 90 days or less with an approved ESTA, applied for on the official ESTA website. As of November 2026 it costs US$40.62 and, according to the State Department, is usually valid for two years or until your passport expires. Everyone else needs a visitor visa, applied for through a US embassy or consulate; start on the State Department's visa pages.

• An ESTA or visa does not guarantee entry; border officers make the final decision.
• The UK Foreign Office notes that officers may ask to inspect phones, laptops and social media, and that refusing can lead to delay or refusal of entry.
• Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay; airlines on some transit routes may require more.
• From 3 November 2026, travellers flying to or via the US are asked to complete a pre-boarding health declaration about recent travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; check your airline's instructions.

Arriving: gateway airports

New York is our usual gateway. The main international airports on our itineraries are New York JFK and Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX) and Las Vegas (LAS), with Phoenix (PHX) also useful for the Grand Canyon. Flying into one coast and out of the other avoids backtracking on coast-to-coast trips.

Money, language, time and practicalities

• Currency: the US dollar (USD). Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, and Yosemite's entrance stations, for example, no longer take cash.
• Prices: sales tax is usually added at the till, so the price on the shelf or menu is not the final total.
• Tipping: tips are expected in restaurants, bars and taxis and for hotel porters and guides; your specialist can give current local norms.
• Language: English.
• Time zones: the mainland spans UTC−5 to UTC−8, with Hawaiʻi further behind; most states move clocks forward in summer.
• Plugs: US sockets differ from those in most of Europe and Asia, so pack a suitable travel adaptor and check that your chargers accept the local voltage.

Getting around

In New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., walking and public transport are easiest, and you will not need a car. In the West, a hire car is the practical way to link parks, towns and viewpoints. The UK Foreign Office advises checking whether your state requires an International Driving Permit alongside your licence, keeping valuables out of sight in parked cars, and checking weather before long drives in desert or mountain areas. Domestic flights save days on coast-to-coast routes, for example New York to San Francisco.

Suggested routes by trip length

Timing matters as much as the route: Yosemite's high roads and waterfalls depend on snowmelt, and the Southwest is best outside midsummer. Our guide to the best time to visit the US explains each month.

Etiquette and culture

• Service staff are friendly and chatty; small talk is normal and a friendly reply is appreciated.
• Tipping is part of how service workers are paid, not an optional extra for exceptional service.
• Queues are respected, and personal space is valued in shops and on public transport.
• In national parks, keep to trails, keep your distance from wildlife and pack out all rubbish.
• Alcohol rules vary by state; drinking in public is restricted in many places, and ID is often checked.

Health and safety

Medical care in the US is expensive. The UK Foreign Office stresses comprehensive travel insurance covering treatment, evacuation and repatriation, notes that some hospitals ask non-residents for a deposit, and advises that some prescription medicines cannot be brought in. The emergency number is 911. Seasonal hazards include the Atlantic hurricane season (June to November), wildfires in dry western areas and flash floods in canyon country. Read the latest official US travel advice from your own government and the National Park Service safety pages before hiking.

Practical tips for a smooth first trip

• Budget for park fees: non-residents aged 16+ now pay a US$100 surcharge at 11 major parks, so compare the US$250 annual pass; our US trip cost guide breaks it down.
• Book the Statue of Liberty ferry only through the authorised operator; the park service warns about unofficial sellers near The Battery.
• Allow a buffer day after long-haul arrival before a big drive.
• Carry water and layers in the parks: desert days can be hot and nights cold.

Ready to plan? See all our ideas on the United States destination page, or build your own US route with a specialist.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. US Customs and Border Protection — Official ESTA application website
2. US Department of State — Visa Waiver Program
3. Federal Register — DHS immigration-related fees, FY2027 inflation adjustments
4. GOV.UK — USA travel advice: entry requirements
5. GOV.UK — USA travel advice: health
6. National Park Service — Statue of Liberty fees