North America
North AmericaUnited StatesTravel guide
- Washington, D.C.
- Boston
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New Orleans
The United States is a large, diverse country with major cities, beaches, mountains, deserts and national parks. Travel between distant places can take a lot of time and money.
Why go
Skyscrapers in Manhattan and Chicago.
Natural scenery in Yellowstone and Alaska.
Canyon landscapes in the Southwest.
Volcanoes and rugged coastlines in the Pacific Northwest.
Sunny beaches in Florida, Hawaii and Southern California.
Best time to go: The best time depends on the region. July to September is usually dry on the northwest coast and good for outdoor activities; northern winters can be very cold, while southwestern summers can be extremely hot.
Getting there
By air
- Major international entry airports include Atlanta, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami and Houston.
- Arrive at the check-in counter at least three hours before your flight to the United States. Allow time for detailed security checks and questioning.
- You must pass through immigration and customs even when changing between international flights.
By land
- You can cross by road from Canada or Mexico. Busy crossings can have waits of one to two hours during peak periods.
- Tell your rental company before taking a Canadian rental car into the United States. Rental cars from Mexico usually cannot enter.
- Mexican-registered vehicles need proof of separate United States insurance. Most Canadian vehicle insurance provides coverage in the United States.
By sea
- Cunard offers ship travel between the United Kingdom and New York City. Other cruise lines offer some one-way trips from overseas ports.
- Passenger ferries from Canada mainly connect British Columbia with Washington State or Alaska.
Customs
- Collect your checked bags and take them through customs. Some newer airports combine immigration and customs into one checkpoint.
- Declare all food and plant items and present them for inspection. Fresh food is generally not allowed, while some commercially packaged food may be permitted.
- Declare goods that exceed your duty-free allowance. Failing to declare them can lead to fines or loss of the goods.
Getting around
Plane
Flying is usually the quickest way to cover long distances. Coast-to-coast flights take about six hours travelling west and five hours travelling east. Compare nearby airports and ground connections, as flying directly to a smaller destination can cost more.
Car
A car is useful in much of the country because many cities were built around driving. Public transport is often preferable in New York City, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Washington. Most roads are free to use, but some charge fees. Do not underestimate distances between cities.
Train
Amtrak is useful for shorter trips in built-up areas, especially between Boston and Washington. Long-distance trains can be slow, expensive and delayed, though they offer comfortable travel and scenic views. Book early around holidays, when long-distance trains can sell out weeks or months ahead. Check commuter train schedules carefully because some services run only during rush hour.
Bus
Intercity buses are generally dependable, safe and affordable, but do not serve everywhere. Greyhound offers discounts for tickets bought 7–14 days ahead. Some independent Chinatown bus companies accept cash and leave from street-side stops. For local buses, you may need to wave to board and press a button or pull a cord to request your stop.
What to see and do
Manhattan and Chicago
See famous skyscrapers and major city architecture.
Yellowstone National Park
Visit one of the country's major natural attractions.
Alaska
Explore natural scenery, mountains and coastal islands.
Southwestern canyonlands
See dramatic canyon landscapes, including the Grand Canyon.
Pacific Northwest
See towering volcanoes and rugged coastlines.
Florida, Hawaii and Southern California
Enjoy warm, sunny beaches.
Food and drink
Cheap cafés
These are an option for travellers keeping food costs down.
Full-service restaurants
Budget for sales tax and a tip of 18–25%. Check the menu and bill for an automatic service charge.
Food delivery
Delivery tips are generally $2–5 minimum, or 15–20% for larger orders.
Bars
Bartenders generally receive $1 per drink or 15–20% of the total, whichever is higher.
Money
United States dollar ($), divided into 100 cents.
- Carry both a payment card and some cash. Some businesses refuse cash, while some small businesses accept only cash.
- Foreign credit and debit cards are accepted in most places.
- Keep small bills for tips. Small shops may refuse $50 or $100 bills for small purchases.
- Foreign currencies are almost never accepted, and border businesses that accept them may offer poor exchange rates.
Tipping: Tips are widely expected: allow 18–25% at full-service restaurants, 10–20% for taxis and 18–20% for ride-hailing drivers. Restaurant tips are calculated before sales tax and before discounts; check whether a mandatory tip is already included.
Typical costs
- A very basic budget may be $30–50 per day.
- Staying in motels and eating at cheap cafés can roughly double that basic budget.
- A rental car and hotel accommodation can bring costs to $150 per day or more.
- New York and San Francisco are expensive; rural areas and suburban hotels are often cheaper.
Language
- English is dominant nationwide; speaking slowly and clearly can help.
- Spanish is widely spoken, especially in several southern and western states and large cities, but Spanish-speaking staff are not available everywhere.
- American Sign Language is the main sign language.
- Restroom or bathroom
- Toilet.
- Round-trip ticket
- Return ticket.
- To-go or takeout
- Food to take away.
- Gas or gasoline
- Petrol.
- Line
- Queue.
- Sidewalk
- Footpath or pavement.
- Elevator
- Lift.
- Bucks
- Dollars.
Staying safe
- Follow evacuation orders during hurricanes. Atlantic and Gulf coast states can experience hurricanes between June and November.
- Tornadoes occur in the Great Plains and Midwest from late spring to early fall.
- Do not enter the mountains unprepared in winter. Roads can be icy, and snow can fall even in summer.
- Southwestern deserts can be extremely hot in summer, while northern areas can be dangerously cold in winter.
Local customs
Do
- Keep small bills available for tips to service workers.
- Speak slowly and clearly, and repeat or rephrase if someone does not understand.
- Follow instructions from the Coast Guard and waterway authorities immediately when boating.
Don't
- Do not imitate African-American Vernacular English if you are not African-American; this can be considered offensive.
- Do not assume that staff speak Spanish, even in large cities.
- Do not ignore hurricane evacuation orders.
Staying healthy
- High humidity can make hot weather feel hotter than the temperature reading.
- Mountain temperatures can remain cool in summer, and snow can fall nearly year-round.
- The source advises travellers leaving Ebola-affected countries to monitor for symptoms for 21 days. Anyone developing symptoms should avoid travel and contact public health authorities.
Where to stay
- Roadside hotels and motels are common stops on road trips.
- Suburban hotels are often cheaper than city-center hotels and may offer free parking.
- Many airport-area motels can be contacted through courtesy phones near airport exits and offer pickup shuttles.
- Ask at check-in about discounts through membership organizations or hotel loyalty programs.
Trips to United States
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Outdoor adventures in United States
The United States has mountain wilderness, canyons, forests and long coastlines. Outdoor options include national trails, city hikes, river kayaking, surfing and sandy beaches. Distances between destinations can be long, so allow time for travel.
Griffith Park hiking
HikeCalifornianear Los Angeles
Explore the hiking trails in Griffith Park in Northwest Los Angeles.
Santa Monica Beach
BeacheCalifornianear Santa Monica
Visit the sandy beach beside Santa Monica's pier.
Venice Beach
BeacheCalifornianear Los Angeles
Head to Venice on the Westside of Los Angeles for the beach and Boardwalk.
South Beach
BeacheFloridanear Miami Beach
Year-round beach visits; winter water can feel cold.Visit Miami Beach, on the barrier island across Biscayne Bay from Miami.
National Trails System
HikeAcross the United States
Choose a trail in the National Trails System. All trails in the system are open to hiking.
Rock Creek Park hiking
HikeWashington, D.C.near Washington, D.C.
Explore the park's hiking trails or join a ranger-led program.
Surfrider Beach
SurfingMalibu, Californianear Malibu
Head to Surfrider Beach along the Malibu coast.
Catalina Island beaches
BeacheCalifornia
Day tripVisit the island's beaches on a day trip from Los Angeles.
Oak Street Beach
BeacheIllinoisnear Chicago
Summer and early fall for warmer water.Visit Oak Street Beach in Chicago's Near North area. Many Chicago beaches are within walking distance of the Red Line.
- Cost: No beach admission fee.
- Check posted beach closures before swimming.
- Lifeguards are present when the beach is officially open.
North Avenue Beach
BeacheIllinoisnear Chicago
Summer and early fall for warmer water.Visit North Avenue Beach in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago.
- Cost: No beach admission fee.
- Check posted beach closures before swimming.
- Lifeguards are present when the beach is officially open.
Roosevelt Island woodland and boardwalk walk
HikePotomac River, Washington, D.C. areanear Rosslyn
From the Rosslyn side of Key Bridge, walk down the stairs and follow the Mount Vernon Trail east to the island footbridge. Rosslyn is the nearest Metro stop.
Santa Monica Mountains hiking
HikeCalifornianear Malibu
Explore the hiking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains above the Malibu coast.
Palos Verdes coastal trails
HikeCalifornia
Visit Palos Verdes at the southwestern corner of the Los Angeles basin and explore its walking trails.
Rock Creek Park paved trails
CyclingWashington, D.C. and Marylandnear Washington, D.C.
Ride the paved biking trails through Rock Creek Park. They extend from Maryland to the Lincoln Memorial and connect with the Mount Vernon Trail in Northern Virginia.
Potomac River paddling from Thompson Boat Center
KayakingWashington, D.C.near Washington, D.C.
Rent a kayak at Thompson Boat Center on the Potomac River.
- Cost: $22–$32 per hour for kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard rentals.
Franklin Park trails
HikeMassachusettsnear Boston
Visit Franklin Park in Roxbury and explore its miles of trails.
Debs Regional Park hiking
HikeCalifornianear Los Angeles
Head to Debs Regional Park in Northeast Los Angeles for several miles of hiking trails.
Dockweiler State Beach
BeacheCalifornianear Playa del Rey
Visit Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey, just south of Venice.
Will Rogers State Beach
BeachePacific Palisades, Californianear Los Angeles
Head north along the coast to Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades.
Manhattan Beach
BeacheSouth Bay, Californianear Manhattan Beach
Visit the beachfront in Manhattan Beach, one of the South Bay Beach Cities.
Hermosa Beach
BeacheSouth Bay, Californianear Hermosa Beach
Visit the sandy beachfront in Hermosa Beach in the South Bay.
Redondo Beach
BeacheSouth Bay, Californianear Redondo Beach
Visit Redondo Beach in the South Bay for its pier and sandy shore.
Torrance Beach
SurfingSouth Bay, Californianear Torrance
Head south along the South Bay coast to Torrance Beach.
Marina del Rey boating
More to doCalifornianear Marina del Rey
Visit Marina del Rey, just south of Venice, and use the motorized or non-motorized boat rentals.
Los Angeles coastal boat charter
More to doCalifornianear Los Angeles
Arrange a boat charter with OnBoat in Los Angeles to go out on the Pacific Ocean.
Airports, metros and trains in United States
Airports with scheduled flights
- ALBAlbany International AirportAlbanyMain international airport
- ABQAlbuquerque International SunportAlbuquerqueMain international airport
- AUSAustin Bergstrom International AirportAustinMain international airport
- BWIBaltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall AirportBaltimoreMain international airport
- BHMBirmingham-Shuttlesworth International AirportBirminghamMain international airport
- BOIBoise Air Terminal/Gowen FieldBoiseMain international airport
Metro and subway
- AtlantaMARTA38 stations76.6 kmsince 1979
- BaltimoreBaltimore Metro SubwayLink14 stations24.9 kmsince 1983
- BostonMBTA subway52 stations63.9 kmsince 1901
- ChicagoChicago "L"146 stations165.4 kmsince 1892
- ClevelandRed Line (RTA Rapid Transit)18 stations31 kmsince 1955
- HonoluluSkyline13 stations25.9 kmsince 2023
- Los AngelesMetro Rail19 stations34.31 kmsince 1993
- MiamiMetrorail23 stations39.3 kmsince 1984
- New York CityNew York City Subway424 stations399 kmsince 1904
- New York CityStaten Island Railway21 stations22.5 kmsince 1925
- New York CityPATH13 stations22.2 kmsince 1908
- PhiladelphiaSEPTA Metro: L, B, M53 stations59.1 kmsince 1907
- PhiladelphiaPATCO Speedline14 stations22.9 kmsince 1936
- San Francisco (Bay Area)BART47 stations192 kmsince 1972
- Washington, D.C.Washington Metro98 stations208 kmsince 1976
- San JuanTren Urbano16 stations17.2 kmsince 2004
Trains
- Rail network
- 220,044 km
- Electrified
- 2,150 km
- High-speed lines
- 735 km
- Top speed
- 260 km/h
People and safety in United States
Religion
Most people are Christian. Mixed.
- Christian77%
- No religion16%
- Jewish2%
- Buddhist1%
- Muslim<1%
- Hindu<1%
- Other<1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal and protected
- Same-sex couples can marry.
- Legal gender change is recognised.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #31 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
58% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 47 of 198 countries can visit United States easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required5
- eTA required42
- Visa required130
- Admission restricted13
- Admission refused8
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Europe32 of 46 countries
- Oceania5 of 14 countries
- Asia7 of 50 countries
- Americas3 of 34 countries
- Africa0 of 54 countries
Questions
Which territories belong to the United States?
American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, United States Minor Outlying Islands and United States Virgin Islands.
Do I need a separate visa for the United States's territories?
Often yes. Territories such as American Samoa, Guam Northern Mariana Islands, and 3 more can have their own entry rules, so check each one before you travel.
Do I need a car?
A car is useful in much of the country. Public transport is often preferable in New York City, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Washington.
Can I pay with a foreign bank card?
Most places accept foreign credit and debit cards. Carry some cash because small businesses may accept only cash.
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
The usual tip at a full-service restaurant is 18–25% of the price before sales tax and discounts. Check whether a mandatory tip is already included.
Is English necessary?
Some English is useful, but visitors are not expected to speak fluently. Spanish is widely spoken in some areas but cannot be relied on everywhere.
Can I bring food into the country?
Declare all food and plant items for inspection. Fresh food is generally not allowed, while some commercially packaged food may be permitted.
What happens when I change flights after arriving?
You must complete immigration and customs at your first United States stop. For a domestic connection, collect and hand in your checked bags again, then pass through security.
Are trains useful for travelling between cities?
Trains are useful in the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington. Long-distance routes can be slow and delayed, but offer comfortable travel and scenic views.
How are dates written?
Dates are often written with the month first, then the day, then the year.
Reviewed by @snuck