United States

United States Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

The United States is a vast, multi-cultural country made for road trips, iconic city breaks, and once-in-a-lifetime nature adventures. From New York’s skyline and museums to Miami’s beaches, New Orleans’ music and food, California’s Pacific Coast, the national parks of Utah and Arizona, the theme parks of Florida, and the wild spaces of Alaska and Hawaii, the U.S. offers every kind of trip in one destination. Distances are big, seasons vary a lot by region, and prices can surprise first-time visitors—so good planning is essential. This guide is designed for international tourists coming to the U.S. for the first time who want practical, up-to-date information on money, transport, tipping, and safety. Use it to decide where to go, how to get around, and how to avoid common first-timer mistakes.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

New York City: Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, Broadway, High Line, museums (Met, MoMA).
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Capitol, White House (outside), Smithsonian museums (mostly free), memorials and monuments.
Los Angeles & Southern California: Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, theme parks, day trips to Malibu, OC, and San Diego.
San Francisco & Northern California: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars, nearby wine country (Napa/Sonoma), and coastal drives.
Las Vegas & Southwest parks: Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend—often combined with Vegas.
Florida (Miami, Orlando): Beaches and nightlife in Miami; Orlando for Disney, Universal, and family trips.
Chicago: Architecture, lakefront, museums, music, food.
New Orleans: French Quarter, live music, Creole/Cajun food, Mardi Gras.
Hawaii: Beach, volcanoes, snorkeling, hiking—best for a nature + relax trip.
Alaska: Cruises, glaciers, wildlife (summer).
National Parks “Big Names”: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Rocky Mountain, Great Smoky Mountains—spectacular but popular, so book ahead.

Good to Know

Seasons differ by region: Summer (June–Aug) is peak season almost everywhere; spring and fall can be better for cities and national parks; winter is great for Florida, the Southwest, and skiing.
Distances are big: Crossing the country usually means flying. Road trips are common but you must plan driving times.
Sales tax: The price on the tag often does not include local/state sales tax. At checkout you will pay more.
Health care: Medical care is excellent but expensive—travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Driving: You drive on the right. Many areas have limited public transport; renting a car can be the easiest way to explore.

Visa & Entry Requirements for Tourists from the U.S., Canada, EU, U.K., and Australia

U.S. citizens: Do not need a visa or passport to travel within the United States (a valid government-issued photo ID is needed for domestic flights). For non-continental areas (Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands), U.S. citizens can travel with standard ID.
Canadian citizens: Usually visa-free for short tourism/business visits. Canadians generally do not need ESTA for air/sea entry, but must carry a valid passport and may be asked for proof of funds, return ticket, and ties to Canada.
EU/Schengen citizens (e.g. Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands): Most are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You must obtain an ESTA travel authorization online before boarding a U.S.-bound flight or ship. ESTA is usually valid for 2 years and allows stays of up to 90 days at a time.
U.K. citizens: Also generally travel under the VWP and must get ESTA before travel. Max stay 90 days for tourism.
Australian citizens: Eligible for the VWP and must get ESTA before boarding.
When you need a visa: If you are not eligible for the VWP, if your ESTA is refused, or if you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a B-2 tourist visa at a U.S. embassy/consulate before travel.
Passport validity: Your passport should be valid for the entire stay; many travelers use a passport valid for at least 6 months to avoid issues.
On arrival: Expect to be asked for your address in the U.S. (hotel/Airbnb), proof of onward/return travel, and sometimes proof of funds.

Currency & Budget

Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD).

Exchange rate: The dollar is strong and widely used worldwide—check your bank/FX app for the exact rate just before you travel.

Average daily budget (very rough, excluding long-distance flights):

Backpacker: 70–120 USD/day – hostel/budget motel, public transit, casual meals/food courts, 1–2 paid attractions.
Midrange: 150–250 USD/day – 2–3 star hotel in/near city center, restaurant dinners, rideshares, museum passes.
Luxury: 300–500+ USD/day – 4–5 star hotels, top restaurants, Broadway/shows, car rental or internal flights.

Tipping (important in the U.S.): In restaurants with table service, 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is standard, more for excellent service. Bars: 1–2 USD per drink or ~20%. Taxis/rideshares: 10–20%. Hotel housekeeping: a few dollars per night.

Credit card acceptance: Excellent. Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are widely accepted; tap-to-pay is common. Even small businesses often take cards, but it is useful to carry some cash for tips and small purchases.

ATMs: Widely available. U.S. banks or ATMs inside major chains (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi) are a good bet. Many ATMs charge a local fee (3–5 USD) on top of your own bank’s fee—bring a no-fee card if possible.

Best way to get cash: Withdraw USD from a bank ATM when you arrive, or pay by card wherever possible—cards generally get good exchange rates.

Language & Communication

Official language: The U.S. has no federal official language, but English is the de facto and dominant language.
Other languages: Spanish is widely spoken (especially in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and the Southwest). You can usually get by with English only in tourist areas.

SIM cards / eSIM

Main national providers: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
Where to get: Airport kiosks in major hubs, official carrier stores in cities, big-box stores (Target, Walmart, Best Buy). You will need your passport and sometimes an address.
Tourist eSIM: Often the easiest—buy online (U.S. or international eSIM) and activate on arrival.
Coverage: Excellent in cities and along major highways; can drop in very rural areas, mountains, deserts, and national parks—download offline maps.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 120V, 60 Hz.
Plugs: Type A and B (two flat pins, sometimes with a round/flat ground pin). Travelers from Canada, Mexico, and most of Central America usually do not need an adapter; Europeans, U.K., Australia/NZ will need a simple North American adapter and should check dual-voltage devices.

Getting Around

Domestic flights: The fastest way to cover long distances. Many routes are served by multiple airlines—book early for holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year, July 4).
Car rental: Very common and often essential outside big cities. Drivers must have a valid license (an International Driving Permit can help but is not always required). Check insurance carefully.
Trains: Amtrak connects many cities, especially in the Northeast (Boston–New York–Philadelphia–Washington, D.C.), and has scenic routes, but it is not as fast or frequent as European trains.
Buses: Greyhound, Megabus, FlixBus, and regional companies cover many routes and are often cheaper than flights.
In cities: Major cities have public transport (NYC subway, D.C. Metro, Chicago “L”, San Francisco MUNI/BART), but for Los Angeles, Orlando, and many smaller cities, rideshares (Uber/Lyft) or a rental car are more convenient.

Safety

Overall: The U.S. is very used to international visitors. Most trips are trouble-free, especially in tourist areas.
Petty crime: Pickpocketing and bag theft can happen in crowded places (Times Square, public transit, festivals). Keep valuables in front and do not leave bags unattended.
Cars & road trips: Never leave valuables visible in a parked car. In some cities, car break-ins are common—take everything with you.
Neighborhood awareness: U.S. cities can change by block—ask your hotel which areas to avoid after dark.
Weather & nature: The U.S. has hurricanes (Atlantic/Gulf, roughly June–Nov), tornadoes (Midwest/South), wildfires (West), and extreme heat/cold—check local forecasts and follow warnings.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Unlicensed taxis / rides: At airports, follow the official taxi/rideshare signs—avoid random drivers who approach you.
Timeshare / ticket touts: In Florida, Las Vegas, and some resort areas, you may be offered “free” shows or parks in exchange for a long sales pitch—decline if you are not interested.
Fake charity / “photo” requests: In busy tourist areas, confirm prices before taking photos or buying souvenirs.
Hidden hotel/resort fees: U.S. hotels sometimes add “resort” or “facility” fees—check the final price before booking.

Pick 1–2 regions, budget for tipping, sort your ESTA or visa before you fly, and you will find the U.S. surprisingly easy to navigate—and full of road trips, parks, and iconic city moments.