United States

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so always check before you book. Travellers from the 40-plus Visa Waiver Program countries — including the UK, most of the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea — don't need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, but must obtain an approved ESTA online before they fly. Apply only through the official portal, esta.cbp.dhs.gov — many copycat sites charge inflated fees for the same authorisation.

Travellers from other countries need a visa, usually the B-1/B-2 visitor visa, which requires an in-person appointment at a US embassy or consulate — apply well ahead, as wait times can be long. Your passport should generally be valid for the duration of your stay.

An approved ESTA or visa does not guarantee entry: Customs and Border Protection officers make the final decision at the port of entry, and may question travellers and inspect phones or other electronic devices.

The currency is the US dollar (USD). Cards — including contactless and mobile wallets — are accepted almost everywhere, so you rarely need much cash; ATMs inside banks usually charge lower fees than standalone machines. One quirk catches visitors out: sales tax is added at the register and is not included in displayed shelf prices, so the total is always a little higher than the tag.

Tipping is extensive in the US and one of the biggest sources of confusion for visitors — many service workers rely on it. In sit-down restaurants, tip 18–20% of the pre-tax bill; at bars, about $1–2 per drink. Tip taxi and rideshare drivers roughly 15–20%.

In hotels, leave $2–5 per night for housekeeping and $1–2 per bag for porters. You will also meet 'tip screens' — tablet prompts at café and takeout counters suggesting 15–25%. These are now common but genuinely optional where there is no table service; choosing 'no tip' is perfectly acceptable.

Americans are generally friendly, informal and direct. A firm handshake with eye contact is the standard greeting, and first names are used quickly. Casual small talk with strangers and service staff is normal and friendly, not intrusive.

Dress is casual in most everyday and tourist settings; only upscale venues or business contexts call for formal wear. Restaurant service is fast and upbeat — frequent check-ins and a promptly delivered bill are considered good service, not a push to leave. It is normal to ask for free tap water and to take leftovers home in a 'to-go' box.

A few things to know: tipping is socially expected for table service, queuing is respected, and loud or aggressive behaviour is frowned upon. Smoking is banned in most indoor public spaces, and cannabis laws vary sharply by state — legal in some, illegal in others.

The US has dozens of major international airports — among the busiest are Atlanta (ATL), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), New York JFK and Miami (MIA). Because the country is so large, domestic flights are completely normal and often the most practical way to cover long distances.

For intercity travel, Amtrak trains connect many cities — the Boston–New York–Washington corridor is fast and frequent, while elsewhere routes are scenic but slower. Intercity buses are budget-friendly. Public transport is good in cities such as New York, Chicago and Washington, but most of the country is car-oriented; Uber and Lyft work nationwide.

If you drive, Americans drive on the right. Distances are long, rental cars are widely available, seatbelts are mandatory, and in most places you may turn right on a red light unless a sign says otherwise.

The US has three main mobile carriers — Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile — all with nationwide coverage. A travel eSIM is usually the easiest and cheapest option for visitors: it loads instantly on a compatible phone, runs on the major networks, and avoids costly home-carrier roaming. Prepaid physical SIMs are sold at carrier stores and airports.

Wifi is widespread and usually free in hotels, cafés, airports and many restaurants. Coverage is generally excellent in cities and along highways, but mobile signal can drop in remote areas and national parks — download offline maps before a road trip.

The US is generally a safe destination for visitors — the UK FCDO and Australia's Smartraveller place it at their lowest advisory level, noting that violent crime rarely affects tourists. Standard big-city awareness is enough for most trips.

Petty crime — pickpocketing, bag theft and vehicle break-ins — does occur in cities and tourist areas, so don't leave valuables visible in a parked car. The single most important practical point is healthcare: US medical care is private and extremely expensive, and even a minor emergency-room visit can cost thousands of dollars, so comprehensive travel insurance with strong medical cover is essential, not optional.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the US. No vaccinations are required for entry; the CDC recommends being up to date on routine vaccines. The emergency number for police, fire and ambulance is 911, and it works nationwide from any phone.

Power: the US runs on 120V, 60Hz, with Type A and Type B plugs (flat two-pin). Visitors from 220–240V countries need a plug adapter, and single-voltage appliances also need a voltage converter; most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage.

Language: English is the primary language nationwide. Spanish is very widely spoken, especially in the Southwest, Florida, Texas, California and major cities.

Best time to visit: the climate varies enormously by region. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) generally offer the most comfortable weather across the country; summer is peak season, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs roughly June to November.

Time zone: the mainland US spans four main time zones — Eastern (UTC−5), Central (UTC−6), Mountain (UTC−7) and Pacific (UTC−8). Most of the country observes daylight saving time, though Arizona and Hawaii do not.