Plan for the scale of the country
The single most common mistake on a first trip to the USA is underestimating its size. The contiguous United States, the 48 states between Canada and Mexico, stretches roughly 4,500 kilometres from coast to coast. Driving from New York to Los Angeles takes several long days, and flying between them takes around five to six hours, longer than many flights between European capitals.
That means a first trip works best when it focuses on one or two regions rather than trying to see the whole country. Classic first-trip combinations include New York with Washington, D.C. and perhaps Boston or Philadelphia, all linked by train; California, from San Francisco down the coast to Los Angeles and San Diego; the south-west, with Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and the national parks of Utah; or Florida, with Miami, the Keys and Orlando's theme parks.
Hawaii and Alaska are a long way from the rest of the country. Hawaii is around five to six hours' flight from the West Coast, so treat it as a trip in its own right or a final stop, not a quick detour.
Time zones, units and dates
The contiguous United States spans four main time zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific. Alaska and Hawaii each have their own, and Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time. Most of Arizona does not either. When you book flights, tours and restaurant reservations, check which time zone the time refers to, and be aware that your body clock will notice the difference between coasts.
The USA uses its own customary units. Distances and speed limits are in miles, temperatures are in Fahrenheit, fuel is sold by the US gallon, and food and drink are often measured in ounces and pounds. A rough conversion helps: a mile is about 1.6 kilometres, and 20 degrees Celsius is 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dates are written month first. 03/07 means the seventh of March, not the third of July, which matters on tickets, bookings and forms.
Electricity is 120 volts, with flat two-pin Type A and three-pin Type B plugs. Most modern phone and laptop chargers accept this without a converter, so a simple plug adapter is usually all you need. Hair straighteners and other heating appliances designed for 230 volts may not work properly.
Money, sales tax and tipping
Card payments, including contactless and phone wallets, are accepted almost everywhere, though it is still worth carrying a small amount of cash for tips, small vendors and the occasional cash-only diner. Let your bank know you are travelling if it asks, and check what fees it charges for foreign transactions.
Prices on shelves and menus usually do not include sales tax. Tax is added at the till, and the rate varies by state and often by city, so the amount you pay will be a little higher than the displayed price. A few states have no general sales tax at all.
Tipping is the custom that surprises visitors most. In the USA, tips make up a significant part of the income of restaurant staff, bartenders and many other service workers, and they are expected rather than optional. At sit-down restaurants, a tip of a percentage of the bill before tax is standard, and the expected range has risen in recent years. Card terminals often suggest amounts on screen.
Tips are also usual for bartenders, taxi and ride-hailing drivers, hotel porters, housekeeping staff, hairdressers and tour guides. Counter-service cafes and takeaways often show a tip option on the screen; leaving one is optional there. If a service charge or gratuity is already included on the bill, which is common for larger groups, you do not need to add another tip on top.
Getting around: driving, trains and transit
Outside the big cities, a car is often the only practical way to travel. Americans drive on the right, and most rental cars are automatic. Petrol is called gas, and many stations ask you to pay at the pump or prepay inside before filling up.
A few road rules are worth knowing before you set off. In most states you may turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign says otherwise; New York City is a notable exception, where it is generally not allowed. School buses that stop with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign must not be passed, in either direction on most roads. At four-way stop junctions, drivers take turns in the order they arrived. Speed limits vary by state and road type, and they are enforced.
Long-distance trains exist, and the route between Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. is fast and convenient. Elsewhere, trains are slower and less frequent than in Europe or Japan, and domestic flights are the usual way to cover long distances.
Public transport is good in a handful of cities, notably New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, where you can manage without a car. In many other cities, including Los Angeles, distances are large and ride-hailing apps or a rental car are more practical.
Health, safety and national parks
Healthcare in the USA is excellent but very expensive for visitors, and hospitals will expect payment or insurance details. Comprehensive travel insurance with generous medical cover is strongly advisable. Pharmacies are widespread and sell many everyday medicines over the counter, though some medicines that are sold freely elsewhere require a prescription.
The emergency number is 911 for police, fire and ambulance. Most of the places visitors go are safe, and the usual city precautions apply: keep an eye on your belongings, be aware of your surroundings at night and follow local advice.
The national parks are a highlight of any trip, but they can be very busy in summer and on holiday weekends. Some popular parks use timed entry or reservation systems at certain times of year, so check each park's official website well before your trip. Distances inside parks can be large, mobile coverage is often patchy or absent, and the desert parks of the south-west can be dangerously hot in summer. Carry plenty of water, download offline maps before you set off and tell someone your plans if you are hiking.
Before you book, check the current entry requirements for your nationality with official government sources. Requirements can change, and the official sources are the only ones to rely on.
Staying connected
Mobile coverage is strong in cities and along most major highways, but it can disappear in mountains, deserts and national parks. Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafes and many public places, though the quality varies.
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data abroad, which is useful for maps, ride-hailing apps, restaurant bookings and keeping in touch, and it means you can avoid the roaming charges from your home provider. Our guide to eSIMs for the USA explains how they work there, and our guide to how much data you need can help you choose a plan size for your trip.
Phone numbers in the USA have ten digits, including a three-digit area code, and the country code is +1, shared with Canada and several Caribbean countries.
Staying connected: United States eSIM, Hawaii eSIM.