23 things to know before traveling to the USA

The USA feels larger than life, from its thriving big cities to its epic natural splendors. And its citizens? When it comes to friendliness and national pride, we can be a little extra too.

It’s true that our politics can be...divisive. But you’ll find that political views don’t often enter into small talk or day-to-day interactions.

The pointers in this guide to traveling in the US will help you plan your trip and navigate etiquette, health and safety issues during your visit.

1. Foreign visitors might need a visa and definitely need an ESTA

Visitors from more than 40 countries can travel to the USA without a visa, per the Visa Waiver Program. Even so, they’ll need to register and pay a fee ahead of their trip via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). If you are traveling to the US by plane or boat, your ESTA must be secured prior to boarding.

Travelers from other countries need a visa to enter the USA.

2. Have your paperwork in order at the airport

People arriving on international flights will have to proceed through immigration and customs at the airport. This may involve talking to an officer at a desk or, for some travelers, using a self-service terminal. An agent will direct you into one of a few lines, depending on the passport you hold. Have your paperwork ready, but be prepared to wait, especially in busy times.

If you are directed to a desk with an officer, be polite and honest in your responses to any questions – as long as you are a visitor and not planning to work, you have nothing to hide. That said, you don’t want to be delayed or detained. Officers are allowed to search your phone and other devices, and admission to the country is at their total discretion.

After immigration, you might not even notice going through customs. The key point is don't bring in any fruit (including anything given to you as part of your in-flight meal) and many other raw food products. US Customs and Border Protection maintains a list of prohibited items.

3. Pick one region of the USA to explore

With 50 states, 63 national parks and 4 million miles of highways, how should you begin planning a trip in the USA? And how will you get around? We suggest taking a deep dive into just one of the country’s rich regions.

Stretching 3000 miles from coast to coast, the continental USA breaks down loosely into several distinct chunks: New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the West. This last region can be further sorted into the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest and California.

And beyond the Lower 48, you’ve got the extremes of Alaska and Hawaiʻi. Seemingly refusing to join a category is Texas, which is large and diverse enough – or maybe stubborn enough – to defy regional stereotypes.

4. Then count on spending a week there (at least)

Exploring a major metropolitan area like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles or Washington, DC, could easily fill a week, especially if you include day trips to outlying parks and beaches. You may be able to cover a small state, like Vermont or West Virginia, in a week as well.

To dig into a region, however, you’ll want at least 10 days, especially if you’re flying in from overseas. With a week and a half, you can visit two or more cities and a handful of outlying attractions. That’s also enough time to get to a couple of national parks in one region, particularly in California or the Southwest.

5. Don’t overplan your days

It is tempting to look at a map, calculate the distance and assume you can make four or five stops in a day. Yet with unexpected delays due to traffic, roadwork and detours a constant, you should realize that what you’ve planned on an app will likely not match real-life conditions.

Two-lane roads are common at national parks, and sluggish RVs, wildlife wandering onto roadways and stops for gorgeous scenery will slow you down. Smaller roads are also the norm in mountains and rural areas, and passing can be stressful.

Chances are you’ll want to linger at one of your planned stops – so be sure to leave room for serendipity in your itinerary.

6. Monitor airport security wait times

Even within a single region, distances can be far, and public transportation is limited, so you might need to take an internal flight. Airport security is handled by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and lines can be long – really, really long – depending on the airport you are flying out of. It is a good plan to keep an eye on TSA wait times a few days before your flight so you know what's typical, then watch very closely the day of your departure. Arrive at the airport with ample time to clear security. If you're flying out of a major city with a busy airport, like Houston, Chicago or New York, plan for up to 3 hours to get through security.

Representatives from various local, state and federal enforcement agencies are present at US airports, and it may not be immediately clear to visitors – or locals, for that matter – what the role of each one is. Again be polite and respectful, respond to questions honestly but briefly, and be on your way with as minimal fuss as possible.

7. Sometimes getting outdoors requires a reservation

Do you have to prebook your hike? Unfortunately, the answer is sometimes yes.

Thanks to an enormous jump in visitation, several national parks now require reservations to hike their most popular trails. You need a reservation to hike Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in California, Angels Landing in Zion National Park in Utah, and Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Some national parks require reservations for park entry or popular activities. You need a reservation to drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in Maine, for example. Arches National Park in Utah and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado require reservations for entry during their busy seasons. You need a permit to watch the sunset at Haleakalā National Park on Maui and the glorious Yosemite Firefall.

Yosemite and Glacier National Park in Montana have run pilot reservation programs – for overall entry into Yosemite and for travel in certain regions in Glacier. Check with the National Park Service for the latest details well before your trip (sometimes up to a year in advance).

8. Pack layers for hikes

If hiking is in your USA plans (and it should be!), pack layers, even in summer, since high-elevation deserts and most mountains, even those in the South, see cooler temperatures at night. Most hikers bring three layers: a base layer to wear next to the skin, an insulating layer, and an outer shell for protection from wind and rain.

Running shoes are fine for easy trails, but wear hiking boots that you’ve broken in for anything more strenuous. If you’re not backpacking, low-ankle hiking boots should suffice. We also recommend hiking with sun protection (a hat and sunscreen) and a daypack for storing food, water and a small first-aid kit.

9. Museums might require an advance ticket too

It’s not just national parks that get crowded. Temporary exhibits at large urban museums can be extremely popular, and many have timed entry slots, which are secured by reservations. Small, niche museums in busy tourist areas may also require advance booking. Tickets for the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, for example, can sell out daily.

Check ahead for the museums you are interested in to be safe, especially in summer when families are traveling.

10. Mondays can be slow

Many restaurants and small museums are closed on Mondays; some are also closed on Tuesdays, especially in small towns. Closures can be even more frequent in remote areas, with restaurants and attractions not opening until midweek.

If you want to dine and explore to the fullest in, say, Marfa, Texas, plan to visit Thursday through Sunday.

11. Use friendly greetings

Don’t be overly physical when meeting or greeting someone in the USA. While some Americans may hug, and urbanites may exchange cheek kisses, most people – especially men – shake hands. It’s also standard to greet the staff when entering and leaving a shop (“hello” and ”have a nice day” are commonplace).

Americans tend to smile a lot, which is typically an easy expression of welcome or politeness.

12. Be on time, but don't necessarily expect firm schedules

If you’re meeting someone, show up at the agreed upon time. Many folks in the US consider it rude to be kept waiting.

However, you could come across a far amount of moderate, though never explained, delays. Buses and trains may leave 5–15 minutes after a scheduled departure for no clear reasons; shows might start somewhat after the stated time; even timed tickets may not guarantee that you walk in at that exact moment. Stay patient – delays are rarely extensive, and someone is almost certain to start chatting with you to pass the time.

13. Don’t stress about what to wear

In the US, just about anything goes in terms of personal presentation, and you’ll rarely feel uncomfortable because of what you’re wearing. That said, it’s worth bringing along dressier attire (smart casual) for dining at nice restaurants or going to upscale bars and clubs.

14. Expect small talk, but don’t delve into politics. Really, don't go there

Americans can be a chatty lot, especially in small towns. Exchanging pleasantries about the weather or your immediate surroundings is typical, but don’t be surprised if someone eventually asks, “What do you do?” in reference to your job. Such a request may come off as nosy to visitors from abroad, but it’s usually not meant that way. Feel free to share as much or as little as you wish.

Political conversations can get dicey quickly, so we recommend keeping those opinions to yourself. Don’t assume that you know someone’s views based on where you are visiting or how they talk or dress.

On occasion, someone may toss out a live-wire topic, perhaps to get a reaction or maybe just to show off. In those instances, it’s best to smile or change the topic. Discretion is the better part of a future bar fight.

15. Be prepared to tip

With coffee shops, fast-food restaurants and even some retailers now offering a tipping option on transactions (especially via touch screen), tipping protocols in the US have gotten increasingly confusing.

In sit-down restaurants and at bars, tipping is not optional: tips are part of servers’ core wages, not a bonus. A 20% tip is the guideline for restaurant servers unless the gratuity is already included (as is the case for larger parties or at select restaurants, which will note the policy). For bartenders, it’s 15–20% per round or a minimum of $1 per drink. You should withhold a tip only if service is outrageously bad. Even then, a small tip and a chat with the manager may be best.

What about coffee shops? If you serve yourself, tipping is discretionary. We recommend leaving the change when paying in cash, and a dollar is always appreciated. For more complicated coffee orders, consider a tip of 15–20%.

In addition to tips, bills will likely include local sales tax, which ranges from 0–10%; sales tax is generally not included as part of the posted price.

For airport and hotel porters, the norm is $2 per bag or a minimum of $5 per cart. Pay a valet at least $2 upon the return of your keys. For taxi drivers, it’s 10–15%, rounded up to the next dollar. Leave a few dollars for hotel housekeepers daily.

It is not expected to tip on purchases at wine shops, convenience stores or other retail outlets.

16. Public restrooms aren’t easy to find

It can be surprisingly challenging to track down public restrooms in the USA. In dense urban areas, your best bets are visitors centers, libraries, indoor malls and larger city parks. You may have to buy a coffee or snack to get the restroom key in coffee shops in heavily trafficked neighborhoods.

In the suburbs, try larger gas stations and fast-food restaurants. Interstate highways typically have pullover areas with restrooms, picnic tables and space for dog walking about every 60 miles or so. The best option for those with small bladders? When you see a restroom, use it.

17. Check the rules before you visit Native American reservations and pueblos

When visiting a reservation or pueblo, ask about and follow any specific rules for outsiders. Almost all of these sites ban alcohol, some do not allow pets, and some restrict cameras. All require permits for camping, fishing and other activities. If rules are not posted at the entrance, check the website or ask the first staff member you see.

When you visit a reservation, you’ll be experiencing a unique culture with customs that may be unfamiliar to you. Always be courteous, respectful and open-minded. Don’t expect residents to share every detail of their lives.

18. Smoking is generally prohibited in public spaces

Don’t assume that you can smoke, even if you’re outside. Many people in the US have little tolerance for smokers, and smoking has even been banned from many outdoor areas, such as parks, boardwalks and beaches.

Laws surrounding marijuana usage vary widely depending on the state and even the city or town. Check the local regulations – then check again – before you decide to purchase or use marijuana. The US federal government still lists marijuana as a controlled substance.

19. The USA’s gun culture is unique in the world

The right to bear arms was enshrined at the country's founding, and throughout US history, its citizens have not taken this right for granted, to put it mildly.

While policies related to firearms vary by state (and even city to city), there are few restrictions on gun ownership in the USA compared to other countries. Don’t be shocked to see people bearing pistols in holsters in public, especially in rural areas.

While gun violence looms large in the public consciousness and mass shootings occur with regularity, the risk of any one individual visitor experiencing such an incident is exceedingly low, so bad thoughts of firearms shouldn’t preoccupy you during your time in the USA.

20. Purchase travel insurance

Health-care costs in the USA are extremely high. All travelers are advised to carry a health-insurance policy that covers medical visits in the USA if needed. Without insurance, you may be billed the full cost of any care you receive, which can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars, especially for emergency-room visits. And any American can tell you that dealing with US insurance companies is far from a treat.

21. Follow common-sense safety tips

For most visitors to the US, petty theft is a bigger concern than violent crime. To avoid the risk of robbery, take common-sense steps like withdrawing money from ATMs during the day or in well-lit, busy areas at night.

When loading or unloading your car, keep an eye on all your bags, especially if crowds are around. Lock valuables in the trunk of your car and put them there before you hit the road for the day. Unfortunately, it’s becoming more common for thieves to smash car windows and snatch items left in view.

When visiting San Francisco, Seattle, New York City and other major urban areas, take city-specific precautions for crime prevention.

22. Women should keep their wits about them

Female travelers may be subject to some unwanted attention, but those instances are likely to be limited and perhaps absent altogether depending on where you visit.

Violence against women is a reality in US society, however (though more likely to affect local women with partners). Err on the side of caution and avoid walking alone at night, especially in dark and empty places. Don’t accept drinks from strangers, and even better, keep your drink covered at crowded venues.

When traveling alone late at night, consider your transportation options through a safety lens. Some rideshare services allow users to select women drivers, if that is your preference.

23. Call 911

If you have a medical emergency or need the fire or police departments, call 911 nationwide.