America: 50 States. Infinite Adventures.
From the Grand Canyon to Times Square — here’s how to plan the American trip you’ve always pictured.
America doesn’t do subtle. The Grand Canyon is deeper than you expect. The cities are louder. The road trips are longer. The portions are bigger. But that’s kind of the whole point, you come here for scale, for variety, for the kind of trip where you can go from a Manhattan rooftop bar to a Utah desert in 4 hours on a budget airline. From the national parks to the neon-lit strips, the Deep South to the Pacific Coast, this guide covers all of it.
8-9 hrs
From the UK
Varies by region
Best time (South)
English
Main language
USD
Currency
Best Time To Visit
Best time to visit the USA: it really depends on where you’re headed and what kind of trip you want.
Spring (Mar–May): Mild weather, blooming parks, and fewer crowds. Great for outdoor exploring.
Summer (Jun–Aug): Peak road-trip season with festivals everywhere. Hot in the South, so book early.
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Colourful foliage in the Northeast and comfortable temps for hiking and cities.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Festive December vibes, top-notch ski season, or head South for sunshine.
For a deeper look – Best Time to Visit the USA
What To Expect
Capital: Washington D.C.
Population: 341 million (2023)
Language: The United States does not have an official language. English is the most widely used language in the U.S., and some states designate it as their official language.
Currency: The official currency in the USA is the Dollar. £1 GBP is around $1.26 or €1 is $1.08. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: You can pay for almost anything with your credit or debit card in the USA. There are plenty of ATMs as well, and most machines will accept Mastercard and Visa. A lot of places will now also accept contactless payments like Apple Pay or Google pay.
Plugs: The plugs in the USA are type A and B. The standard voltage is 120 V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: The USA is generally a safe destination for solo travellers, but you should always stay aware of your surroundings and err on the side of caution. In bigger cities, theft can be common, and if you’re renting or driving a car around, always be sure to lock up your valuables.
Explore the USA
From NYC skyscrapers to canyon sunsets – everything you need to plan the ultimate American adventure.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps (coming soon)
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does the USA Cost?
The USA isn’t the cheapest destination – but it’s more doable than people think. Here’s a realistic breakdown.
🎒
Backpacker
~£40 / €46 / $54/day
- Hostel dorms from £20 / €23 / $27/night
- Diners, food trucks, supermarkets
- Public transit + walking
- Free museums, national parks, beaches
🍜
Mid-Range
~£130 / €150 / $177/day
- Private hotel or Airbnb
- Restaurants + occasional splurges
- Mix of public transport + Uber
- National parks, tours, experiences
🏨
Upscale
~£280+ / €322+ / $381+/day
- High-end hotels + resorts
- Fine dining + steakhouses
- Private tours + first-class flights
- Broadway, Vegas, Napa Valley
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £20–48 / €23–55 / $27–65/night
- Budget motel (Motel 6 etc.): £40–80 / €46–92 / $54–109/night
- Campsite (National Parks): £12–40 / €14–46 / $16–54/night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £80+ / €92+ / $109+/night
- Mid-range hotel: £80–160 / €92–184 / $109–218/night
- Luxury resort: £280+ / €322+ / $381+/night
City Travel
- NYC Subway: £2.30 / €2.65 / $3.13/ride
- LA Metro: £1.75 / €2.01 / $2.38/ride
- Uber/Lyft short trip: £8–20 / €9–23 / $11–27
Long Distance
- Budget bus (Greyhound/Megabus): £8–24 / €9–28 / $11–33
- Domestic flight (LA to NYC): £120–320 / €138–368 / $163–435
- Car rental per day: £32–80 / €37–92 / $44–109/day
Eat Cheap
- Fast food / diner: £4–12 / €5–14 / $5–16
- Food truck meal: £6–10 / €7–12 / $8–14
- Supermarket shop: £30–50 / €35–58 / $41–68/week
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £12–32 / €14–37 / $16–44
- Steakhouse / fine dining: £50–120 / €58–138 / $68–163
- Beer at a bar: £4–8 / €5–9 / $5–11
Budget Fun
- National park entry: £12–28 / €14–32 / $16–38
- Smithsonian museums: FREE
- Free walking tour (tip expected): £0
Big Experiences
- Grand Canyon helicopter: £200+ / €230+ / $272+
- Disney World / Universal: £80–150 / €92–173 / $109–204
- Broadway show (NYC): £60–250 / €69–288 / $82–340
10 Ways to Save Money in the USA
💧 1. Tap water is safe everywhere — ditch the bottled water
🏛️ 2. Smithsonian museums in DC are completely free
🎫 3. America the Beautiful Pass — £65 for unlimited national parks
🚌 4. Megabus/Greyhound for city-to-city — from £8
🛒 5. Cook your own meals — Trader Joe’s and Aldi are your friends
🚶 6. Free walking tours in every major city (tip your guide)
🌙 7. Travel shoulder season — spring and fall are cheaper and quieter
🍺 8. Happy hour is real and genuinely good value in the USA
📱 9. Book flights 6–8 weeks out for the best domestic prices
🏕️ 10. Camp in national parks — cheap, stunning, unforgettable
Getting Around the USA
The USA is enormous — coast to coast is wider than most countries combined. Here’s how to get between places without losing half your trip to bad transport decisions.
Domestic Flights
Best for coast-to-coast. LA to NYC is 6 hours — flying beats a 3-day drive every time.
✅ Budget airlines from £65 / €75 / $88
✅ Massive route network
❌ Add airport time + fees and it adds up
Car & Campervan
Best for national parks, Route 66, and anywhere that isn’t a major city. Total freedom.
✅ Access to national parks
✅ Classic road trip experience
❌ Gas + insurance adds up fast
Public Transport
Best within cities. NYC subway is world-class. LA metro is… improving. Varies a lot.
✅ NYC, Chicago, DC — excellent systems
✅ Unlimited day passes available
❌ Useless between cities
Amtrak Trains
Best for the Northeast Corridor. NY to DC is genuinely great. LA to Chicago is an epic 2-day adventure.
✅ Scenic and comfortable
✅ Overnight trains save hotel costs
❌ Slow and expensive outside the NE Corridor
Long-Distance Bus
Best for budget travel between nearby cities. Greyhound, Megabus, FlixBus — all solid options.
✅ From £8 / €9 / $11 for short routes
✅ Overnight buses = free accommodation
❌ NYC to LA is not your finest 3 days
Cycling
Best in Portland, San Francisco, NYC, and DC. Bike-share schemes (CitiBike, Divvy) are cheap and genuinely useful.
✅ CitiBike, Divvy, Lyft Bikes available
✅ £10–24 / €12–28 / $14–33 for a day rental
❌ Not every city is bike-friendly — check first
Which Is Right For You?
Exploring one city
Use the metro or subway card
Hitting multiple cities
Fly between them — it’s worth it
National parks + open roads
Rent a car. No question.
Tight budget, nearby cities
Overnight bus or budget airline
Quick Tips
📅
Book Flights Early
6–8 weeks out is the sweet spot — prices spike closer to travel
💳
Get the Right Card
Use a travel card with no foreign fees — American prices rely on it
🌙
Travel Overnight
Long-distance drives? Break them up with a budget motel — don’t kill yourself on day one
🚕
Skip Airport Taxis
AirTrain + subway from JFK costs £8. Taxi costs £65. Easy choice.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit the USA?
Most international visitors need to apply before they travel — either an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) if you’re from a Visa Waiver country like the UK, or a tourist visa (B-2) if not. UK, EU, and most European passport holders qualify for the ESTA, which takes about 15 minutes to complete online and costs $21. It covers multiple trips for 2 years. Always apply through the official US government site — not a third-party that charges extra fees for doing nothing more.
Is the USA safe for tourists?
Generally yes. For most tourists visiting major cities, national parks, and well-trodden destinations, the USA is safe. Normal big-city awareness applies — watch your bag, be switched on in crowded areas, don’t leave valuables visible in a rental car. Crime rates vary massively by city and neighbourhood, so it’s worth checking specific areas you’re visiting. The biggest hazards for most tourists are things like sunburn in the desert, altitude sickness near mountain parks, and riptides on Pacific beaches.
How long do you need in the USA?
Realistically, 2–3 weeks to cover one coast or region properly. The USA is roughly 2,800 miles wide — trying to do East and West Coast in one trip in under 2 weeks is a sprint, not a holiday. Most first-timers do NYC + one or two other East Coast cities, or Los Angeles + San Francisco + a national park on the West Coast. Give yourself at least 3 weeks if you want to mix both.
When is the best time to visit the USA?
It genuinely depends on where you’re going. Spring (March–May) is brilliant for the national parks and East Coast cities — mild weather, fewer crowds, better prices. Summer works for road trips but gets brutal in the South and Southwest. Fall is arguably the best season for New England, and the shoulder months are cheaper across the board. Winter is ideal for Florida, Hawaii, and skiing in Colorado. The full breakdown is in our Best Time to Visit guide above.
How expensive is the USA to visit?
More than people expect, honestly. Budget travellers staying in hostels and cooking their own meals can get by on around £40–65/day — but the USA has a way of eating into budgets. Dining out, Ubers, theme parks, and activities add up fast. Mid-range travellers typically spend £120–200/day. The big costs to plan for: domestic flights if you’re covering multiple cities, a rental car if you’re doing national parks, and tips (15–20% on restaurant bills is standard, not optional).
Do I need travel insurance for the USA?
Absolutely — and this one really matters. The USA has no public healthcare for tourists. A single ambulance ride can cost thousands. A night in hospital? Tens of thousands. Medical care is excellent but medical bills are catastrophic without insurance. This is non-negotiable. Compare policies and check our Travel Resources section for recommended options.
What's the best way to get around the USA?Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand?
Depends entirely on your trip. Flying is the only sensible option for coast-to-coast distances. A rental car is essential for national parks and rural areas. Within major cities like NYC, Chicago, and DC, public transport is excellent and cheap. LA, Miami, and Houston are car-dependent — factor that in. Full breakdown in the Getting Around section above.
Can I drink the tap water in the USA?
Yes — tap water is safe to drink across the USA in virtually all cities and towns. Bring a reusable bottle and don’t waste money on bottled water. In very remote areas or after certain weather events, local advisories may differ — but for 99% of the trip, the tap is fine.
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