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U.S.A.

Getting Started & Practical Information

When to Visit

It's always the perfect time to visit the U.S.A. If you want beaches and resorts in the south the weather is perfect nearly year round, particularly in Hawai'i, Florida, and southern California. If you want snow and skiing, Alaska never closes and during the winter months much of the north, the Rocky Mountains, and the Appalachian Mountains are covered.

Due to its vast size, temperatures in the U.S.A. vary greatly. Parts of Hawai'i average about 76˚ F (24˚ C) year round, whereas Anchorage, Alaska's biggest city, only averages 58˚ F (14˚ C) in their hottest month of July, while the months of November-February rarely get above freezing in Anchorage (32˚ F (0˚ C)).

The busy tourist season for Americans (traveling both around the country and abroad) is between Memorial Day (last Monday in May) to Labor Day (first Monday in September), which roughly matches when schools are out. Because of this, most locations are best visited during the spring or fall months, although most big cities, like Washington DC, New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco are busy year round.

A final point to consider before planning your travel is local holidays. Holidays can make travel either more attractive, such as for large festivals, or less attractive, due to tourist site closings and more expensive transportation options. See the U.S.A.'s Official & Unofficial Holidays.

Weather

Although weather can be generalized based upon years past, for more up to date weather patterns and predicted future weather patterns, visit weather websites like weather.com; many local news sources also have information for international weather forecasts.

Tours & Cruises

If you're looking for a pre-arranged trip, that involves little effort on your part, then you should consider going on an organized tour or cruise. Organized tours and cruises vary from all expenses included to only daily tours and perhaps hotels included in the price, but all the options below will help you arrange all the details so you don't have to worry about finding the best deal or right hotel.

Caravan Tours: In business since the 1950s, Caravan offers tours too all ages, but there are few young people on many of their tours.

Carnival Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.

Contiki Tours: A tour company that only offers tours to 18-35 year olds; known as offering fun and social tours for young singles and couples.

Disney Cruise Lines: Cruises open to everyone, but filled with families and plenty to keep children occupied.

Gap Adventures: Known best among young adults, Gap Adventures provides local transportation, housing, and food, which cuts costs and introduces the local culture, but can also be challenging for those seeking luxury.

Holland America Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.

Intrepid Travel: Boasts more "off the beaten track" destinations; do your research though since some tours are very adventurous and involves camping and local hotels.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Cruises for all ages and families; less formal than many cruise lines.

Princess Cruise Lines: Cruises for all ages and families.

Road Scholar: For older adults, Road Scholar offers tours with an educational emphasis; formerly known as Elder Hostel.

Royal Caribbean: Cruises for all ages and families.

Trek America: Offer fun, freedom, & flexibility; they cater to independent travelers with a sense of adventure.

Guidebooks

If you are just traveling on business and have little free time or are already familiar with the U.S.A., you may not need anything more than SafariTheGlobe.com's Free Mini Guide to the U.S.A.! However, if you need more detailed and up to date information, there are a number of great country-wide, region-wide, and city-wide guidebooks available for travel in the U.S.A.

Eyewitness Guides: Incredible pictures and detailed maps of popular tourist sites including museums. Those living abroad can't put these books down.

Fodor's: Good maps and information for the major tourist locations, but has little information for anyone heading off the beaten track. Great for those on organized tours.

Frommer's: Incredible number of lists, which divide travel into various categories based upon your interests. Travelers looking to spend most of their time in a single location or on organized tours enjoy these books.

Lonely Planet: Great maps and updated often with comprehensive housing information, restaurants, & transportation options. Backpackers and adventurers love these guidebooks.

Visas

Many foreign nationals need a visa to enter the U.S.A., however the requirements for citizens of different nationalities varies. To learn more about who need visas, what type of visa is needed, what requirements are needed to obtain a visa, and visa costs, please visit the U.S. Department of State.

Health & Insurance

Every part of the world has different health concerns and diseases, including the U.S.A.. Before traveling, consult with a physician to learn more about your destination and what steps you can take to prevent illness. At the time of writing, the U.S.A. didn't have any health immunizations that are required prior to arrival for visitors, although a number of immunizations are strongly recommended.

Many health insurance providers don't cover health care that is provided outside your home country. Before going abroad check with your health insurance to see if they cover international care. If not, consider purchasing an international medical insurance option, preferably from a company that specializes in international medical insurance.

Transportation

Unless you're on an organized tour or working with a travel agent, you will have to arrange some transportation. The below links can greatly help you start your planning, first by finding a flight to the U.S.A., then with domestic airlines and car rental agencies. If you don't know where to begin, try the "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" to learn competitor's prices during your trip.

Largest International Airlines: Air France, American Airlines; British Airways; Cathay Pacific; China Southern Airlines; Delta; Emirates; KLM; LAN; Lufthansa; Qantas; Singapore Airlines; United Airlines.

Largest American Airlines: American Airlines; Delta; Southwest; United Airlines; plus dozens more; search the below "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" for more options.

Largest Rental Car Agencies in the U.S.A.: Avis; Budget; Dollar; Enterprise; Hertz; Pay Less; Thrifty; plus dozens more; search the below "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" for more options.

Flight & Rental Car Search Sites: Expedia.com; Farecast.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Housing

Housing options are numerous in most tourist destinations, but every individual seeks out something different when it comes to housing. The below links should help you get started, with low- to high-end hotels, hostels, and camping options.

Popular International Hotel Conglomerates: Accor Group (various price ranges); Choice Hotels (low- to mid-price range); Hilton (various price ranges); Hyatt (high-end to resorts); InterContinental Group (mid- to high-price range); Marriott Family (various price ranges); Starwood Hotels (high-end); Wyndham Hotels (low- to mid-price range).

Hotel Search Sites: Expedia.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Hostels: Although there are many hostel websites, some of the most popular and reputable include hostels.com, hostelworld.com, & hostelbookers.com.

Camping: The best starting point for Camping Options in the U.S.A. can be found on the U.S. National Park Website. Although there are dozens of camping locations throughout the country, some of the best are in the U.S.A.'s National Parks.

Opening Hours, Expenses, & Tipping

The U.S.A. is on the same time schedule as much of northern Europe and Canada. Shops and tourist attractions tend to open at about 9:00 am and close at about 5:00 pm. While shops only tend to remain open Monday-Friday, tourist sites often times are open on the weekends (Saturday & Sunday) and typically with extended hours on Saturdays.

Restaurant hours vary depending on what they serve and the time of day. Most Americans eat breakfast prior to work, have lunch between about 11:30 am and 2:00 pm, and dinner anywhere from 5:00-9:00 pm. Bars, pubs, and dance clubs tend to open for dinner (or later) and remain open until about 2:00 am.

The U.S.A. can be very expensive and making it a budget destination is a challenge. Due to its size, most trans-national transportation must be through flights and this often begins at about $150 for a one-way flight between major cities. A meal can cost anywhere from $2-3 at a grocery store or market to $50+ in a nice restaurant. Hotels tend to start at about $80 for low end and there are relatively few hostel options, which can be as inexpensive at $20 a night. In some locations (including most State and National Parks) camping is permitted and if you have your own tent, can provide cheap housing among some of the nation's best scenery.

When eating out at a sit-down restaurant a tip of between 12-20% is expected (depending on the quality of the service). Unlike in Europe, waiters and waitresses get low pay and are reliant on tips as a supplement to their income. In bars a tip of $1 per drink is standard, and for bell hops in hotels $1 a bag is appreciated. Other services, like taxis expect a tip, however typically around 10% or rounding up to the nearest $5 increment if that's close to 10% or the fare.

Crime & Safety

The U.S.A. is very safe so long as you use your common sense and don't go wondering into a city's wrong neighborhood or find yourself alone in the wilderness. Most crime in the U.S.A. is based in the major cities and more particularly in certain neighborhoods. The biggest threats to the traveler are petty theft like pick pocketers in major cities and leaving valuables in an unlocked car. Credit card fraud is also present, but you shouldn't have any problems at reputable hotels, restaurants, and shops.

This page was last updated: July, 2011