USA holidays demand a different approach to travel. I have crossed the country multiple times – from New York to California, from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Northwest – and each trip has reinforced the same lesson: pick a region, commit to it, and accept that the rest will wait for another visit. This is not a country you can see in one trip, or two, or ten.
The scale alone is remarkable. Texas is larger than France. The distance from Maine to Florida is further than London to Athens. The national parks contain landscapes that genuinely stop you in your tracks – the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite – while cities from New York to San Francisco offer experiences unavailable anywhere else on Earth.
Most UK visitors focus on one region per trip rather than trying to see everything. Here is what you need to know before you go.
Entry Requirements (ESTA)
UK citizens don’t need a traditional visa for tourist visits up to 90 days. You need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) instead.
How to apply:
- Go to the official ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) – avoid third-party sites that charge extra
- Fill in the application with passport details, travel plans, and security questions
- Pay $21 USD
- Most applications are approved within minutes, but allow up to 72 hours
Requirements:
- Valid UK biometric passport (the one with a chip)
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof you can support yourself financially (rarely asked, but have it)
ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can make multiple trips on the same ESTA.
You can’t use ESTA if:
- You’ve visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen since 2011
- You’ve visited Cuba since January 2021
- You have certain criminal convictions
- You’ve previously been refused entry to the US
In these cases, you’ll need a B-2 tourist visa from the US Embassy in London.
Top Destinations
Cities
New York City – The obvious choice for a first US trip. Three to five days covers Manhattan’s highlights: Central Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and endless food options. Expensive but walkable.
Los Angeles – Sprawling and car-dependent. Hollywood, beaches, and excellent Mexican food. Best combined with a California road trip.
San Francisco – More compact and walkable than LA. The Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz. Good base for wine country or the Pacific Coast Highway.
Chicago – Underrated by UK visitors. Great architecture, food scene, and lakefront. Less expensive than the coasts.
Las Vegas – Love it or hate it, there’s nowhere else like it. Good base for Grand Canyon day trips.
National Parks
Grand Canyon – As impressive as the photos suggest. South Rim is more accessible; North Rim is quieter.
Yellowstone – Geysers, hot springs, and wildlife. Remote and requires planning.
Yosemite – Dramatic granite cliffs and waterfalls. Day-trippable from San Francisco.
Theme Parks
Orlando, Florida – Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. A week barely covers one resort. Hot and humid most of the year.
Beaches
Florida – Miami for nightlife, the Keys for relaxation.
California – Santa Monica, San Diego, Malibu. Water’s colder than you’d expect.
Hawaii – Maui and Oahu are the most visited islands. Long flight but stunning.
Getting Around
The US is built for cars. Public transport exists in major cities but is limited elsewhere.
Domestic flights: The practical choice for long distances. LA to New York is 5-6 hours flying vs 40+ hours driving. Book in advance for better prices. Budget airlines (Southwest, Spirit, Frontier) are cheaper but charge for everything.
Rental cars: Essential for road trips and most destinations outside major cities. Book in advance, especially in summer. Remember: Americans drive on the right, and distances are in miles.
Trains: Amtrak connects major cities but is slow and often more expensive than flying. Scenic routes (California Coast, Pacific Northwest) are worth it for the journey itself.
Buses: Greyhound and FlixBus cover most routes cheaply. Slow but budget-friendly.
Within cities: New York has excellent public transport. San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington DC are manageable. Los Angeles requires a car or lots of Uber.
Costs
The US can be expensive, but costs vary wildly by location.
Daily budget estimates:
- Budget (hostels, fast food, free attractions): £80-120
- Mid-range (hotels, restaurants, paid attractions): £150-250
- Comfortable (nice hotels, good restaurants): £250-400+
Specific costs:
- Hostel dorm: £25-50/night
- Mid-range hotel: £100-200/night
- Fast food meal: £8-12
- Restaurant dinner: £20-40
- Domestic flight: £80-200
- Rental car: £30-60/day
- National Park entry: £25-30 per vehicle (valid 7 days)
Money tips:
- Credit cards work everywhere – contactless is standard
- Tipping is expected: 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars
- Prices displayed don’t include tax (added at checkout)
- Sales tax varies by state (0% in some, 10%+ in others)
Practical Differences
Plugs: The US uses Type A/B plugs (two flat pins). You’ll need a travel adapter. Voltage is 120V vs UK’s 230V – most phone and laptop chargers handle this automatically, but check hair dryers and straighteners.
Tipping: Not optional. 18-20% at sit-down restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping. Service workers rely on tips for their income.
Portions: American portions are large. Sharing dishes or taking leftovers is normal.
Driving: Right-hand side. Speed limits in mph. “Turning right on red” is legal in most states (treat it like a give way). Fuel is much cheaper than the UK.
Healthcare: There’s no NHS. Travel insurance is essential. A hospital visit without insurance can cost thousands.
When to Visit
Spring (March-May): Pleasant temperatures in most regions. Cherry blossoms in Washington DC.
Summer (June-August): Hot and busy. Best for national parks and northern destinations. Avoid Florida and the Southwest unless you like extreme heat.
Autumn (September-November): Fall colours in New England. Comfortable temperatures. Fewer crowds after Labor Day (early September).
Winter (December-February): Ski season in Colorado and Utah. Cold in the north, mild in Florida and California. Cheapest flights in January.
Planning Your Trip
For a first visit, pick one region:
East Coast city trip (10-14 days): New York, Washington DC, Boston
California road trip (10-14 days): San Francisco, Highway 1, Los Angeles, San Diego
Florida theme parks (7-10 days): Orlando parks, maybe Miami or the Keys
Southwest national parks (10-14 days): Las Vegas base, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon
Trying to see New York AND Los Angeles AND the Grand Canyon in one trip means spending most of your time in airports.
