13 Things You Should Know Before Visiting the United States

1. Don’t Forget Your U.S. Visa

It’s crucial for every traveler to understand the entry requirements for the United States, as applying for the wrong type of tourist visa or arriving without the proper documents will result in being denied entry.

Some visitors may qualify for a 90-day visa waiver, known as the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This travel authorization is processed through the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, allowing you to visit the U.S. without a visa! To apply for ESTA, you must be from a member country (most European countries, Australia, and Japan are included), visiting the U.S. for business or tourism for up to 90 days, hold a valid passport, and have your ESTA approved.

Once approved, your ESTA is valid for 2 years and you can travel to the United States as many times as you like. However, every individual stay can’t exceed 90 days. Note that your 90 days start once you arrive on U.S. soil. The clock does not pause or reset if you cross into neighboring countries like Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. So, keep this in mind when planning your trip—you don’t want to overstay, pay fines, or risk being expelled!

2. Never Visit Without Travel Insurance

Medical costs in the U.S. are notoriously high; every year, thousands of Americans file for bankruptcy due to medical debt. An ambulance ride can cost over $2,700, and a visit to the ER can range from $200 to $3,000 depending on your health issue. In extreme cases, expenses could reach $20,000! It’s essential to purchase travel insurance before heading to the U.S. You don’t want to be in a situation where you have to choose between going to the hospital or toughing it out when sick! Save yourself the stress and expense—invest in good travel insurance.

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3. Tipping Is the Norm

While tipping is technically optional, low minimum wages for waitstaff mean they largely rely on tips to make up their income. So, tipping is basically mandatory—an unwritten rule! At restaurants, it’s customary to leave 15–20% as a tip. Before tipping, check whether gratuity has already been added to the bill, especially for groups of 6 or more. Remember, tipping goes beyond restaurants: bartenders ($1–2 per drink), hotel housekeeping ($3–5 per night), taxi drivers (10–15%), and even bellhops ($1–2 per bag) all expect tips. Make sure to include tips in your travel budget for the U.S.!

4. Prices Aren’t What They Seem

In the U.S., price tags often show one price, but at the register—POOF—there’s a different, higher price. That’s due to sales tax. Most prices do not include sales tax, so expect to pay more than you see on the tag! Sales tax usually ranges from 6% to 10% and varies by state and city.

5. There’s More to the U.S. Than New York

With so many films set in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, it’s easy to believe that’s all the U.S. has to offer. But that’s not the case! The United States is one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, varying in landscapes, people, and even climate. The country spans six time zones, and the distance from New York to San Francisco is greater than from Lisbon to Moscow!

With that in mind, don’t try to see too much in one trip. It’s better to focus on one region—like the Northeast (New York, Boston, Washington DC) or the West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas). This way, you can fully experience each place, instead of rushing from state to state just to tick them off your list.

6. Explore National Parks

The U.S. national parks are some of the most stunning in the world. You should visit at least one or two during your trip. From the Grand Canyon to the Smoky Mountains, you’ll find breathtaking landscapes, pristine lakes, and fascinating wildlife. With 59 national parks covering over 80 million acres across the country, you may even want to dedicate an entire trip to exploring them—they are true American treasures not to be missed!

7. Every State Is Like Its Own Little Country

From scenery and climate to food, slang, personalities, and even fashion, everything changes from state to state! For example, New Yorkers are known for their fast pace and style, as New York is the country’s fashion capital, while Californians are more laid-back, often sporting sandals, shorts, and tank tops. Laws also vary greatly: in Texas, anyone can buy a gun without a permit, whereas in California, a special license is required. Marijuana laws differ too—legal in Massachusetts, illegal in Louisiana. Just because something is allowed in one state doesn’t mean it is in another!

8. Beware of the Imperial System

The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world to reject the metric system, favoring miles, inches, feet, and yards over meters. Americans also measure weight in pounds, liquids in pints and gallons, and temperature in Fahrenheit instead of Celsius. To top it off, Americans write dates as MM/DD/YYYY—month first—rather than DD/MM/YYYY. They really like being different, just for the sake of it.

9. Don’t Rely on Public Transport

Outside big metropolitan areas like New York and Washington DC, public transportation is almost non-existent, and what does exist often leaves much to be desired. The U.S. is a car-centric country, so your best bet is to rent a car: it will save you time and give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. It’s worth it. Also, note that most cars in the U.S. are automatic and manual transmissions can be hard to find.

10. Airport Security Is a Major Deal

Alongside driving, flying is one of the best ways to see the country! But it can be time-consuming—and a bit of a hassle. The U.S. takes security very seriously, so expect to wait in long lines, remove your belt, jacket, and shoes, go through a sophisticated metal detector, and maybe even be selected for a random screening. You’ll also see plenty of dogs at airports—sniffing you and your bags for drugs and explosives.

To help make airport security as smooth as possible, here are some tips:

• Arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight; even 2 hours could be cutting it close!
• Visit the TSA website for up-to-date rules and airport security policies.
• Dress so you can easily remove items like shoes and belts, and try to wear as little metal (like jewelry or watches) as possible.
• Keep your travel documents and passport handy, as you’ll need to show them multiple times.
• Pack so you can quickly unpack: keep all your TSA-approved toiletries in a quart-sized zip-top bag and your laptop/electronics in an easily accessible spot.

11. America’s Unofficial Motto: “Go Big or Go Home”

Americans like everything big. Cars are big, people can be big (not everyone!), houses are large, supermarkets are massive, and the country itself is huge! If it’s not big, it’s not American. As the world capital of fast food, you’ll find meals served in portions: large, larger, and supersized! Be prepared to gain a few pounds!

12. For Emergencies, Call 911

If you get into trouble or need immediate help, grab a phone and dial 911. No matter the issue—fire, theft, or illness—911 will send the right support. Remember: only call this number for real emergencies; abusing it for anything else can result in fines or even jail time.

13. Americans Are Generally Very Friendly

In general, Americans are very friendly, especially in the South. From Miami’s beaches to Arizona’s deserts, the electric excitement of Las Vegas, and the jazz vibes of New Orleans, the U.S. is full of surprises. Now that you’re equipped with all the essential travel tips, you’re ready to explore this incredible country!

Source: roadaffair