Plan your trip to the USA
The things that catch travellers out in America — the ESTA copycat sites, the tax that is not on the menu, the $100 park surcharge, the distances — explained once, clearly.
Work it out with the tools
Draft a route, compare two places, check the pass, the tip, the budget and the exchange rate.
Before you book
When to go to the USA: month by monthWeather & seasonsThe best time to visit the USA by region and month, with real NOAA climate data for 36 destinations: national parks, cities, beaches, hurricane season and fall colors.Interactive toolUSA itineraries: 1, 2 and 3 weeksTrip planningHow to plan your first trip to the USA: the best itineraries for one, two and three weeks, which region to choose, open-jaw flights, and how much to fit in.25 unforgettable things to do in the USAInspirationThe 25 best things to do in the USA, from sunrise at the Grand Canyon and The Narrows in Zion to jazz in New Orleans, Route 66, Yellowstone’s geysers and the Statue of Liberty.How much does a trip to the USA cost?MoneyHow much a US trip really costs per day: hotels, food, car rental, gas, park passes, tips and taxes, sample budgets for 1 and 2 weeks, and how to spend less.Interactive tool
Papers & cover
ESTA & US visa: the complete guideEntry requirementsDo you need an ESTA or a visa for the USA? The official $40.27 fee, how to apply safely, processing time, the 90-day rule, Canada and Mexico side trips, and arrival tips.Travel insurance for the USAHealth & coverWhy travel insurance matters more in the USA than anywhere else: real hospital costs, how much medical cover to choose, what to check in the policy, and what your credit card covers.National park fees 2026: the America the Beautiful pass explainedNational parksThe 2026 national park fees: the $80 resident and $250 non-resident America the Beautiful pass, the $100 surcharge at 11 parks, what the pass covers, and a calculator.Interactive tool
On the ground
Tipping in the USA: who, how much, and whyMoneyHow much to tip in the USA in restaurants, bars, taxis, hotels and on tours, why menu prices exclude tax, what auto-gratuity means, plus a calculator from menu price to total.Interactive toolWhere to stay in the USA: hotels, motels, lodgesAccommodationWhere to stay in the USA: the best neighborhoods in each city, lodges inside the national parks, motels on road trips, booking tips, resort fees and hotel taxes explained.Getting around the USA: car, plane, train, busTransportHow to travel around the USA: renting a car as a foreigner, driving rules and road signs, gas, tolls, domestic flights, Amtrak trains, buses and eSIMs for navigation.Amtrak: traveling the USA by trainTransportTraveling the USA by Amtrak: the Northeast Corridor, the California Zephyr and other scenic routes, how to book cheap fares, the USA Rail Pass and sleeper cars explained.Is the USA safe for travellers?Safety & healthHow safe the USA is for tourists: cities, national parks, driving, heat and wildlife, natural hazards by season, emergency numbers and the precautions that matter.The USA with kids: where to go and how to planFamily travelPlan a family trip to the USA: the best destinations for kids, Junior Ranger badges, theme parks, family road trip pacing, car seats, hotels and budget tips.
Short itineraries
Two to five days, planned by the hour.
- New York in 3 days
- San Francisco in 3 days
- Yellowstone in 3 days
- Sedona weekend
- Utah in 4 days
- Grand Canyon & Route 66
- Keys in 5 days
- Vegas & parks in 5 days
When to go, by destination
Month by month: weather, crowds, what is open.
The month-by-month guide →Driving in the USA
Your licence, the speed limits, the tolls — state by state, with official sources.
All driving guides →Printable checklists
Tick on your phone or print in black and white.
All checklists →