🇺🇸 Country guide

United States Travel Guide

A coast-to-coast country full of iconic skylines and natural wonders.

Gateway

New York · JFK

Capital

Washington, D.C.

Best time

April–June · September–October

Budget

High

Don't miss

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk

How to plan a route through the USA

Think of the United States not as a single country trip but as separate regional journeys on a continental scale. New York and Chicago make easy city breaks by public transport, while in Los Angeles the choice of neighbourhood and traffic, in Miami the split between the mainland and Miami Beach, and in Las Vegas the total hotel cost shape the trip.

Squeezing these six cities into one route is not a good idea for most travellers. Connect your intercontinental flight to one gateway city; if you add a domestic flight, also allow for the half day lost to baggage, getting to the airport and security. The California pair makes geographic sense; New York–Miami or Chicago–Las Vegas, however, are not road trips but separate flight legs.

What to know before travelling to the USA

The price tag may not be the final price

Sales tax varies by state and local government and is added at the till to most shop and menu prices. Mandatory fees on hotel and event tickets must now be included in the total price shown upfront; government taxes and optional extras you choose may be added at the final step.

Calculate the tip after the bill

For table service, 15–20 per cent of the pre-tax amount is the common custom; bars, taxis and hotel services differ. The suggestion on a counter tablet is not mandatory. First check whether there is a service charge or automatic gratuity line; don't leave a full tip twice for the same service.

A pre-authorisation is not a charge

Hotels and car rental companies may temporarily block an amount higher than the room or car price from your available limit. On a debit card this hold ties up your balance directly and its release can take time depending on the bank; a credit card with a sufficient limit is usually more comfortable.

Don't rush to change your phone's region

Changing your Apple account country may require spending any remaining balance, ending some subscriptions, leaving Family Sharing and entering a valid payment method. If an app isn't available in your country's store, first look at alternatives such as web/QR payment, guest use, a physical card or a contactless bank card.

The car decision depends on the city

In central New York, Chicago and San Francisco a car is a burden. In Los Angeles it helps if your route is spread out; in Miami it depends on plans beyond the beach, in Las Vegas on a nature day outside the city. Before renting, compare hotel parking, valet, electronic tolls and the company's toll-programme fee together.

Check your visa status with official sources

Many visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries can travel with an approved ESTA, while other nationalities need a visitor visa; check which applies to your passport. Because application and entry conditions can vary by person, follow only the current guidance on the pages of the U.S. Department of State and the official missions.

5–7 days

A first big-city trip

An intense, car-free, neighbourhood-focused first taste of the USA. Leaving time for Brooklyn and Queens instead of adding another city makes the trip more balanced.

New York →

9–12 days

The California pair

Start car-free in San Francisco and rent a car for the Los Angeles leg. If you want to drive the coast road, don't squeeze it into one day; check road conditions and closures separately.

San Francisco →Los Angeles →

4–6 days

One city, one strong theme

Chicago for architecture and food, Miami for winter sun and Latin culture, Las Vegas for shows and desert nature. These are not stops close to one another; pick one according to your interests.

Chicago →Miami →Las Vegas →

Cities to visit in the United States

The cities to visit in the United States differ as much in character as in distance. New York and Chicago stand out for architecture, museums and neighbourhood life; Los Angeles and San Francisco for West Coast culture. Miami offers a tropical, Latin-influenced city break, while Las Vegas sets itself apart with shows and desert routes. The best USA trip focuses on one region instead of squeezing in every city.

Original guides are live for all 6 cities