Planning a trip to the United States is an adventure in itself. Selecting the destinations you are going to travel to, creating your own itinerary with the places you want to visit, choosing the different accommodations and experiences, preparing all the necessary documents…. Although it is part of the adventure, sometimes dealing with the amount of things to organize can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start.
That’s why, to help you with planning your trip to the United States, we have written this post. Below we will try to solve the essential questions to know before traveling. From the necessary documents to the best options to move around the United States, in this post you will find answers to many doubts. Read on and let us help you plan your trip to the United States with our Passporter travel tool.
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1. Have the documentation you need to travel to the United States at hand in the Passporter App
When planning a trip to the United States, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary documents for a smooth entry into the country.
First, you will need your valid passport, which must have an expiration date that exceeds the length of your stay in the United States. In addition to your passport, if you are a citizen of a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program, you will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA), which must be approved prior to boarding your flight to the United States. If you are not eligible for ESTA or if you plan to stay longer than the period allowed under the program, you must apply for a nonimmigrant visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
In addition to these travel documents, it is advisable to carry with you the address of your U.S. accommodation and any hotel or lodging reservations you have made. This information may be requested upon entry to verify the purpose and duration of your visit. Remember that it is essential to review and comply with all entry and documentation requirements prior to your trip to avoid any mishaps at the border.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
2. Choose the date to travel to the United States
Choosing the date to travel to a destination like the United States can be complicated by the great diversity of climates that exist in different states. However, for your guidance, the high season for tourism in the United States is during the summer months and the low season is from November to March.
For example, visiting New York in summer has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it’s a time when there is a plethora of cultural events, festivals, outdoor concerts and tourist activities available. But on the other hand, summer in New York can be extremely hot and humid, especially in July and August, which can be quite uncomfortable.
In general, spring, March through May, and fall, September through November, are considered good times to visit many parts of the United States due to moderate temperatures and fewer tourists compared to summer. However, specific destinations may have their own high and low seasons due to special events, local weather and seasonal activities. As you can see, it all depends on your U.S. travel itinerary and your preferences.
Los Angeles, California @unsplash
3. Compare and find accommodation with Passporter
As we said before, it is essential to travel to the United States with accommodation reservations because it will be one of the data that you will be asked to access the country. Of course, once in the country you will be able to make new reservations if you need to improvise, or change one accommodation for another, but do not try to access without reservations because you will not be able to cross the border.
It is important to remember that researching and booking in advance is advisable to ensure a comfortable and adequate stay according to your needs, as well as within your budget. In addition, we suggest that you go to the Passporter App and book with Booking the best accommodations in the United States. In the App itself you can also save your reservations and keep them organized.
4. How to get to and around the United States
To get to the United States, the main entry points are its international airports, with some of the most important ones located in cities such as New York (JFK, Newark), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (O’Hare), Atlanta (Hartsfield-Jackson), and Miami (MIA), for example. These airports are served by a variety of international and domestic airlines, including major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, among others, offering flights to and from destinations all over the world.
Once in the United States, getting around within cities can be done via a public transportation network that includes subway systems (such as New York and Washington D.C.), buses, streetcars, and cab and ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. For interstate travel, the most common modes of transportation are domestic flights, which connect major cities and regions of the country. There are also train options, such as Amtrak, which offers long-distance rail services, and an extensive road network that allows travel by car, either owned or rented, with a wide choice of interstate highways and secondary roads.
5. Find the best restaurants with Passporter
For many travelers, a key part of travel is discovering the cuisine and best restaurants at each destination. From classic hamburgers and hot dogs to regional dishes such as Louisiana gumbo, Southern cuisine with its fried chicken and barbecue dishes, and fresh seafood on the East and West coasts, America’s gastronomic offer is wide and varied. The country, moreover, is also known for its culinary innovation, with cities such as New York and San Francisco offering a vibrant scene of fine dining restaurants and quality street food.
Also, we remind you that with the Passporter app, in addition to seeing which places to visit in each U.S. city, you can find the best restaurants, as well as some photos and the opinions that other users have uploaded about them.
6. Is the United States safe for tourists
The United States is generally safe for tourists, with high standards of safety and law enforcement in most areas. However, as with any tourist destination, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and take standard safety precautions, such as avoiding dangerous areas at night and protecting personal belongings in crowded areas. In addition, travelers should be aware of local regulations and follow the directions of authorities in the event of an emergency.
7. Take out health insurance: cover yourself against unforeseen events
Although we expect everything to go smoothly during our trip, unforeseen events can occur and it is best to be prepared and take out insurance when planning a trip to the United States.
Medical insurance will give you peace of mind and protection in case of illness, accident or any medical emergency that may arise during your trip. Make sure your insurance covers medical, hospital and repatriation expenses, as well as coverage for trip cancellation or lost luggage.
Before taking out insurance, carefully review the terms and conditions, making sure you understand the clauses. Compare different insurance options and choose the one that best suits your needs and planned activities during your trip.
8. How to plan a trip with friends to the United States
Traveling with friends is an absolutely rewarding experience. But planning the trip to the United States or any destination, can be a somewhat difficult process. Agreeing on things, keeping the whole group informed, setting a budget that fits everyone involved…sometimes it can be more difficult than you might expect.
With the Passporter App organizing this kind of trips is easier as you will be able to plan from start to finish the travel itinerary taking into account everyone’s opinion. Add your friends, get inspiration from the experiences of other travelers and create the route together. Later you will be able to share your experience through the pictures you take during the trip. We have also prepared this post where we leave you some useful tips for traveling with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.
9. How to plan a travel itinerary to the United States
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspiration from other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information of the trip.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share your own travel tips for your trip to the U.S.
- Enjoy your trip to the United States!
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to the United States
The climate of the United States is diverse and varies significantly by region. From arid deserts in the southwest to temperate climates on the east coast and extreme cold in the north, the country experiences a wide range of conditions. Hurricanes in the south, tornadoes in the Midwest and snowstorms in the north are common, while the influence of ocean currents also plays an important role in many areas. In short, the United States has one of the most varied climates in the world, with different regions experiencing unique weather conditions.
The best time to travel to the United States depends largely on the specific destination within the country. In general, spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are considered good times to visit many parts of the United States due to moderate temperatures and fewer tourists compared to summer. However, specific destinations may have their own high and low seasons due to factors such as special events, local weather, and seasonal activities.
Since the United States is a large and diverse country with a wide range of attractions and experiences, many travelers choose to spend at least fifteen days to explore some of the major regions or cities. However, if you only plan to visit a specific city, such as New York, you might enjoy a shorter stay of one week.
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