How to Prepare for a Trip to the USA
As you've probably seen from my blog, we've been the the States rather a few times over the years, so we know exactly what's required of us to make sure that we're doing everything by the book and so that we're guaranteed to have an amazing time.
If you've never been to the USA before, then it can be overwhelming to determine what you need to do to make sure everything goes smoothly, which is why I've decided to write this article about how to prepare for a trip to the USA. So, let's dive right in.
Check your passport & ESTA
You cannot travel if there's six months or less left on your passport. If this is the case, you need a new one. Always look at the date you're departing and never go from the date you booked your holiday. If you need a new passport and want to go to the US, then get a new passport before booking your holiday.
This is because all numbers need to match the ones on your current passport. Changing those details can be costly depending on the airline you're travelling with. Also, to visit the USA, you need an ESTA. This is a travel document that's essentially a security check. Ask your travel agent for more information.
They'll make sure that you are who you say you are and that you're safe to come into their country. It's relatively cheap and you pay for it in US dollars. You need this to enter the country, so do not travel without your ESTA being submitted and approved. You can get the app for ease.
Understand the money & payment systems
The USA uses the US dollar ($). Before you go, check exchange rates, bank transaction charges, and get too know the coinage. Make sure you bring a credit or debit card that is travel-friendly and fee-free and carry a small amount of cash for emergency use.
Never bring hundreds of dollars in cash with you. Also, check spending limits on credit cards as this could hinder you picking up a rental car, for instance, as deposits are taken. Hotels often hold a certain amount per night as a deposit, so account for that as well.
Also, don't forget that it's expected to tip between 15-20% per restaurant or cafe bill. Unless the server's service was awful, they always expect extra on top of the original bill. Finally, sales tax is added on at the till, so the price on the label will always be more when you come to pay.
Double-check your travel insurance
You must have travel insurance wherever you go. But when taking out travel insurance for a trip to the USA, you need to make doubly sure that you're covered for everything, especially medical. Even a minor treatment, such as for stitches, can be extremely costly, so it's better safe than sorry.
Before you travel, make sure that your travel insurance covers emergency medical treatment, hospital stays and medical evacuation, cancellation and travel disruption, lost, stolen or damaged belongings and any activities you plan to undertake while you're in the country.
Discuss your options with the travel insurance company and feel free to shop around for policies. One company might offer something that the other doesn't, so compare policies before committing. Don't be tempted to choose a cheap policy, either, as it may not cover everything you need.
Pack for the weather
Depending on where you're going in America, you'll need to pack for the weather. The USA is so big that November means it's cold in one part of the country, but still hot in another part. New England.
For instance, will have a similar climate to the UK, whereas more southern states will still be warm in November, like Florida and New Mexico. Looking up the temperature in the USA is no good. you need to be place-specific.
Do your research so that you're not caught out by the time you get there. This is especially important if you're doing a road trip around the States for the first time. Look up the places you're going and the expected temperature at each place for the time of year.
Familiarise yourself with American customs
When I say 'customs', I don't mean Border Control or airport operations. I'm talking about mannerisms, language and general differences between Britain and the US. For instance, Americans will refer to temperature as Fahrenheit and not degrees Celsius.
Petrol is sold in gallons, not litres, restaurants and cafes expect tips, so the cost of your meal will be around 20% more than you thought, and sales tax is added after the transaction has been made. So a label might say something is $5, but it'll be more than that when you reach the till.
Get your transport in order
How are you going to get about when you get there? America is a huge country, and so relying on trains and public transport isn't always the most cost-effective or time-efficient way of getting around. The transport you choose depends on whether you're staying in one place, or multiple places.
If you're just going to Walt Disney World and back, then take a taxi to the parks and then a taxi back to the airport again. But if, like us, you're going from place to place, then hiring a car would be the best option, as opposed to taking trains and buses.
Do your research and come up with a solution before you book your trip. A trip to the USA isn't like a holiday to a country in Europe. While you can internally fly to different places, this can be costly. Ask your travel agent for help here.
Don't forget about your long haul flight
Long haul flights are tough at the best of times, which is why you need to come up with a plan for surviving them. I've written a blog post about things you can do on a long haul flight to keep you occupied.
But often, long haul flights call for card games, downloaded movies or a good TV series, your favourite music playlist or some great digital games to keep your brain working. Neck pillows are also great so you can get some sleep here and there.
It's also important to bring some headphones of your own, wear layers and stretchy clothing, and don't forget some flight socks. Make sure you're getting up every hour or so to stretch your legs and get the blood pumping.
Keep important documents to hand
I know that everything is digital these days, but it's too risk to leave important documents on your phone or tablet. What happens if you lose signal or your device's battery dies? Then you're up the creek without a paddle.
We like to print our documents off so that we have physical copies we can get our hands on when we need them. Nine times out of ten, they don't ask to see them as they have digital confirmation when you reach Border Control, but it's always a good idea to have your own paperwork to hand.
Look at their government website for further information & requirements
You never know what might change, regardless of the country you visit. So, you need to regularly check their government website for any changes to Visas, ESTAs, and other requirements. For instance, the latest one here is to declare whether you've recently been to the Democratic Republic of Congo recently.
This is something new that's only come about in the last eight weeks or so. This is how quickly things can change, so keep your eye to the ground so that you can meet all of the requirements to travel. You can also find other information on there, like what's not allowed in the country, including food.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that you found it useful. Let me know in the comments below whether you've got anymore information for those preparing for a trip to the USA and I'll see you all again soon with some brand new content!
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