United States of America
When I think about the US, the first things that come to mind are the beaches of Los Angeles and the skyscrapers of New York. Like most people my age I grew up watching The OC, Friends and other American TV shows, and we have a picture in our heads about what the American Dream is.
I’ve been to the US a few different times, twice with family, then with friends and more recently on press trips. Every time I see different parts of the country and it always marvels me with its beauty.
In this category I’ve put together all my top US travel tips.
Quick travel facts about the United States of America
Where is the USA? In North America.
How to get there: You can find the cheapest flights via SkyScanner. You can also travel to the US overland from Canada or Mexico by bus, train or with a rented car.
Currency: United States Dollar (USD) – see the latest exchange rate here.
Electrical plugs in the US: Type A&B – I recommend an international adapter so you can use it on multiple trips.
Capital City: Washington DC.
Best time to visit: The US is a huge country with a huge variety of climates. The best time to visit ultimately depends on what part of the US you are travelling to and for what purpose.
It has the same seasons as most European and other northern hemisphere countries. I can get pretty hot and crowded in the summer months from June to August, whilst the spring (March & April) and autumn (September-November) months are usually cooler and less busy.
How to travel around the US: The US is the home of epic road trips. The best way to explore it is by renting a car and driving around with your mates.
If you don’t like driving there are also good Greyhound and other bus lines crossing the country. If you have limited time in the US you can also find cheap internal flights on Skyscanner and save on a bit of time on the road.
Visa requirements: Many passport holders can apply for an ESTA (a Visa waiver program) which allows you to be in the US for 90 days and is valid for a year. You can check if you’re eligible and apply for your ESTA here.
