Travel Guide In USA | Tips To Follow And Things Every Traveler Must Know

June 3, 2022

The United States is one of those countries which everyone wants to visit at least once in a lifetime. No matter how many places one may visit, one will always end up asking for more. Each state has something unique to offer with plenty of things to do and explore. Consider going through a travel guide in USA before planning your trip.

It does not matter what you are seeking while on a trip to the United States as it offers something for everyone regardless of their age and preferences. Even if you are on a short trip, there are a range of ideal destinations in the country that you can easily visit without taking so much time.

In case you planning a trip in the near future or in the upcoming season must go through our handy travel guide in USA which will help you understand how to start your tour and from where to start.

Travel Guide In USA

1. Passport Information

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Before planning your trip, make sure you have all the documents ready, required for your travel including the passport. These documents will help you enter the United States and will let you return to your home country. First, you must have a passport with a validity of at least six months or longer than that, or else you will be exempted.

If you are accompanied by your family, then each of the family members must have a separate passport including children and infants. In any case, if your passport is lost or stolen, immediately contact the embassy of your home country for replacement.

Also Read: Top Tourist Attractions In USA For A Much-Needed Vacation

2. Visa Information

A Visa may be required by non-US citizens based on the issuer of their passport. The visa allows non-citizens to travel to any part of the country based on a request made to the Department of Homeland Security. You will be considered eligible to visit the united states as a traveler based on the requirements you have met.

There are some countries that are not required to apply for a US Visa such as New Zealand, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, citizens from Gulf and South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, and UAE are required to apply for a Visa.

Cost of US Travel Visa For Some Countries:

India – 160 USD or 12,800 INR
UAE – 160 USD or 590 AED
Pakistan – 160 USD or 33,600 INR

3. United States Currency

The United States Dollar is the official currency of the country and it can be exchanged in your home country itself. The money can also be exchanged in one’s home currency with the U.S dollar either at the US airport or any location throughout the country. It is best advised not to carry a large amount of cash with you.

U.S Dollars against other Currency:

India – 1 USD = 77.62 INR
UAE – 1 USD = 3.67 AED
Euros – 1 USD = 0.93 Euros
Pakistan – 1 USD = 196.37 PKR

Also Read: 17 Reasons To Have New York On Your Travel Bucket List

4. Best Time To Visit

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While traveling to the US, you must aware of weather conditions as it differs depending on season locations. The season between July to August is usually warm in northern states having cold mornings and nights. Talking about the southern region, it remains hot throughout the summer and can be hard to travel during this time.

The Fall season is considered the best time to travel northern areas which starts from September and lasts till November end. The winter season starts in December and lasts up to February. It is the best time to travel southern regions, you can travel to the northern regions too only if you want to enjoy the snow season.

5. Timing And Business Hours

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Apart from weather and climate, you should also be aware of at what time the country operates and till when the major services are available including shopping malls, offices, and tourist places. The country follows a 12-hour clock, meaning 6 o’clock can either be 6 PM or 6 AM.

Talking about the Business hours, it depends on region to region. The business in big cities may last up to 24 hours while small towns have limited business timings.

Operating Hours For Major Businesses And Services:

Banks:

Monday to Thursday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Shopping Malls:

Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Sunday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Supermarkets:

Daily – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Bars:

Daily – 5:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Salon or Parlour:

Tuesday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Departmental Stores: Till 12:00 AM or 24 Hours

6. Dining And Tipping

Having different states and regions, the country offers a wide range of cuisines specific to each region and even culture. Also, while enjoying the diverse cuisine you can either ask for mineral water or use the public tap, which is available throughout the country with no additional fees. The water supply in America is considered one of the safest in the world.

The restaurants in the USA are well aware of special diets which each person may follow depending on their health issues or religious norms. Those looking for vegetarian food or gluten-free food must not be worried as it is easily available. Muslims seeking halal food may ask the restaurant’s staff before ordering.

Meal Timing in US:

Breakfast – 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Brunch(combined with Breakfast and lunch) – 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Lunch – 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Dinner – 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM

Tipping:

Dinner – 15% to 20% for sitting and 10% for Buffet system
Hotel Bell Staff – 1 USD to 2 USD/ Bag
Hotel Maid – 2 USD to 5 USD/ Night

Also Read: 15 Upcoming Festivals In The US That No Traveler Should Miss

7. Transportation

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The flights to the United States are well connected throughout the world and do not take much time to reach here. There are more than 5,100 public airports in the United States offering both domestic and international flights. While coming with an international flight, avoid carrying beyond 56-by35-23 cm.

Talking about the transportation in the country itself, US has the convenient transport services and it is easy to travel all around. From trains, buses, taxis, and boats, there is a range of options to choose from.

Top 5 International Airports:

John F. Kennedy International Airport – New York City, New York
Los Angeles International Airport – Los Angeles, California
San Francisco International Airport – San Francisco, California
Miami International Airport – Miami, Florida
Newark Liberty International Airport – New Jersey

Base Fare for Public Transport:

Taxicabs- 2.60 USD to 5.00 USD
Subway – 1.75 USD to 2.75 USD
Uber or Lyft – 20 USD to 50 USD

8. Accommodation And Hotels

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There is a wide range of accommodation options in the United States ranging from villas, luxury hotels, or other public accommodation depending on your budget. Always keep in mind, that the type of accommodation you are selecting is accessible to places that you are willing to explore.

For the best offers, register your accommodation in advance, especially during the peak seasons and holidays. Avoid planning your trip during festivals as the hotels are usually full.

Low-Cost Accommodations:

Hotels with limited service – These are not luxurious but offer numerous services such as internet, complimentary breakfast, microwaves, and refrigerator. It is the ideal place to stay with family
Motels – First started in the year 1925 with the intention to offer affordable accommodations for motorists. These are comparatively basic from hotels and are less expensive.
Hostels – with a starting price of 15 USD per shared room.

Click Here to Book for Hostels

9. Best Places To Visit

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Before listing out the best places to visit in the US, conduct proper research and learn about the top tourist attractions or look for travel operators for the best offers. There are three types of travel operators to choose from i.e domestic, inbound as well as outbound.

The domestic operators offer tours in national parks, or in areas like the Pacific northwest. Inbound operators act as tour assistants and offer details regarding hotel transportation, restaurants, and many more. The outbound tours are usually arranged for traveling from one country to another.

Top Cities To Visit: