America has long been a sought-after destination for international travellers. Filled with varying landscapes, countless things to see and and so many places to go, it’s easy to understand why people travel to the U.S. from destinations abroad.
Despite the appeal, no international traveller should ever just hop on a plane and visit the U.S. without thought and planning. U.S. travel requires a multitude of considerations and decisions that need to be made before leaving your native country. Below are 3 things every international visitor should think about before setting off for the U.S.
USA Travel, What to Consider
1. Passport and Visas
Your passport and visas are the most important – and obvious – things you’ll need to sort out before travelling to the USA. While you might be aware of this critical necessity, many visitors don’t know about the length of time it takes to get these documents in order. It could take you a few weeks (and possibly months) to obtain the necessary paperwork, so give yourself plenty of time.
Thankfully, you can do most of this from your own home. To shorten the time it takes to start the process, you can even get your passport photo online. Take the time to sort it out early, and you shouldn’t have to stress about it in the future.
2. Booking Domestic Flights
When you’re travelling to the USA, you’ll naturally need to get international flights. That being said, you might want to visit a few states when you’re there, which means getting domestic flights.
While you might be tempted to purchase your international and domestic fares together, that might not be your best option. Airlines often add a premium to domestic flights if you’re buying them with an international fare. If you want to keep your costs low, try to avoid booking at the same time. You’ll likely save enough money to make up for the additional hassle.
3. Tipping Culture
The States is relatively unique when it comes to its tipping culture. You’ll be expected to shell out extra cash for all types of services, no matter how high-quality it actually is. If you go out for food, expect to tip. Even if it’s just a few drinks, you’ll be expected to tip. Hotel housekeeping, bellhops, and shuttle drivers may also expect to be compensated extra for their services. In some locales, it’s even common to tip fast food counter help.
Expected tipping amounts usually range between 15% and 20% of the cost of the sale or service. Stick with the lower end if the service was standard but add a little more if the service is better than that. Think of the 15% as a minimum and add accordingly.
On the other hand, tips for no-fee services, such as hotel housekeeping, vary by location. Be sure to do some research before leaving home so you can factor tips into your overall costs.
Travelling To The USA: Wrapping Up
There are plenty of reasons why travelling to the USA is appealing, but you’ll need to put some time and effort into planning out your trip and budget. Fortunately, that doesn’t need to be nearly as difficult as it may seem.
Pay attention to the 3 things listed above, plan out your itinerary in advance, and enjoy a stress-free pleasant trip.
