First-Timer's Guide to the United States: Essential Travel Tips

A first trip to the United States is full of small surprises: prices without tax, tips on almost everything, Fahrenheit forecasts and distances that look short on a map but take a day to drive. These tips cover the practical details that make the first few days easier.

Money, cards and sales tax

• The currency is the US dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and paying by contactless card or phone is widespread.
• Carry a little cash for tips, small vendors, some food trucks and the occasional cash-only bar.
• Price tags usually exclude sales tax, which is added at the register and varies by state and city; a few states have no general sales tax.
• ATMs are everywhere, but fees for using another bank's machine are common, so withdrawing larger amounts less often keeps costs down.

Tipping in practice

Tipping is built into the cost of most services:

• Sit-down restaurants: around 18–20% of the pre-tax total.
• Bartenders: about $1–2 per drink.
• Taxis and ride apps: around 15–20%, which you can add in the app.
• Hotel housekeeping: a few dollars per night, left daily with a note.
• Tour guides and porters: a tip at the end of the tour or per bag is customary.

Plugs, power and phone setup

The US uses Type A and B plugs at 120 volts. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 100–240 volts, so a simple plug adapter is enough; hair dryers and straighteners may need a converter. Before you leave, check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked if you plan to use a travel eSIM, and download offline maps for your first city.

Useful apps

• Maps: Google Maps or Apple Maps for driving, walking and transit directions.
• Ride apps: Uber and Lyft cover nearly every city.
• Transit: many city systems have official apps with live arrivals and mobile tickets.
• Airline apps: for check-in, gate changes and boarding passes on domestic flights.
• National parks: the official park service app has maps and alerts you can download for offline use.

Everyday differences

• Temperatures are in Fahrenheit, distances in miles, and dates are written month first, so 7/4 means July 4.
• The contiguous US spans four main time zones, from Eastern to Pacific, with Alaska and Hawaii further behind. Most states move their clocks forward from March to November, but Hawaii and most of Arizona don't, so double-check times for tours and connections.
• Shops and supermarkets in cities often open late into the evening and on Sundays, which makes self-catering easy.
• Service staff are friendly and chatty, and a smile and a quick "thanks" go a long way.

Arriving in the US

• Big hubs like JFK, LAX, Miami and Chicago O'Hare can have long lines at passport control, so allow plenty of time for onward connections.
• If you're connecting to a domestic flight, you'll usually collect your bags after passport control and check them in again.
• Airport Wi-Fi is usually free but may ask you to sign up first, so having mobile data working as you land saves time.
• Decide in advance how you'll get into town, whether by train, shuttle, taxi or ride app.

Stay connected in the United States

In the US your phone is your map, wallet, boarding pass and ride-hailing app, so it pays to have data from the moment you switch off airplane mode. With a HelloSIM eSIM installed at home, you turn the HelloSIM line on after landing, set it for mobile data and enable data roaming on that line, while switching data roaming off on your home line to avoid charges. It's data-only, so WhatsApp stays on your usual number.