United States Travel Guide
New York's skyline, California's coast, Las Vegas lights and national parks on an epic scale.
Updated October 2026
Why visit United States
The United States is less a single destination than a collection of them. New York has Broadway, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty; California mixes Hollywood, San Francisco's Golden Gate and the Pacific Coast Highway; Las Vegas is the gateway to the Grand Canyon; and Florida brings Miami's beaches and Orlando's theme parks.
Distances are huge, so most visitors focus on one region or combine cities with domestic flights. Road trips are the classic way to see the national parks of the West. This guide covers when to go, how to get around and how to stay online across a big country.
Internet & eSIM
Staying connected in the USA
Getting around the US often depends on your phone: ride-hailing apps, mobile boarding passes, theme-park apps with ride times, and maps for road trips across long distances. Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés, but you'll need data on the road, in parks and between cities.
Roaming in the United States is expensive for most foreign plans. A US eSIM gives you local data from the moment you land: scan the QR code at home, switch it on after landing and keep your own SIM active for calls and texts. Coverage is excellent in cities and along main highways, but can disappear in remote national parks — download offline maps before you go.
- Install before departure, turn on when you land
- Keep your own number active for WhatsApp and SMS codes
- Download offline maps for national parks
Viberest eSIM
Stay connected in United States
Flights to United States
Compare prices from hundreds of airlines and travel sites.
Tours & activities
Top things to do in United States
ToursChicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
Chicago, USA
1.5 hours
1.5 hoursFree cancellation
from $45
ToursChicago Architecture River Cruise
Chicago, USA
1 hour
1 hourFree cancellation
from $39
ToursGrand Canyon West, Hoover Dam Stop, Wi-Fi, Lunch & Skywalk
Las Vegas, USA
10 hours
10 hoursFree cancellation
from $94
ToursChicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile
Chicago, USA
45 min
45 minFree cancellation
from $28
ToursOahu: Mauka Warriors Luau Honoring Polynesia's Forgotten History
Honolulu, USA
4 hours
4 hoursFree cancellation
from $146
AttractionsLower Antelope Canyon Admission Ticket
Page, USA
1.5 hours
1.5 hoursFree cancellation
from $75
ToursPearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial Tour from Waikiki
Honolulu, USA
4 hours
4 hoursFree cancellation
from $55
ToursSUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket
New York City, USA
1 hour
1 hourFree cancellation
from $48
Bookings are made with our partner Viator. Viberest may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Where to go
Popular cities in United States
- New York CityTimes Square, Central Park, Broadway and the Statue of Liberty.Things to do in New York City
- Los AngelesHollywood, Santa Monica beach and Universal Studios.Things to do in Los Angeles
- Las VegasThe Strip, big shows and day trips to the Grand Canyon.Things to do in Las Vegas
- San FranciscoThe Golden Gate, cable cars, Alcatraz and Napa wine country.Things to do in San Francisco
- MiamiArt Deco South Beach, Little Havana and the Everglades.Things to do in Miami
- OrlandoWalt Disney World, Universal Orlando and the Space Coast.Things to do in Orlando
Seasons
Best time to visit United States
It depends on where you go: spring and autumn are best for most cities and national parks, summer for the north and coasts, and winter for Florida and the desert Southwest.
- Jan — fair
- Feb — fair
- Mar — good
- Apr — great
- May — great
- Jun — good
- Jul — good
- Aug — good
- Sep — great
- Oct — great
- Nov — good
- Dec — good
BestGoodLess ideal
Spring · Mar–May
Comfortable temperatures in most cities, cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., and ideal hiking in the Southwest's parks.
Summer · Jun–Aug
Peak travel season with school holidays — great for New York, California and the northern parks, but very hot in Las Vegas and Florida.
Autumn · Sep–Nov
Fall colours in New England, pleasant city weather and fewer crowds after Labor Day. Hurricane season can affect Florida until November.
Winter · Dec–Feb
Festive New York in December, skiing in Colorado and Utah, and warm escapes to Florida and Southern California.
Before you go
United States travel tips
Tipping is expected
In restaurants, tip around 18–20% of the bill. Bartenders, taxi and ride-hailing drivers, and hotel staff also expect tips.
Prices exclude tax
Sales tax is usually added at the till, so the price you pay is higher than the one on the shelf — and it varies by state.
Plan for distances
Cities can be hours apart. Use domestic flights for long hops and rent a car for national parks and road trips.
Get travel insurance
Healthcare is very expensive for visitors. Good travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Plugs and power
The US uses type A and B sockets at 120 V. Most visitors need an adapter; check that your devices accept 120 V.
Entry requirements
Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before boarding; others need a visa. Apply only through the official government site.
Official ESTA applicationUnited States packing checklist
0/7FAQ
United States travel questions
Do I need an eSIM for the USA?
It's the simplest way to avoid high roaming charges. A US eSIM gives you local data for maps, ride-hailing and apps from the moment you land.
Will my phone work with a US eSIM?
Most recent iPhones, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones support eSIM. The phone must be carrier-unlocked — check under Settings → Mobile/Cellular → Add eSIM.
Which mobile networks does the Viberest United States eSIM use?
Our United States plans connect through Verizon and AT&T, with 5G where available — the same networks local residents use.
When is the best time to visit the USA?
Spring and autumn suit most cities and national parks. Summer is peak season; winter is ideal for Florida, the Southwest and ski resorts.
How much should I tip in the USA?
Around 18–20% in sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, and 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing. Tipping is a large part of service workers' pay.
Do I need a car in the USA?
Not in New York, San Francisco or downtown Chicago, where public transport and walking work well. For national parks, road trips and most of Florida or the West, a car is close to essential.
Viberest eSIMStay online in United States
- Maps, translation & messaging — no roaming fees
- Install by QR in minutes, keep your own number
- Delivered to your email right after checkout
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