Practical Information for visiting United States

The United States uses the dollar (USD). Cards are accepted almost universally and contactless is now standard; cash is rarely necessary but useful for tips.

Sales tax is added at the till rather than shown on the price tag, and it varies by state and often by city, so the amount you pay is always higher than the label.

Tipping is not optional. Restaurant servers are frequently paid below minimum wage on the assumption of tips: 18-20 per cent is the current norm for table service, with a dollar or two per drink at a bar, a few dollars a day for housekeeping, and 15-20 per cent for taxis. Not tipping is read as a complaint, not as thrift.

Coverage for mobile networks is good in cities and along interstates and genuinely poor in remote areas, including inside many national parks. Do not rely on a signal in the mountains or the desert.

The US is outside European roaming arrangements; eSIMs are the simplest option and widely supported. Wi-fi is standard in accommodation, cafes and many public libraries.

Distances make flying normal for intercity travel. Rail exists but is slow outside the north-east corridor, and outside a few big cities a car is close to essential.

The United States is generally safe for travelers, though it's a large, varied country and personal safety practices that work in one city or region don't always apply nationwide. Most visitors experience nothing more serious than the ordinary precautions any major city calls for.

• Petty theft and pickpocketing are the most common issues, concentrated in crowded tourist areas and on public transit in major cities -- keep bags zipped and be aware of surroundings on subways in New York, Chicago, and other big cities.
• 
  
• Car break-ins targeting visible valuables are common at trailhead parking lots, scenic overlooks, and city tourist areas, especially in California -- never leave anything visible in a parked car.
• 
  
• Natural hazards vary sharply by region: hurricanes threaten the Gulf and Atlantic coasts (June-November), tornadoes are a real spring risk across the central "Tornado Alley" states, wildfires are a growing summer/fall threat across the West, and winter storms can strand travelers on rural highways in the north and Rockies. Check regional weather and seasonal risk before travel.
• 
  
• Wildlife safety in national parks is a real, serious consideration -- keep a legal minimum distance from bears, bison, and elk (wildlife injures more visitors in parks like Yellowstone every year than almost any other cause), and store food properly in bear country.
• 
  
• Gun laws and prevalence vary significantly by state -- while violent crime against tourists specifically is rare, it's worth being aware that firearms are more common in the US than in most countries visitors may be arriving from.
• 
  
• Emergency number: 911 works nationwide and connects to police, fire, or medical services.

No vaccinations are required and tap water is safe to drink.

Healthcare is excellent and extremely expensive, and there is no reciprocal agreement with any European country. An ambulance ride alone can cost over a thousand dollars and a short hospital stay tens of thousands. Comprehensive travel insurance with a high medical limit is not optional here — it is the single most important preparation for a US trip.

Pharmacies are widespread and many medicines that are prescription-only elsewhere are available over the counter, and vice versa.

Practical risks vary by region: heat in the South-west, sun at altitude, ticks in wooded areas of the North-east and Midwest, and wildfire smoke in the West.

Law varies by state, and assuming otherwise is the most common visitor mistake. The drinking age is 21 everywhere and photo ID is routinely demanded regardless of apparent age. Cannabis is legal in some states, decriminalised in others and criminal in the rest; it remains federally illegal, so never carry it between states or onto a plane.

Open containers of alcohol in public are prohibited in most places. Jaywalking is an offence in some cities and ignored in others.

Tipping, covered above, is a social obligation rather than a courtesy. Personal space is larger than in southern Europe, and queuing is taken seriously.

911 reaches police, fire and ambulance anywhere in the country, including from mobile phones with no service.

988 is the suicide and mental-health crisis line.

Be aware that calling an ambulance generates a bill, often a large one, which is a genuine consideration for the uninsured — but not a reason to delay in an emergency.

In national parks, rangers handle emergencies and mobile coverage is frequently absent; tell someone your route before you set out.