Are you planning a vacation or business trip to the USA? Then you have to consider a lot of things now! Our travel checklist covers the most critical applications, to-dos, and items to take with you to the United States and helps you prepare for your trip.
You will need a valid passport to travel to the United States. It must be valid either until the last day of the journey or at least six months beyond the date of departure.
The country of issue makes the difference here: travelers from the more than 100 countries in the US government's so-called Six-Month-Club can enter the USA with passports that are only valid until the end of the trip.
Those who want to travel to the USA with a temporary passport must apply for a classic visa at the US embassy or consulate instead of the electronic travel authorization. This also applies to minors with a child's ID.
Therefore, in such cases, plan more time (up to four weeks) for the approval of your trip to the USA. The fast and cheap ESTA application (maximum 72 hours waiting time) is unfortunately only possible with a biometric passport.
If you meet all the requirements for an ESTA, entering the USA is child's play for you: Simply fill out the ESTA form, and you will have your travel permit for the United States in your e-mail inbox within a few hours.
Attention: as of May 26th, 2022, the US government is raising ESTA fees from $ 14 to $ 21.
Do you need help with your ESTA application? If so, follow this link:
When looking for the cheapest flight to the USA, there is no way around platforms such as Skyscanner. The flight search engines do much of your work and even advise you on price trends and special offers for hotels and rental cars.
Now you just have to decide where to land in the USA.
Do you need help finding the cheapest USA flights? Follow this link:
Nothing works in the USA without a credit card. We recommend taking at least one, but preferably two cards with you (e.g., a MasterCard and a VISA card from two different banks).
We've found three credit cards that are ideal for your trip to the US.
Want to read our full credit card comparison? Then follow this link:
On your trip to the USA, your smartphone will navigate you to the most beautiful places in the United States, keep you up to date on the weather and the news, and also be your connection to your home country.
An indispensable travel companion is an American SIM card with sufficient runtime and a good phone and data flat rate. The range on the Internet is enormous, and it's worth comparing prices when choosing your tariff.
Which mobile package you need depends on your habits. Do you run a social media account that you'll fill with pictures, or would you like to make video calls via WhatsApp & Co. during your trip? Then make sure to get yourself a generous and affordable data package, such as the unbeatable offers from eSIMony!
Nothing should stand in the way of your carefree USA adventure! This also applies to flight cancellations, dents in your rental car, or a quick visit to an American doctor's office. A good travel insurance package will comfortably protect you in case of unforeseen events, keeping stress and worries at bay on your trip to the USA.
Before signing a contract for an insurance package, pay close attention to the benefits of medical treatment (outpatient and inpatient.) Health insurance is the most important one for your USA vacation
The United States is still a driver's country. That's why you should get a safe and comfy rental car that will take you from city to city, from national park to national park, and perhaps even to the most remote corners of America.
Do you need help finding the right car dealer and would like some tips on handling rental cars in the US? Then follow this link:
You are not required to have an international driver's license to drive in the USA. However, we recommend bringing this document with you anyway because, in the case of police checks, you will be better off with this official English translation of your driver's license.
Would you like a fancy city hotel? Or would you prefer a self-catering apartment on the beach? Either way, it's essential to find suitable accommodations on your route well before your departure to the USA.
As a rule of thumb, you can expect centrally located rooms in popular tourist hotspots like New York City or San Francisco to be much more expensive and booked up faster than motels in small towns or secluded locations.
Be sure to make a price comparison before booking a hotel in the USA, e.g., via platforms such as:
You can find suitable apartment offers via:
Have you got your ESTA travel permit, credit card, airline ticket, rental car, hotel, and SIM card? Then you can now take your time to think about the contents of your suitcase for your trip to the USA.
It's obvious that you'll pack clothes, cosmetics, and your everyday companions such as your smartphone, favorite book, and toothbrush. But there are other things you should think about. These include:
To be on the safe side, take copies of all documents and spread them out among your different pieces of luggage. In case something gets lost, you will always have a plan B in your pocket.
While we're on the subject of your luggage contents: There are a few things that you might habitually bring with you on vacation that you are not allowed to bring into the US.
Be sure to follow the current import regulations for the United States and pay special attention to food, animal products, and plant parts. Bringing meat, dairy products, and most plants into the United States is prohibited.
If you need medications on your trip that can be legally prescribed in the United States, you may bring them across the border for your personal use.
For all prescription medications, obtain a letter from your doctor written in English and bring both the original package with dosage instructions written on it and the prescription with you.
If you are unsure whether you can take your medication with you to the USA without any problems, you can contact the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at www.tsa.gov/contact.
US entry requirements during pandemic periods are dynamic and can change spontaneously. Therefore, keep up to date on a daily basis on what vaccinations, if any, are required for entry into the USA and what testing requirements and other health rules are currently in effect.
Assuming you prefer to have your luggage locked during your trip to the US, you should reserve a spot on your packing list for a TSA-compatible luggage lock.
TSA stands for Transportation Security Administration. This agency is part of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States and is responsible for public transportation security.
The TSA lock can be opened by TSA employees with a master key. Therefore, with a TSA lock, your luggage is protected from damage if it has to be searched as part of the security checks.
Some examples of good TSA locks:
A long-haul flight can be stressful if you don't prepare adequately. So start thinking about the best seat early, choose your food and the right clothes for the flight, and take a few precautions against ear pressure, boredom, and jet lag.
As a rule, your suitcase may weigh a maximum of 23 kg for a trip to the USA. Depending on the airline and booking class, this number may vary slightly. To avoid expensive additional payments at the airport, weigh your suitcase at home and register any excess baggage online. This way you can save some money.
Nowadays, you can check in for your flight from the comfort of your home before you head to the airport. That way, you can reduce your waiting time at the airport. And if you didn't choose a seat when you made your booking, you can do so at check-in
Your travel documents, including ESTA approval, are ready, your suitcase is packed, and in a few hours, you'll be heading to the airport? Then you now have your mind free for the last errands before your flight to the USA:
Haven't you forgotten anything? Don't worry, we'll take care of it with our handy USA travel checklist for you to review.
Welcome to the United States of America! Here are your first steps after landing:
We wish you a great trip to the USA! Do you need some more information and tips about the USA? Then you will surely find what you are looking for in our wikis and travel guides:
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!