United States
Last checked:
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Currency
- USD · United States dollar
- Languages
- English
- Plugs
- Type A, B · 120 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Grand Canyon National Park · Arizona
Huge canyon carved by the Colorado River; South Rim is open all year.
- Central Park and Times Square · New York City
Iconic urban park and the bright heart of Midtown Manhattan.
- Golden Gate Bridge · San Francisco
Famous suspension bridge with walks and views across the bay.
- Walt Disney World · Orlando, Florida
The world's most visited theme park resort.
- Yellowstone National Park · Wyoming / Montana / Idaho
Geysers, hot springs and wildlife in the first national park.
Getting around
Ride-hailing app
Uber
Works in almost every city and most airports. Airports have designated rideshare pickup zones, often a walk or shuttle away from arrivals; follow the signs.
Ride-hailing app
Lyft
Main Uber competitor in most US cities; compare prices between the two apps, especially at peak times.
Public transport
City transit (OMNY, Clipper, TAP and others)
Big cities have subways and buses; New York (OMNY) and others accept tap with a contactless card or phone and cap weekly fares (varies by city). Public transport is limited in many smaller cities.
Taxi
Yellow cabs
Hail in New York and some big city centres, or use the taxi line at airports. Metered; NYC has a flat fare between JFK and Manhattan plus surcharges and tolls.
Trains
Amtrak
Intercity trains; most useful on the Northeast corridor (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington). Book early for lower fares.
Buses
Greyhound / FlixBus
Cheapest long-distance option between cities; slower than flying or driving.
Car rental
Car rental
Often essential for national parks and outside big cities. Check insurance cover and toll payment options (many roads use electronic tolls billed later with fees).
Bike share
Citi Bike / Lime
Docked bike share in many cities (Citi Bike in New York) and dockless e-scooters and e-bikes (Lime and others) where allowed; rules vary by city.
Money and cash
Currency: USD · United States dollar
Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; tap to pay is common. Prices on menus and shelves usually exclude sales tax, which is added at the till and varies by state and city. Keep some small bills ($1, $5) for tipping hotel staff, valets and bartenders. Choose to be charged in USD if offered your home currency.
Tipping
Tipping is expected in the US and makes up much of many service workers' pay, as the federal tipped minimum wage is only $2.13 an hour. At sit-down restaurants 18-20% of the pre-tax bill is standard. Card terminals now often suggest tips almost everywhere, but tipping at counters is optional.
| Restaurants | 18-20% of the pre-tax subtotal for table service; 15% if service was poor, more for excellent service. Check whether an automatic gratuity (common for groups of 6+) is already added. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | $1-2 per drink at a bar, or 18-20% on a tab. Coffee shops and counter service: optional, small tip or round up. |
| Taxis and ride apps | 15-20% for taxis and Uber or Lyft (added in the app after the ride). |
| Hotels | $2-5 per night for housekeeping, $1-2 per bag for porters, a few dollars for valet parking. |
| Tours and guides | 15-20% or about $5-10 per person for guides, more for private tours. |
| Food delivery | 15-20%, often added in the app before or after delivery. |
Service charge: what’s true
Not usually included. Some restaurants add a 'service charge', 'kitchen fee' or 'auto gratuity' (often for groups of 6+). Legally a mandatory service charge belongs to the business, and no federal law requires it to go to the server; some states (for example Washington) require the bill to say what share goes to staff, and California requires mandatory fees to be shown on the menu. Read the bill: if a gratuity is included, you do not need to tip again. Ask staff whether the service charge goes to them if unclear.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Tablets at counters, cafés and food trucks often show preset tips of 20-30% and face you toward the screen; 'No tip' or 'Custom' is usually an option and choosing it is acceptable for counter service. Presets may be calculated on the total after tax; tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is standard. Some bills include an auto gratuity and still show a blank tip line, which leads to tipping twice. Check the bill before signing.
Useful phrases
- Could we get the check, please? Asking for the bill (US English says 'check').
- Is gratuity included? Asking whether a tip is already on the bill.
- Does the service charge go to the staff? Asking where a service fee goes.
Etiquette
- Wait to be seated in most restaurants unless a sign says 'Please seat yourself'.
- Tipping is part of the price at restaurants and bars; leaving nothing is seen as a complaint.
- Small talk and friendliness with strangers and staff are normal.
- Queue in line and do not push in.
- The legal drinking age is 21 everywhere and ID is often checked; open alcohol in public is illegal in most places.
- Smoking (including vaping) is banned inside restaurants and bars in most states; cannabis laws vary by state and it stays illegal federally and at airports.
Scams and how to handle them
Unofficial ESTA websites
Where: Online before travel
How it works: Third-party sites look official and charge several times the government fee to submit an ESTA.
How to avoid it: Apply only at the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the official ESTA app. Official US government sites end in .gov.
Costumed characters demanding money
Where: Times Square (New York), Las Vegas Strip, Hollywood Boulevard
How it works: People in costumes pose for photos then demand cash, sometimes aggressively.
How to avoid it: Do not take photos with them unless you are willing to tip a few dollars; agree first or walk away.
CD sellers
Where: Times Square and busy Manhattan streets
How it works: A man pushes a 'free' CD into your hand, signs it, then demands payment.
How to avoid it: Keep your hands at your sides and do not accept anything handed to you.
Fake monks
Where: Central Park, Times Square, High Line and other New York tourist spots
How it works: People dressed as monks hand out a trinket or bracelet then ask for a donation.
How to avoid it: Decline and keep walking. Buddhist groups have warned these are not real monks.
Street ticket sellers
Where: Battery Park (Statue of Liberty), Times Square
How it works: Unlicensed sellers in uniforms sell overpriced or misleading boat and attraction tickets.
How to avoid it: Buy Statue of Liberty tickets only from the official ferry operator (Statue City Cruises) or its booths.
Pedicab overcharging
Where: Central Park and Midtown Manhattan
How it works: Drivers charge per minute per person, leading to bills of hundreds of dollars.
How to avoid it: Check the posted rate sheet and agree a total before getting in.
Gas stations without posted prices
Where: Near airports and tourist areas
How it works: Some stations that do not display prices charge far more per gallon, targeting rental car returns.
How to avoid it: Fill up at a station with clearly posted prices before reaching the airport.
Safety
- Most tourist areas are safe, but crime levels vary a lot by neighbourhood; research where you are staying.
- Do not leave passports, bags or anything visible in rental cars; tourist rental cars are targeted for break-ins.
- Use well-lit car parks and avoid walking alone in quiet areas after dark.
- Pickpocketing happens in crowded places like Times Square and on transit; keep phones and wallets secure.
- Check the ride-hailing car's plate and driver name before getting in.
- Check weather and road conditions before long drives in remote areas (deserts, mountains).
How widely English is spoken
English everywhere. Spanish is widely spoken in many areas, especially the Southwest, Florida, Texas, California and big cities. No official national language.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: USA, safety and security
- Guides Association of New York City: Tips for tourists, avoiding scams
- American Institute in Taiwan: Beware of ESTA scams
- Splitty: Tipping in the US for international visitors
- Washington L&I: Tips, gratuities and service charges (ES.A.12)
- Littler: California restaurants must identify service fees
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.