Inside: 6 USA Travel Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make. Collaborative post.
Planning your first trip to America is always exciting. But once you get into it, and realise how how different everything is, it can also feel a little chaotic.
As a country, the USA is huge and can be very different from what you are used to. For instance, distances between destinations can be massive, they also may drive on the other side of the road, and even understanding how to order eggs for breakfast could leave people confused.
Its not surprising then, that a lot of first-time visitors to the USA make similiar mistakes when they cross the Atlantic. But thankfully, most are easy to avoid once you know what to expect.
That’s precisely why we have put together this post to help you. With that in mind, here are some of the biggest mistakes tourists make on their inaugural trip to America — and how you can avoid doing the same.
1. Trying to See the Entire USA in One Trip
One of the most common mistakes people make is trying to squeeze too much into one holiday. America comprises 50 states, 48 of which are on the mainland. So, if you only have a short time available, you are going to have to prioritise where you go.
The trouble with this, is that five of its most popular tourist destinations – Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Francisco, and Las Vegas are miles away from each other. That means many hours in transit between them, which can seriously eat into your holiday time.
For this reason, instead of trying to visit six states in two weeks, you’d be better off focusing on one region. Whether that be a California road trip, hopping between Boston, Washington DC, New York and Miami on the East Coast, or exploring some of the Mid-West states is up to you. However, adopting a less is more strategy can ensure you maximise your enjoyment on your trip.
2. Forgetting About Connectivity and Mobile Data
A lot of international travellers assume they’ll just connect to free Wi-Fi everywhere. But while there are plenty of places in cities that do provide you with this convenience, if you venture out even into their suburban areas, you could find yourself not able to jump online.
This can be particularly problematic if you regularly need to access Google maps, rideshare apps, make restaurant bookings, reserve hotels or transport tickets, or even post a photo to your socials.
To prevent this from happening to you, checking out an affordable eSIM for travelling America before your trip can save a lot of hassle. It also helps avoid expensive roaming charges from your home country’s mobile providers.
3. Underestimating How Expensive America Can Be
Many people assume America will be cheap because there is so much competition for the tourist dollar. However, the reality is that like most other countries in the world, prices in and around the country’s biggest cities and attractions are going to be pretty high.
This is particularly the case for food and accommodation in places like New York, LA, Miami, and San Francisco, which can be very expensive. Even simple things like parking or visiting a tourist attraction can cost a small fortune in major cities.
It is a good idea to make a budget for your holiday and research the prices of every type of expenditure you are likely to make. You might want to pre-pay for as many holidays costs as you can before leaving for the USA. Make sure you also have access to a contingency amount which you can use if you do overspend.
4. Not Understanding Tipping Culture
Tipping in America confuses plenty of tourists from overseas, especially countries like Australia, the UK, and other parts of Europe where it is not customary.
Throughout the USA, tipping is expected in restaurants, bars, taxis, hotels, and for many other services. Indeed, workers often rely on them as part of their wages, and it is considered rude not to do so.
A standard restaurant tip is generally perceived to be around 15%–20% of the total bill. However, a lot of first-time visitors accidentally leave tiny tips without realising they’ve broken social etiquette. Something else that also catches people off guard is that sales tax is usually added at the register rather than included in the advertised price. This means you can end up paying more than you expected.
5. Ignoring Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is one of those things you don’t need, until you need it. And if you don’t have it when you need it, then you could find yourself in a real financial hole.
Some travellers are tempted to save money by skipping on travel insurance. But if you are unlucky, then this can become a very expensive mistake to have made in the USA.
Healthcare costs in America are incredibly high compared to other countries around the world where you can access free healthcare. Even a short hospital visit for something non-life threatening can cost thousands of dollars.
Taking out travel insurance should be a non-negotiable, because if something goes wrong, whether that be illness, lost luggage, or cancelled flights, then at least you’ll be covered.
6. Packing the Wrong Clothes
Bringing either too many clothes, not enough clothes, or inappropriate clothing for the conditions is another common mistake thousands of travellers make.
Many underestimate how extreme American weather can be because summer heat in places like Las Vegas, Arizona, and Florida can feel very intense, while winters in cities like Chicago or New York can be freezing.
Its a good idea to thoroughly research what the weather will be like when and where you intend to visit the USA. You should also bring clothes that you can wear in layers as required and make a note of where you can purchase cheaper outfits whilst in the States. This post provides you with further information about what to bring with you on your trip.