
Getting ready for a visit to the United States can be very stressful, mainly if this will be your first visit. There are so many things you have to take into account, as well as documents you need to get ready. To make things easier, it is better to draw up a checklist that includes all the things mentioned below before the time.
[1] Search for the best deals on accommodation and flights
To get the best deals on accommodation and flights, it is important to research all the options well before the time. There are many airlines that fly to the U.S., and you can save yourself a stack of money by knowing which one offers the best prices at the time of year you would like to go. We find Skyscanner a particularly good option for this purpose.
Unless you are fortunate enough to have family or friends in the U.S. where you can stay during your visit, you also need to compare the accommodation options. The U.S. literally has thousands of hotels, guest houses, campsites, and homestay options. Prices constantly go up and down, depending on the season and the demand for accommodation. You might save a lot of money by going a month or two earlier or later than initially planned. We routinely use websites like Booking.com and Airbnb.com to compare available accommodation alternatives.
[2] Put comprehensive travel insurance high on your checklist
Nobody wants to end up in hospital during a trip to the United States, but things can sometimes take an unexpected turn. Other potential disasters could include canceled flights, theft, or car accidents. Medical treatment in the United States can quite literally empty your bank account. And having your expensive camera or laptop stolen isn’t much better.
You should, therefore, not even consider traveling to the United States without comprehensive travel insurance. As with flights and accommodation, compare before you buy. Not all policies are the same.
[3] Make sure you have all the documents you need to visit the United States
Few things will destroy your holiday mood as quickly as finding out too late that your passport will expire during your planned visit to the U.S. Make sure that your passport will be valid for the whole duration of your trip and do this months before the trip so there’s enough time to apply for a new one if necessary.
If English isn’t your mother tongue and your travel documents are, for example, in Russian, it’s a good idea to have them translated into English before hand, just to make sure you don’t run into problems.
Other documents you should keep inside a folder that you will have with you the whole time include flight tickets, hotel confirmations, boarding passes, etc.
Also have your personal ID documents on your checklist. These can include documents such as your national ID card, birth certificate, and driving license. It there is any reason to believe you might need it during the trip, rather be safe than sorry.
[4] Apply for an ESTA or a visa
To enter the United States, you will either need an ESTA or a visa. If your country is part of the VWP or Visa Waiver Program, you only need to apply for an ESTA. The rest of the world needs to apply for a visa.
Here is the list of eligible ESTA countries
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
You can apply for an ESTA online and you will normally get an approval within a matter of minutes, unless the authorities need additional documentation or explanations. If your country is on the above list, do not even try to travel to the U.S. without a valid ESTA – you will not be allowed to board the plane.
If your country is not on the ESTA list, you will need a visa to visit the United States. Applying for one will normally involve a personal interview at an American embassy or consulate and the process can take months – so apply as early as possible.
[5] Understand how your luggage allowances work
Confirm with the airline you will be flying with so you know exactly what the size and weight limits for your luggage are for both your outgoing and incoming flights. It’s not uncommon for weight limits to change, so the allowance for your return flight could be less (or more) than what you had for the departure flight.
You also need to check on something else: find out about inadmissible items. This seems like common sense, but you might be surprised to know how many travelers pitch up at the airport to find that their luggage contains items that are not permitted. In that case, the item(s) might be confiscated, or you will pay an additional charge or re-pack your luggage.
[6] Make sure you have sufficient travel money
The best currency exchange rates are often available online. Your best option is to check exchange rates well ahead of your departure. If you wait to exchange money at the airport, you will very often get a really bad rate.
You should have sufficient funds on you for the trip, although not too much. Someting you should consider is to get a prepaid global travel card. These cards typically offer very low fees because they have been specially designed for overseas trips.
[7] Plan how you will get to and from the airport
Experienced travelers will often tell you that it’s better to go to the airport earlier rather than as late as possible and then risk missing the flight. A lot can happen on the way to the airport, e.g., traffic jams, road works, canceled buses or trains and more. You should, therefore, factor in additional time for possible delays.
If you plan to travel to the airport with your car, make sure you check whether there are no road works on that route or a planned protest march. It is also a great idea to make an advance reservation for parking space wherever possible. This could save you a lot of stress compared to paying upon arrival.
Also, do your homework about how you will get from the arrival airport to where you plan to spend the first night. Booking a taxi or, e.g., an Uber car before you arrive will make things much less stressful.
[8] Draw up a list of important numbers
Whether you will be staying at a hotel or with friends and family, it is important to make sure that you have their contact details saved in your phone. If you should have any problems on the way, e.g., a taxi that breaks down, you will at least be able to inform your hosts that you will be late.
You might want to do this as soon as possible because you might need the details as early as when you are applying for an ESTA or a visa.
[9] Make the necessary arrangements with your bank, neighbors, delivery firms, etc.
Often when someone’s bank notices that his or her debit or credit card has been used in a foreign country, they will suspend the card to eliminate the possibility of fraud. To prevent this from happening, you should let your bank know when you will be in the United States.
Also make sure to cancel all deliveries to your home. Also tell your neighbors that you will not be at home for a while and ask them to keep an eye on the place. Finally, we also recommend that you have one or more light timers installed so would-be burglars will think that you are at home.