Best national parks in the USA
Twelve US national parks ranked for a first trip from abroad, on 2025 visits, airport distance, gate cost and road months. Fees, closures and the $250 pass.
Plan a trip to the USA
The practical half of a trip to the United States for a visitor from abroad: ESTA and visas, car hire and insurance, driving rules, tipping and sales tax, phone data and park fees. Each guide answers with a figure and the date it was checked, because several of these changed in 2025 and 2026.
Best time to visit the USA
When to visit the USA, region by region: NOAA weather for ten cities, hurricane and tornado seasons, park road dates, 2027 holidays and visitor peaks.
Driving in the USA as a visitor
Driving in the USA on a foreign licence: speed limits in Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California, right on red, school buses, phones, drink-driving, desert roads.
ESTA explained
ESTA costs $40.62 from 16 October 2026, lasts two years and allows 90 days a visit. Who can use it, when to apply, what it does not cover, what is changing.
US national park fees for international visitors
From 2026, non-US residents pay a $100 surcharge per person at 11 national parks, or buy the $250 pass. Which parks, when the pass pays off, how to buy it.
US national parks by season: where to go in each
US national parks by season on the Park Service's own 2025 monthly visits: which suit December, spring, summer and autumn, and which roads are shut.
Map of the US national parks, state by state
A map of all 64 US national parks with numbered pins, the list state by state, 2025 visits, and which eleven charge visitors from abroad a $100 surcharge.
Phone, data and eSIM in the USA
Will your phone work in the USA? Unlocked phones, US prepaid eSIMs, roaming, airport Wi-Fi, park dead zones, 911, dialling +1 and 110-120 V sockets.
Power plugs and adapters in the USA
US sockets take Type A and Type B plugs at 120 V, 60 Hz. Check your country's plug, when an adapter is enough, how to read a label, and power bank limits.
Renting a car in the USA
Renting a car in the USA from abroad: licence and age rules, credit card holds, the car rental insurance sold at the counter, tolls, extra drivers and Mexico.
Sales tax in the USA
Sales tax in the USA is added at the till: 7.53% on average, none in five states, more on hotels. Rates by state, hotel tax, and why tourists get no refund.
Tipping in the USA
Tipping in the USA for visitors from abroad: 15 to 20% of the pre-tax bill in restaurants, what hotels, taxis and guides expect, how to spot a service charge.
Travel insurance for the USA
No rule we read requires travel insurance for a US visitor visa or ESTA. What hospitals must do, what care data show, what home cover leaves out.
US visitor visas for tourists
A US B-1/B-2 visitor visa costs $185 and needs the DS-160 and, for most, an interview. Who needs one, the extra fees, the waits and who sets your stay.