The USA is one of the most varied long-haul destinations for UK travellers, offering everything from city breaks and theme park holidays to national parks, beaches, road trips, skiing, music, sport, food and cultural landmarks. A single trip could mean New York at Christmas, Florida theme parks, a California road trip, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, New England in autumn, a Deep South music route, or a multi-state national parks adventure.
Because the USA is so large and travel styles vary so widely, planning matters. Entry requirements, healthcare costs, driving rules, local laws, weather risks, activity cover and travel insurance should all be checked before you travel.
Before you travel
British citizens travelling to or transiting through the USA must have either a valid visa or an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, known as an ESTA, depending on their circumstances and the purpose of travel. A passport must be valid for the length of the planned stay, and US authorities enforce entry rules strictly. A valid ESTA or visa does not guarantee entry, so travellers should make sure all details are accurate and that they understand the conditions of their visit.
ESTA is generally used by eligible travellers visiting under the Visa Waiver Program, but not everyone qualifies. GOV.UK notes that some travellers may not be able to use ESTA if they have been arrested, have a criminal record, have previously been refused entry or deported from the US, have overstayed under ESTA, or have travelled to certain countries within specified periods.
Apply through the official ESTA route well before travel, not at the airport. You should also check the entry requirements for any countries you transit through on the way to or from the USA.
Where to go in the USA
New York is one of the most popular starting points, ideal for first-time visitors, shopping, sightseeing, theatre, museums and food. Washington DC works well for history, politics and museums, while Boston is a good choice for New England itineraries and autumn colour.
Florida is popular with families, especially Orlando for theme parks and the Gulf Coast or Florida Keys for beaches. Miami offers nightlife, food, art deco architecture and easy access to the Everglades.
The west coast suits travellers looking for road trips, coastlines and big scenery. California can combine Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite, San Diego, wine country and the Pacific Coast Highway. Las Vegas is often paired with the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon or other national parks.
For music and culture, New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, Austin and Chicago all offer strong city break or road trip options. For outdoor holidays, the USA has exceptional national parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion, Rocky Mountain and Great Smoky Mountains.
Health and medical advice
Healthcare in the USA can be extremely expensive. GOV.UK states that medical treatment is expensive, there are no special arrangements for British visitors, and some hospitals may ask non-US residents to pay a deposit when admitted. It advises travellers to have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover medical treatment and repatriation.
This makes travel insurance particularly important for USA trips. Even a relatively minor illness or injury could result in significant costs, while a serious incident, hospital stay or medical repatriation could be extremely expensive. The US emergency number is 911 for ambulance, fire and police, and GOV.UK advises contacting your travel provider and insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad.
Take enough prescription medication for your trip, carry it in original packaging, and check whether any medication has restrictions before travelling. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or are travelling with children or older relatives, check access to care in the areas you plan to visit, especially if you will be in national parks, remote regions or smaller towns.
Travel insurance for the USA
Travel insurance should be arranged as soon as your trip is booked. Depending on the policy and level of cover selected, travel insurance may help with unexpected costs linked to cancellation, cutting short a trip, emergency medical treatment, repatriation, travel delay, lost or stolen belongings and other insured events.
For the USA, medical cover and repatriation limits deserve particular attention because treatment costs can be much higher than many UK travellers expect. Leisure Guard’s travel insurance wording states that travellers should read the policy wording and policy certificate carefully so they understand the extent of cover, what is included and what is not. It also notes that different levels of cover and optional sections only apply where selected and paid for.
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, declare them accurately when buying cover. You should also check that your itinerary and activities are included. Theme park holidays, city breaks and beach holidays may be relatively straightforward, but skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, surfing, diving, ranch stays and other outdoor activities may need closer review.
Safety and local awareness
Most visits to the USA are trouble-free, but travellers should stay aware of their surroundings. GOV.UK notes that violent crime and gun crime rarely affect tourists, but advises taking care in unfamiliar areas and avoiding quieter areas alone, especially at night. It also advises not leaving passports in rental cars, particularly not in the boot, as vehicles driven by people who look like tourists may be targeted.
US laws can vary by state. Travellers are subject to both state and federal law, and not following the rules can put visa status and future travel at risk. The national legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 21, and illegal drugs, including cannabis, can carry severe penalties under US law, including for passengers transiting through airports.
Outdoor activities should be planned carefully. If you are hiking, skiing, climbing or visiting national parks, check weather conditions, use reputable operators and make sure your travel insurance covers the activity and any rescue or evacuation costs. GOV.UK specifically advises checking that insurance includes mountain rescue, helicopter costs and repatriation for higher-risk sports and outdoor activities.
Weather and natural hazards
Weather risks vary significantly by region and season. Hurricanes can affect parts of the USA and its territories, with the Atlantic hurricane season normally running from June to November and the Pacific hurricane season normally running from May to November. Snowstorms can affect travel and power supplies, while earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanic activity and wildfires can also occur in different parts of the country.
This does not mean you should avoid travelling, but it does mean you should plan around the season and region. Check local weather before long journeys, follow local authority advice and keep essentials such as passports, medication, insurance details, payment cards and chargers accessible.
Driving and car hire in the USA
The USA is one of the world’s classic self-drive destinations. Hiring a car can be ideal for Florida, California, New England, national parks, Route 66-style itineraries and multi-state road trips. However, distances can be very long, and driving laws vary between states.
UK photocard licence holders can drive in the USA, but an International Driving Permit may also be required depending on the state. GOV.UK advises checking the rules for the states you will visit, and notes that hire car companies may have stricter requirements such as driving experience, higher minimum age or holding an IDP.
When hiring a car abroad, GOV.UK advises that insurance is included, but travellers should check exactly what they are covered for with the hire company. Before leaving the rental office, inspect the vehicle, photograph existing damage, check the fuel policy, confirm any one-way fees and understand the excess, deposit and exclusions. In the USA, also check toll arrangements, additional driver fees and whether the vehicle can be taken across state or international borders.
Car hire excess insurance may help with certain excess charges, deposits or other costs applied by a rental company after an insured incident, depending on the policy terms. Leisure Guard’s Car Hire Excess & Damage Insurance wording explains that the policy is designed to provide financial protection for certain amounts you may be liable to pay to a rental company after an incident, but it is not a replacement for total rental car insurance, third-party liability, fire cover, travel insurance, medical insurance or life insurance.
Where a Worldwide certificate applies, the attached car hire excess wording does not list the USA among the excluded worldwide destinations, but travellers should still check their certificate of insurance, rental dates, named driver, vehicle type, destination and exclusions before relying on cover.
Final thoughts
The USA can be almost any type of holiday: city break, road trip, theme park adventure, beach escape, ski trip, music tour or national parks itinerary. The key is to plan for the scale of the country and the specific states, seasons and activities involved.
Check current travel advice before departure, apply for the correct ESTA or visa, arrange suitable travel insurance early, and pay close attention to healthcare, driving and activity cover. For car hire, read the rental agreement carefully and check any car hire excess insurance against the exact trip you are taking.
The contents of this article are for informative purposes only and does not affect the terms and conditions of a Leisure Guard Travel Insurance policy. For more information on what is covered under a Leisure Guard policy, please refer to the terms and conditions found in the policy wording.
