Big country, easy trips
New York’s skyline, Florida’s theme parks and beaches, California’s coast, the neon of Las Vegas and the national parks of the West — the USA suits every kind of trip. We book the flights, hotels, car hire and twin-centre routes as one holiday.
Where to go
Broadway, Central Park and the skyline — four or five nights is a perfect city break.
Orlando’s theme parks, Miami Beach and the Florida Keys.
San Francisco, Los Angeles and the Pacific Coast Highway road trip.
The Strip, the Grand Canyon, Zion and Yosemite.
Boston, autumn colours and coastal towns from Cape Cod to Maine.
Culture and customs
Americans are friendly and direct, and service culture is different from the UK’s.
Tipping is expected. Tips are customary in restaurants and bars and for taxi drivers, hotel staff and guides, and make up much of their pay.
Prices exclude tax. Sales tax is usually added at the till and varies by state, so expect to pay a little more than the price shown.
Driving. Drive on the right and follow local signs, as some rules vary by state. You can use a UK photocard licence, but some states (and hire firms) may also want a 1949 International Driving Permit, which you must get before you leave the UK.
ID for alcohol. The legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 21 everywhere in the US, and you should always carry your passport.
Health insurance. Medical treatment is expensive and there are no special arrangements for British visitors, so make sure your travel insurance has high medical cover.
At the border. Border officers may ask to inspect phones and other devices, emails and social media, and refusing can lead to delays or refusal of entry.
How far is USA from you?
Distances are great-circle estimates and flying times are typical, not timetabled. Message us for live fares and routes.
USA, month by month
Ready-made holidays, coming soon
We’re adding USA packages you can browse and filter by trip type, length and budget. Until then, tell us what you’d like and we’ll send ideas and prices — usually the same day.
Tell us about your USA trip
Holiday, flights only or just a hotel — send us the details and our team will come back with options and prices, usually the same day during opening hours.
- Flights issued by our own IATA-accredited team
- Internal flights, transfers and tours arranged
- Visa and passport help from our documents team
- One team to message before, during and after
Read the full official entry requirements
See the official GOV.UK entry requirements for USA.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Updated automatically from GOV.UK travel advice.
Travelling to USA — quick answers
Can’t see your question? Send us a message or WhatsApp us.
Do I need a visa for the USA with a British passport?
Most British visitors need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) rather than a visa — apply only through the official ESTA website or app. Some people can’t use ESTA, for example if they have been arrested, have a criminal record or have visited certain countries, and need a visa instead. An ESTA or visa doesn’t guarantee entry.
How long is the flight to the USA?
About 8 hours from London to New York or Boston, around 10 hours to Florida and around 11 hours to California and Las Vegas. There are nonstop flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.
When is the best time to visit the USA?
Spring and autumn are best for most cities. Florida is warmest and driest from November to April; the Atlantic hurricane season normally runs from June to November.
Can you arrange a road trip?
Yes — we book flights into one city and out of another, car hire with one-way fees included, and hotels along the route.
Do I need travel insurance?
Strongly recommended — medical treatment in the USA is expensive and there are no special arrangements for British visitors, so make sure your policy has high medical cover.
Please note: the information on this page is a general guide, checked when it was published. Entry rules, health advice, weather, seasons, flight routes and local conditions can change at any time and vary from person to person, so we can’t accept responsibility for changes or for decisions based on this page alone. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice and official travel health advice before you travel. It is your responsibility to check the entry, health and travel requirements that apply to you before you travel. See our terms and conditions.