Flights
Direct connections from every continent to a dozen gateways. From Europe, the east coast is six to eight hours; the west coast ten to twelve. Domestic flights are the normal way to cross the country and are often cheap when booked ahead. Note that even a connecting passenger must clear immigration and customs at the first US airport, then re-check bags: allow three hours minimum.
Getting around
Outside a handful of cities — New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Washington — a car is effectively required. Long-distance rail exists but is slow and infrequent; intercity coaches are cheap. Driving is straightforward, fuel is inexpensive by European standards, and distances are larger than they look: Los Angeles to San Francisco is a full day with stops.
When to come
The country spans every climate. Broadly: spring and autumn are best almost everywhere; the south is punishing in July and August; the north-east and Midwest are severe in January and February; hurricane season runs June to November on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Thanksgiving week and the days around Christmas are the busiest and costliest travel periods of the year.
Orders of magnitude
| Return flight from Europe | $500 to $1,200 depending on season |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel night | $130 to $250, far more in New York or San Francisco |
| Restaurant meal with tip and tax | $25 to $50 |
| Car hire | $50 to $110 a day, plus insurance |
What holds everywhere
- Insurance covering medical costs and repatriation stops being optional as soon as local healthcare is limited. Check it actually covers the destination: many policies exclude areas under adverse travel advice.
- Carry cash. In much of the world cards work in the big cities and nowhere else. Check the ATM situation and your bank's charges before leaving.
- Leave margin on connections. A tight transfer on a thinly served route is expensive: the next flight may be tomorrow, or in three days.
- The real budget runs over two years, not one trip: repeated flights, paperwork, translations, legalisations, any support sent. It is always underestimated.