Is It Safe?
Safety blends official travel advisories and international datasets — combined and normalised onto a 0–25 scale, so destinations with fewer available sources are graded fairly.
What Do Travellers Say?
Does this destination live up to the hype? Based on analysis of credible travel writing, adjusted for bias and uncertainty.
"United States is a destination with mixed expectation fulfillment. Travelers highlight nature, culture, food and adventure. Common concerns include expensive and safety."
Overall Travel Readiness
Blends safety data (70%) with traveller experience quality (30%). A high score means both safe and rewarding.
These scores combine official travel advisory data and international datasets. How we score · About AI use
Quick facts about United States
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Population
- 331.0M
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Local Time
- 06:49
What You Need to Know
Overview
The United States offers extraordinary diversity — from New York's skyline to the Grand Canyon, from Miami's beaches to Alaska's wilderness. Each state is practically a destination in itself, with its own culture and attractions.
Safety Summary
Safety varies significantly by area. Most tourist destinations are safe, but be aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar neighbourhoods. Gun violence exists but is very unlikely to affect tourists in typical travel areas.
Visa & Entry
Citizens of 41 countries (including most of Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea) can use the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) for stays up to 90 days. You must apply for ESTA online before travel. Other nationalities need a B-1/B-2 visa.
Health & Vaccines
Tap water is safe throughout the country. No special vaccinations are required. Healthcare is excellent but extremely expensive — comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Bring any prescription medications you need.
Local Laws & Customs
The legal drinking age is 21 everywhere. Open container laws vary by state. Jaywalking is enforced in some cities. Cannabis laws vary widely by state — it remains illegal federally. Always carry photo ID.
Transport
Domestic flights connect the vast country efficiently. Major cities have public transit (New York's subway, Chicago's L, DC's Metro). Outside cities, a rental car is often necessary. Ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft) is widely available.
Money & Payments
The currency is the US Dollar (USD). Cards are accepted almost everywhere — many places are cashless. Tipping is expected: 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 per day for hotel housekeeping.
Best Time to Visit
It depends on the region. Spring and fall are best for most destinations. Summer is ideal for national parks and northern states. Florida and the Southwest are best in winter. Hurricane season runs June to November on the coasts.
Cultural Etiquette
Americans are generally friendly and informal. A firm handshake is the standard greeting. Small talk is common. Tipping is a crucial part of the service culture and not doing so is considered very rude.
Do You Need a Visa?
Select your passport to get personalised entry requirements.
Weather Right Now
Live conditions from MET Norway. Updated hourly.
Explore the Regions
Click a region or 🎲 roll the dice
56 regions
Hawaii
stateNew Hampshire
stateVermont
stateIdaho
stateMaine
stateMontana
stateNorth Dakota
stateSouth Dakota
stateUtah
stateWyoming
stateIowa
stateMinnesota
stateNebraska
stateWisconsin
stateAlaska
stateColorado
stateConnecticut
stateIndiana
stateKansas
stateKentucky
stateMassachusetts
stateOregon
stateRhode Island
stateVirginia
stateWashington
stateWest Virginia
stateArkansas
stateCalifornia
stateDelaware
stateNorth Carolina
stateOhio
stateOklahoma
statePennsylvania
stateArizona
stateFlorida
stateGeorgia
stateIllinois
stateMaryland
stateMichigan
stateNew Jersey
stateNew York
stateSouth Carolina
stateTennessee
stateTexas
stateAmerican Samoa
territoryAlabama
stateMissouri
stateNevada
stateNew Mexico
stateGuam
territoryNorthern Mariana Islands
territoryMississippi
stateDistrict of Columbia
federal_districtLouisiana
stateU.S. Virgin Islands
territoryPuerto Rico
territoryHow Does It Compare?
Score History
2026-04-05 — 2026-04-08Emergency Numbers
Tap to dial on mobile. Always verify with local sources.
Busiest Airports
Major international gateways
Source: ACI World Airport Traffic Report. Approximate daily average.
Our Sources
Every score is traceable. Here's exactly where our data comes from.
Reviewed by Haakon Skramstad · Last reviewed