Pettitts Travel Pettitts Travel

Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

01892 515 966

Blog  |  Client Reviews

Menu
  • Pettitts
  • 01892 515 966
  • Home
  • Destinations
  • Holiday Collections
  • Special Offers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  •  
  •  
  • You are here:  
  • Home
  • Destinations
  • USA
  • USA Guide & Travel Advice

USA Guide & Travel Advice

Getting there

There are many direct flights between the UK and US operated by a range of airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Non-stop services operate from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh to all major US airports including New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Chicago. Other important regional cities including Dallas, Seattle, Denver, New Orleans, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego and Atlanta also have direct air links to the UK. Aer Lingus also has excellent connections via Dublin to the US from various regional British airports.

Flying times from UK

Direct flights from the UK take between 8 and 12 hours depending on the destination. Flights with stops en-route take between 11 and 14 hours.

Time zone

The United States has six time zones. Eastern Time Zone, which includes New York, is -5 hours GMT, Central Time Zone is -6 hours GMT, Mountain Time Zone is -7 hours GMT and Pacific Time Zone, which covers California and Nevada, is -8 hours GMT. Alaska is -9 hours GMT and Hawaii -10 hours GMT.

Visa requirements

The majority of British passport holders do not require a visa to enter America but will need to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Programme. The ESTA allows travel to the US for up to 90 days and currently costs USD $14 per application. The ESTA is valid for two years from the date of authorisation or until your passport expires. It is recommended that any application is made no later than 72 hours before departure.

Do’s and don’ts

Tipping is expected for good service – especially in restaurants and bars. Not doing so is considered extremely rude.

Smoking legislation varies between city and state, however, the US generally has some of the strictest anti-smoking regulation in the world. Check state, county and city laws as smoking may not only be banned indoors but outdoors too.

Each state enacts its own road laws and whilst the majority of rules are the same throughout the country it is a good idea to check the traffic laws of the particular state you are visiting.

Although on the whole well-connected, in sparsely populated regions mobile phone coverage can be patchy so, for long road-trips, having a good map is important.

Before taking a person’s picture permission should always be asked.

Money

The currency of the United States of America is the US Dollar (USD) and this comes in a range of notes and coins. The most common notes are $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1 with 25₵ (quarter), 10₵ (dime) and 5₵ (nickel) popular coins in circulation. ATMs are reliable and commonplace throughout the country and nearly all major credit cards are accepted. Currency exchange is simplest at the airport but currency can also be changed in most large banks.

Tipping

This is left to your discretion and although not compulsory is expected by those that provide a service. It is normal to give a tip of between 15% and 20% to waiters and taxi drivers, a tip of $1 to bartenders and $1 per person, per day to chambermaids. Occasionally some restaurants may automatically add service to the bill.

Food and drink

The US is famous the world over for its cuisine and each region has its own distinct food culture. New York City is arguably the food capital of the country with everything from fabulous Asian and Italian food to Jewish delis, hole in the wall doughnut stores or burger joints. New England is renowned for its seafood and shellfish, in particular oysters, lobster and clams, whilst in the Midwest head to a diner for classic American fare – coffee, waffles, burgers, shakes and beer! The South is all about slow-cooked barbecue and each region has its own particular style – especially in Louisiana with its Spanish, Cajun and Caribbean influences. Food in Texas, the Southwestern states and California has been heavily swayed by neighbouring Mexico but California is also renowned for the quality of its Asian fare. Hawaii has its own unique Polynesian food culture whilst cuisine in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska is heavily focussed on game and seafood.

Coffee is the most common drink in America and cafes, coffeehouses and diners, which offer free refills, can be found almost anywhere. Aside from coffee, beer is incredibly popular and there has been a boom in small micro-breweries and craft beer in recent years. The wines of California, Napa and Sonoma are amongst the best in the world with vineyards now stretching north to Oregon and Washington. The South is famous for whiskey with the Jack Daniels distillery the best known, although there are numerous family-run producers. Do note that alcohol laws in the US are strict, the legal drinking age is 21 and almost everyone is required to provide identification when purchasing alcohol.

Holidays, festivals and celebrations

The most important public holiday in the US is Thanksgiving which is held on the fourth Thursday in November. A family occasion, Thanksgiving gives thanks for the autumn harvest with dinner almost always featuring turkey. Other key federal holidays include Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day which honours the nation’s war dead, Labour Day and Veterans Day held for veterans of the United States armed forces. Washington’s Day, Columbus Day and the Birthday of Martin Luther King are also observed throughout the country. Aside from these public holidays, St Patrick's Day and Halloween are also widely celebrated.

Shopping

With long opening hours, competitive pricing and a plentiful supply of stores and malls, it’s of little surprise that shopping is, for many an American, a national pastime. Without exception, all major cities offer excellent shopping ranging from giant purpose-built shopping malls and out-of-town outlets to one-off thrift stores and chaotic flea markets. Clothing and electronics can represent good value and special food products – such as Vermont maple syrup – are popular gifts. It is worth noting that sales tax is not included on items and only added at the point of sale. The tax also varies from state to state with five states – Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon – levying no tax at all.

Suggested reading

Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and DK have excellent guide books on the US. Lonely Planet also have specific editions that focus on road trips and Route 66. Bradt also publish a guide book on the US rail network. Michelin and Marco Polo have comprehensive and up to date maps of the entire country. America has also bestowed on the world some of the greatest novelists and writers in history including Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, Harper Lee, J. D. Salinger, Ernest Hemmingway, Herman Melville, Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe. Good books include:

‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ by Mark Twain

‘The Last of the Mohicans’ by James Fenimore Cooper

‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald

‘The Grapes of Wrath’ by John Steinbeck

‘Cannery Row’ by John Steinbeck

‘On the Road’ by Jack Kerouac

‘Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West’ by Dee Brown

‘The American Future: A History from the Founding Fathers to Barack Obama’ by Simon Schama

‘A People’s History of the United States’ by Howard Zinn

‘American History: A Very Short Introduction’ by Paul S. Boyer

Health

Your doctor is generally the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad. For current information and health advice you may also wish to check the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website at www.masta.org. The NHS ‘Fit for Travel’ website (http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx) is also a useful resource.

Travel advice

For current information on America the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is comprehensive and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (https://safertourism.org.uk/) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Contact Us

01892 515 966 Enquire Online

View On The Map

View On The Map

When to Visit

A general overview suggesting when to travel in the country.
Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Best Times
Good Times

USA Holiday Ideas

New York City and Reykjavik Twin Centre

8 days starting from £995 per person

View Itinerary  

Great Cities of Eastern USA by Rail

10 days starting from £1436 per person

View Itinerary  

San Francisco and the Winelands of Napa

11 days starting from £1499 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Fall Colours of New England

10 days starting from £1499 per person

View Itinerary  

Ultimate Nevada Road Trip

14 days starting from £1645 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Coastal California and the Bright Lights of Las Vegas

13 days starting from £1719 per person

View Itinerary  

San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas Explorer

11 days starting from £1729 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Highlights of Route 66

12 days starting from £1735 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Musical Flavours of The Deep South

9 days starting from £1815 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Route 66 in Reverse – Los Angeles to Chicago

19 days starting from £1821 per person

View Itinerary  

White Stallion Ranch Arizona

10 days starting from £1825 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Country Inns of New England

12 days starting from £1855 per person

View Itinerary  

Tanque Verde Ranch Arizona

10 days starting from £1869 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: The Highlights of Yukon and Alaska

15 days starting from £1936 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Historic Route 66

15 days starting from £1937 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Islands of New England

13 days starting from £2040 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip

17 days starting from £2047 per person

View Itinerary  

Grizzlies and Fjords - A Cruise from Vancouver to Alaska

12 days starting from £2146 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Natural Wonders of Alaska

13 days starting from £2189 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Towns of New England

15 days starting from £2199 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: The Deep South and Texas

15 days starting from £2199 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Ultimate Deep South Road Trip

16 days starting from £2299 per person

View Itinerary  

Kara Creek Ranch Wyoming

10 days starting from £2315 per person

View Itinerary  

Stagecoach Trails Ranch Arizona

12 days starting from £2322 per person

View Itinerary  

Route 66 by Rail

15 days starting from £2349 per person

View Itinerary  

Self-Drive: Route 66 and Highway 1

22 days starting from £2685 per person

View Itinerary  

The Ultimate Western USA - California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada

21 days starting from £2745 per person

View Itinerary  

Elk Mountain Ranch Colorado

10 days starting from £2795 per person

View Itinerary  

Western Pleasure Ranch Idaho

9 days starting from £2859 per person

View Itinerary  

Rocking Z Ranch Montana

9 days starting from £3185 per person

View Itinerary  

Rich Ranch Montana

9 days starting from £3559 per person

View Itinerary  

The Ultimate Rocky Mountaineer and Alaskan Cruise Adventure

14 days starting from £3925 per person

View Itinerary  

Triple Creek Ranch Montana

9 days starting from £4089 per person

View Itinerary  

Related Blog Post

A Guide To The Best Cities in the USA

14 January 2019

Big, bold and beautiful there really is nowhere else like the USA. Larger-than-life cities, spectacular scenery and diverse cultures, America is a treasure trove of iconic...

Read Blog Post

USA: Route 66 Holiday Review

We had an unbelievable holiday. It really was a holiday of a lifetime and something both of us will never forget. For me, my favourite part of the trip was the last 3 stops - Grand Canyon, Vegas and Santa Monica. Lots to do and see and we had more time at those places so we got to explore more. I would 100% recommend this holiday to other people, however, I would maybe suggest stretching it out as much as possible so that the drives aren’t as long and you have more time to explore and do more activities.

On the Monday night that we arrived in Santa Monica, we took a stroll down to the beach to watch the sunset and I asked Spencer to marry me so we have come home engaged! Definitely, something we won’t be forgetting. We had an unbelievable time and want to say a massive thank you for taking the time to organise everything for us. We will now be hunting for honeymoons!!

DC & SB - USA: Route 66 - August 2018

Experts In Tailor-Made Holidays

Our team have first-hand knowledge of our destinations and are on hand to give you all the impartial advice you need. If you’re struggling to know which is the best destination or style of holiday for you, or you can’t find what you’re looking for on our website, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to inspire you.

30th Anniversary
01892 515 966
Enquire Online
Pettitts Travel

Specialists in creating authentic and unique holidays for over 30 years

Useful Links

  • Booking Form
  • Booking Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Book with Confidence

More Info

  • About Us
  • How it Works
  • Receive Our Newsletter
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Feefo logo

Feefo Reviews | Client Reviews

  •  
  •  

Head Office: 8-9 Orchard Business Centre, North Farm Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent, TN2 3XF

©2019 Pettitts Travel | All rights reserved

01892 515 966
Enquire Online

Enquire Online

Pettitts 30 Years

Please fill in the fields below:

Fields marked with an * are required in order to submit the enquiry form

Subscribe to our newsletter

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Fields marked with * are required
We would like to send you occasional news and offers which we feel are relevant to you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Any details provided by you will be held by Pettitts Travel and used in accordance with our Privacy Policy

Please sign me up for the Pettitts Travel newsletter
Contact Us

Contact Us

Get in touch and speak to an experienced member of our travel team

01892 515 966

Or complete the form below and one of our team will contact you (* fields are required).

Subscribe to our newsletter
Close