United States

ESTA required for visa-waiver countries including Japan (applied online, valid 2 years). Passport validity for duration of stay. Onward ticket required.

💬 Language

English is the dominant language. Spanish is widely spoken in the Southwest, Florida, and major cities. Most services, signage, and transportation are English-only. International airports and major tourist attractions often have multilingual support. Japanese-language services are limited to areas with large Japanese communities (Hawaii, parts of LA).

🚆 Transport

Domestic flights are the primary way to travel between cities. Major cities have varying public transit (NYC subway is extensive, most other cities require a car). Ride-sharing (Uber, Lyft) is everywhere. Amtrak trains connect some cities but are slow. Rental cars are essential outside major cities. Interstate highway system is excellent for road trips.

💳 Payment

Highly card-based society. Credit and debit cards accepted virtually everywhere. Contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely supported. Cash is rarely needed except for tips and some small vendors. ATMs abundant. US Dollar is the world reserve currency. Chip+PIN is common; contactless is standard.

📋 Travel Basics

Climate varies enormously by region. Tipping is mandatory (15-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars). Healthcare is extremely expensive — travel insurance is essential. Tap water is safe in most areas. Sales tax is added at checkout (not included in displayed prices). Driving is on the right side. Gun laws vary by state.

No advisory data available