From the traveltalk.dk family – started in Denmark in 2018
Read in: Dansk (original)
The USA offers overwhelming travel experiences from New York to California
As the fourth-largest country in the world, the USA is hard to pack into one box labelled “understand me”. As a travel destination it offers quintessentially American culture in all manner of guises. The metropolis above all others, New York City, is the symbol of the East Coast and of the USA’s role as standard-bearer of the Western world.
The cultural imprint the USA has left on us is also considerable, though more recent in origin. Broadway in New York, for example, has set a high benchmark for theatre and live performance ever since the musical Oklahoma opened in the 1950s. The yellow taxis weaving through hordes of people are a familiar snapshot of urban life in the 21st century. Life in the fast lane!
See also the real America: the Midwest
The contrast with the USA’s giant cities on the east and west coasts, and the one in between, Chicago, could hardly be greater if you venture inland towards Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, areas of genuine farmland. Here you will find a strong attachment to one’s roots, town and state, but also an overflowing hospitality. These regions supplied the migrants who headed for California during the Great Depression of the 1930s, and for that reason alone they are an incredibly important part of the USA we know today.
Sunny California in the far west of the USA
Way out west lies California. The state, until recently governed by a former Austrian bodybuilder, has some of the strictest gun laws in the USA and a population world-famous for its laid-back approach to life. All in all, there is plenty for a traveller to get to grips with if they decide to visit the homeland of the burger and the engine room of pop culture.
The mountains of Colorado, the rush of New York, the hipsters of Chicago, the beautiful girls of California and the beach resorts of Florida are all possible themes for a trip to the USA. Having many options is great, but for some it can make decisions hard to manage. We therefore hope you will find both inspiration and clarity here about which facet of the country’s versatile personality appeals to you most.
Travel to the USA
- Go west: Seattle
- California
- Lollapalooza Chicago
- Drinks in the Signature Room, Chicago
- Orlando, Florida, for the whole family
- Skiing holidays in the USA
- San Diego, here we come!
- Florida, a cruise on a shoestring
- The Valentine’s Day tradition
- New York: from budget to luxury hotels
- Guggenheim museums? Yes, there is more than one
- The USA’s 50 states
Practical travel information for the USA
🛂 Visas and entry
- ESTA: Danish nationals need an ESTA (travel authorisation under the Visa Waiver Programme) for stays of up to 90 days. It costs approx. USD 40, is valid for 2 years and is applied for on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov — avoid more expensive copycat sites.
- Passport: must be an e-passport with a chip.
- Apply at least 72 hours before departure.
💰 Currency and money
- Currency: US dollars (USD).
- Cards: used almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small amounts.
- Tipping is expected — 15–20% in restaurants, as well as for taxis, bars and hotel staff.
- Sales tax is rarely included in the displayed price and is added at the till.
🚗 Transport, time and health
- Flight time from Denmark: approx. 8–9 hours direct to the East Coast (e.g. New York); the West Coast often requires a change.
- Getting around: the country is enormous — domestic flights between regions, hire cars for road trips.
- Best time to travel: depends entirely on the region; spring and autumn are generally pleasant in most states.
- Time zones: East Coast −6 hours, West Coast −9 hours compared with Denmark.
- Language: English.
- Health: no compulsory vaccinations; tap water is drinkable. Medical treatment is expensive — have good travel insurance.
- Safety: follow the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice.
Take a look at vacation-talk.com, our down-to-earth travel site