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Travel to: <\/em>the USA <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n From the rocky coastlines of the East Coast to the sandy beaches of the West Coast and everything in between, there is a lot worth seeing in the United States. You likely won\u2019t be able to hit everything you want to see in one trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though travelling solo means less negotiation with travel companions, the sheer size of the US may feel daunting. It\u2019s better to choose one region to thoroughly explore on your trip, and plan your itinerary that way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re having a tough time deciding where to go, here are some of the top destinations for solo travellers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The USA is well-connected through an excellent highway infrastructure, which is why the road trip is such a great American tradition. You\u2019ll need to be at least 25 years of age to rent a car here, but since you\u2019ll be travelling alone, using bus services like Greyhound or Megabus will be more eco-friendly ways to speed down America\u2019s Interstate highways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to cover a lot of ground and minimise your travel time, domestic flights are your best bet. A few of the country’s most popular budget airlines include JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit Airlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hopping on an Amtrak train is also an option for intercity travel. You\u2019ll find different geography, climates, and time zones in different regions, and even laws can differ from state to state. State laws don\u2019t always match with federal regulations, so make sure you are aware of the laws surrounding drug use, personal freedoms, and arms within the states you\u2019re travelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When travelling to the US, there are a couple of reasons to leave room in your budget. If you\u2019re arriving from outside of North America, the chances are that America\u2019s tipping culture will be new to you. While it\u2019s not officially required by law, tipping in the US is needed to help service workers make a living wage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A 15-20% tip is customary for good service, and you\u2019ll need to add that amount to the total on the bill. When purchasing goods, the prices listed exclude sales tax, which is calculated at checkout. Credit cards are most commonly used, so it won\u2019t be necessary to carry around large amounts of cash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you might want to keep a few quarters around, as those can come in handy for parking meters, laundromats, and toll roads that haven\u2019t yet caught up with the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See Also: <\/em>How to Travel Solo Without Ever Feeling Lonely<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n If you\u2019ve travelled in Europe, you\u2019ll know that hostels are a solo traveller\u2019s best friend for affordable lodging and opportunities to meet fellow travellers. While there are some hostels to be found, shared accommodations like hostels are not as prevalent in the US as they are in Europe, as Americans tend to prefer private accommodations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily, there are more affordable options on property-sharing platforms, along with bed and breakfasts, motels, and inns. The affordability of these options might affect where you choose to go on your itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel insurance is always a good idea, but when you\u2019re travelling to the US, it becomes an essential one. While also covering trip cancellations and baggage loss, it ensures that any medical costs you may incur won\u2019t cost you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthcare services in America are some of the most expensive in the world, and their system does not cover visitors to the country. If you\u2019re travelling solo, it can be more important than ever to have that peace of mind. Be sure also to take note of local emergency service numbers, and keep friends and family apprised of your itinerary and updated on any changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You would be remiss if you didn\u2019t visit any of America\u2019s stunning national parks on your solo trip. The American national park system is a big part of their cultural landscape, and lots of work goes into their upkeep and preservation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The country has over 60 national parks, all of which offer spectacular sights, and refuge from the hustle and bustle of the country\u2019s most populated cities. Like the country they inhabit, many of the parks are enormous and navigating them can be overwhelming, so you\u2019ll need to plan your visit to any of them thoroughly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the most popular US national parks are Yellowstone<\/a>, with its colourful hot springs and Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon<\/a> with its impressive mesas and gorges, and Joshua Tree<\/a> with its distinct desert landscape. When you visit, do your part for conservation efforts and be mindful of your impact on these beautiful parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trying local cuisine is always one of the most enjoyable ways to experience a new destination. The US is home to some excellent local cuisine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Travelling to this country means you may get the opportunity to sample delicious barbecue in the South, Creole classics in Louisiana, fresh poke bowls in Hawaii, and endless metropolitan variations of crowd favourites like pizza and hot dogs. In cities like New York and Los Angeles, you’ll also find some of the most diverse restaurant scenes in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When dining out in America, you might find that the portion sizes are larger than what you’re used to. If there’s anything leftover on your plate at the end of your meal, it’s common to ask for it to be packed up, which can make for a yummy snack while you’re out exploring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t forget the drinks while you’re focusing on the food! Wash your meals down with delicious coffee, local brews and innovative cocktails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many visitors remark at how friendly Americans are, and it\u2019s true \u2013 they\u2019re incredibly outgoing and hospitable, and mostly happy to lend a hand. It shouldn\u2019t be hard to find someone willing to give you directions or strike up a conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While they are generally friendly and helpful to visitors, it\u2019s best to stay away from bringing overly stereotyped notions of America to the conversation. You may want to steer clear of politics too, which isn\u2019t always a topic Americans feel comfortable discussing too openly with foreigners in casual conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many will enjoy exchanging travel stories with you, but as always while travelling alone, be careful not to divulge any sensitive information with strangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See Also: <\/em>We Rank the Best Places to Travel in the USA on a Budget<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n When entering the USA for a short visit, a visa is often not required depending on your country of origin. However, you will need an ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorization, to enter the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check to see the requirements for entry into the USA from the country you\u2019re departing from, and make sure all your paperwork and documentation is up-to-date to avoid snags in your travel plans or getting denied entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The USA calls itself a melting pot, and it is indeed. Many cultures blend within this vast country. While we feel like we know all about it from how it’s represented in films and other media, there is much more to the country than meets the eye. All of which makes it an incredibly exciting place to discover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re hoping to travel to the United States<\/a> down the road, many operators on TourRadar now offer flexible booking options for your peace of mind. So if you book now but your travel plans change, you\u2019ll receive a credit that can be used towards a future tour. Head over to TourRadar<\/a> to find inspiration for your solo USA adventure!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Travelling alone is a great way to build self-confidence and be wholly immersed in your surroundings, but most importantly, it gives you the freedom to follow the sights and sounds that call your name. There\u2019s no better place, then, to embrace this freedom than in \u201cthe land of the free\u201d itself: the United States of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"featured_media":28659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[425,429,139],"tags":[130,38],"class_list":["post-28580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations","category-north-america","category-tips-tricks","tag-solo-travel","tag-usa","lh_instant_articles-syndicate-yes"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/andrew-ly-ExuLfl4FtdU-unsplash.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Melanie Cheng","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/author\/melanie-cheng\/"},"yoast_head":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n1. There\u2019s a lot to explore<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Woman](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/andrew-ly-ExuLfl4FtdU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
2. Know how to get around<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Silhouettes](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/viviana-rishe-UC8fvOyG5pU-unsplash-min-1024x768.jpg\")
3. Leave room in your budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Different](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/diego-marin-PeDMdPVVUik-unsplash-min-1024x769.jpg\")
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<\/div>\n\n\n4. Private accommodations are preferred<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Top](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/marcelo-cidrack-S-2D55mMwEw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
5. Be sure to buy insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"An](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/anete-lusina-GOZxrAlNIt4-unsplash-min-1024x682.jpg\")
6. Visit America’s national parks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Mountains](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/stephen-walker-KgNOD30LkuE-unsplash-min-1024x616.jpg\")
<\/a>7. Portions of food will be big <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Sandwiches](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/tim-mossholder-carnegie-deli-NY-unsplash-min-1024x683.jpg\")
8. Americans are friendly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Empty](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/florian-schneider-NdBsn0WQadw-unsplash-min-1024x728.jpg\")
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<\/div>\n\n\n9. Double-check your travel documents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Check](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/belinda-fewings-DpwWav9DhKk-unsplash-min-1024x768.jpg\")
10. America is diverse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n