Travel to the USA from the UK: Must-know travel advice

Key takeaways:

• UK travellers staying less than 90 days can apply for an ESTA visa waiver ($21 fee)
• If you plan on staying for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a visa
• You don’t need any specific vaccinations when travelling from the UK to the USA
• The US dollar is the primary currency and most merchants accept credit cards, so look for a no-fee card to avoid high exchange rates and non-sterling transaction fees
• You can drive around using your valid UK driving license when staying for less than 3 months (remember to drive on the right side of the road)

Table of contents
USA entry requirements and documents from the UK How to apply for a travel visa to the USA from the UK Managing your money in the USA Essential laws and travel rules in the USA Travelling to the USA? Use Wise for low-cost currency conversion and spending FAQ

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about travelling to the USA as a UK resident, including visa and visa waiver requirements, application costs, waiting times, and more.

We’ll even give you a hot tip for holiday spending – the Wise debit card. It’s designed for low-cost spending in 150+ countries. It automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the great mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee*.

Learn more about the Wise debit card 💳

USA entry requirements and documents from the UK

UK residents who want to travel to the USA from the UK will need:

• a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining from the departure date
• an ESTA visa waiver for stays of less than 90 days
• a visa for stays of 90 days

The ESTA, which stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, is an online application process that requires some basic personal details, travel details, a valid passport, and a small fee of $21.

You need to complete an ESTA application for every traveller and can stay in the US for up to 90 days once it has been approved.

If you’re working, studying, or just staying for over 90 days, travel to the USA from the UK is a little more complicated. In this case, you need a visa, which means you must complete an application form and book an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate.

Required and recommended vaccinations for travelling to the USA

There are no vaccination requirements for travellers entering the USA from the UK.

The CDC recommends certain vaccines, but they won’t show you the door if you haven’t had the jab and don’t have the proof. ¹

Vaccination	More information
Covid-19	Proof of vaccination was required for several years but stopped in May 2023.²
Hepatitis A	There are only a few thousand annual cases of hepatitis A in the USA, but travellers are considered high risk. It’s spread through contaminated food and water, and inexperienced travellers may inadvertently consume contaminated food/beverages.³
Hepatitis B	The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for most travellers. It’s spread through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids.⁴
Rabies	Recommended for anyone who will come into contact with animals. Infections are rare, but the CDC estimates that there are as many as 60,000 exposures a year due to the prevalence of infected animals in the country.⁵
Meningitis	Meningitis cases are on the rise in the USA. Most UK residents are vaccinated during childhood, and those who haven’t been vaccinated should book a jab before taking a flight.⁶

Is it safe to travel to the USA?

It is generally very safe to travel to the USA, but there are some things to keep in mind:⁷

• Stay cautious: Protect your belongings in crowded areas and avoid walking around in unfamiliar areas at night
• Don’t get involved in protests: Mass protests are not uncommon and can turn violent, so back away if things seem to be getting out of control
• State laws: The local laws can differ by state, so don’t assume that something is legal in one state just because it’s legal in another—the Library of Congress contains summaries of all state laws
• Watch out for storms: Storms are far more common in the USA than in the UK— check the National Hurricane Center site to learn about incoming storms and for some advice on what you should do in a hurricane

How to apply for a travel visa to the USA from the UK

UK citizens can travel to the USA visa-free for up to 90 days, but they must first apply for an ESTA visa waiver.

Here’s what you need to do to apply for a visa waiver:

1. Gather your documents: Make sure you have a passport that is valid for at least six months after your intended departure date
2. Visa the ESTA website: You can apply for an ESTA visa waiver online using the official ESTA website, operated by US Customs and Border Protection
3. Complete the application form: It should only take a few minutes, and you will be asked to provide personal details and information about your trip
4. Cover the fee: Use your debit/credit card or PayPal account to cover the $21 application fee
5. Wait for confirmation: Most applications are processed instantly, so you’ll know straight away if you have been accepted or not.

Don’t worry if your application isn’t accepted straight away, as it can take up to 72 hours. Once accepted, you will be granted permission to travel to the USA and remain for up to 90 days.

The waiver lasts for two years or until your passport expires, at which point you will need to apply again. You can travel to the USA from the UK multiple times within those two years.

You can’t apply for a visa waiver if you plan to work or study in the USA. You may also be refused if you have a criminal record or have previously been refused access. Check the latest USA entry requirements from the UK for more info.

For longer stays in the USA, as well as work/study visits, you must apply for a visa. Here’s how:

1. Fill out the paperwork: You need to complete the DS-160 non-immigrant visa form
2. Pay a fee: Visitthis page to pay the application fee and schedule an interview
3. Book an interview: Your interview can be conducted at the US Embassy in London (33 Nine Elms Ln, SW11 7US) or the US Consulate General in Belfast (223 Stranmillis Rd, BT9 5GR)
4. Prepare for your interview: Take your completed DS-160 form to the interview, along with a 5x5cm colour photograph, your passport, and any previous US visas

If you’re not a UK citizen, you’ll need to show evidence of your residence status during the interview. As with a visa waiver application, you can be refused if you have a criminal record.

USA visa cost for UK citizens

To travel to the USA from the UK with an ESTA, you only need to pay a $21 application fee. This applies to each application/traveller. The price of a non-immigrant visa varies by visa type:⁸

Visa Type	Who it covers	Application costs
ESTA Visa Waiver	Tourists staying for less than 90 days.	$21 ($4 processing fee + $17 authorisation fee)
Visa type B, C-1, D, F, I, J, M, TN/TD, S, T, U	Business travellers, exchange visitors, students, victims of crime, journalists.	$185
Visa type H, L, O, P, Q, R	Religious workers, skilled workers, temporary workers, athletes, artists	$205
Visa type K	Fiancé/spouse of US citizen	$265

Managing your money in the USA

The United States Dollar (USD) is the official currency in the United States, so make sure you have some cash on you or contact your bank/card provider to enquire about foreign transaction fees.

Many banks charge between 2 and 3% for all non-sterling transactions, and those costs can mount up quickly. There are alternative cards with 0% foreign transaction fees, but many of these only apply to payments in the EEA.

📚 Read more: The cheapest ways to exchange currency in the UK

Best ways to convert GBP to USD (and what to avoid)

Traditionally, travellers exchanged money at the airport before departing or after arriving. But this is one of the worst things you can do, with a 2023 study revealing that travellers were losing as much as 18.5% at popular UK airports.⁹

Airport currency exchanges tack on fees and use a low exchange rate. You get less for your sterling, leaving less spending money for your trip.

You can avoid getting stung with high fees and poor exchange rates at airports and other exchange houses by using the Wise debit card. It lets you spend in 40+ currencies by automatically converting your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

How to pay in the USA: Cards, cash, and mobile payments

Credit cards are the most popular payment method in the United States. Cash is still common, but it pales in comparison to credit and debit cards. E-wallets have also become very popular in recent years, accounting for 15% of all point-of-sale transactions in 2023.¹⁰

Visa and Mastercard lead the market for credit/debit cards, followed by American Express and Discover.

UK debit and credit cards should work at all US merchants, and they also take contactless payments and Apple Pay, with the latter accepted by 85% of merchants.¹¹

You can also use your Google Wallet to store, secure, and use everything from tickets to card details.

ATM fees vary by bank, card, and network, but they average $4.73 per transaction across the most popular US banks. Check with your provider and the ATM to discover how much you’ll pay, and try to avoid bad exchange rates at the ATM.¹²

All of this is fairly standard for UK travellers. With the exception of a higher prevalence of Discover cards, it doesn’t deviate too much from the UK.

How much does it cost to travel to the USA?

If you travel to the USA from the UK, the flights will be one of your biggest expenses, costing anywhere from £230 to £570 on average, depending on your route.¹³

You can save some money by choosing cheaper destinations, though, as these averages show:

City	Meals and Transport (Per Day)	Hotels (Per Day)	Attractions (Per Day)
New York City¹⁴	$136	$175	$180
San Francisco¹⁵	$95	$130	$31
Las Vegas¹⁶	$192	$158	$78
Honolulu¹⁷	$117	$183	$40
Anchorage¹⁸	$114	$117	$30

Hidden travel costs to watch out for in the USA

Fees can creep up on you if you’re not paying attention. Always read the small print, check invoices/receipts, and make sure you’re not paying for anything you didn’t agree to.

Some of the most common hidden travel costs that can hit you when you travel to the USA from the UK include:

• Baggage fees: Common with many airlines, you can avoid these fees by packing light and comparing prices with another airline while considering all of the hidden costs and not just the price of the flights
• Resort fees: An extra charge that some hotels and resorts add to the room rate to cover additional services—opt out of amenities and speak to the manager to try to avoid these fees
• Service charges: Some restaurants tack service charges to your bill—reduce your tip or dispute the charge if you didn’t receive good service
• Sales taxes: The item you see on the shelves isn’t always what you pay, as there will be sales taxes on top of that—check the local rate and calculate the extra costs when adding items to your shopping cart
• Foreign transaction fees: Use a good prepaid US travel card to avoid paying high foreign transaction fees every time you buy something

Essential laws and travel rules in the USA

The USA drives on the right side of the road. You can drive with a valid UK driving license if you’re staying for less than three months but you may need an International Driving Permit if you’re staying for longer or don’t have an English license. The laws differ from state to state, so check with the rental company. ¹⁹ ²⁰

Speaking of driving, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher, and this drops to 0.05% in Utah. It’s not too dissimilar from the UK, although the same can’t be said for the legal drinking age, which is three years higher at 21. ²¹ ²²

Emergency contacts and safety tips

Keep the following information in mind before travelling to the USA, as it could help you in an emergency:

• Call 911 in case of an emergency (fire, police, medical)
• Call your insurer if you are in an accident
• Make sure you have emergency contacts on your phone
• See here if you need to contact a lawyer in the US
• Contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at 0207 008 1500 if you are the victim of a crime or need other assistance
• Use this link if your passport is lost or stolen

Travelling to the USA? Use Wise for low-cost currency conversion and spending

Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise debit card for a one-time fee of £7. You can use this clever card in 150+ countries, including the USA.

It automatically converts your pounds to local currency whenever you spend using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

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FAQ

Do I need to print an ESTA?

No. This electronic visa waiver is connected to your passport and processed automatically. If you complete a visa application, however, you need to print it out and take it with you to the interview at the Embassy or Consulate.

Do I need to update ESTA for each trip?

No. If your information stays the same, you don’t need to update it. You will need to reapply if you change your name, citizenship, or passport, though.

Is travel insurance required for the USA?

You don’t need travel insurance to travel to the USA from the UK, but it is recommended. The US has the most expensive healthcare in the world, so it’s best to be prepared for any eventuality.²³

Can I use my UK phone in the USA?

Yes, your UK phone will work in the USA. You should check your data plan and roaming charges, though. Make sure you know what you will pay when you text, call, and use data. See our guide on the networks with the best international roaming plans for more info.

What plug adapter do I need for the USA?

There are two plug types in the USA: A and B. Type A has two flat pins; Type B has two flat pins and a grounding pin. USA plug voltage is just 120v, while UK plugs are 230v. Look for a travel adapter that converts the three-pin UK plug into a lower-voltage US one.

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Sources used :

1. Travel Health Pro - USA vaccinations
2. Travel State Gov - Update on change to U.S. Travel Policy requiring COVID-19 vaccination for nonimmigrant travel
3. CDC - 2022 viral hepatitis surveillance report
4. CDC - Hepatitis B vaccine
5. CDC - Rabies prevention and control
6. CDC - Meningococcal disease surveillance and trends
7. GOV UK - Foreign travel advice USA
8. Travel State Gov - Fees for visa services
9. Eurochange - The hidden costs of UK airport currency exchange rates revealed 
10. Statista - Market share of cash, credit cards, and other payment methods at point of sale (POS) in the United States from 2017 to 2023
11. Apple - Apple Pay
12. Bankrate - How much are ATM fees?
13. Which? - How to fly to the USA for less than £300
14. Budget Your Trip - New York
15. Budget Your Trip - San Francisco
16. Budget Your Trip - Las Vegas
17. Budget Your Trip - Honolulu
18. Budget Your Trip - Anchorage
19. US Department of Transportation - On the right side of the road
20. US GOV - Driving in the U.S. if you are not a citizen
21. NHTSA - Drunk driving
22. NIH - Alcohol policy
23. World Economic Forum - Charted: The countries with the most expensive healthcare

Sources last checked on 14-Feb 2025.