Travelling to the USA, what do I need to take?

Skywave

I've recently purchased a return flight ticket to stay with a friend in Portland, Oregon for two weeks at the end of October, leaving from London Heathrow (I was told a return ticket is something the authorities in the US look for when allowing people to enter the country). I have a valid passport and have filled in an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) which I passed and received an e-mail conforming this. I am travelling alone on a UK passport and am 21 years of age in full-time employment. Apart from my passport, flight tickets and ESTA form is there anything else I need to take with me as I can't seem to find a definitive answer online..

Thanks in advance!

PeacefulWaters

Travel adaptor for the USA and plugs / cables for phones, tablets, eReader devices, camera etc. Research the costs of using your phone there. It might be better to switch off and rely on wifi to communicate with. Charge up devices before flying.

Suitable card for spending with and, perhaps, some dollars. Don't just rely on one card - have a plan B. Have a read:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money?_ga=1.248348487.1116300417.1393518509

Any medication you need including prescription documentation.

Travel insurance. Healthcare is expensive and they like to sue people there.

Contact details on paper for who you're staying with. Name, address, numbers etc. Travel insurer and airline details too. Flight tickets, boarding cards, passport, the card you booked the flight with.

Make sure you comply with your airline's size / weight limits on hold baggage and cabin baggage. For long flights you may prefer to have a change of clothes in your cabin bag.

Remember to update your advanced passenger information with your airline.

Consider the climate you're heading into and pack accordingly. Consider footwear too.

It's a fairly advanced nation in some ways and you will find shops and ATMs should you forget anything.

John259

If you plan to drive your friend's car then take your full UK driving licence (both parts).

If you plan to rent a car then you'll also need a credit card.

buglawton

An unlocked phone with a 3 pay as you go SIM in, buy a £10 data and calls bundle and enjoy cheap data at 1p/MB (Feels Like Home deal).

John259

ps If it's not an direct flight to Portland then you'll go through US immigration at the first US airport (the "port of entry"). It would be a good idea to go to that airport's web site to see how the terminals are laid out and check how to get between them if you'll need to. Apologies if it's a direct flight so none of this applies, or if you've already done that research.

agrinnall

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

It's a fairly advanced nation in some ways and you will find shops and ATMs should you forget anything.

Brilliant, I love it :j.

wiogs

buglawton wrote: »

An unlocked phone with a 3 pay as you go SIM in, buy a £10 data and calls bundle and enjoy cheap data at 1p/MB (Feels Like Home deal).

If you intend to do this sign get a SIM from three ASAP as you need to have been with them for 30 days before you can use this deal

"If you are new to Three and are a SIM Only pay monthly customer, you will need to have been with us for at least 30 days before you can use international roaming and as such, Feel At Home."

InsideInsurance

Skywave wrote: »

I've recently purchased a return flight ticket to stay with a friend in Portland, Oregon for two weeks at the end of October, leaving from London Heathrow (I was told a return ticket is something the authorities in the US look for when allowing people to enter the country).

Its also about half the price or less than two one way tickets. If you are uncertain about dates of return its almost always a lot cheaper to buy a flexible return than planning on buying two one way tickets.

As to get into the country, you need passport, esta and money/cards (not generally for bribes but just to show you can support yourself so arent actually going to be working or such)

Outside of that it depends on what you are doing and your interests etc. Some people find clothes are fairly useful but I maintain they should be optional

cbrown372

wiogs wrote: »

If you intend to do this sign get a SIM from three ASAP as you need to have been with them for 30 days before you can use this deal

"If you are new to Three and are a SIM Only pay monthly customer, you will need to have been with us for at least 30 days before you can use international roaming and as such, Feel At Home."

This only applies to pay monthly customers not to PAYG customers where you buy an add on for £15 which lasts for 30 days and gives you 300 minutes, texts and all you can eat data.

However be aware this is for calls to UK and to UK mobiles so do not use to call your friend unless he is using a UK sim too.

shaun_from_Africa

If you are taking any goodies (food etc) for your friend, make sure that you declare this on the customs form.
Most products apart from fish, meat, fruit and veg are generally allowed but you still have to state that you have food on the customs form. Normally you will just be asked what you have and then waved through, but they might want to inspect what you have.

John259

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

It's a fairly advanced nation in some ways and you will find shops

This is one of the newest... http://coloradopreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/bents-old-fort.jpg