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

davetrousers

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

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

It's worth repeating!
Travel Insurance, Travel Insurance,Travel Insurance!

buglawton

cbrown372 wrote: »

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.

Correct, which is why my post #4 said "...with a 3 pay as you go SIM..."

wiogs

buglawton wrote: »

Correct, which is why my post #4 said "...with a 3 pay as you go SIM..."

So it did, my apologies for missing that.

Nick_C

Just to be on the safe side, ask your employer to provide a letter "to whom it may concern" confirming that you have been a permanent employee with them since ... are on vacation from ... to ... and are expected back at work on ...

The ESTA only gives you permission to travel to the US. It does not guarantee entry. An immigration officer may be suspicious that a young person travelling alone is actually going to stay and work illegally.

And make sure you have a phone number for the friend you will be staying with in case the immigration officer wants to contact them.

Be polite and respectful and don't make jokes.

You will almost certainly be admitted without any difficulty.

sandsy

TSA approved locks for your luggage.

torbrex

Did anyone mention travel insurance? :rotfl:

As someone that has travelled to that part of America at that time of year, I don't recommend taking warm clothing with you, they won't be good enough, buy it when you arrive.
At best take thin waterproofs, both jacket and trousers, there is a lot of rain in the northwest, if you can, get at least one size too big so that you can 'layer' underneath them.
A hill walking or cycling set of waterproof are best.

John259

Another thing that might be useful - some background knowledge of the area including places that you might like to visit such as the Columbia River Gorge. A combination of Google Maps, Wikipedia and YouTube will give you a lot of ideas.

buglawton

Many a year ago (before ESTA...) I holidayed in an RV in Utah.
Arrived at the US airport with almost no cash, my holiday visa in a passport and a credit card.
The immigration officer wanted to know the address I was staying at.
The honest answer was, no idea, I am meeting my friends at the RV pickup point then going touring.
They let me in.

lr1277

Take a (black ink) pen with you on the flight. I don't know if you would do this anyway, but immigration halls have forms for you to complete but nothing to complete them with.