22 Yr old male planning a solo trip to USA from Newcastle- apply for an ESTA?

superman909

Here are my planned dates:

22nd Dec 2014: Newcastle-> London Heathrow -> New York City JFK

Return 31st Dec 2014: Washington DC->London Heathrow -> Newcastle (arrive on 1st Jan 2014)

This open-jaw tickets end up coming to £422 - is this a decent price?

Also, I read somewhere about an "ESTA" - is this necessary for everyone entering the USA from the UK for a leisure trip, and do I apply now before I book my flights? Any other advice regarding the ESTA?

Twiggy_34

This might help!

superman909

Twiggy_34 wrote: »

This might help!

I'd never heard of it before an hour ago actually, I assume a lot of people travelling from the UK to the USA make the mistake of not doing it beforehand? Or is this me just being naïve of the ESTA all this time?

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

superman909 wrote: »

I'd never heard of it before an hour ago actually, I assume a lot of people travelling from the UK to the USA make the mistake of not doing it beforehand? Or is this me just being naïve of the ESTA all this time?

If I remember correctly, your airline will ask for details of your documentation when you book your flight so any lack would be caught at that stage.

torbrex

Best to apply before you book flights in the unlikely chance that you get refused, that way you will not lose your money on the unuseable flights.

superman909

Thanks to you both, I will sort it out tomorrow evening. How long does it usually take to be processed and confirmed (assuming everything is fine)?

Also, is there any other documentation other than the ESTA (and a valid UK passport of course) which is required?

mgdavid

superman909 wrote: »

....... is this me just being naïve ......

in the nicest possible way, yes.
If you google something simple like 'USA travel information' the first hit is
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa
it's worth a read...

photome

superman909 wrote: »

Thanks to you both, I will sort it out tomorrow evening. How long does it usually take to be processed and confirmed (assuming everything is fine)?

Also, is there any other documentation other than the ESTA (and a valid UK passport of course) which is required?

Once you have your ESTA which is often instant, you dont actually need any documentation for it as all info is stored electonically

Doshwaster

superman909 wrote: »

Thanks to you both, I will sort it out tomorrow evening. How long does it usually take to be processed and confirmed (assuming everything is fine)?

Also, is there any other documentation other than the ESTA (and a valid UK passport of course) which is required?

The ESTA approval is usually instant unless your name happens to be on an international terrorism danger list. Just make sure you use the official site rather than one of the many bogus ones.