The Essentials
- Passport (valid for entire stay)
- ESTA printout or visa
- Return/onward ticket
- Travel insurance card — US medical costs are catastrophic without it
- Hotel confirmations (printed or digital)
- US dollars — $100-200 cash for small expenses
- Credit card — no-foreign-transaction-fee preferred
- Phone with eSIM or roaming plan
Documents
- Passport — check validity, keep a photo on your phone
- Driving license + International Driving Permit (if renting a car)
- Travel insurance policy + emergency hotline
- Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
- Backup debit card (stored separately)
- Emergency contacts (home + US)
- Vaccination records (not required but good to have)
📱 Backup tip: Take photos of your passport, ESTA/visa, insurance and credit cards. Store in cloud (Google Drive, iCloud) and email them to yourself. If your wallet is stolen, this saves you.
Clothing — Summer (May-September)
Lightweight, breathable, comfortable. US buildings are aggressively air-conditioned, so always carry a light layer.
- 5-7 t-shirts / tops
- 2-3 pairs shorts
- 1 pair light trousers
- 1 swim suit (beaches, hotel pools)
- 1 light cardigan or long-sleeve (for AC)
- 1 rain jacket (packable)
- Comfortable walking shoes (critical — US cities mean lots of walking)
- 1 pair sandals
- 1 dressy outfit if you plan to go to nice restaurants
- Hat or cap for sun
- Sunglasses
🥵 Southwest warning: Phoenix, Las Vegas and Death Valley summer temperatures regularly exceed 43°C. Bring SPF 50, a hat, and plan outdoor activities before 10am or after 6pm only.
Clothing — Winter (November-March, Northern USA)
- Heavy winter coat (parka-style for NYC, Chicago, Boston, DC)
- Thermal base layers — merino wool is best
- 4-5 long-sleeve tops
- 2-3 sweaters
- 2 pairs warm trousers or jeans
- Waterproof boots — slush is real
- Warm hat, gloves, scarf — non-negotiable
- Thick socks (several pairs)
- 1 rain/snow shell
❄️ Winter math: "Feels like" temperatures in Chicago or NYC with wind can hit -20°C even when the thermometer says -5°C. Do not underestimate American winter.
Electronics
- Phone + charger
- Power adapter (Type A/B) — US plugs have 2 flat pins
- Voltage info: USA = 110V/60Hz. European 220V hair dryers will fry.
- Laptop + charger (if needed)
- Portable power bank
- Camera + extra SD cards (optional)
- Headphones (noise-cancelling for flights)
- Universal adapter if traveling to multiple countries
📶 SIM card: Buy an eSIM from Airalo or Holafly before you arrive. Activate on landing. From $4.50 for a week. See our eSIM guide.
Toiletries
All standard toiletries are available everywhere in the USA at pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart). Pack a small kit for your first day and restock locally.
- Toothbrush + travel toothpaste
- Deodorant (US deodorants often smell different from EU/Asian ones — bring yours if particular)
- Razor + small shaving cream
- SPF 30-50 sunscreen (essential Apr-Sep)
- Lip balm (essential in winter and desert)
- Hand sanitizer
- Any prescription skincare
Health & Medical
- Prescription medication — in original containers with prescription
- Painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol)
- Band-aids / plasters
- Allergy medicine if prone
- Motion sickness (for flights / curvy roads)
- Basic first aid kit
- Copy of your prescriptions with generic names (in case you need refills)
💊 Medication rules: Controlled substances (opioids, Adderall, strong sleeping pills) need a doctor's letter. Travel with no more than a 90-day supply. Declare at customs if asked.
What You Can Buy There
Do not overpack — America is one of the easiest countries to buy anything. These are cheaper or easier to buy on arrival:
- Toiletries (Target, Walmart, CVS are everywhere)
- Snacks
- SIM cards / eSIMs (buy digital)
- Extra clothes if needed (Target, Old Navy are cheap)
- Winter gear if you forgot
- Beach gear for Miami/California
What NOT to Bring
- Food: no fresh fruit, meat, eggs, dairy, seeds, plants — it will be confiscated
- Self-defense sprays: legal in some states, illegal in others
- Weapons: obvious — including folding knives over state limits
- Cuban cigars
- Cannabis products — even from states/countries where legal
- European appliances at 220V: will literally burn out
- Excessive cash: over $10,000 must be declared
- Kinder Eggs — banned for choking hazard