Visiting a foreign country isn’t always the same experience for everybody. Depending on where you’re journeying from, you may have different frames of reference or even just an alternative attitude to living your life. 

Brits often get on well in the US. After all, some even prefer being there entirely due to recent events, so you could enjoy the experience more than you ever thought. Nevertheless, despite some cultural crossovers around language, music, and other things, it’s still a good idea to do some prep to make your experience as smooth and interesting as possible. Not everything is the same across the pond. 

Here are some travel tips for Brits visiting the US. 

Browse official Government Resources

You never need to travel to a foreign country blindly. There are always official resources that you can consult first. 

For instance, the UK government has published guidance on travelling to the US as a UK citizen. It’s a good idea to consult these resources, as they cover a wide array of topics; local laws and customs, any remaining covid measures needed to be considered, and instructions on contacting the British embassy if you encounter emergencies abroad. 

It’s advised that you consult more than one guide during your trip. Official resources can be a comforting safety net that refers you to other entities that can give you further assurances. It can be a starting point for all your subsequent research, so try to embrace that. 

It could also be worth considering that the UK and the US enjoy a special relationship politically, economically, and socially. Both countries may be more committed to protecting each other’s interests and yielding information to tourists. If anyone knows how to keep the Americans happy, it’s likely the government. 

Take Other Forms of Travel

There are many ways to get from point A to point B. Exploring as many of them as possible can give you a complete picture of visiting the US. Wanderu can help you find easily find affordable train and bus tickets for intercity travel in the US. They’re a search comparison website endeavouring to find the best travel options for you at the best prices. They also provide plenty of guidance for the booking process, ensuring you approach things as informed as possible. Their app and social media profiles also provide low-downs on the latest deals, discounts, and promo codes, as they partner with leading bus and train companies. 

Many people travel to the US for an extended period but stay in one town or city the entire time. While there’s no doubt plenty to explore that way, a change of scenery can be more stimulating. Buses and trains can be a more affordable way of seeing the US and help you cover more ground in everything there is to see. 

Public transport in the US isn’t as widely available as in the UK. Some cities don’t have subways, and though buses run, it’s a bit of a gamble hoping to catch one spontaneously in some US regions. Travelling this way is still very doable, but booking train and bus tickets in advance will make everything painless and straightforward, giving you a set time and date for travel. 

Get Through Customs Faster

Of course, not all travel in the US is leisurely and lovely. Getting through customs can be a nightmare if you’re not suitably prepared. Fortunately, there are ways to get through customs faster, but only at certain airports in the US. Things like Global Entry memberships and ESTA can help British citizens save time and allow US customs pre-clearance programs to be used. The Global Entry membership can be valid for five years, while the ESTA is authorised for two. 

There can be some extra costs to cover here as well. It can cost £4 to apply for an ESTA and a $10 charge for an authorisation fee. As a UK citizen, you must register for background checks too. Try to review all the eligibility criteria so you can be certain of what’s asked of you. 

It’s in your best interests to make your travelling experience as smooth as possible. Customs can be a dreary business, so the ability to fast-track your way through can bring an air of much-needed convenience to your trip. It’s definitely a situation where being pre-prepared is enormously beneficial.

Anticipate Extra Fees

It’s not just applying pre-clearance programs that can charge an extra fee in the US. Some transactions in the US may cost you a bit extra than they would in the UK. It’s important to be mindful of them so you can budget for your trip effectively and not encounter any unpleasant surprises.

If you wish to withdraw cash in the US, there can sometimes be a withdrawal fee. It tends to vary, with $2.50 being the lowest charge you can expect, and over $5 is on the higher end of the spectrum. It’s recommended that you find ways to be less dependent on cash withdrawals during your stay and to get your ducks in a row in advance of your trip. 

There’s also a sales tax that isn’t enforced nationally but at the city, county, and state levels. The rate also varies between goods, with ‘naughty’ items like alcohol and cigarettes having higher sales tax than food and clothing. If you partake in some of these habits, it may be an excellent excuse to reevaluate things while in the US.

As there are many variables, accurately anticipating these costs may be challenging. However, it’s still important to be aware, especially if you’re adhering to a tight budget while abroad. The situation shouldn’t be too off-putting, but it’s important to be mindful, as people often treat themselves while they’re abroad and spend more than they otherwise would. 

Conclusion

While the UK and the US are great countries and have many things in common, they’re not identical nations. There are more differences to consider that are beyond dollars to pounds, and English to American English, too. Consult government resources, consider more affordable ways of travel, fast-track progress at customs, and anticipate any extra fees. Being able to set more realistic expectations of your travel experience will help you enjoy it more.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.