Why travel to the USA?

It is said that everything is bigger in the USA!

Whether you are into culture, history, shopping, gastronomy or nature experiences, the USA has it all. The USA has been called the land of opportunity, and with all the experiences and memorable excursions you can look forward to, this is certainly true.

On a tour to the USA, you can drive on iconic roads such as Route 66, Highway 1 and the Overseas Highway (which featured in James Bond), visit the unique scenery in Grand Canyon or Yosemite National Park, swim on Florida’s chalk-white beaches or experience historic cities such as Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston or New York City.

Ready for some amazing and unusual experiences? Then a trip to the USA offers the perfect adventure!

Our tours in the USA

We offer two different types of tours in the USA: self-drive tours and train tours.

Below you can read more about some of the highlights of the different tours.

Self-drive tours on iconic roads in the USA

On our self-drive tours in the USA, you can live out the real American dream with a famous road trip around the country.

Most of our tours to the USA include a self-drive element, where you can, for example, drive on stretches of iconic roads such as Highway 1 along the Pacific coastline, Route 66 and the Overseas Highway, which runs from Key Lago to Key West in Florida.

The freedom of having a car also means that on these tours you are able to make detours as you wish on the day’s route. On days when you have time at your leisure or plenty of time at your accommodation, you can discover other sights and points of interest which lie close to your planned route. You can therefore do things at your own pace to a greater extent, and make stops when something catches your attention.

Take a historic train ride

On our tours by train, you get to experience the best that the American railways have to offer.

On our train tours, you don’t have to worry about how to get yourself from one city to another. The hotels are centrally located – for many within walking distance of the train stations – so once you’ve made your way to the train, all you have to do is hop aboard and enjoy the scenery as you travel towards your next destination.

Along the way, you will stop off in several American cities, where – and also at the sights – you will have plenty of time at your disposal to get a real sense of America’s history and culture.

What can you experience on a tour to the USA?

The USA is a huge country with 50 states, ranging from Alaska in the north to Hawaii in the south in the central Pacific. One could spend a lifetime exploring all the exciting things that America has to offer.

Our tours take you to the highlights in selected states. Below, we describe some of the states you can visit on our tours in the USA.

California

California is located on America’s west coast facing the Pacific Ocean. It is a diverse state that offers everything from world-renowned cities to beautiful beaches and magnificent scenery.

In northern California, you will find San Francisco, featuring the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the former prison on Alcatraz Island and charming downtown neighbourhoods. In the state’s largest city, Los Angeles, you can experience the glamour of Hollywood and enjoy the beaches of Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu. Further south in San Diego, which borders Mexico, you will find a big city with a slow pace of life and an exciting mix of cultures, for example in the Old Town with its Mexican heritage.

Great experiences also await you outside the cities. Here, you can explore Yosemite National Park, where you will find some of the world’s largest trees, namely the huge Giant Sequoias. You can also visit the wine regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma County just north of San Francisco, which offer world-class wine tasting. To the southeast, close to Las Vegas, you can visit Death Valley National Park, known for its extremely high temperatures that can exceed 49°C.

Nevada

North of Arizona lies Nevada, which is particularly well known for Las Vegas with all its extravagance.

Las Vegas is world-famous for its casinos, luxurious resorts and vibrant nightlife where you can experience spectacular shows and entertainment. The city is one of America’s top travel destinations, and attracts many more visitors than sights such as the Grand Canyon. The hotels are even sights in themselves. At The Venetian Resort, you will find gondolas sailing around indoor canals, while at Hotel Paris there is a 160-metre-high replica of the Eiffel Tower. The Luxor Hotel is built like a large pyramid with an Egyptian theme, while Hotel Excalibur is designed like an ancient knight’s castle.

Utah

Utah is located in the heart of western USA just north of Arizona, and boasts some of the country’s most fascinating national parks with scenery to match.

A visit to Bryce Canyon National Park will take your breath away. Here, tall orange, red and white pillar-like mountain spires – hoodoos – rise up in the landscape like an inverted stalactite cave. The national park’s most popular hiking trail, the 2.1 km long Navajo Loop Trail, will take you past some of the tallest hoodoos.

Another breathtaking national park is the iconic Zion National Park, which was Utah’s first. Here, you will find majestic views of canyons, the beautiful Virgin River as well as an exciting fauna, especially if you are interested in birds, as there are an impressive 300 different bird species to see from hummingbirds to the Californian condor.

Arizona

Located in the southwestern part of the USA, Arizona is known for its spectacular landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

One of the most iconic sights is the Grand Canyon, located in northern Arizona. The Grand Canyon was created millions of years ago by the erosion of the Colorado River, tectonic movements and the effects of the weather. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and regardless of how exactly it was formed, it is impressive to experience the canyon, which stretches over a huge area which is more than 446 km long, up to 29 km wide and over 1,800 metres deep.

Another unforgettable experience in Arizona is driving on the historic Route 66. The highway, which runs almost right across the USA, has been an essential route for trucks crossing the country in recent times, and during World War II it played a key role, as it was used to transport soldiers and supplies across eight states. Here in Arizona, you will find parts of the original Route 66, with old petrol stations, diners and motels that will take you back to a bygone era in American history.

New York

New York State is one of the most well-known states in the USA, largely due to its largest metropolis, New York City, which is a global centre for culture and entertainment.

New York City – or the ‘The Big Apple’ as it is often called – comprises five districts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. The city is known for its iconic sights, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Central Park.

As a cultural centre, New York City also offers world-class museums and performances, for example the two world-famous museums The Guggenheim and MoMA, while spectacular shows are staged at the iconic theatres on Broadway.

With its vibrant atmosphere, endless entertainment and deep cultural roots, New York City is a city that never sleeps and always has something new to offer.

Florida

Florida is located in the southeastern part of the USA, with the Atlantic coast to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. The state boasts a wide range of sights and attractions, while the weather is often fantastic.

If you are a nature lover, you can explore Everglades National Park, a unique ecosystem filled with alligators, birds and other wildlife. Fort Meyers, Clearwater and the Florida Keys are home to chalk-white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, while cities like Miami offer a vibrant cultural scene with lively nightlife, beautiful beaches and a strong Latin American influence.

One of the most popular destinations in Florida is Orlando, where world-famous theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios attract millions of visitors each year.

With its warm climate, wide range of attractions and beautiful surroundings, Florida is the perfect destination for anyone seeking a diverse and unique American state.

USA tour packages from UK

All our tours to the USA are package tours.

This means that flights (outbound and return), car rental/train travel, accommodation and the scheduled excursions are included in the price.

Under each tour, you can see exactly what the tour includes.

FAQs about travelling in the USA

You are likely to have many questions when visiting the USA for the first time. It is a large country, and there are some things you should know about before you set off. Consequently, we have tried to answer some of the most frequently asked questions from our customers.

Where is the USA?

The United States of America is located on the North American continent and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west.

The country borders Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The USA also includes Alaska in the northwest of the continent and Hawaii, an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean.

Is it safe to travel to the USA?

Yes. It is safe to travel to the USA. We can safely say this, because we regularly visit the USA ourselves, and we would never send guests to destinations that are not considered safe.

As with all destinations, we recommend that you exercise general caution and follow local advice and guidelines.

How much does a tour in the USA cost?

The cost of a tour in the USA varies depending on the length of the trip, the itinerary, accommodation and means of transport.

At TourCompass, the price includes flight tickets, overnight stays, car rental/train tickets, continental breakfast at selected hotels as well as scheduled attractions, guided tours and any entrance fees to national parks.

We recommend that you obtain a quote to obtain the final price based on your departure date, airport and any adjustments/upgrades.

Do I need a visa to travel to the USA?

No, as a UK citizen, you do not require a visa to visit the USA for tourism purposes. However, you must apply for an ESTA authorisation to enter the USA.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is a travel authorisation that allows you to travel to the USA without a visa for stays of less than 90 days. You must apply for ESTA online before travelling. Read more about the terms and conditions and how to apply for ESTA on our practical info page.

Do I need to be vaccinated before travelling to the USA?

There are no specific requirements for vaccinations when travelling to the USA.

In general, it is recommended that you are up to date with vaccinations such as diphtheria and tetanus. However, we are tour specialists – not medical specialists.

We therefore recommend that you contact a specialist, your own doctor or an authorised vaccination clinic for advice on which vaccinations you need (and which vaccinations you may already have).

What is the tipping policy in the USA?

In the USA, it is common to tip for various services.

It is common to tip between 15% and 20% of the bill, depending on the industry in which you are tipping.

Tipping is an essential part of the income of many service workers in the USA, so it is important to keep this in mind when travelling. Our blog post about tipping in the USA contains detailed information about tipping and the tipping culture in the country.

Why is breakfast not included on your tours?

Breakfast is not included at many of the hotels we use. Breakfast is a big part of American culture, so we can appreciate being asked why we do not include breakfast at all the hotels on our tours to the USA.

Breakfast is not included for two simple reasons.

First, many hotels simply do not offer breakfast, and in those places where it is offered, the price is too expensive for what you get for your money. Here, the breakfast we can include will usually be a ‘plain bagel’ and simple breakfast cereals, but at a price where you can get much more for your money by eating out. However, it must be said that at some hotels in our programmes, a continental breakfast is included in the room charge (i.e. it is a service you do not pay extra for). At these hotels, breakfast will, of course, be included in the price of your tour.

In places where breakfast is not included, we have ensured that you are able to buy breakfast yourself, either at the hotel or at nearby eateries.

Americans love eating breakfast at diners, cafés or restaurants, so if you choose not to eat breakfast at your hotel, going out to eat is an obvious way to meet the locals, participate in the breakfast culture and taste some of the well-known breakfast dishes that are so treasured by Americans.

Any further questions?

Travelling to the USA for the first time may seem overwhelming – and you will undoubtedly have lots of questions.

Perhaps you still have a question which wasn’t covered above?

We are always ready to answer your questions – both before, during and after your tour.

We look forward to helping you embark on the journey of a lifetime.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller