Arrival & Transport

German citizens do not need a visa for the USA, but an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This applies to tourist stays up to 90 days.

ESTA — Step by Step

1. Application: Exclusively via the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov — beware of expensive third-party sites!
2. Cost: $21 (approx. €19), payable by credit card or PayPal.
3. Duration: Approval usually within minutes to 72 hours. Still, apply at least 2 weeks before departure!
4. Validity: 2 years or until the passport expires (whichever comes first). Multiple entries possible.
5. Required: Valid biometric passport (valid at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip), address of the first accommodation in the USA.

Entry at the Airport

Upon arrival in the USA, you go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):

• Automated Passport Control (APC): At many airports, there are kiosks where you scan your passport, provide fingerprints, and have a photo taken. Faster than manned control.
• Global Entry: For frequent travelers ($100, valid for 5 years). Own counter, hardly any waiting time.
• Questions: The officer asks about purpose, length of stay, and accommodation. Short, honest answers suffice. No humor at the counter!
• Waiting Time: Expect 30–90 minutes upon entry, especially at JFK and LAX. Plan at least 3 hours for connecting domestic flights!

Customs Regulations

Germany is excellently connected to the USA. There are direct flights from several German airports to the main US hubs.

Main Airports for German Travelers

Direct Flights from Germany

• Lufthansa: Frankfurt/Munich → JFK, EWR, LAX, SFO, MIA, ORD, BOS, ATL, IAD (Washington), DEN (Denver) and more
• Condor: Frankfurt → JFK, LAX, SEA (Seattle), LAS (Vegas), ANC (Anchorage), SAN (San Diego), MSP (Minneapolis) — often cheaper
• Eurowings Discover: Frankfurt → LAS, PHX (Phoenix), TPA (Tampa) — budget long-haul from ~€300 one-way
• United: Frankfurt/Munich → EWR, IAD, ORD, SFO, IAH (Houston), DEN
• American Airlines: Via London or Philadelphia
• Delta: Frankfurt/Munich → ATL, JFK, DTW (Detroit)

Flight Prices (Round Trip, Economy, Estimates)

In the USA, a rental car is absolutely essential for most trips. Outside of New York City, San Francisco, and a few other cities, there is practically no usable public transport. The USA is a car country — and that's part of the charm.

Why You ALWAYS Need a Rental Car

• National parks are only accessible by car
• Distances are enormous: Los Angeles alone is 70 km wide!
• Public transport hardly exists outside major cities
• Supermarkets, restaurants, outlets — everything is designed for drivers
• Gasoline is significantly cheaper in the USA than in Germany: ~€0.85–1.20/liter

Prices & Booking

Provider Recommendation

Major Rental Companies: Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Alamo, Budget, Dollar — all reliable and present at every airport.

Booking Portals: billiger-mietwagen.de (with all-inclusive protection!), CHECK24, rentalcars.com. Always book with liability, comprehensive insurance without deductible, and theft protection included!

Important Rules & Tips

• Age: Minimum age 21 years, under 25 there is a "Young Driver Surcharge" of $20–30/day extra.
• Driver's License: The German driver's license is sufficient in most states. An international driver's license is recommended (ADAC, €15) and is mandatory in some states.
• Refueling: Always refuel with "Regular" (87 octane). Payment: Credit card directly at the pump (US ZIP code needed → pay inside at the cashier).
• Navigation: Google Maps or Apple Maps work excellently. Download offline maps for national parks!
• Speed Limit: Highways 55–75 mph (90–120 km/h), Urban areas 25–35 mph (40–55 km/h), School zones 15–25 mph. Speed traps are everywhere!
• Right Turn on Red: Allowed in most states! Stop, look, turn — unless explicitly stated "No Turn on Red".
• One-Way Rental: Often free between different states (e.g., LAX → SFO), sometimes $100–300 surcharge.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Always book without deductible! Through German portals (billiger-mietwagen.de) this is often included and cheaper than on-site.

Toll Roads

Many highways and bridges are toll roads, especially on the East Coast and in Florida. Payment via:

• SunPass (Florida) — book with the rental company or buy (25 $)
• E-ZPass (East Coast) — electronic toll box, often bookable with the rental company as "Toll Pass" (3–5 $/day + toll)
• FasTrak (California) — for Golden Gate Bridge and Express Lanes

Given the distances in the USA, domestic flights are often unavoidable. New York → Los Angeles is 4,500 km — 40 hours by car, 5.5 hours by plane.

Important Domestic Routes

Airlines

• Classic: United, American, Delta — largest route network, incl. carry-on, seat selection extra
• Budget: Southwest (2× checked bags included!), JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier — often significantly cheaper, but baggage fees $30–45 per bag
• Booking Tip: Google Flights for price comparison, search Southwest separately (not listed on comparison portals!)

Baggage Rules (typical)

Trains and long-distance buses are not mass transit in the USA like in Europe, but they are a good option for certain routes.

Amtrak — Trains

Amtrak operates the national rail network. The trains are comfortable but often slower and more expensive than flying. However, they are ideal for certain routes:

Scenic Routes: Those with time should experience the panoramic routes: the California Zephyr (Chicago → San Francisco, 51h, from $150) and the Coast Starlight (Seattle → Los Angeles, 35h, from $100) are among the most beautiful train routes in the world.

Greyhound & FlixBus — Long-Distance Buses

The cheapest way to cover longer distances. Greyhound is the classic, FlixBus has been expanding aggressively since 2018.

Also Recommended: Megabus and OurBus — sometimes bookable from $1 (rare, but possible). WiFi and power outlets on board are standard.

Uber & Lyft — Ride-Hailing

Available in every major city and often cheaper than a taxi. Simply download the app, link a credit card, and go. Tips (15–20%) can be given in the app.