🇺🇸 Travel facts USA
✓ Last checked:The most important practical answers for your trip to the USA — entry, tipping, plug, customs and more. Compactly verified, with source references.
| Capital | Washington D.C. |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Currency | US-Dollar ($) |
| Timezone | UTC-5 to -10 |
| Flight time from Germany | approx. 8–11 hours |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Plug | Type A/B · 120 V / 60 Hz · adapter required |
| EU / Schengen | not an EU country · not Schengen |
Do I need a visa for the USA?
Passport plus ESTA approval required (visa-free for up to 90 days).
Apply for ESTA only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov (21 USD), at least 72 hours before departure; valid for 2 years. Binding information: German Federal Foreign Office.
How much should I tip in the USA?
18–22 % (20 % is standard) — a fixed part of the wage, not optional
Hotel: 2–5 USD per night for housekeeping, 1–2 USD per luggage item
Taxi: 15–20 %
Which plug adapter do I need in the USA?
Adapter required: plug types A / B, 120 V / 60 Hz.
US adapter needed; modern chargers (100–240 V) automatically handle the voltage.
Can you drink tap water in the USA?
Yes, tap water is drinkable.
What can I bring from the USA to Germany?
Non-EU country: On return to Germany, goods up to €430 (by air), 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits are duty-free.
Will my mobile phone work in the USA?
No EU roaming — pre-book an eSIM or buy a cheap local SIM on site.
Card or cash — how do you pay in the USA?
US dollars; credit card is standard, cash is rarely needed — prices are before tax and tip.
What should I know about health in the USA?
Very good healthcare, but extremely expensive — travel health insurance is essential.
Sources & Note
Information from the perspective of German citizens, as of August 2026, without guarantee. Entry and security information can change at short notice — binding is the German Federal Foreign Office (USA travel advice) . Health information does not replace medical travel advice.
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