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General Tips
Prakash holds a US visa which has facilitated travel to multiple countries.
North America
Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
Prepare these before applying
I applied for the US B1/B2 tourist visa from the US Embassy in Helsinki, Finland. The fee was 165 USD. The process starts with filling out the DS-160 form online at <a href='https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/' target='_blank'>ceac.state.gov</a>, which takes about 90 minutes and covers personal, travel, and background information. After submitting the DS-160, you print the confirmation page with a barcode. You then pay the visa fee, schedule an interview appointment at the embassy, and attend the interview with all supporting documents. You also need to provide your own self-addressed prepaid envelope so the embassy can mail your passport back with the visa sticker after approval.
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| S.No | Details | Date | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | — | — | 185 | Visa & Documents |
| 2 | ~70/night | — | — | — | 350 | Accommodation |
| 3 | ~40/day | — | — | — | 200 | Food & Dining |
| 4 | — | — | — | — | 30 | Transport |
| 5 | — | — | — | — | 200 | Transport |
| 6 | — | — | — | — | 80 | Transport |
| 7 | — | — | — | — | 100 | Activities |
| 8 | — | — | — | — | 30 | Connectivity |
| 9 | — | — | — | — | 50 | Insurance |
| 10 | — | — | — | — | 40 | Miscellaneous |
| 11 | 15-20% tipping culture | — | — | — | 60 | Miscellaneous |
| 12 | — | — | — | — | 30 | Transport |
| 13 | — | — | — | — | — | USD 1,355 |
| Total | 0.00 | 1,355 |
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Prakash holds a US visa which has facilitated travel to multiple countries.
Tipping 18-20% of the pre-tax bill is standard at sit-down restaurants. Tips are an essential part of service staff income. Hotel housekeeping ($2-5/night), taxi drivers (15-20%), and bartenders ($1-2/drink) also expect tips. Budget an extra 15-25% on food and services.
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries must apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before boarding flights to the US. It costs $21, allows stays up to 90 days for tourism/business, and is valid for 2 years.
Medical care in the US is extremely expensive without insurance. A single emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars. Always purchase comprehensive travel insurance before visiting. Keep prescriptions in original containers with documentation.
US SIM cards or eSIMs from carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, or Mint Mobile can be purchased at airports or electronics stores. Many cafes, hotels, and shopping centers offer free Wi-Fi. Check with your home carrier for roaming packages.
The US is enormous. Domestic flights are often necessary between regions. Major cities like New York, Chicago, and Washington DC have good public transit, but most of the country requires a car. Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft is available in most urban areas.
Prices displayed in stores and restaurants do not include sales tax, which varies by state (0-10%). Some states like Oregon, Montana, and New Hampshire have no sales tax. Always expect to pay more at checkout than the listed price.
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📍 New York City
Start at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with an early morning ferry from Battery Park. Walk through the Financial District to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Spend the evening exploring Times Square and catching the neon lights of Broadway.
📍 New York City
Stroll through Central Park, visiting Bethesda Fountain and Bow Bridge. Head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for world-class exhibits. Walk the High Line elevated park in Chelsea and end the day with dinner in Greenwich Village.
📍 Washington DC
Take the train to Washington DC and visit the National Mall, walking from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial. Explore the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History. Watch the sunset from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with views of the Washington Monument.
📍 Grand Canyon, Arizona
Fly to Phoenix and drive to Grand Canyon National Park. Hike along the South Rim Trail with stops at Mather Point and Yavapai Observation Station. Watch the sunset paint the canyon walls in shades of red and orange from Hopi Point.
📍 Las Vegas, Nevada
Drive to Las Vegas and explore the iconic Strip, visiting the Bellagio Fountains, the Venetian, and Caesars Palace. Take a day trip to the Valley of Fire State Park to see ancient red sandstone formations. Return for an evening show and the dazzling lights of Fremont Street.
📍 Los Angeles, California
Fly to Los Angeles and start at Hollywood Boulevard to see the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre. Drive along Sunset Boulevard to the Griffith Observatory for panoramic city views. Spend the afternoon at Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach boardwalk.
📍 San Francisco, California
Fly to San Francisco and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge for views of the bay. Visit the historic Fisherman's Wharf and take a ferry to Alcatraz Island. Ride the iconic cable cars through the city's steep hills and explore Chinatown, the oldest in North America.
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Grilled beef patty in a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and condiments.
Slow-smoked pork ribs glazed with tangy barbecue sauce until fall-off-the-bone tender.
Large, thin-crust pizza slices with tomato sauce and mozzarella, folded and eaten on the go.
Creamy New England soup with clams, potatoes, and celery, often served in a bread bowl.
Crispy buttermilk-brined chicken fried in a seasoned flour coating until golden.
Classic American dessert of spiced apple filling baked in a flaky, buttery double crust.
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Security Ranking
80/100
Strong
United States currently trends toward low-to-moderate caution across the main government travel advisories we track.
Refreshed 04 Apr 2026
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One of the world's most awe-inspiring natural wonders — a 446-kilometer long, 1,800-meter deep gorge carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. The South Rim is the most accessible with multiple viewpoints along the rim trail. For a more adventurous experience, hike down the Bright Angel Trail or take a helicopter flight over the canyon. Sunrise and sunset paint the layered rock walls in deep reds, oranges, and purples.
📍 Open in Google Maps →The iconic 93-meter copper statue gifted by France in 1886, standing on Liberty Island in New York Harbor as a symbol of freedom and democracy. Take the ferry from Battery Park and climb the 377 steps inside the pedestal and crown for close-up views of the statue's inner structure and panoramic views of Manhattan's skyline. Book crown access tickets well in advance as they sell out months ahead.
📍 Open in Google Maps →San Francisco's most recognizable landmark — a 2.7-kilometer suspension bridge painted in its signature International Orange, spanning the Golden Gate strait between the city and Marin County. Walk or bike across for stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, Alcatraz Island, and the city skyline. The best photo spots are from Battery Spencer on the Marin side or Baker Beach below. The bridge is often dramatically draped in fog, especially in summer.
📍 Open in Google Maps →America's first national park and one of the world's largest active volcanic systems, featuring over 10,000 hydrothermal features. Watch Old Faithful geyser erupt every 90 minutes, walk the boardwalks around Grand Prismatic Spring with its otherworldly rainbow colors, and spot bison, elk, grizzly bears, and wolves in the Lamar Valley. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its thundering waterfall is equally spectacular.
📍 Open in Google Maps →The neon-lit crossroads of the world where massive LED billboards, Broadway theater marquees, and crowds from every corner of the globe converge 24/7. The energy is electric — street performers, costumed characters, and the constant buzz of Manhattan surround you. Catch a Broadway show at one of the 41 theaters in the district, or visit the TKTS booth for same-day discounted tickets. The famous New Year's Eve ball drop happens here.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 2 hours ago
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