While planning your dream trip to USA, you might miss out on things that need to be done to make the trip seamless. The smaller details are the key to ensuring your trip is memorable. If you wish to enjoy your trip then make it stress-free. Plan your schedule accordingly. Using a travel agent to book flights is not a bad idea.
Booking flights are easy enough to do on your own if you give it a little serious thought. Leave plenty of time between your flights to get through customs and navigate unfamiliar airports. Beyond that, it’s much like any other day - manage your reservations/ticket/ entry times at events restaurants and museums like you normally would.
If you are truly anxious about scheduling aspects of your international trip in general, perhaps you should book a group tour in which all the options are taken care of and scheduled for you. Your flights and other travel arrangements such as travel between and around countries and cities are usually arranged for you as well, in addition to museum or city tours, restaurant and theater reservations, and the like.
The downside to this is that you don’t have much ability to strike off on your own to explore unless it’s a semi-independent tour that allows unscheduled time. Also, if you have unpleasant tour-mates, you’re stuck with them for the duration.
Here are some tips that will help you when you are planning the trip to USA of a lifetime!
1. Research on the places to visit in USA
As disheartening as it sounds, it is not possible to see everything in just one trip. That is why it is important to spend some time looking at places that you want to visit. Find out details about the places you have considered and what other activities they offer.
Also read: How To Travel The World On A Budget
2. Get the US visa in advance
Indians need a visa when travelling to visit the USA. There is no option of visa on arrival and it is advisable to get the visa approved in advance. This is one of the reasons you should know where you will be going when you enter the USA. Since you will be going on a vacation, you will need to apply for a tourist visa. A US tourist visa from India requires a few documents, a bit of paperwork, and some patience. Here are the documents you will need:
- Original Passport (should be valid for 6 months after arrival in the USA)
- Old passports
- Digital and hard copy of the photograph as per the specifications
- Interview Appointment letter
- DS160 US Visa Application confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Center
- Payment receipt of the fee paid
Apart from the above, you may need the below-mentioned documents to process the visa.
- Your travel itinerary
- Bank Statements and other proof of funds
- Tax and PAN details along with the previous year tax-related documents
- Business Card (if applicable)
Also read: Fun Travelling Hacks To Make Your Journey Memorable
3. Book your tickets to USA in advance
Flight tickets from India to the USA as well within the country itself can cost a lot and take up a major chunk of your vacation budget. That is why it is beneficial to book the tickets in advance. The return ticket is also important to get the visa approved.
4. Buy travel insurance in advance
Travel insurance is highly recommended irrespective of whether the country you are travelling to deems it mandatory or not. International travel insurance is extremely important and useful in case of unfortunate incidents. Travel insurance provides coverage against baggage loss, flight delays, medical emergencies, loss of passports, personal accidents, and so much more.
Remember to buy travel insurance in advance as the coverage should start from the day you are scheduled to take a flight from India.
5. Plan your budget in advance
There are times when you make the bookings and forget to account for the smaller things like cost of travelling within the city, cost of entry tickets, activities, cost of souvenirs, meals, and other essentials you may have to buy depending on the duration of your trip. It is easier to allocate a budget for all the things you might end up spending on to avoid overspending on one particular thing.
6. Plan mode of transportation when in the USA
Once you have landed there, you can consider hiring a car and going on a road trip. If you plan on staying in a particular city and seeing the sights of that city, then taking the subway is a good option. If you are looking to go from a state to another, then you should book the flight tickets in advance for that too.
Also read: How to Plan the First Tour Of Dubai
7. Plan the USA itinerary wisely
Consider the destinations that require the least travel time and have the best to offer and plan accordingly. Plan your itinerary in a way that you are not wasting time back and forth while travelling. If you are interested in the cultural depth of the places, then plan your itinerary around all the culturally rich destinations. If you're a foodie, then mark all the famous culinary destinations and plan your trip around that!
8. Know the best time to visit USA
The seasons to target should be autumn and spring. Autumn is from September to October and spring is from April to July. These months see milder temperatures. If you are a fan of outdoor activities, then visiting during winter is pointless. However, if you wish to see the magic of Christmas, then, of course, you could visit in December.
Also read: Best Places to Travel for Adventure
9. Exchange currencies in advance
It is advisable to get some currency exchanged before taking off from India. While there are ATMs at every corner, there is a hefty fine for withdrawal. Carrying around a lot of cash may seem unsafe but you can end up paying up to 250 rupees per transaction.
10. Pack efficiently with essentials
Travel from India to the US is long and although you will be at airports or on the flight, there are some things you should carry with you. Here is a list of things that can help you in an emergency – mobile charger, portable charger, wet wipes, sanitiser, tissues, an extra mask, lotion, powder, perfume, cash, forex cards, all the important documents, and a scarf or a jacket.
Three things can come in handy even if your baggage is misplaced and you have to wait for a while to get it back.
These are just some tips to make your vacation smoother. The best part of a vacation is the memories you carry back home.