🌎 North America 4 regions 18 city guides

The Complete USA Packing List

From Manhattan sidewalks to Utah slot canyons, one country with ten climates. Pack smart by region, not by stereotype.

Updated April 13, 2026

Quick answer

For a USA trip, pack layers appropriate to your specific region, a Type A or B plug adapter if coming from outside North America, comfortable walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, prescription medications in original containers, and enough cash for tips (18 to 20 percent at restaurants). Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before travel if you are a Visa Waiver Program citizen. Download rideshare, map, and airline apps before you go.

The United States is not one trip. New York in February and Phoenix in July might as well be different planets, and a packing list that works for both exists only in layers. The country covers roughly 2,800 miles east to west across four time zones, sea-level beaches to 14,000-foot peaks, and climates from Alaskan tundra to the subtropics of South Florida.

Some things are constant nationwide. Outlets are Type A and B at 120V, 60Hz, so travelers from Europe, the UK, or Australia need a plug adapter and should confirm their electronics are dual-voltage (look for 100 to 240V on the label). Tipping is not optional: 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per bag for bellhops, and a few dollars per night for housekeeping. Tap water is safe everywhere. Distances are huge, so domestic flights, rental cars, and rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft do the heavy lifting.

Most international visitors enter under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA (apply at least 72 hours before departure, currently $40.27, valid up to 2 years). US citizens just need a driver's license for domestic travel, though a REAL ID or passport is now required at TSA checkpoints. Build your packing list around the specific regions on your itinerary, because what works in Seattle in October will not survive Miami in August.

Country essentials

Plug type

A, B · 120V, 60Hz

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Language

English, Spanish (widely spoken in the Southwest and Florida)

Visa

ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program for 42 eligible countries (up to 90 days, apply online, roughly $40.27, valid up to 2 years). Other nationals need a B1/B2 visa. Canadians usually just need a passport.

SIM / data

Strong 5G coverage in cities, patchy in national parks and rural West. T-Mobile and Verizon have the widest LTE footprint. eSIM options from Airalo, Holafly, and Ubigi activate on arrival. Prepaid SIMs available at any airport.

Tipping

18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants (check for auto-gratuity on groups of 6+), 15 to 20 percent for rideshare and taxis, $1 to $2 per bag for bellhops, $2 to $5 per night for housekeeping, $1 per drink at bars, 15 to 20 percent for hair, spa, and tours.

Driving side

right

Tap water

Safe to drink

Emergency #

911

Cultural notes and dress codes

  • Tipping is part of the wage structure. Servers often earn a sub-minimum base and rely on tips. Skipping the tip reads as an insult, not a statement.
  • Sales tax is added at checkout and is not shown on the price tag. It varies by state and city from 0 percent (Oregon, Delaware) to over 10 percent (parts of Louisiana, Tennessee).
  • Personal space is larger than in most of Europe and Asia. A friendly arm's-length is standard in casual conversation.
  • Small talk with strangers is normal and usually means nothing. A barista asking how your day is going does not expect a long answer.
  • ID is required for anyone who looks under 40 when buying alcohol. The drinking age is 21 nationwide and enforced strictly.
  • Cannabis is legal recreationally in about half the states and medical-only in others, but illegal federally, so never fly between states with any amount.
  • In most restaurants you seat yourself only where a sign says so. Otherwise wait to be seated, even if tables are open.
  • Americans drive on the right. Right turn on red is legal almost everywhere unless signed otherwise, and many intersections are four-way stops where the first to arrive goes first.
  • Tap water is served free at most restaurants, often with ice by default. Ask for no ice if you prefer.
  • Air conditioning indoors can be aggressive in summer. A light layer is useful even on 95 degree days.

Build Your Custom Packing List

Use PackSmart to create a personalized packing list for United States based on your trip dates, activities, and style.

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Dense, walkable, seasonal. Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC anchor the Acela corridor, with Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine adding small-town fall foliage and rugged coastline. The region has four distinct seasons and weather that turns fast.

Climate: Humid continental. Winters cold and snowy (20s to low 40s F), summers hot and humid (80s F with 70s+ dew points), spring and fall mild and volatile. Expect 40 to 50 inches of rain annually spread across the year.

  • Walking shoes you can put 15,000 steps on
  • Layer-friendly outfits for 20 degree F swings in a single day
  • Waterproof shell for sudden rain
  • Compact umbrella for sideways city rain
  • Business-casual options for upscale restaurants

TClothing

Essentials

  • Comfortable walking shoes (broken in) (Cobblestones in Boston and subway stairs in NYC punish thin soles)
  • Waterproof shell or rain jacket
  • Mid-weight sweater or fleece x2 (Layering piece year-round, especially in over-air-conditioned museums)
  • Insulated jacket (Nov to Mar) (Down or synthetic, rated to around 20 F)
  • Warm hat, gloves, scarf (winter)
  • Lightweight long sleeves and pants (summer) x3 (Humidity is heavy; breathable fabrics beat cotton)

Nice to Have

  • One smart-casual outfit (NYC and DC fine dining still lean toward collared shirts and dresses)

PTech and Documents

Essentials

  • Plug adapter for Type A or B (Only if arriving from outside North America)
  • Portable power bank (10,000 mAh+) (Subway days drain a phone fast)
  • US eSIM or prepaid SIM
  • Printed ESTA confirmation or visa paperwork
  • Passport with 6 months validity past return
  • Contactless card with no FX fee (NYC subway uses tap-to-pay at turnstiles (OMNY))

BDaily Carry

Essentials

  • Crossbody bag or small backpack
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Compact umbrella

Nice to Have

  • Sunglasses
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Lip balm with SPF (Winter wind chaps lips fast)

HHealth and Meds

Essentials

  • Prescription medications in original bottles
  • Blister bandages (You will walk further than you think)

Nice to Have

  • Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
  • Allergy medication (spring) (Oak and tree pollen are intense Apr to May)
  • Small first aid kit

When to visit and what changes by season

Winter (Dec to Feb)

DecemberJanuaryFebruary · 20 to 70 (regional range; Florida 60s to 70s, NYC 20s to 40s, Minneapolis single digits)°F

Snow from the Rockies eastward through the Great Lakes and Northeast. Southwest and Southern California pleasant and dry. Florida and Gulf mild with occasional cold fronts. Ski season peaks Jan to Mar in Colorado, Utah, and Tahoe.

  • Insulated jacket rated to at least 20 F for any northern city
  • Waterproof boots with grip for icy sidewalks
  • Warm hat, gloves, and scarf
  • Moisturizer and lip balm for dry indoor heat
  • Bathing suit if heading to Miami or Phoenix

Spring (Mar to May)

MarchAprilMay · 40 to 80°F

Wildest variability of the year. NYC can see snow in March and 85 F in May. Tornado season peaks in the Plains (Apr to Jun). Desert wildflowers bloom in March in Southern California and Arizona. Cherry blossoms in DC late March to early April.

  • Layering pieces that pack small
  • Waterproof shell for unpredictable storms
  • Allergy medication for tree and grass pollen
  • Comfortable walking shoes for long festival and sightseeing days
  • One warm mid-layer for cold mornings

Summer (Jun to Aug)

JuneJulyAugust · 70 to 100+°F

Hot and humid east of the Rockies; dry heat in the Southwest. Thunderstorms daily in Florida and the Southeast. San Francisco coast famously cold (60s F). Hurricane season starts Jun 1; peak Aug to Oct. Peak national park season.

  • Breathable, quick-dry fabrics in light colors
  • Reef-safe sunscreen and a real hat
  • Refillable water bottle (parks ban single-use in some cases)
  • Light layer for over-air-conditioned indoor spaces
  • Rain shell for afternoon storms in the Southeast

Fall (Sep to Nov)

SeptemberOctoberNovember · 40 to 80°F

Best overall season for most of the country. New England foliage peaks mid-Oct. Southwest cools to ideal hiking temps. Hurricane season runs through Nov 30 with peak risk in Sep. By late November the Northeast is cold and coats come out.

  • Layers: t-shirt, flannel, and light jacket for a single day
  • Waterproof shoes for leaf-covered trails
  • Warmer layer for late November in the North
  • Sunglasses (low autumn sun is harsh)
  • Flexible booking if traveling in hurricane zones

Packing tips for United States

  1. 1 Check the forecast for your specific cities a week out. The range within a single trip can be 40 degrees F.
  2. 2 Download offline maps for national parks. Cell service vanishes at the park boundary in most of the West.
  3. 3 Carry a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and a backup card in a separate bag. Card is accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and most food trucks.
  4. 4 Rent a car for anything outside a major city center. Public transit is strong in NYC, DC, Boston, Chicago, and SF, and weak almost everywhere else.
  5. 5 Domestic flights require a REAL ID compliant license or a passport at TSA. Check your license for a star in the upper right.
  6. 6 Keep prescriptions in original pharmacy bottles and carry a copy of the prescription. TSA does not require it but customs sometimes does.
  7. 7 Use TSA PreCheck lines if your airline participates. At major airports the general line can run an hour during peak travel.
  8. 8 Pack a refillable water bottle. Every airport and most public spaces have free refill stations, and bottled water at tourist sites is heavily marked up.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit the United States?
Citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA (about $40.27, valid up to 2 years) and should apply at least 72 hours before departure. Most other nationalities need a B1/B2 visitor visa obtained in advance at a US embassy or consulate. Canadians generally just need a valid passport. ESTA approval does not guarantee entry; final decision is made by CBP at the port of entry.
What plug adapter do I need for the USA?
The USA uses Type A (two flat pins) and Type B (two flat pins plus a grounding pin) outlets at 120V, 60Hz. Travelers from Europe, the UK, Australia, and most of Asia need an adapter. Most modern electronics (laptops, phone chargers, cameras) are dual-voltage and work fine, but check the label for '100 to 240V.' Single-voltage devices like European hair dryers need a step-down converter, not just an adapter.
How much should I tip in the USA?
Tipping is expected in most service industries. At sit-down restaurants, 18 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is standard. Bartenders get $1 to $2 per drink. Rideshare and taxis 15 to 20 percent. Hotel bellhops $1 to $2 per bag, housekeeping $2 to $5 per night (leave daily). Tour guides 15 to 20 percent of the tour price. Coffee counter tipping is optional.
Is tap water safe to drink in the USA?
Yes, tap water is safe and regulated nationwide by the EPA. Some cities have famously good water (NYC, Portland) and others have mineral-heavy or chlorinated flavor. Restaurants serve free tap water by default. Bring a refillable bottle; every airport has refill stations. Exceptions are extremely rare boil-water advisories that make the news when they happen.
What is the best way to get around the USA?
For intercity travel, domestic flights are usually fastest; Amtrak is scenic but slow outside the Northeast Corridor (Boston to DC). Within cities, NYC, DC, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco have strong public transit. Everywhere else, rental cars or rideshare (Uber, Lyft) are the default. Road trips are the classic American experience; national parks essentially require a car.
When is the best time of year to visit the USA?
It depends entirely on your destination. Spring (Apr to May) and fall (Sep to Oct) are the best overall balance: mild weather, smaller crowds, and good prices almost everywhere. Summer is peak for national parks and beaches but hot and expensive. Winter is ideal for Florida, the Southwest, and ski destinations, and painful in the Northeast.
Do I need travel insurance for the USA?
Strongly recommended. US healthcare is expensive and almost no foreign insurance is accepted directly. A simple ER visit can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. Buy a policy that covers medical emergencies, evacuation, and trip cancellation. Check whether your credit card includes travel medical coverage before buying separately.
What should I NOT pack for the USA?
Leave voltage-incompatible appliances (most European hair dryers, kettles), Kinder Surprise eggs (banned by customs), cannabis or CBD products (federally illegal even from legal states), and untested herbal supplements. Cuban cigars are technically fine to bring in for personal use since 2016. Firearms require extensive paperwork and are not worth the hassle for travelers.
Can I use my credit card everywhere in the USA?
Almost. Visa and Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere, including food trucks, taxis, and small businesses. Amex is more limited. Contactless tap-to-pay works at most modern terminals. Carry $50 to $100 in small bills for tips, street performers, farmers markets, and the occasional cash-only dive bar. Chip cards are standard; PIN is rare for credit.
How strict is TSA airport security?
Very. Standard rules: liquids in 3.4oz containers in one quart-sized bag, laptops and large electronics out of bags at the standard checkpoint (PreCheck leaves them in), shoes off unless you have PreCheck or are over 75. Arrive 2 hours before domestic flights at major airports, 3 hours for international. REAL ID or passport is now required for all domestic flights.

City packing lists in United States

Related countries

Build Your Custom Packing List

Use PackSmart to create a personalized packing list for United States based on your trip dates, activities, and style.

Try PackSmart Free

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