USA
The USA is a destination of big skies, bold cities, open roads and unforgettable experiences, where every journey feels like the start of a story.
USA
The USA is not one holiday, but hundreds of possibilities stitched together by scale, energy and variety. It is New York at street level, all yellow taxis, theatre lights and steam rising from the pavements; it is Florida’s sunshine, theme parks, beaches and easy-going family fun; it is California’s Pacific coastline, desert highways, wine country and cities with their own unmistakable rhythm; it is the drama of the Grand Canyon, the lights of Las Vegas, the music of the Deep South, the wide plains, national parks, mountain towns and coastal drives that make the country feel almost cinematic.
What makes the USA such a must-visit destination is the sense that every trip can be completely different. You can go for a city break, a family adventure, a honeymoon, a shopping trip, a fly-drive holiday, a beach escape or a once-in-a-lifetime multi-centre itinerary, and still only scratch the surface.
Visa
UK and Irish travellers usually need either an approved ESTA or a visa to enter or transit through the USA. Many holidaymakers travelling on eligible passports can use the Visa Waiver Program for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, provided they meet the requirements and apply for ESTA before travel.
Some travellers may need a visa instead, depending on their passport, travel history, purpose of visit or personal circumstances, so entry requirements should always be checked carefully before booking and again before departure.
Climate
The USA has an enormous range of climates, so the best time to visit depends entirely on the region and style of holiday. Spring and autumn are often excellent for city breaks, road trips, national parks and touring, with more comfortable temperatures and fewer extremes than peak summer or winter.
Summer is popular for family holidays, beaches, theme parks and classic road trips, although places such as Florida, Las Vegas, the Deep South and desert regions can be very hot. Winter brings its own appeal, from festive New York and ski holidays in the Rockies to warm-weather escapes in Florida, California, Arizona and Hawaii. The key with the USA is not simply choosing a date, but matching the season to the part of the country you want to experience.
Transport Options Around the USA
The USA is best planned with distance in mind, as domestic flights, trains, coaches, city transport, private transfers and car hire all have their place depending on whether you are visiting one city, combining several states or heading out onto the open road.
Air Travel
Domestic flights are often the most practical way to cover long distances, with major airports including New York JFK and Newark, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Seattle and Honolulu, giving travellers strong access to city breaks, beach holidays, theme parks, national parks, cruise ports and multi-centre itineraries.
Train
Train travel can work well in selected parts of the USA, especially along the East Coast between cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, while longer Amtrak routes offer a slower, more scenic way to experience the country for travellers who see the journey as part of the holiday rather than just a way to get from one place to another.
Bus
Buses and coaches can be useful for budget-friendly journeys, organised touring, city-to-city travel and regional links, particularly where rail options are limited, although journey times can be long and should be planned carefully when building a wider USA itinerary.
Car Rental
Car hire is one of the great pleasures of travelling in America, especially for Florida holidays, California coast drives, national park routes, New England touring, the Deep South, the Pacific Northwest and classic road trips where freedom, flexibility and scenic detours are part of the experience.
Latest Offers
Our latest USA offers include city breaks, Florida family holidays, Las Vegas escapes, California fly-drives, beach stays, escorted tours, cruise-and-stay options and tailor-made multi-centre itineraries, helping you bring together flights, hotels, car hire, transfers and experiences in a way that suits your time, budget and travel style.
Our Top Destinations in the USA
The USA is full of famous names, but for holidaymakers looking for variety, atmosphere, accessibility and memorable experiences, these four destinations are among the strongest places to start.
New York
New York is one of the world’s great city breaks, a place that feels familiar before you arrive and still manages to surprise you within the first hour. Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Broadway, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge are all part of the appeal, but the city is at its best when you leave time for neighbourhoods, bakeries, rooftop views, riverside walks and those ordinary street-corner moments that feel unmistakably New York.
Florida
Florida is a holiday favourite because it does so many things well, from Orlando’s world-famous theme parks to the beaches of the Gulf Coast, the energy of Miami, the wildlife of the Everglades and the laid-back island feel of the Florida Keys. It is especially strong for families, but couples, cruisers, golfers and winter-sun seekers will find plenty to love beyond the obvious attractions.
California
California has the kind of variety that makes it ideal for a longer holiday or fly-drive adventure. Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Yosemite, Napa Valley, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs and the Pacific Coast Highway each show a different side of the state, from city glamour and coastal beauty to national parks, vineyards, beaches and desert landscapes.
Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon
Las Vegas is bold, bright and completely unlike anywhere else, with world-class hotels, shows, restaurants, nightlife and poolside days all wrapped into one high-energy desert escape. Pair it with the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion or Bryce Canyon and the trip becomes something bigger: a journey from neon spectacle to some of the most powerful landscapes in North America.
Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Do not try to cover too much in one trip: The USA is huge, so it is better to enjoy two or three places properly than spend the whole holiday in airports.
- Check resort fees and local taxes:
Hotel pricing in the USA can include extra charges, especially in places such as Las Vegas, New York, Florida and resort areas.
- Plan airport transfers in advance: Distances from airports to hotels can be longer than expected, and pre-arranged transfers can make arrival much smoother.
- Remember that tipping is part of the culture: Restaurants, bars, taxis, hotel staff and guides often rely on tips, so it is worth budgeting for this before you travel.
- Keep your first day gentle: The flight and time difference can catch up with you, especially when travelling west, so avoid overloading the arrival day.
Travel Tips for Experience Explorers
- Build the trip around regions, not just cities: New England, the Deep South, the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest and California all work beautifully when planned as proper routes.
- Stay outside the obvious areas when it makes sense: In cities such as New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, the right neighbourhood can change the whole feel of the trip.
- Use internal flights carefully: They can save huge amounts of time, but airport transfers, security and delays still need to be factored into the day.
- Book national park accommodation early: Lodges and well-located hotels near places such as Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Zion can sell out months ahead.
- Leave room for spontaneity on road trips: Some of the best American travel moments come from diners, viewpoints, small towns, roadside stops and detours you did not plan too tightly.
USA, Built for Big Holidays
Cities, coastlines and open-road adventures
The USA is a destination that gives travellers scale, choice and a genuine sense of occasion. It can be fast-paced and glamorous, relaxed and coastal, wild and scenic, family-friendly or wonderfully indulgent. Few places offer such a wide range of holiday styles in one country, and that is exactly what makes it so rewarding.
For Tullys Travel customers, the USA is ideal for holidays that need careful planning and a little expert shaping. Whether the dream is New York for the first time, Florida with the family, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, a California road trip, a Deep South music journey, a Hawaii escape or a coast-to-coast adventure, the USA delivers energy, freedom and memories on a scale few destinations can match.
