Top Things to Know About Travel to USA

1. Make Sure Your Passport Is Ready

Before anything else, check your passport. Key rules:

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates

• Some airlines may deny boarding if this rule is not met

• Ensure your passport has blank pages for stamps

👉 If you don’t already have one, apply early—processing times can take weeks or even months depending on your country.

2. Understand Visa Requirements for the USA

Most international travelers need either:

• A tourist visa (B1/B2), or

• An approved travel authorization (for eligible countries)

You’ll typically need to:

• Fill out an online application

• Book an embassy interview (in many cases)

• Provide travel details and financial proof

💡 Tip: Apply as early as possible—delays are common during major global events like the World Cup. Click to see the official US Government guide for travelers.

3. What Happens When You Arrive in the USA (Customs & Immigration)

After landing, you’ll go through immigration and customs.

What to expect: Passport check by immigration officers

Questions like:

• Purpose of visit

• Length of stay

• Where you’re staying

• Fingerprints and photo capture (standard process)

After immigration, you collect your luggage and proceed through customs screening.

👉 This process is normal—just answer confidently and clearly.

4. Stay Connected When You Land

One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is arriving without mobile data. Before your trip, set up an eSIM so you can:

• Use maps immediately

• Contact your hotel or transport

• Book rides without stress

A popular option for travelers is Airalo, which allows instant activation when you land.

5. Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel

Once you clear customs, you’ll need to reach your hotel. Common options:

• Rideshares (most popular) e.g. Uber or Lyft are widely available in US cities

  • Easy to book using your phone

  • Pickup zones are usually clearly marked at airports

• Public transport (cheapest option). Some cities have trains or buses directly from the airport.

• Airport taxis: Available but usually more expensive than rideshare apps

• Car Rentals e.g. Hertz, Avis, Budget. Most airports have shuttle buses to the car rental lots and are open 24/7. While electric vehicles are widely available for rental, there might be sparse charging stations outside of major cities. You can use tools like Chargepoint or Plugshare to plan your trip beforehand.

• Self driving cars e.g. Waymo are available in select cities like San Francisco.

💡 Tip: Always confirm pickup zones at the airport—you’ll often need to walk to a designated area.

6. Booking Your Hotel in Advance

During the World Cup, hotel demand will be extremely high. Book early to:

• Lock in better prices

• Stay closer to stadiums or fan zones

• Avoid last-minute limited availability

You can compare hotels through platforms like Trivago, Booking.com or Expedia. You can also use sites like Airbnb and VRBO to book home rentals.

7. Plan Your City-to-City Travel Early

The USA is large, and World Cup matches will be spread across multiple cities which may be hundreds of miles apart. For example the distance between a match in Atlanta and San Francisco is 2,473 miles / 3 980 km!

You may need to fly between cities, take long-distance buses or use train services in some regions. Use this travel calculator to see the driving distance between two cities.

Planning this early helps you avoid:

• High last-minute prices

• Fully booked routes

• Long travel delays

For rail service, book in advance on Amtrak. For travel by Subway, payment is through Credit Cards at the turnstile. There are also regional express buses such as Greyhound and Best Bus that are convenient for moderate distance travel between cities. For longer distances, flying will be a faster experience and there are plenty of budget airlines such as South West and Jet Blue among others.

In case you want to take a road trip through the beautiful American heartland, you can plan your trip on sites like AAA and Roadtrippers. Be sure to stop in at least one of our amazing national parks!

Final Thoughts

Traveling to the USA for the World Cup is an unforgettable experience but preparation is key.

If you get your passport ready, visa approved, mobile connection sorted and transport planned you’ll have a smooth, stress-free trip.

👉 Want a complete step-by-step travel checklist?

Download the free World Cup 2026 USA Travel Guide on our homepage.