🇺🇸 USAOur American AdventuresRoad trips · cities · islands · cruises
Our USA Travel Guides —
four very different sides of America
America hasn't been one trip for us — it's been four completely different adventures. We've driven 4,000km from New York to Miami through the Deep South, island-hopped four Hawaiian islands, sailed Alaska's Inside Passage and spent four packed days in Los Angeles. This is the starting point for all our first-hand USA guides.
🚗 Deep South•
🌺 Hawaii•
🐻 Alaska•
🎬 Los Angeles
14states on one road trip
4Hawaiian islands
8 daysAlaska cruise
4 daysin Los Angeles
🇺🇸 USA at a Glance
CountryUnited States of America
From IrelandDirect flights from Dublin to many US cities
EntryPassport + ESTA for Irish visitors
CurrencyUS dollar (USD)
LanguageEnglish (Spanish widely spoken)
Time zonesFive — Eastern to Hawaii
Driving sideRight — opposite of Ireland
Voltage110V — plug adapter needed
TippingExpected — 18–20% at restaurants
Best timeVaries enormously by region
📸 America Through Our Lens
Every photo on this page is from our own USA trips — no stock images and no placeholders.
🧭 Choose Your USA Adventure
Four trips, four completely different Americas
Start with the trip that takes your fancy, then follow the individual city, island and cruise-port guides underneath.
🚗 13 nights · 4,000km · 14 states
Deep South — New York to Miami
New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Williamsburg, the Smokies, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Kennedy Space Center, the Everglades and Miami.
Explore the road trip →
🌺 4 islands · 1 extraordinary week
Hawaii — Island Hopping
Big Island volcanoes, Oahu adventure and history, Maui's Road to Hana and Kauai's extraordinary Nā Pali Coast.
Explore Hawaii →
🐻 8-day Inside Passage cruise
Alaska — Bears, Glaciers & Dog Sleds
Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau and Ketchikan — plus the shipboard story from our round-trip cruise from Vancouver.
Explore Alaska →
🎬 4 days · Hollywood to the Pacific
Los Angeles — Hollywood & Beaches
Hollywood, Warner Bros., Beverly Hills, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica and Venice Beach after returning from Hawaii.
Explore Los Angeles →🗺️ Explore by Destination
Our growing USA guide collection
We've now broken our bigger USA journeys into individual first-hand guides, so you can jump straight to the city or experience you're interested in.
🗽 New YorkTwo visits, Ellis Island, Broadway & the Jets
🔔 PhiladelphiaHistoric Philadelphia & Amish Country
🏛️ Washington DCMonuments, memorials & Arlington
🏘️ WilliamsburgColonial history & one of our favourite surprises
🏔️ Gatlinburg & SmokiesGreat Smoky Mountains & Dolly Parton's Stampede
🎸 NashvilleCountry music & Music City
🎶 MemphisBeale Street & Graceland
🎺 New OrleansSteamboat NATCHEZ & Oak Alley Plantation
🚀 Kennedy Space CenterNASA, Apollo & the Space Shuttle story
🐊 EvergladesSouth Florida & our alligator experience
🌴 MiamiThe finish line of our New York-to-Miami road trip
🎬 Los AngelesHollywood, Warner Bros., Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica & Venice Beach
🐻 Icy Strait PointHoonah & bear watching
🧊 Hubbard GlacierScenic glacier cruising
🐕 JuneauDog sledding & Red Dog Saloon
🪓 KetchikanCreek Street & Lumberjack Show
🌺 HawaiiBig Island, Oahu, Maui & Kauai
📷 More of Our USA Photos
🇮🇪✈️🇺🇸 Ireland to USA — Practical Info
What to know before you go
- ESTA is essential. Irish citizens don't need a visa for short tourism trips, but everyone must apply for an ESTA online in advance under the Visa Waiver Program. Do this at least 72 hours before you fly.
- Tipping is a much bigger deal than at home. Budget for 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxi and ride-share drivers, and a few dollars per night for hotel housekeeping. It's not optional in the way it can be in Ireland.
- You'll need a plug adapter. The USA uses Type A/B plugs and runs on 110V. Most phone, laptop and camera chargers are dual-voltage and just need an adapter. Hair dryers and straighteners often are not — check the label or buy a travel version.
- Driving is on the right — opposite side to Ireland. For a road trip like our Deep South drive, that's the whole point. For cities like New York and Washington DC, public transport is often much better than driving and parking.
- ATMs are universal, cards are king. Contactless is now widespread. You rarely need lots of cash — but keep a small amount for tips.
- Best time to visit varies enormously. There is no single "best time" for the USA — pick your destination first, then the season. See our destination guides for region-specific advice.
❓ USA Travel FAQ
Do Irish citizens need a visa for the USA?
Irish citizens don't need a visa for tourism or short business trips of up to 90 days, but do need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online in advance under the Visa Waiver Program. Check the official U.S. government site for the latest requirements before you travel.
How long does an ESTA last?
An approved ESTA is generally valid for up to two years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. It allows multiple trips to the USA within that period, each up to 90 days. If you get a new passport, you'll need to apply for a new ESTA. Always confirm the current rules before travelling.
What's the best time to visit the USA?
It depends enormously on the region. For the Deep South and Florida, spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) avoid the worst humidity and hurricane season. Hawaii is a year-round destination but drier April–October. Alaska cruise season runs roughly May to September. New York and Los Angeles are enjoyable much of the year but especially good in spring and autumn. Pick your destination first, then the season.
Do I need to tip in the USA?
Yes — tipping is a much bigger part of the culture in the USA than it is at home. At sit-down restaurants, 18–20% is standard for good service. Bartenders typically expect $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of the tab. Tip taxi and ride-share drivers around 15–20%, and it's normal to leave a few dollars per night for hotel housekeeping. Factor tipping into your budget, particularly for eating out.
Do I need a car in the USA?
For road trips like our New York-to-Miami Deep South journey, absolutely — the freedom and coverage a car gives you is the whole point. For city stays like New York, Washington DC or (parts of) Los Angeles, public transport, walking and ride-share often work better than driving and parking. Hawaii and Alaska cruise ports each have their own patterns. Plan by destination.
What plug adapter do I need for the USA from Ireland?
The USA uses Type A and Type B plugs, and runs on 110V / 60Hz — different from Ireland's Type G plug and 220V. You'll need a plug adapter, and check the label on each device (most modern phone, laptop and camera chargers are dual-voltage and work fine with just an adapter — but appliances like hair dryers or hair straighteners often are not, and may need a voltage converter or a travel version).
Start exploring America with us
Pick a road trip, island adventure, cruise or city break above. Every guide is based on somewhere we've actually been and the experiences we genuinely had there.