🇺🇸 Countries Quick facts & interesting facts

• Visa: ESTA is mandatory (cost: $21; duration: 1-3 days)

• Best time to visit: Spring & fall (May-June, September-October)

• Currency: US dollar (USD; 1€ = 1.14 USD)

• Time zones: 6 time zones (NYC -6h and LA -9h to Germany)

• Safety: Cities: vigilant; Rural: relaxed

A land of endless travel possibilities:

Whether you dream of spectacular road trips, want to feel the authentic life in New York City or want to experience national parks up close - the USA is a country full of contrasts, perfect for travelers of all generations. On PulseTrails you'll find real stories, practical tips and inspiration for your trip - to help you get the most out of your USA adventure. No matter how old you are or how you travel: You'll find your path, your trails and your own personal USA experience here.

USA highlights: My personal favorites

New York City and the East Coast

Vibrant cities, colonial stories and the magic of the Atlantic coast - discover America's diverse east coast from New York to Miami.

Yellowstone & National Parks

Steaming geysers, endless forests and wild animals up close - Yellowstone and the national parks are pure nature and adventure galore.

Surfing dreams, highways by the sea and magical sunsets - California and the Pacific coast promise freedom on four wheels.

California & Coast

My route suggestions for your US trip

🌟 10 days on the East Coast: from the Big Apple to the monuments
Experience the heartbeat of the USA - from the bright lights of New York to the historic streets of Philadelphia and the mighty monuments in Washington D.C. A trip full of contrasts, culture and culinary discoveries.

🌴2 weeks in Florida: sun, palm trees & alligators
Florida promises endless summer: start in Miami with Art Deco and Latino charm, cruise along the Keys to the southernmost point of the USA and discover the wilderness of the Everglades. Round it all off with a bit of magic in Orlando - a road trip for all those who love sun and adventure.

🌄 3 weeks road trip west: natural wonders & legendary highways
From the Golden Gate in San Francisco to the neon lights of Las Vegas - the west of the USA is pure road trip feeling. Explore Yosemite with its waterfalls, marvel at the Grand Canyon and let yourself be infected by the surfer spirit in Los Angeles. Here you can experience the icons of the American dream.

🦬 Extra tip: Yellowstone & the Rockies
If you love nature, then you shouldn't miss Yellowstone! Bubbling geysers, bison and endless expanses - a real natural paradise that should not be missing from any route planning.

Costs and budget

Approximately how much does a trip to the USA cost?

✈️ Flights & travel
You can often find good deals from Germany for €500-900. If you are flexible or fly from major airports such as Frankfurt or Munich, you can often save more.

🚐 Rental car & road trip costs
Indispensable for many routes in the USA: A rental car costs around €40-70 per day & a camper starts at €100 per day. Fuel prices are often cheaper than in Germany (approx. €0.70 per liter) - perfect for endless highways!

🏡Accommodation & food
From motels to camping - you should expect to pay an average of €50-120 per night. You can often find good food in diners and small stores - so you save money and get authentic taste.

🎟️ Entrance fees & activities
Many national parks cost around €35 to enter, or you can get the “America the Beautiful” pass (around €80 for all parks). For major cities like NYC or L.A., plan extra for museums or sights.

💡 My tip: If you plan cleverly, take advantage of free activities such as hikes in the national parks, free walking tours in the cities or cheap shopping (e.g. Aldi) - perfect for a budget and a real sense of adventure!

Personal tips

My best learnings for the road - straight from my adventures.

🥞 Breakfast like the locals

Have breakfast in small diners or cafés outside the city centers - often cheaper, tastier and with a real local vibe.

🌄 National parks: it pays to start early

You often get the best views right at sunrise - and you have the trails (almost) to yourself!

Whether you're in New York or the Grand Canyon - the weather can change quickly in the USA. It's best to always have several layers with you to stay flexible.

🧥 Pack clever: layering is everything

My favorite moments in pictures

Here are a few of my personal highlights - from endless highways to magical sunsets.