- Currency
- US Dollar (USD, $). Cards — including contactless — are accepted almost everywhere, from coffee carts to taxis, so you rarely need much cash on you. That said, it's smart to carry some for tipping, farmers' markets, and the odd small-town diner that's still card-shy.
- Language
- English is what you'll use everywhere, though the U.S. has no official language at the federal level. Spanish is widely spoken too, especially in the South, Southwest, and big cities — but as a visitor you'll get by just fine with English alone.
- Visa
- As Swedish/EU passport holders, you don't need a visa for tourist trips of 90 days or less — Sweden is part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. What you do need is an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), applied for online before you fly, which currently costs around $40. It's usually processed within minutes to 72 hours and stays valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Requirements and fees do change, so double-check the official ESTA site (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) close to your travel dates.
- Power
- Type A and Type B — the flat two-prong plugs (Type B adds a third round grounding pin) you'll recognize from American films. Sweden uses the European Type C/F plugs, so you'll need an adapter for every outlet; pack more than one, since they have a habit of going missing mid-trip. · 120V at 60Hz, versus Sweden's 230V/50Hz. Most modern electronics — phone chargers, laptops, camera batteries — are dual-voltage (check the fine print near the plug for "100–240V") and will work fine with just a plug adapter. Hairdryers, straighteners, and other high-wattage appliances usually aren't dual-voltage, so it's often easier to buy a cheap one locally than lug a bulky converter across the Atlantic.
- Best time
- Given how vast and climatically varied the U.S. is, the ideal timing really depends on where you're headed — but as a rule, late spring (April–June) and early fall (September–October) hit the sweet spot for most of the country, with mild weather, thinner crowds, and better rates than peak summer. Summer (June–August) is when everything, including national parks, is fully open and buzzing, but also when prices and crowds peak; winter is worth considering for the South and desert Southwest, or if you're chasing snow out West.
- Safety
- The U.S. is, on the whole, an easy and welcoming place to travel, and the vast majority of trips go entirely without incident — but it's a big country, and safety varies noticeably by city and neighborhood, so a quick check on where you're staying before you arrive is worth the five minutes. Ordinary city sense covers most of it: keep bags close in crowded tourist spots, don't leave valuables visible in a parked rental car, and remember that distances are enormous — factor in real drive times and road conditions if you're self-driving between stops.
Tipping isn't the polite-but-optional gesture it can feel like in Sweden — 18–20% is the norm at sit-down restaurants, and a couple of dollars per bag or per night is expected for porters and hotel housekeeping; most card machines will prompt you with suggested percentages, so it's hard to miss. Sales tax is added at the till and varies by state, so the price on the shelf tag isn't what you'll actually pay. And if you're renting a car, know that distances are deceptively large on the map — "nearby" can easily mean a three-hour drive — so build buffer time into any road trip.
