Standard entrance + $100
The additional nonresident fee applies at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.
Before you go
Documents, insurance, driving and everyday practicalities — choose a topic.
First visit? Open the step-by-step checklist →✈ Flights to the USA →
Open a topic for a concise answer without bureaucratic language. Each topic shows the date I last checked it and links to the official source, so you can verify the latest requirements before travelling.
01
ESTA or visa?
Entry to the U.S. for Polish passport holders
Checked on 19 October 2026.
For an ordinary tourist trip, ESTA is usually enough for a Polish citizen.
Poland participates in the Visa Waiver Program. A traveller with a Polish e-passport may visit for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, but must obtain approved ESTA authorization before travel.
$40.62ESTA fee from 16 Oct 2026
up to 90 daysmaximum VWP stay
generally 2 yearsor until passport expiry
up to 72 hfor a decision
Important: an approved ESTA authorizes travel to a U.S. port of entry; it does not guarantee admission. CBP makes the final decision. A visa is required for stays over 90 days and in other cases where VWP eligibility does not apply.
Travel to Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, or to North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, can — with limited exceptions — make a VWP traveller ineligible for ESTA and require a visa.
Best rule: apply only through the official U.S. government ESTA website. Third-party sites may add large service fees.
02Flights to the USAWhere to search and what to check before you book
Compare prices in a flight search engine, then book directly with the airline if you can.
To compare fares, I recommend Google Flights. It shows many airlines at once, has a price calendar and can alert you when prices drop. It does not sell tickets itself — for each flight you can see where to book it. Choose the airline's own website: changes and refunds are then handled without a middleman.
Before booking, check whether checked baggage is included (the cheapest fares often include only a carry-on) and whether the whole journey is on one ticket. If you connect in the USA, allow extra time: at your first US airport you clear passport control, collect your bags and check them in again.
Search flights on Google Flights ↗
Travelling with me?Before you buy a ticket, get in touch. I will confirm the trip dates and the best airport to fly into.
03
Travel insurance
A poor place to save money before a U.S. trip
Treat strong medical travel insurance as an essential part of the budget.
There is no single federal travel-insurance policy required of every tourist at entry, but medical treatment, hospital care and medical transport in the U.S. can be extremely expensive. Poland's foreign ministry travel information for the U.S. strongly stresses adequate insurance.
Check medical limits, emergency and hospital care, medical transport/evacuation, repatriation, personal liability and the treatment of pre-existing conditions. If you plan to hike, confirm that ordinary outdoor activities and the trails you intend to use are covered.
Do not compare policies by price alone.
Limits, exclusions and whether the insurer can organize care and settle directly with a provider matter more.
How much does a U.S. policy cost? A comparison
Prices for one person, checked on 16 October 2026 in the insurers’ online calculators for an 18-day trip to the USA — the length of the Chicago & the American West trip. These are Polish insurers, so prices are in Polish złoty (zł). Prices change, so treat them as a guide and check the current price before you buy.
| Insurer and package | Medical costs | Age 40 | Age 65 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generali — Oszczędny ↗ | 1,000,000 zł | 390 zł | 670 zł |
| Generali — Optymalny ↗ | 1,000,000 zł | 418 zł | 700 zł |
| Generali — Elastyczny ↗ | 2,000,000 zł | 644 zł | 1,092 zł |
| PZU Wojażer — Pakiet 1 ↗ | 450,000 zł | 270 zł | 270 zł |
| PZU Wojażer — Pakiet 2 ↗ | 800,000 zł | 417 zł | 417 zł |
| PZU Wojażer — Pakiet 3 ↗ | 2,000,000 zł | 621 zł | 621 zł |
| Allianz — Komfort ↗ | 300,000 zł | 411 zł | 486 zł |
| Allianz — Plus ↗ | 1,000,000 zł | 532 zł | 630 zł |
| Allianz — Ekstra ↗ | 1,500,000 zł | 760 zł | 900 zł |
| Allianz — Max ↗ | 5,000,000 zł | 932 zł | 1,103 zł |
| Warta Travel ↗ | up to 3,000,000 zł | Check the price in Warta’s calculator (select the USA when buying). | |
| ERGO Hestia ↗ | — | Online (mtu24.pl) only for the world excluding the USA. A U.S. policy is available through an agent. | |
For about 400 zł you get the most from:
Generali up to age 60 (Oszczędny: 1 million zł of medical cover for 390 zł) and PZU over 60 (Pakiet 2: 800,000 zł for 417 zł). PZU does not raise the price with age — I checked ages 40, 65 and 75. Generali and Allianz charge older travellers noticeably more.
For the USA, choose at least 500,000 zł of medical cover, and ideally 1 million zł or more. A real case reported by ERGO Hestia: a traveller in the USA stepped on a nail, the foot became infected, and hospital treatment with surgery followed — the cost covered by the policy was 522,000 zł.
The table shows prices for the basic scope: leisure, sightseeing and recreational sports, without high-risk or winter sports. Before you buy, check the terms (OWU) to make sure hiking and any chronic conditions you have are covered. Age bands differ between insurers: Generali prices 26–60 and over 60 separately, Allianz by year of birth. I do not earn anything from these links — this is just a comparison.
04
Rental car
Card holds, protection, fuel and tolls
Checked on 19 October 2026.
Compare the final price, not only the advertised daily rate.
Taxes, airport surcharges, additional drivers, one-way drop fees, toll programs and optional extras can change the total substantially. Rental companies commonly place a hold on your card for more than the agreed rental cost, so leave enough available credit.
CDW / LDW
Addresses damage to the rental vehicle subject to the contract. It is not the same as medical, personal-property or third-party liability cover.
Liability
Check third-party liability separately. Requirements and coverage can depend on the state and rental agreement.
Tolls
Rental-company toll programs are convenient but may add service fees per day, rental or toll event. Read the terms before pickup.
Florida: travelling around the state often involves toll roads, so a rental-company toll package is especially worth considering. If you expect to use these roads frequently, it can be a convenient and cost-effective option. Before buying, check whether the price includes the tolls themselves or only their administration, and whether the fee applies to every rental day. Compare the package cost with your planned route.
Florida: travelling around the state often involves toll roads, so a rental-company toll package is especially worth considering. If you expect to use these roads frequently, it can be a convenient and cost-effective option. Before buying, check whether the price includes the tolls themselves or only their administration, and whether the fee applies to every rental day. Compare the package cost with your planned route.
Fuel
Full-to-full is often the simplest arrangement: collect the car full and return it full. Rental-company refuelling can be more expensive.
Small but useful: delete your phone from the infotainment system before returning the car. The system may retain contacts, call history and navigation destinations.
05
Foreign licence & IDP
There is no single rule for all 50 states
Checked on 19 October 2026.
Carry your national licence and check whether an IDP is also required.
USA.gov notes that International Driving Permit requirements vary by state. A rental company may also require an IDP under its own policy even where state law is less restrictive.
An IDP does not replace your national driving licence. If required, carry both. A foreign visitor must obtain an IDP before arriving in the United States.
For a multi-state road trip:
getting an IDP before departure and checking your specific rental company's policy is the safest practical approach.
06
SIM / eSIM & internet
Plans and prices for 15–30 days in the USA
Prices per person, checked on 23 September 2026. For stays of 15–30 days. USD prices are converted approximately at 3.80 PLN per dollar.
| Plan | 15-day stay | 30-day stay | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Flex Travel — eSIM ↗ | 80 zł / 10 GB | 160 zł / 2 × 10 GB | Via WhatsApp, Messenger, etc. |
| Orange GO ↗ | 79 zł / 10 GB | 158 zł / 2 × 10 GB | Charged separately |
| Plus Świat — prepaid/MIX ↗ | 200 zł / 10 GB | 200 zł / 10 GB | 60 minutes + 60 SMS |
| T-Mobile Polska ↗ | 298 zł / 2 packs | 447 zł / 3 packs | Charged separately |
| Play ↗ | 300 zł / 2 packs | 450 zł / 3 packs | Charged separately |
Orange Flex Travel is a data-only eSIM available to customers of any operator. Other Polish roaming packages require service with the respective provider; availability depends on your tariff.
For multiple packs, activate the next one after the previous one expires. Orange prices for 30 days assume two consecutive 15-day packs. T-Mobile calculations use 10 GB/14-day packs, and Play calculations use 5 GB/14-day packs. A smaller pack may cost less for the final day or two if you need little data. Two 14-day packs do not cover a 30-day trip. The Plus validity shown applies to prepaid/MIX, not billing-cycle-based subscriptions.
| Plan | Data | First-period price | US calls and texts |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Connect — 30 days ↗ | 5 GB | $25 ≈ 95 zł Includes $10 connection charge |
Unlimited |
| T-Mobile Connect — 30 days ↗ | 8 GB | $35 ≈ 133 zł Includes $10 connection charge |
Unlimited |
| T-Mobile Connect — 30 days ↗ | 12 GB | $45 ≈ 171 zł Includes $10 connection charge |
Unlimited |
| AT&T Unlimited Saver — monthly ↗ | Unlimited; 30 GB at up to 3 Mbps, then up to 1.5 Mbps | $35 ≈ 133 zł for the plan | Unlimited |
US prices exclude taxes and any SIM/activation fees not already included above. Connect stops data access after the allowance is used. AT&T's speed cap applies from the start; hotspot costs extra.
What do I recommend to trip guests?
- 15 days, mainly internet: Orange Flex Travel — 80 zł for 10 GB, without switching your home operator.
- 15–30 days, physical SIM and calls within the US: T-Mobile Connect 8 GB — about 133 zł plus tax for the first 30 days.
- 30 days, internet and calls home via messaging apps: Orange Flex Travel — two 10 GB packs for 160 zł.
- More data without fast video uploads: AT&T Unlimited Saver — $35 plus applicable fees, with the speed caps listed above.
Before you buy
Check that your phone is unlocked and compatible with the US network. eSIM plans require eSIM support; physical SIM options are available from US providers. With a single-SIM phone, replacing your Polish SIM removes access to that number's ordinary calls and SMS until you put it back. If you keep both lines active, disable data roaming and automatic data switching on the Polish line unless you have a suitable roaming pack.
Unlimited US calls do not mean calls to Poland are included. Use WhatsApp or another internet calling app to contact home. Installation and activation rules vary by plan; check them before buying.
Coverage may be weak or absent in national parks and on remote desert roads. Download offline maps, hotel addresses, reservations and key phone numbers before leaving. Prices and plan terms can change — confirm them with the provider before purchase.
07
Tipping
What is customary and what is merely a screen prompt
Checked on 19 October 2026. Tipping is a custom, not a law, so there is no government source — I compare the amounts with the Emily Post Institute guide.
Simple rule: full service usually means a tip; counter/self-service is usually optional.
Sit-down restaurant15–20%; 18–20% is an easy default for good service
Taxi / rideshare15–20%
Bar$1–2 per drink or roughly 15–20%
Hotel housekeepingabout $2–5 per night
Before adding a tip, check the bill: a gratuity / service charge may already be included, especially for larger groups. A tablet suggesting 20%, 25% or 30% at a counter does not automatically make a tip mandatory.
Traditional etiquette allows the tip to be calculated on the pre-tax subtotal. A tip is a custom, not a sales tax or universal statutory charge.
08
Payments, sales tax & cards
Why checkout may cost more than the shelf price
Checked on 19 October 2026.
Cards are the main tool, but carry a backup card and some cash.
U.S. sales tax is imposed at state and local level. Rates vary by state, city and type of purchase, so posted shelf/menu prices often are not the final amount you pay at checkout.
Pay in USD
If a terminal or ATM offers conversion to your home currency, review the exchange rate and markup. Dynamic Currency Conversion may add extra cost.
Check your bank
Some cards charge a foreign transaction fee. Review your card terms before departure.
Card holds
Hotels and rental-car companies often hold an extra amount for incidentals, so available credit should exceed the booking price.
Plan B
A second card from another bank plus a small cash reserve helps if a card is blocked, a terminal fails or cash is required.
Using a Polish Revolut card in the USA: Revolut can be a convenient travel payment option and is widely accepted at merchants taking Visa or Mastercard. It can also help reduce currency conversion costs: weekday exchanges within your plan's allowance may have no additional exchange fee. Check your plan, limits and any weekend fees in the app. Choose USD when paying. A standard Revolut card is a debit card; check whether a car rental company or hotel requires a credit card for the deposit.
Visa explains that DCC is an optional conversion by the merchant or ATM into the cardholder's home currency; in the United States the local transaction currency is USD.
09Drones in the USA — transport and flyingBatteries, foreign visitors, restricted locations and penalties
Rules checked on 23 September 2026. Practical guidance for visitors bringing a drone to the USA.
Permission to transport a drone is not permission to fly it. Check airline rules, FAA requirements, airspace restrictions and the rules for the land you intend to use separately.
1. Aircraft travel and batteries
Check every airline on your itinerary, including connections. Protect the drone against damage and accidental activation; carry-on is a practical choice when your airline permits it.
- Spare and removed lithium batteries go in carry-on baggage only. Protect terminals against short circuits and batteries against damage; remove them if your carry-on is gate-checked.
- Standard limits allow batteries up to 100 Wh. Above 100 up to 160 Wh requires airline approval, with at most two spares of that size. Larger batteries exceed ordinary passenger baggage limits.
- Do not carry damaged or dangerously recalled batteries. Airlines may impose stricter limits. Read the Wh rating, not just mAh.
FAA — airline batteries ↗ · FAA — transporting drones ↗
2. Visiting from abroad: paperwork
TRUST: complete this free online recreational safety test with an FAA-approved administrator before flying. Visitors and pilots of small drones must also take it. Save the certificate and carry proof when flying. A foreign certificate does not replace TRUST.
FAA — TRUST and approved administrators ↗
Foreign-registered drones: a drone registered abroad with FAA-compliant Remote ID requires a free Notice of Identification (NOI) through DroneZone. Keep the resulting CID confirmation available. The aircraft or Remote ID module must have an FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance.
FAA guidance specifies a separate route for foreign drones without foreign registration and/or Remote ID: DroneZone provides recognition of ownership, with the stated flights restricted to designated FRIAs. Do not assume your home-country operator registration settles the aircraft paperwork. Confirm the route for your model and documents with the FAA before travelling.
FAA — international operators ↗
What about a drone under 250 g? The general registration exception covers small drones flown exclusively for recreation. It does not remove TRUST or location restrictions, and should not be treated as automatic exemption from foreign-drone formalities. Account for the installed battery and accessories. Drones required to be registered, or already registered, are subject to Remote ID rules.
FAA — registration and weight threshold ↗
3. Check the location before every flight
Check current airspace and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) using an FAA-listed B4UFLY service. Separately check the park, city, tribal land or private property rules. An airspace map or manufacturer app unlock does not replace land-manager permission.
- Recreational flight in uncontrolled Class G airspace: no higher than 400 ft (about 122 m) above ground.
- Airport controlled airspace requires prior FAA authorization through LAANC or DroneZone; respect the authorized altitude.
- Keep visual line of sight, yield to crewed aircraft and follow an FAA-recognized CBO's safety guidelines. Never endanger people or emergency operations.
4. National parks and Valley of Fire
Launching, landing and operating drones from NPS-managed lands and waters is generally prohibited, with limited exceptions. This is not a blanket description of all airspace above every park; FAA rules also apply. Launching outside a boundary does not remove other restrictions or wildlife protections. Check the individual park.
NPS — drones in national parks ↗
State parks can restrict drones too. Valley of Fire prohibits ordinary drone flights. Any permitted drone filming requires advance park approval and the required FAA credentials.
Valley of Fire — park rules ↗ · Nevada State Parks — filming permits ↗
5. Holiday memories or promotional filming?
A flight intended to promote a business or service is not purely recreational, even without payment. It normally falls under Part 107. Foreign commercial operations also face DOT requirements; foreign pilot credentials do not replace an FAA pilot certificate. Arrange the requirements before filming promotional material.
FAA — flight purpose and Part 107 ↗ · FAA — foreign operations and DOT ↗
6. Penalties can be substantial
NPS states that violating its drone ban can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail. The FAA cites penalties up to $75,000 per violation for unsafe or unauthorized operations. These are potential maxima for specific violations, not a fixed fine for every flight.
NPS — enforcement ↗ · FAA — drone enforcement ↗
On a tour: plan lawful flying opportunities in advance, save documents offline and recheck restrictions on the day. If requirements for your aircraft or location are unclear, confirm them with the FAA or land manager before takeoff. Bringing a drone does not guarantee an opportunity to fly.
This is a practical travel guide, not legal or insurance advice.
Rules can differ by state, and ESTA, airline, rental-company and insurance terms can change. Check the requirements that apply to your own trip before departure.
Important from 2026
National park fees for non-US residents.
Beginning January 1, 2026, non-US residents age 16 and older visiting 11 of the most-visited national parks pay the standard entrance fee plus an additional $100 per person, unless they are covered by an eligible annual pass.
For visitors travelling from Poland
A Polish tourist living outside the U.S. normally falls under the nonresident rules. A Polish passport alone does not establish nonresident status: U.S. citizens and qualifying U.S. residents are eligible for resident treatment; bring the proof accepted by NPS.
The $100 fee is added to ordinary admission for ages 16+, only at the 11 listed parks. Arches and Death Valley are outside this list. Valid eligible passes cover the surcharge under NPS rules; keep your pass, photo ID and entrance receipt.
A pass does not book a campsite or a timed entry slot. Check those separately.
NPS accepts valid America the Beautiful passes and eligible park-specific annual passes for this coverage. Passes do not cover state or tribal park admission, camping or special activity and reservation charges.
$250 / 12 months
For a private vehicle, the pass covers the vehicle entrance and applicable nonresident fees for the people traveling in that vehicle. Where fees are charged per person, it covers the passholder plus up to three additional adults.
Annual Pass: $80
The America the Beautiful Resident Annual Pass costs $80. Single-visit standard entrance fees vary by park and by the way you enter.
Park admission is included
Guests on my trips do not pay park entrance fees separately at the gate. Required park admission charges for parks in the itinerary are included in the trip price and handled by the organizer.
On the Chicago & the American West route, the additional $100 nonresident rule applies to: Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion. Death Valley is not one of the 11 parks charging the additional nonresident fee.
NPS also honors valid passes bought before 1 January 2026 under their original terms. Coverage applies to the passholder and passengers in a private vehicle, or the passholder plus three adults where entrance is charged per person. These private-travel rules do not describe commercial tour billing.
NPS fee and pass rules checked on 19 October 2026.
Sources: NPS — Nonresident Fees ↗ · NPS — Entrance Passes ↗