Smooth Sailing to the USA: A Practical Guide for New Zealand Travellers:
Travelling to the United States (and Canada) is an unforgettable experience – epic road trips, iconic cities, incredible national parks and world-class dining. But before the adventure begins, there are a few practical steps to tick off to ensure everything runs smoothly.
We’ve put together this down-to-earth guide for Kiwi travellers, covering the essentials you need to know before you go.
And remember – for detailed guides on the cities and states you’re visiting, follow the links on our website for expert advice and inspiration tailored to your trip.
Entry Requirements for New Zealand Passport Holders:
United States – ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)
New Zealand passport holders travelling to the USA for tourism or business (for stays of 90 days or less) generally qualify under the Visa Waiver Program.
You must apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) before travelling.
Valid for 2 years (or until your passport expires)
Required before boarding your flight
Do not leave this until the last minute – apply as soon as we have confirmed your travel arrangements or at least a week before departure for peace of mind.
Canada – eTA:
If you’re flying into Canada, New Zealand passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Required if arriving by air
Not required if entering by land from the USA
Usually approved quickly
Valid for up to 5 years or until passport expire
Official site: Electronic travel authorization (eTA): How to apply – Canada.ca
If you’re arriving by land or road tripping across the US-Canada border, simply present your valid NZ passport at the border.
Speeding Up Customs in the USA: Mobile Passport Control (MPC) App
The Mobile Passport Control app can help fast track your arrival into the United States at participating airports.
Here’s how it works:
Download the app before leaving NZ.
Complete the required details before departure or during check-in.
Once you land at your first US entry point, re-open the app and press SUBMIT.
Important: Only submit once you’ve landed – you have a limited amount of time to present to Customs after submitting.
Driving in the USA – International Driving Licence:
If you’re planning a classic American road trip – and we highly recommend it – you’ll need to check licensing requirements carefully.
Many states accept your NZ driver’s licence; however, some states require an International Driving Permit (IDP), including but not limited to: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington State.
You can apply easily online through the Automobile Association (AA): Click HERE.
It’s a simple process – and worth organising before you travel.
Staying Connected – eSIMs for the USA:
Roaming charges can quickly add up. That’s why many Kiwi travellers choose a travel eSIM.
Our Travel USA eSIMs (in partnership with eSIMsTravel.com and eSIMgo) offer:
Data-only global plans
Standard options (1GB-100GB for 7–30 days)
Unlimited data plans (1-30 days)
No physical SIM swapping
No roaming surprises
Easy to activate before departure, so you land connected and ready to go.
Lyft operates as a rideshare alternative to Uber throughout much of the United States. It’s widely available in major cities and easy to use via the app. Learn more: https://www.lyft.com/
Open Table:
Open Table is commonly used across the US for restaurant reservations.
Free to download
Search by city, cuisine, price or location
Manage or cancel bookings easily
Credit card sometimes required for popular spots
Booking ahead is strongly recommended in major cities or for sought-after restaurants. Official site: https://www.opentable.com)
Heading Home – NZ Traveller Declaration:
Before flying home to New Zealand, complete the online NZ Traveller Declaration the night before departure. It replaces the old handwritten arrival form and saves time on arrival. Don’t panic if you forget – paper forms are still available – but completing it online makes the process much smoother.
There’s a lot to think about when travelling to North America – visas, driving rules, apps, reservations, connectivity and logistics …. that’s where we come in.
At Travel USA, we’re dedicated New Zealand-based experts specialising in North American holidays. We take care of all the details – entry requirement advice, route planning, accommodation, experiences, insider advice and practical guidance – so you can simply focus on enjoying the journey.
For more information on the cities and states you’re visiting, follow the links on our website and start planning your next American escape with confidence.
We create the adventure ….. You create the memories.
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Andrew and Sean’s first-hand knowledge is what really sets them apart — they know the small details, hidden gems, and all the little nooks and crannies you’d never find in a world of generic, AI-generated itineraries. They’re always quick to reply, and between them seem to know everything — from the best Star Wars experiences at Disney (I had no idea you could build your own lightsaber!), to sipping champagne on the floor of the Grand Canyon or securing the best seats at the Grand Ole Opry. Proper bucket-list stuff – 100% recommend Travel USA.
Zara G
Napier, NZ
We’ve been back a week and had time to reflect on what was a fantastic trip to Colorado and Chicago. Thanks for all your assistance with our trip – it was the best US trip we have had so far
Sean & Alexis
Wellington, NZ
Amazing Travel USA – Andrew’s attunement to us resulted in great options. We were provided with responsive communication and efficiency that enhanced our USA plans, so adventure was fun and easy. Highly recommended.
Kerry M
New Plymouth, NZ
We could not have done it ourselves and Travel USA’s instructions were ON-POINT! We liked the mix of transport that was organised for us ie. bus, ferry and rail which made for an interesting experience. Accommodation was brilliant throughout and the Faraway at Martha’s Vineyard was the most interesting hotel we have ever stayed at – we even had a record player in our room with 2 LP’s – one of them a Bob Dylan album!
Derek & Kaye W
Kapiti Coast, NZ
Huge thanks to Travel USA and especially Andrew for making our trip so easy and enjoyable! Andrew was amazing from the moment we started planning, he went above and beyond. His knowledge, travel tips, and thoughtful check-ins made the whole trip completely seamless and his attention to detail and genuine care took all the stress out of travelling. Highly recommend Travel USA for anyone wanting a hassle-free, expertly planned adventure.
Shauna M
New Plymouth, NZ
I have been telling everyone and anyone who says they are interested in travelling to America to get in touch with you as we really had the most amazing time. We really can’t thank you enough for your exceptional service during our recent trip to the states. Your attention to detail, organisation, and approachability truly made all the difference in ensuring we had a smooth and enjoyable experience. (The highlight was definitely the pick-up truck you organised – you hit the nail on the head with that one!)
You really paid attention to what we wanted to get out of our trip, and everything was planned in such detail, and ran smoothly. Your expert recommendations were spot on, and we felt so well taken care of the entire time. Thanks to you, we had an unforgettable time, and we’re already talking about planning our next adventure with you to the Yellowstone country! I hope we can work together again soon in the not so distant future 🙂 Thank you again!
Dani J
Waikato, NZ
We were very pleased with the itinerary Travel USA arranged for us, there was a good mix of accommodation and towns. The travel distance each day was just right giving us plenty of time to do other things each day. Florence was a lovely little town and because we were there on a Friday night, we had the added bonus of enjoying their once a month street markets and open air live music, it was a lovely night. We also appreciated the contact you made while we away advising us of things to pre book etc. There is a lot to think about especially as we were a group of 8 and sometimes 10. We would definitely recommend your services to other people, and by using your expertise it took the stress away from us as a group trying to decide what to do.
Gwyneth M
New Plymouth, NZ
Just wanted to thank you both for your suggestions, hotel choices and how smoothly our trip went with the planning you all did. We had a truly fabulous trip, that suited us perfectly. We said it is actually uncanny how with just phone communications and emails with strangers your selections were just so us. We will definitely recommend Travel USA and will be in touch when we travel to the states again, next time. Cannot rate you highly enough with your expertise and knowledge. With appreciation and heartfelt thanks.
Sue T
Port Waikato, NZ
Now that we are back from our holiday to the States, I just want to say thank you for your part in organising an amazing itinerary for us. We had such an awesome time. We loved experiencing New York and everything it has to offer; we were pleased to be staying 8 nights there. The Go City Pass you recommended made visiting each attraction easy and it encouraged us to get out and explore. The rest of our itinerary went without any problems, the accommodation you selected was very well located, making it easy for us to get around without needing transport. We had a lot of fun. Back to the routine of work now – thanks again for everything.
Deidre C
New Plymouth, NZ
I reached out to Andrew after struggling for inspiration for an upcoming USA road trip. He came up with some great ideas and options I hadn’t thought of …. offering itineraries I might like …. a huge resource!
Thank you so much Travel USA!
Patrick D
Auckland, NZ
Andrew assisted me with a group booking of 5 couples travelling to the USA for 5 weeks. They wanted to do a “road trip” through the Southern States and spend time in New York. Andrew’s knowledge of the USA is an incredible asset to people planning to travel here, he put together an awesome route, recommended great hotels in the best locations and had so much information on city passes, things to do and places of interest. As a travel agent I found that Travel USA had the best contacts and information from everything from rental cars, hotels, shows, tours etc and they outlined all of this in very detailed itineraries ready to give straight to my clients. He provided a professional detailed itinerary for the group that went 100% perfectly. Andrew made my job easy, and my clients were extremely happy with their holiday plans. I will definitely be using Andrew and his company in the future and would recommend anyone when planning to go to the USA to use their services.
Caroline N
New Plymouth, NZ
Travel USA impressed me with their exceptional customer service, attention to detail, and personalised approach prior to my trip. From the initial inquiry, Andrew was responsive, knowledgeable, and dedicated to understanding my travel preferences. Their planning with thoughtful recommendations showcases a high level of attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of my trip was well taken care of.
