One of the most common questions we get from New Zealand travellers heading to the United States is: Do I need a visa? For most short holidays, the answer is no – but you ‘do’ need an ESTA. Here’s a simple, straightforward guide to help you understand exactly what’s required before you board your flight. […]

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 […]

Utah’s Mighty Five national parks are one of the great road trips for Kiwi hikers and outdoor lovers, with dramatic red rock, huge skies, and trails that feel totally different from anything back home.If you love a good walk in the Southern Alps, coastal views, or native bush tracks, these desert canyons and arches will feel both foreign and strangely familiar […]

Driving from Chicago to New Orleans along the Interstate 65 corridor is one of the great USA road trips for Kiwi travellers who want a real slice of America. This route links the skyscrapers of the Midwest to the soulful streets of the Deep South, passing through classic college towns, music cities, and quiet rural communities along the way […]

Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon for the first time is one of those travel moments that stays with you forever. The scale, the sweep of layered rock, and the changing colours as the light shifts feel almost unreal, especially when you have flown all the way from New Zealand to be there […]

Discover the Soul of Memphis Memphis delivers music, food, and history in a compact, walkable city that fits beautifully into USA customised packages from New Zealand. For Kiwi travellers, it feels both iconic and surprisingly relaxed, with big-name attractions sitting right alongside down-to-earth neighbourhoods and friendly locals. You can listen to live blues, eat world-class […]

Discover Nashville’s Irresistible Southern Energy Nashville is one of those American cities that instantly feels welcoming, especially for Kiwi travellers flying in from the other side of the world. Live music pours out of bar doors, the food is pure comfort, and locals are quick with a smile and a story. For New Zealanders planning […]

Explore Kentucky: Horse Farms, Bourbon Trails, and Iconic Experiences Kentucky is where thoroughbreds graze under white fences and the air carries the faint scent of oak barrels and sweet corn mash. Known as the Bourbon and Horse Capital of the World, it’s perfect for Kiwi travellers who love racing, breeding, bourbon, and relaxed rural landscapes. […]

New Orleans has a way of sticking with you. It’s not just the music or the food, though both leave a strong impression. It’s more about the feel of the place. Whether you’ve always wanted to cruise down the Mississippi on a paddlewheeler, hear live jazz fill the night air, or dig into a proper […]

Follow the Sound: Why the American South Calls to Kiwis For a Kiwi music fan, the United States has no shortage of places to explore, but the South is something else. Blues, soul, rock ’n’ roll and country all grew up in a relatively small stretch of land where the Mississippi River twists and stories […]

Discover Your Next American Escape Planning your next trip to the States from New Zealand works best when you start with a theme, not just a list of big-name cities. At Travel USA, we specialise in personalised USA itineraries for Kiwi travellers, designed around music, national parks, road trips, and seasonal experiences that feel distinctly […]

The Great American West has long captured the imagination of travellers, and for good reason. For those travelling from New Zealand, it is a region that offers wide open spaces, dramatic natural backdrops, and classic small-town charm all in one go. From the stark beauty of South Dakota’s Badlands to the geothermal wonders of Wyoming, […]

There is something about New England that feels quietly timeless. With its colonial towns, weathered coastlines, and winding backroads flanked by stone fences, this corner of the United States offers a different rhythm of travel. For Kiwi travellers planning USA road trips with a bit more charm than busy cities, it is a region well […]

There is a reason New York State is always on the radar when it comes to planning USA holidays. It is a favourite for many Kiwi travellers because it truly does offer everything, from iconic city sightseeing to wide open country drives. Whether you are drawn to bright lights or quiet lakes, famous food spots […]

Discovering The Great American West From New Zealand Picture yourself standing under an endless sky, watching bison graze in the distance, with steam from a geyser rising behind them. That is The Great American West, and for Kiwi travellers, it feels both epic and surprisingly familiar. The Great American West refers to a specific region […]

There is something about the American South that feels larger than life. The sounds, the flavours, the history, and the characters all come together in a way that feels different from anywhere else. For Kiwi travellers planning USA road trips, Texas and the Southern states are packed with personality. Whether you are drawn to the […]

Western USA feels like it was made for USA road trips. Big skies, epic highways, red rock canyons, and mountain valleys, this part of the States is packed with wild beauty and classic Americana. It is a great choice for Kiwi travellers keen to skip the big cities and spend a bit more time out […]

If you’ve ever started searching for USA tour packages, you’ll know just how big the options list can get. Every corner of the States offers something different. Some travellers are drawn to big cities like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. Others want to self drive like on Route 66, visit iconic national parks or […]

When most people picture California in summer, the first thing that often comes to mind is the coastline. The long stretches of sand, the surf, the boardwalks. But there’s a whole other side to the Golden State that’s just as sunny and far less crowded. For New Zealanders planning their USA holiday packages, exploring beyond […]

Thinking of a NYC holiday? If you’re flying in from New Zealand, Midtown Manhattan is likely the first place you’ll land on your must-see list. And sure, it’s packed with icons like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Broadway shows that are hard to miss. But trust us, New York has so much more to offer […]

Planning a trip to the United States from New Zealand can feel like flipping through a never-ending menu. So many places, so many ways to do it, and not a lot of time to figure it all out. That’s where planning your USA holiday from home with the right specialist partner becomes a clever move […]

If you’re dreaming of wide open skies, epic scenery and the freedom to take your time, US national park tours deliver in a big way. These parks aren’t just big in size. They’re packed with landscapes that feel almost otherworldly, from the towering cliffs of Zion to the steaming pools of Yellowstone. But with more […]

Planning a family holiday to Walt Disney World Resort from New Zealand can be exciting from the moment it’s just an idea. But for many travellers, it can also feel a bit hard to manage. There are a lot of moving parts, from flights and park tickets to resort bookings, special events and meal plans. […]

The Route 66 centennial is here in 2026, and for Kiwi road trippers, it is a rare chance to experience a slice of classic Americana at just the right time. This is not any old highway. It is the “Mother Road” that stretches from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, connecting heartland towns and big […]

USA ranch holidays give Kiwi travellers something completely different to look forward to. You’re not ticking off landmarks or rushing from one city to the next. Instead, you’ve got big skies overhead, fresh country air, and the freedom to slow things down or try something new. Whether you’re on horseback, hiking along a quiet trail, […]

Planning Motorhome Adventures in the USA for Kiwi Families Taking the family on a big overseas trip is a pretty special thing. For a lot of Kiwi travellers, there’s something about hitting the road that just works. Motorhomes in the USA are ideal if you want a trip that moves at your pace, with stops […]

Travelling to the USA from NZ in the Autumn and the Holiday Season At Travel USA, New Zealand’s only dedicated USA travel specialist, founded by Andrew Gay with 35+ years’ experience, we design USA holidays exclusively for Kiwis. A quick heads up on timing: the seasons in the States are opposite to ours. US autumn […]

California is one of those places where you don’t need to travel far to feel like you’re in a completely different world. You can start your day surfing in the Pacific and end it surrounded by mountain pines. That variety is exactly what makes it a favourite for so many types of travellers. Whether it’s […]

Planning a trip to the United States shouldn’t feel like guesswork, but it often does. The mix of places, landscapes, and experiences can be both exciting and overwhelming. Deciding where to go, what to do, and how much time to spend in each location can quickly turn into a juggling act. This is where working […]

Driving across the USA feels like opening up the map and following whatever road looks most appealing. For Kiwi travellers, self drive holiday packages put you in charge, letting you set the pace and route without having to follow a set tour. Whether it’s a wide desert highway or a stretch of coastline, travelling by […]

There’s something about New York City that Kiwis can’t get enough of. Whether it’s your big first trip or you’ve been plenty of times, the city always seems to pull you back. That mix of famous sights, unique neighbourhoods, and energy that changes by the minute means every visit brings something new. New York travel […]

If you’re a Kiwi family thinking about heading to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, get ready; this isn’t just the “Disneyland Park in Florida.” Walt Disney World Resort is on another level entirely. It’s a massive resort complex with four world-famous theme parks, two waterparks, golf courses, shopping, entertainment, and more than 25 themed […]

Planning your first Walt Disney World trip from New Zealand is an adventure waiting to happen. But with so much to see and do, knowing where to start can feel a little overwhelming. That’s where Travel USA’s tailor-made Walt Disney World packages really help. Instead of trying to figure everything out on your own, you […]

School holidays offer a much-needed break for parents and kids alike. With two weeks away from the regular routine, it’s the perfect chance to do something new. USA holiday packages come together easily at this time of year, especially for New Zealand families looking for more than just a local escape. There’s so much ground […]

Exploring America’s national parks is like uncovering a treasure chest of natural beauty. While the most popular spots draw big crowds, there’s a quieter side to these landscapes – places tucked away from the flow of foot traffic, offering something truly special. These hidden gems, from secret waterfalls to peaceful trails, are perfect for travellers […]

California is the ultimate playground – and still a much-loved destination for Kiwi travellers. From the entertainment capital of Los Angeles to the misty charm of San Francisco, California promises a captivating adventure. Explore picture-perfect beaches, stand amidst towering national treasures like Yosemite and Redwood National Parks, and savour the internationally acclaimed joy of Napa […]