A good 14 day USA itinerary for a first trip is 4 days in New York, 4 in Las Vegas, 3 in Los Angeles and 3 in San Francisco. You cross the country from east to west, with one short domestic flight between each stop. Two weeks will not show you the whole country, but it gives you the big icons without rushing. Below you get the plan day by day, the top things to do in each city and a few tips for the trip itself.
14 Days USA Travel Itinerary at a Glance
- Days 1 to 4: New York (Central Park, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty)
- Days 5 to 8: Las Vegas (the Strip, Bellagio fountains, The Venetian, Fremont Street)
- Days 9 to 11: Los Angeles (Hollywood, Universal Studios, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica)
- Days 12 to 14: San Francisco (Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park)
Use the first day of each stop as a travel day. Book the flights between cities early, and check the size of the baggage allowance on each domestic flight, as it can differ from your long haul ticket.
Before You Go: What to Sort Out
Entry rules
Check how you enter the USA well before you fly. Many visitors from visa waiver countries need an approved ESTA, which you apply for on the official CBP ESTA website. Other nationalities need a visa. Rules change, so rely on the official page for your passport and not on third party sites.
Tipping
Tipping is not required by law in the USA, but it is the normal custom in restaurants, bars, taxis and hotels. Prices on menus often do not include a tip, so plan for it in your budget. Some places add a service fee on the bill already, so check before you add more. For more manners tips, read our 27 travel etiquette tips.
Staying online
You will use maps, ride apps, ticket QR codes and translation all day. Roaming from your home plan can get expensive, and hotel Wi-Fi is not enough when you are on the street. A USA eSIM gives you mobile data from the moment you land. Install it at home before you fly, as the steps are in our eSIM installation guide. Your phone needs to support eSIM and be unlocked, which you can check in our list of eSIM compatible devices.
For 14 days, pick a plan that lasts at least 14 days. Four cities with maps, photos and video calls add up, so choose a bit more data than you think you need. One eSIM covers the whole route, as the plan works in all four cities.
These plans are data-only and work across the USA. More options on our USA eSIM page and all other regions on our destinations page. Not sure which plan fits you? See our guide to the best eSIMs for the USA.
Days 1 to 4: New York
New York is a good first stop because it is easy to explore on foot and by subway. Four days let you see the big sights and still leave time for a neighbourhood walk. Love a good view? Check out 10 skyscrapers worth visiting, the most beautiful in the world.
- Central Park: Walk, picnic or rent a rowboat in warm months. It is a great way to start after a long flight.
- Empire State Building: It opened in 1931 and has two observation decks: an open-air one on the 86th floor and an enclosed one on the 102nd floor, according to the building's official facts page. Go at a quiet time, as queues can be long.
- Brooklyn Bridge: Finished in 1883, it has a pedestrian promenade next to the traffic lanes, as the NYC Department of Transportation explains. Walk it toward Manhattan for the skyline views.
- Statue of Liberty: Ferries leave from Liberty State Park or The Battery. The National Park Service says tickets for the crown (162 steps, no elevator) and the pedestal are limited and sold only in advance, so book them early. Everyone passes airport style security before boarding. See the NPS Statue of Liberty planning page for the details.
Days 5 to 8: Las Vegas
Fly from New York to Las Vegas and set your watch back three hours. Las Vegas is about much more than casinos. Shows, food and the desert around the city fill four days easily.
- Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign: A quick photo stop that almost every visitor makes. Go early in the day to avoid a queue.
- The Venetian: The resort has indoor and outdoor gondola rides. Check ticket times on the official Venetian site.
- Bellagio fountains: The water, light and music show is free to watch from the sidewalk. Check the show times for your day, as they differ between afternoon and evening.
- Fremont Street: The old downtown has classic casinos, neon signs and the SlotZilla zip line. It is a good evening trip away from the Strip.
Days 9 to 11: Los Angeles
You can fly from Las Vegas to Los Angeles or drive if you hire a car. LA is spread out, so group your sights by area and plan for traffic.
- Universal Studios Hollywood: A film studio and theme park in one, with a studio tour and rides. Buy tickets in advance on the official park site and plan a full day.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: Thousands of stars line the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. Search for your favourite star on the official Walk of Fame site before you go.
- Griffith Observatory: Admission is free and the views over the city are wide. It is closed on Mondays and opens at 12 noon on weekdays and 10 a.m. at the weekend, as shown on the official visit page. Parking near the building is paid.
- Beverly Hills: Walk Rodeo Drive for the shops and spot the grand houses from the street.
- Santa Monica: A beach, a wooden pier and the Pacific Park funfair. See the Santa Monica Pier website for what is on.
Days 12 to 14: San Francisco
San Francisco is the last stop. It is a compact city with steep hills, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a warm layer, as it can be cool and foggy even in summer.
- Golden Gate Bridge: The bridge is 1.7 miles (about 2.7 km) long in total, according to the Golden Gate Bridge District. You can walk or cycle across it.
- Alcatraz: The island was a Civil War fort, then a military prison and a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, as the National Park Service explains. The only ferry operator is Alcatraz City Cruises, from Pier 33. See the NPS Alcatraz planning page and allow at least a few hours.
- Chinatown: A busy neighbourhood of lanterns, shops and restaurants. Enter through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue and walk up to Portsmouth Square.
- Golden Gate Park: A huge park with gardens, museums and lakes. It is too big to see in one go, so pick one or two areas, such as the Japanese Tea Garden.
Tips for Your 14 Days in the USA
- Book the big tickets early: The Statue of Liberty crown, Alcatraz and Universal Studios can sell out in busy months.
- Plan your money: Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but fees on your home card can add up. See how to avoid international ATM fees.
- Not enough time for everything? Read about the best places to visit in the USA and swap a city, for example if you prefer nature over big cities.
- Going on to Canada? See our guide to the best eSIMs for the USA and Canada.
FAQ
Is 14 days enough for the USA?
It is enough for a first trip with three or four cities. You will not see the whole country, so pick a region or a coast and leave the rest for another trip.
What is the best route for a 14 day USA trip?
This plan goes New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco, one direction, with a short flight between each stop. It avoids doubling back and gives you big city, desert and coast.
How many days should I spend in each city?
This itinerary uses 4 days in New York and Las Vegas and 3 days in Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you want a slower trip, drop one city and add a day to each of the others.
Do I need a visa or ESTA for the USA?
It depends on your passport. Many visitors need either a visa or an approved ESTA. Check the official ESTA website and apply before you book non-refundable parts of the trip.
How do I get mobile data in the USA?
The easiest way is a USA eSIM that you install before you fly. It is data-only, so you use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls. You can also compare options in our overview of eSIM providers in the USA.
