What cost surprises should travellers expect in the USA?
The USA can look cheaper than it feels. Taxes, tips, parking, resort fees, rental cars and park logistics often appear after the headline price has already done its damage.
Answer
Budgeting for the USA is less about one expensive category and more about the extras. A hotel rate may not include all taxes or fees. A restaurant bill may not reflect the final cost once tipping is included. A rental car can bring insurance questions, parking charges, fuel and one-way fees. National parks and theme parks can add reservation, lodging and transport costs around the main ticket. Even cities with cheap flights can punish you through accommodation and daily movement. The answer is not to assume the USA is unaffordable; it is to budget from the real day, not the advertised number. Leave room for the costs that appear at checkout.