Travel to North America: cities, parks and road trips

From Manhattan to the Canadian Rockies, via the canyons of the American West, North America lends itself especially well to long-distance road trips. A continent where sheer distance often means choosing one region rather than covering everything in a single trip.
  • 3 countries and 3 territories

Why travel to North America?

The continent combines global megacities, large-scale protected national parks and some of the world's most developed road infrastructure. Distance between regions remains the main factor to plan around when building an itinerary.

What to discover in North America?

The great cities of the East Coast

New York, Boston and Washington connect easily by train or bus along the East Coast, without requiring a car. Budget 4 to 5 days for New York alone, between Manhattan, Brooklyn and its museums, and expect a noticeably higher accommodation budget than elsewhere on the continent, often 200 dollars or more a night in low season. An Amtrak rail pass remains a cheap way to string several cities together without renting a car.

The American West and its canyons

The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Utah's parks form a classic rental-car circuit, generally 10 to 14 days from Las Vegas or Phoenix. Summer frequently exceeds 40°C in the desert, which pushes many travelers toward spring or fall for hiking in better heat conditions. An 80-dollar America the Beautiful Pass grants entry to every national park for a full year.

Canada and the Rockies

Banff and Jasper, connected by the Icefields Parkway, offer turquoise lakes and glaciers accessible by car from Calgary. Summer season, June to September, holds most of the visitor traffic, since mountain roads can otherwise be closed or hazardous the rest of the year due to snow. Plan 7 to 10 days to enjoy Lake Louise and Moraine Lake without excessive daily driving.

Louisiana and the Deep South

New Orleans, its French Quarter and jazz music offer a cultural identity very different from the rest of the country, marked by French, African and Caribbean influences. The surrounding bayou is best explored on a boat excursion in search of alligators, a quintessential Southern experience not to be missed. Creole cuisine, from jambalaya to gumbo, alone justifies a few extra days in town.

Mexico and the Yucatan peninsula

Cancún and the Riviera Maya serve as a base for visiting the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and swimming in the surrounding limestone cenotes. Dry season from November to April remains the most pleasant, as humid heat and hurricane risk rise significantly between June and October on Mexico's Caribbean coast. Tulum, further south, combines coastal ruins with beaches quieter than Cancún's.

Planning a long-distance road trip

Renting a car is nearly essential outside major cities, since intercity public transport remains underdeveloped across the continent. Budget a sizeable amount for fuel on a circuit spanning thousands of kilometers, and arrange ESTA authorization for the US or eTA for Canada well before departure. An international driving permit also avoids any hassle at the rental counter or with local police.

Budget and seasons by region

A North American trip varies enormously in cost by region: the East Coast and California stay expensive, while Mexico and some rural areas of Canada allow a more moderate budget. Always plan a higher daily budget than in Europe for food and gas, two items that remain structurally pricier across this continent. Taxes and tips are systematically added on top of the sticker price in the US.

Countries of North America

United States, Canada, Mexico: explore the continent's iconic destinations.
United States of AmericaFeatured

United States of America

29 cities
From the skyscrapers of New York to the deserts of the West: when to go, what budget to plan and which itineraries to choose in the USA.
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MexicoFeatured

Mexico

8 cities
Maya and Aztec pyramids, Yucatán cenotes, Oaxaca markets and Caribbean lagoons: a country best travelled region by region.
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Canada

Canada

When to go, how much to budget and which route to choose for a trip to Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
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Regions and territories of North America

Regions and territories to explore, each linking to its cities.
Saint Barthélemy

Saint Barthélemy

France
Twenty-five square kilometres of dry hills, public beaches and yachts: Saint-Barth is best visited from December to April, outside New Year.
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Saint Martin (French part)

Saint Martin (French part)

France
The smallest land in the world shared between two countries: 53 km2, 37 beaches, a French half and a Dutch half.
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Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

France
A piece of France 25 kilometres from Canada: colourful wooden houses, fog, seals and a Basque and Acadian cuisine.
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Cities to visit in North America

Featured destinations appear first.

North America in pictures

Continent highlights

The sites that define a trip to North America.

Grand Canyon

Vertiginous gorge more than 1500 meters deep in Arizona.

Times Square

Electric heart of Manhattan, symbol of New York at night.

Canadian Rockies

Turquoise lakes and glaciers accessible from Banff and Jasper.

Chichén Itzá

Iconic Mayan pyramid on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.

French Quarter

Historic and musical heart of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Monument Valley

Iconic sandstone buttes of the Navajo desert, straddling Arizona and Utah.

Golden Gate Bridge

Iconic suspension bridge spanning San Francisco Bay.

Niagara Falls

Massive waterfalls straddling the Canada-US border.

Yellowstone

The world's first national park, with geysers and free-roaming bison.

Practical info

ESTA
Mandatory authorization to enter the US without a visa
eTA
Equivalent electronic authorization to enter Canada
Tipping
Expected everywhere in the US, around 15 to 20% of the bill
Time difference
From -6h to -9h vs Paris depending on the time zone
Car rental
Nearly essential outside major cities
Currency
US dollar, Canadian dollar or Mexican peso depending on the country
Best season, Rockies
June to September for mountain roads
Best season, desert
March to May and September to November
Power outlets
Type A/B 110-120V, adapter needed from Europe
Health insurance
Strongly recommended in the US, healthcare is very costly

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit the United States?
No for a short tourist stay, a simple ESTA authorization is enough for European citizens, to apply for online at least 72 hours before departure and valid for multiple entries over two years.
Can I visit New York and the Grand Canyon on the same trip?
It's possible but requires carefully organizing the domestic flight between the two coasts, separated by more than 4 hours of flying, which cuts into the time available on the ground at each stop.
Do I need to rent a car to visit the parks of the American West?
Yes, nearly essential, since public transport is non-existent between the parks. Bring an international driving permit alongside your national license to avoid any hassle at the rental counter or with local police.
What's the best season to visit the Canadian Rockies?
Summer, June to September, gives full access to mountain roads and trails, while winter closes much of the tourist infrastructure outside of ski resorts and access can become genuinely hazardous without proper gear.
Is Mexico safe for tourists?
The Riviera Maya and the Yucatan remain safe, heavily visited tourist zones, unlike certain northern border regions flagged by French diplomatic travel advisories for ongoing local security concerns and cartel activity.
How much does a two-week US road trip cost?
Budget around 150 to 200 dollars per day per person including car rental, gas, accommodation and meals, a noticeably higher budget than an equivalent trip in Europe due to local prices.
Do US national parks require advance booking?
Yes, some heavily visited parks like Yellowstone or Zion now require entry reservations during peak season, to be made several weeks before departure to guarantee access to the most sought-after sites.

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