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Money & currency

Money in United States

Updated 2026-09-24

Money & Currency
$

US Dollar ($)

Currency code: USD

Practical Money Tips

Currency in the United States

The US uses the US Dollar (USD, $). The dollar is the world's primary reserve currency and is widely exchanged everywhere. For the best rates, use ATMs on arrival rather than exchanging cash at airports or hotels. Exchange bureaus at JFK, LAX, SFO and other major airports charge commissions of 3–8% — ATM withdrawals give interbank rates minus your bank's fee. Banks in the US rarely offer currency exchange services to non-customers. Bring your debit card and a backup credit card; carry a small amount of cash ($50–100) for immediate expenses on arrival.

ATM Availability

ATMs are everywhere in the US — inside banks, at supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, shopping malls and airports. Major bank ATMs (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi) typically do not charge a fee to their own customers but charge $2–5 per withdrawal for non-customers and foreign cards. ATMs at convenience stores (7-Eleven, CVS) and standalone machines may charge $3–7. Visa, Mastercard, Plus and Cirrus networks are universally supported. Always decline “conversion to your home currency” (Dynamic Currency Conversion) — it adds 3–5% markup. Tip: withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize per-transaction fees.

Card Acceptance

The US is very card-friendly — Visa and Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere, from high-end restaurants to food trucks to highway toll booths. Contactless payment (tap-to-pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay) is increasingly widespread. American Express and Discover have broad but not universal acceptance. Some smaller businesses, farmers' markets, street food vendors and certain taxis may prefer or require cash. Credit cards are preferred for car rentals and hotel check-ins (many require a credit card, not debit, for the security deposit). The US has largely transitioned to chip-and-PIN, but some older terminals still use swipe. Carry $50–100 in cash as backup for tips, tolls, small vendors and the occasional cash-only establishment.

Tipping Customs

Tipping is not optional in the US — it is a fundamental part of the compensation system. Many service workers (waiters, bartenders) earn below minimum wage and depend on tips. Standard rates: sit-down restaurants 18–20% of the pre-tax bill (15% is the minimum for acceptable service); bars $1–2 per drink; taxis/rideshare 15–20%; hotel housekeeping $2–5 per night left on the pillow; hotel porters/bellhops $1–2 per bag; valet parking $2–5 when your car is returned; barber/hairdresser 15–20%; room service 15–20% if not already on the bill; food delivery 15–20% or $3–5 minimum. Not tipping or under-tipping is considered extremely rude and may result in being confronted. Calculate tips on the pre-tax subtotal. Many restaurants now add a gratuity automatically for groups of 6+.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

What is the currency of the United States?

The US Dollar (USD, symbol $). Banknotes: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100. All US bills are the same size and predominantly green — pay attention to the denomination, especially in dim lighting. The $1 bill is commonly used (unlike most countries where the smallest notes are higher). Coins: 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime — confusingly smaller than the nickel), 25¢ (quarter — the most useful coin for parking meters, laundry), 50¢ (half dollar — rare), $1 (rarely seen in circulation). Quarters are essential — keep a stash for parking meters, coin-operated laundry, and shopping carts.

How much should I budget per day in the US?

Budget travelers: $80–120/day (hostel or budget motel, fast food and supermarket meals, public transport). Mid-range: $150–300/day (mid-range hotel, restaurant meals, car rental, attractions). Upscale: $400–800+/day (boutique hotel, fine dining, guided tours, domestic flights). Costs vary enormously by city: New York and San Francisco are among the world's most expensive cities ($200+ for a basic hotel room), while smaller cities and rural areas are significantly cheaper. Key costs: coffee $3–6, fast food meal $8–12, restaurant dinner $20–50, beer $5–8, Uber ride $10–25, hotel in NYC $200–400, hotel in a smaller city $80–150; national-park entry is charged per vehicle, and the America the Beautiful annual pass covers every federal park — it typically pays for itself around the third park, so check current rates when planning a parks route. Tipping adds 18–20% to all restaurant bills.

Why is tipping mandatory in the US?

The US tipping system is fundamentally different from Europe or Asia. Federal law allows employers to pay tipped workers (waiters, bartenders) a base wage as low as $2.13/hour — the expectation is that tips bring their income to an acceptable level. This means your tip is not a bonus for good service but a core part of the worker's income. The system is widely debated within the US, but as a visitor, participating in it is non-negotiable. Standard is 18–20% at restaurants (calculated on the pre-tax subtotal). At bars, $1–2 per drink. For taxis and rideshare, 15–20%. Leaving no tip or a very small tip is interpreted as a deliberate insult to the server's work — not as a cultural difference.

Do I need cash in the US?

Less than in many countries, but more than zero. The US is heavily card-oriented — you can travel most of the country with cards alone. Cash is useful for: tips (always appreciated in cash even when paying by card), farmers' markets, food trucks, street vendors, parking meters (quarters specifically), tolls on some roads, small-town businesses, and the occasional cash-only establishment. $50–100 in mixed bills ($1, $5, $10, $20) covers most situations. For tipping at restaurants, many visitors find it easier to tip on the card (add the tip amount to the receipt before signing).

Should I exchange money before traveling to the US?

Having $50–100 in cash on arrival is convenient for taxis, tips and first meals, but you don't need large amounts of pre-exchanged cash. ATMs at US airports give good rates (though fees of $2–5 may apply). Your debit card at a bank ATM (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) typically gives near-interbank rates minus your bank's foreign transaction fee (1–3%). Avoid airport currency exchange counters — rates are poor. If your bank charges high international fees, set up a Wise or Revolut card before departure. Credit cards with no foreign transaction fee (common with travel-oriented cards) are ideal for purchases.

Is the US expensive?

It depends entirely on where you go. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC and Miami are among the world's most expensive cities. A basic hotel room in Manhattan starts at $200+, a restaurant dinner $30–60 per person. But the US outside these cities is remarkably affordable: hotels in smaller cities and rural areas run $60–100, a diner breakfast $8–12, gas is cheap by European standards ($3–4/gallon), and national parks are extraordinary value — the per-vehicle entry fee covers a full seven days, so check current rates and count it against everything a park delivers. The biggest cost traps: tipping (adds 18–20% to every restaurant bill), healthcare (always have travel insurance), car rentals in cities (parking can cost $30–60/day in NYC or SF), and sales tax (not included in displayed prices, adding 4–10%).

Entry rules, visa types and practical notes live on the United States overview.

This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.