Social Conventions Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. The wide variety of national origins and the USA's relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities. Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A relaxed and informal atmosphere is usually the norm. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background. Gifts are appreciated if
one is invited to a private home. As a rule, dress is casual. High-end restaurants, hotels and clubs may require more formal attire. Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the US; it is essential to ask permission before lighting up. Smoking is not allowed on city transport and restricted or forbidden in public buildings in most states. There will be a posted notice where no smoking is requested. An increasing number of states (including California and New York) have banned smoking altogether in bars, restaurants and many public places.
International Travel:
Getting There by Air The principal US airlines operating international services are: American Airlines (AA) (website: www.aa.com), Continental Airlines (website: www.continental.com), Delta Air (website: www.delta.com), Northwest Airlines (website: www.nwa.com) and United Airlines (website: www.ual.com).
Departure Tax None.
Main Airports The busiest airports in the USA include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) (website: www.atlanta-airport.com), Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) (website: www.ohare.com), Los Angeles International (LAX) (website: www.lawa.org/lax), Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) (website: www.dfwairport.com) and Denver International (website: www.flydenver.com). For further details, consult the individual state sections.
Numerous cruise lines sail from ports worldwide to both the east and west coasts.
Getting There by Rail The US and Mexican rail networks connect at Yuma (Arizona), El Paso (Texas) and Del Rio (Texas), with limited scheduled passenger services. There are several connections with the Canadian network, including New York-Montréal, Chicago-Toronto and Seattle-Vancouver services. For further information, contact Amtrak (tel: (212) 582 6875 or 1 800 872 7245 in the USA and Canada only; website: www.amtrak.com).
Getting There by Road There are many crossing points from Canada to the USA. The major road routes are: New York to Montréal/ Ottawa, Detroit to Toronto/Hamilton, Minneapolis to Winnipeg and Seattle to Vancouver/Edmonton/Calgary. There are road links to Mexican destinations from El Paso (Texas), San Diego (California), Tucson (Arizona) and San Antonio (Texas). Bus:Greyhound offers services to many destinations in Canada and some destinations in Mexico (tel: 1 800 231 2222 in the USA amd Canada only; website: www.greyhound.com).
Overview The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 2kg of smoking tobacco or proportionate amounts of each. • 1l of alcoholic beverage if 21 or over. • Gifts or articles up to a value of US$400.
(a) Items should not be gift-wrapped, and should be available for customs inspection. (b) For information about the importation of pets, refer to the brochure Pets,Wildlife - US Customs, available at US Embassies and Consulates. (c) Further information on US customs regulations is available online (website: www.customs.ustreas.gov).
Note: Gold coins, medals and bullion, formerly prohibited, may be brought into the USA, except from embargoed countries (see below).
Prohibited Imports The following are either banned or may only be imported under license: (a) Narcotics and dangerous drugs, unless for medical purposes (doctor’s certificate required). (b) Absinthe, biological materials, some seeds, fruits and plants (including endangered species of plants and vegetables and their products). (c) Firearms and ammunition (with some exceptions - consult the Customs website). (d) Hazardous articles (fireworks, toxic materials), including matches and match books (unless packed tightly in a closed container). (e) Meat and poultry products - fresh, dried or canned. (f) Any fish (unless certified as disease free) or their eggs, unless canned, pickled or smoked. (g) Dairy products and eggs. (h) Cuban cigars, brought from any country. (i) Wildlife and endangered species, including crustaceans, molluscs, eggs, game and hunting trophies and crafted articles of any part thereof. (j) Dog and cat fur. (k) Some art and artifacts. (l) Imports from Iran and leather souvenirs from Haiti (eg drums). (m) Some automobiles. (n) More than one article (limited to once every 30 days) displaying a counterfeit or confusingly similar logo to trademarked and copyrighted articles. (o) Merchandise from embargoed countries: Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, and Sudan; information materials (pamphlets, books, tapes, films and recordings) are permitted. Items of archaeological, historical religious or scientific importance that are illegally removed from specific locations in Iraq.
Internal Travel:
Getting Around By Air The USA can be crossed within five hours from east to west and within two hours from north to south. Strong competition between airlines has resulted in a wide variance in airfares. Categories of fares include first-class, economy, excursion and discount. Night flights are generally cheaper. Note: Baggage allowance is often determined by number and size in addition to weight.
Air Passes Visit USA (VUSA) Airpass: offered by the principal US airlines (often in conjunction with British Airways). The pass provides money-saving schemes for overseas visitors including discounts on internal flights and can be purchased in advance. (Delta offers a similar program branded as Delta Pass.) These passes are offered as a minimum of three and a maximum of 10 coupons, entitling the passenger to that number of flights within the USA at a discounted fare; price is based on the number of flight segments. Restrictions usually apply.
Getting Around by Water There are extensive water communications along the coastline and along the grand rivers and lakes. The Ohio River carries more water traffic than any other inland waterway in the world. Tour ships and passenger and freight lines crisscross all the Great Lakes from ports in Duluth, Sault Sainte Marie, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Rochester, Cleveland and Toronto.
Getting Around by Rail Nearly all the long-distance trains are operated by Amtrak, which serves more than 500 communities in 45 states over a 35,000km (22,000 mile) route system. Rail is not considered the best way to travel within the USA, as trains can be slow, infrequent and expensive.
The Acela Express high-speed rail service can travel up to 240kph (150mph), reducing the standard three-hour trip between Washington, DC and New York by 30 minutes and the New York to Boston journey from four hours and 30 minutes to three hours.
Other routes from Washington, DC run south to Miami and New Orleans, and from Boston, New York or Washington, DC to Chicago. From Chicago, daily services radiate to Seattle, Portland, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans and San Antonio (via Fort Worth). Connections also exist between Los Angeles and San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Francisco and Bakersfield, San Francisco and Seattle (via Portland), San Antonio and Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Atlanta, and Kansas City and St Louis, amongst others. A coast-to-coast train service is provided between Jacksonville and Los Angeles via Tucson, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans.
A variety of state and municipal bodies operate short-distance and commuter rail lines around various urban centers, many connected to stops on the Amtrak lines. Amtrak also operates a Thruway bus service, which connects to some cities and towns not on the Amtrak grid. A number of independent companies offer short routes, often in scenic locations, onboard vintage trains. These routes are often a good idea for travelers wishing to reach wilderness locations that are off the beaten track.
For full details on schedules and prices, contact Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245 in the USA and Canada only; website: www.amtrak.com). International bookings for Amtrak are handled by International Rail (tel: 0870 084 1410; website: www.internationalrail.com).
Rail Passes USA Rail Pass: specifically designed for international travelers from outside the USA or Canada. Offers 15 or 30 days of unlimited travel either on a national or regional basis.
North America Rail Pass: offers travel on the whole Amtrak network in the USA and Canada (excluding Auto Train, Acela Express and Thruway Motorcoach connections and trains operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada) for 30 consecutive travel days. Peak periods are from May to September and December to January. Children under two years of age travel free. Discounts for seniors, students and children aged up to 15.
Passes can be purchased prior to travel to the USA or at Amtrak stations, upon presentation of a valid passport issued outside Canada or the USA. Passports and passes must be presented for the issuance of rail tickets.
Getting Around by Road Traffic drives on the right. Driving is a marvelous way to see the USA but distances can be huge (eg 4,716km (2,930 miles) between San Francisco and New York City).
Coach:Greyhound (tel: (214) 849 8100 or 1 800 231 2222 in the USA and Canada only; website: www.greyhound.com) is the main national coach carrier and covers the whole of the USA. Some Greyhound services are available to Canada and Mexico. There are express bus services between major cities. Air conditioning, toilets and reclining seats are available on all buses.
Greyhound offers a range of Discovery Pass discount programs, which can be purchased by US, Canadian and overseas travelers. Discounted fares are also available for children aged two to 12 years, passengers over 62 years old and students.
For further details, contact Greyhound on one of their Discovery Pass numbers (tel: 1 888 454 7277, if purchased in the USA, or 1 888 661 8747, if purchased in Canada, or (402) 330 8552 or 8584, if purchased overseas).
Car hire: Major international companies have offices at all gateway airports and in most cities. There are discounts available for foreign visitors. A drop-off charge will most likely be added if the car is deposited in a different city from the one in which it was hired. Minimum age for hirers is 25, but some companies allow younger drivers for an additional fee. Those looking to hire a car in the USA can save money through fly-drive deals and by advance booking.
Auto Driveaway (tel: (312) 341 1900; website: www.autodriveaway.com) provides a service enabling the traveller to drive cars to and from a given point, only paying the price of petrol. A deposit is often required and time and mileage limits are set for delivery, which leaves very little time for sightseeing. The hire of self-drive campers or motorhomes, which are called ‘recreational vehicles’ or RVs in the USA, is easy. For more information contact The Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (tel: (480) 464 7300; website: www.cruiseamerica.com).
Regulations: The speed limit is usually 105-112kph (65-70mph) on interstate highways (motorways), but varies from state to state. Speed limits are clearly indicated and strictly enforced, with heavy fines imposed. Note that it is illegal to pass a school bus that has stopped to unload its passengers (using indicators and warning lights) and all vehicles must stop until the bus has moved back into the traffic stream. It is illegal for drivers not to have their licenses immediately to hand. If stopped, do not attempt to pay a driving fine on the spot (unless it is demanded), as it may be interpreted as an attempt to bribe. There are extremely tough laws against drinking and driving throughout the USA. Seatbelts must legally be worn in most states. Emergency breakdown service: AAA (American Automobile Association) (tel: 1 800 222 4357 in the USA and Canada only; website: www.aaa.com).
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A full national driving license is accepted for up to one year. All travelers intending to hire or drive cars or motorhomes in the USA are strongly advised to ensure that the insurance policy covers their total requirements, covering all drivers and passengers against injury or accidental death. A yellow ‘non-resident, interstate liability insurance card’, which acts as evidence of financial responsibility, is available through motor insurance agents. Additional Collision Damage Waiver covering the car itself is also strongly recommended; in some states this extra insurance is included in hire rates by law.
Getting Around Towns and Cities There are numerous underground train systems in operation in major cities including New York (subway), Washington, DC (metro), Boston (‘T’), Chicago (train) and San Francisco (BART - Bay Area Rapid Transit); others are being planned or built. There are also several tramway and trolleybus systems, including the much-loved antique trams found in San Francisco, although in many cities a car will be needed to get around.
