Best General Tips for Traveling in the USA?

[trip]

Hello everyone, i am travelling in December to the USA for my honeymoon. Basically after 3-4 months research, i believe i have done my research on the places i will visit etc, and created my mini guides!

What i feel i might have left out, is important things i should know in general? Anyone care to share a few, or point me to a web site?

e.g tipping, whats appropriate or not, smoking, cabs, subways, etc.?

Thanks a lot in advance.

(I will be visiting Miami - Bahamas - Los Angeles - Las Vegas - New York)

[jasmine]

Thank you for the information...

[Joro97]

I have found the biggest thing that my friends from Europe have a problem with is realizing just how large the US is. They are used to everything in their country being fairly close together, so they tend to think because the US is only one country it's all close too. Not true. You have to think of it more like each state is equivalent to one country in Europe. For instance, It can take hours traveling 70mph by car just to get to another city in the same state. Just something to keep in mind if you suddenly get the desire to take an impromptu visit somewhere not originally planned, it may take you awhile to reach your destination.

New York and Los Angeles are both going to be more expensive than say Miami, probably as much as twice as expensive. Everywhere you are visiting, though, are tourist areas so in general they cost more than average anyway.

Your not going to really find public transportation in Miami, definitely no subways.

As long are you are staying in the city, not a suburb, you should be fine everywhere else you are going without a car. You might need one in Los Angeles and Las Vegas depending on where you are planning to visit. In 90% of the US public transportation doesn't really exist, and because of all the interstates and the general size of everything, walking is not really an option in most places.

You can get cabs anywhere, but unless you are in a downtown area you are not going to see one on the road. You will have to look up the number and call one. They are also very expensive, not like overseas. For instance, a 10 minute ride once cost me $20. If you are going to be traveling by car a lot, you would probably be better off just renting a car for the day. Cars can be rented starting at about $35 a day. In most places in the US that would be the cheaper option. However, you're going to large tourist cities so that could change the prices. I would compare prices ahead of time and find out. Prices vary greatly by city.

Most states have adopted no smoking bans on all public venues. Basically subways, restaurants, museums, etc. You can still smoke outside and at most bars. In restaurants, if they still allow smoking they will ask everyone who enters if they prefer smoking or non. If they don't ask you this when you enter, then the restaurant doesn't allow smoking. It's that simple.

Expect to pay about $15 per person excluding tax, tip, and drinks at a sit down restaurant. At a fancy restaurant you could pay as much as $60 or more per person. Fast food will run about $7 - $10 for value meals. The general rule is that if you order your food from the table and have an actual waiter you tip 15-20% depending on how good the service is. There is no tipping at fast food places or cafeterias that have counter service. This also includes restaurants where you place your order and receive a number. It doesn't count if the person shows up only once to bring your food to you. Also, remember that at most places in the US free-refills are a given. Save money by ordering a small or regular instead of a large and then refill it. You can also ask for a refill to go at most restaurants for free. Water is also free at sit-down restaurants.

If the hotel you are staying at is offering a free continental breakfast, don't expect it to be very much. Most continental breakfasts are a joke, but every once in a while hotels have really nice ones. The point, if you are a big breakfast person you will probably want to plan on going out to eat, if not free coffee and muffins will be waiting for you.

I noticed you are visiting in October. It will still be hot in Florida and the Bahamas, but it will be cold in Las Vegas and New York. California could go either way depending on what the weather happens to be doing this year.

Miami and the Bahamas will be layed back, relaxed, flip-flops and shorts kind of places. Random people may talk to you, ask you questions. People are very relaxed and overly friendly in the south. They will start a conversation with a complete stranger. It is perfectly normal there. In the north, however, people keep to themselves more, mind their own business. It's not very likely that a random person will strike up a conversation with you on say the subway unless they are a tourist also.

Tell everyone it's your honeymoon. Hotels,restaurants, etc. will go out of their way to make you time special with discounts, free desserts, that kind of thing.

Budget Hotels

[jasmine]

Thank you for the information...

[robinjackson]

The United States of America is the most preferred choice of destination for many individuals and families around the globe. Individuals/Families travel to the U.S. for various purposes ranging from education, employment, personal, medical treatment, business, and tourism. Possession of a valid visa and passport of your home country allows you to travel to a port of entry in the United States.


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