Entry requirements

Passport and visa requirements

Health precautions

No specific vaccinations are needed in the USA.

Once in the country

Time and time difference

It is 01:27 AM in New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia (GMT-5 in winter, GMT-4 in summer)

Summer time period

From April to October.

Map of the time zone

Type of climate

Average Temperatures in Chicago: from -7°C in January to 20°C in June, in San Francisco from 12°C in January to 18°C in June and in New York from 0°C in January to 22°C in June.

Average annual temperatures and rainfall

Getting around

By road

If you drive in the USA, remember that each of the 50 states has its own set of traffic laws and regulations. Fortunately, most of the laws are the same.

The gasoline price in the USA is cheaper than in Europe for example. However, you still have to remember that the unit measure is the gallon (3.785 liters) and the price changes from one state to another.

By rail

The railway network is in good condition. However, passenger trains are slower and less travelled than in Europe. The inter-city transit network is more concentrated, busier and cheaper.

By air

The domestic network is considerable. We would like to draw your attention on the fact that safety rules are very strict in the United States. When you check in your luggage, it is important that you answer all questions both precisely and honestly.

Find an itinerary

Eating

Culinary specialties

Appetizers: Crab Cakes ; Rockefeller Oysters; Crab Soup.
Main Courses: Chili con carne, Burgers, Chicken Gumbo, Shrimp Gumbo, Jambalaya, Country Ham.
Cocktails: Egg Nog, Southern Mint Julep.
Bakeries: Corn bread; Peanut brittle.
Desserts: President's cake; The King cake from New Orleans.

Dietary taboos

None

Paying

Domestic currency

It may be useful to arrive in the country with some dollars in your pocket. You may also change foreign currency into dollars at a bureau de change, use traveler’s checks or withdraw dollars directly from ATMs.

To obtain domestic currency

To find out the locations of ATMs in United States, click on the link to your credit card: Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Speaking

Official language

English

Other languages spoken

Spanish, in particular in Arizona, Texas, California and New Mexico. Other languages, such as Amerindian languages (Navajo, Hopi, etc.) and also Chinese, Japanese, Italian, German, Polish, Greek, etc. depending of the community of immigrants.

Business language

English.

Getting some knowledge

English as a Second Language (ESL) program proposed by Universities or private schools. Foreigners can take English classes at different levels and improve their writing and speaking skills in English.

Free translation tools

Cambridge Dictionaries - Online Dictionary
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Visiting

Highlights

• Fort Sumter: Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston harbor, South Carolina
• Liberty Bell: in Philadelphia, is an American bell asociated with the American Revolutionary War.
• Independence Hall is a US national landmark located in Philadelphia. It is a red brick building, built between 1732 and 1753, and designed in the Georgian style.
• Washington Monument is a large, tall white-colored obelisk in Washington DC.
• Pearl Harbor is a harbor and deep naval base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
• Statue of Liberty in New York city.
• Ellis Island in New Yok was at one time the main entry facility for immigrants entering the United States.

Tourism organizations