{"id":23436,"date":"2018-05-01T14:27:21","date_gmt":"2018-05-01T04:57:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=23436"},"modified":"2022-11-07T13:31:11","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T03:01:11","slug":"travel-tips-usa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/travel-tips-usa\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Travelling in the USA"},"content":{"rendered":"

In part one of this series, I gave you all the details on what you need to know when planning and booking your trip to the USA, which you can check out here.<\/a><\/p>\n

In part two, I cover off some advice about transport, how tipping works, including who to tip and how much; what to expect with American food; and handy advice about WIFI, shopping, theme parks and much more.<\/p>\n

So, if you’re a tourist heading to the States, let’s get into it!<\/p>\n

Avoid peak travel times<\/h2>\n

It goes without saying really but try\u00a0and not travel during peak times because it will take way longer and be costlier, especially when venturing to the airport. Also, when you\u2019re booking your flights, ensure there is transport available at your arrival times.<\/p>\n

I once arrived at LaGuardia airport in NYC after midnight only to find public transport had stopped for the night and there were only a few taxis coming back and forth at that time. Luckily, I got one but we broke down on the ride there. That’s another story.<\/p>\n

\"Avoid<\/p>\n

If you have to travel in peak hour, ensure you leave extra time for your journey.<\/em><\/p>\n

Be aware that traffic is travelling in the opposite direction<\/h2>\n

Traffic is driven on the opposite side of the road to Australia (so the right). Get in the habit of looking both ways when crossing just in case you forget. This also helps when you get home because it can take a little while to adjust back, especially if you’ve travelled there for longer than 2 months. This goes for when walking past people too. You may find you will do a funky dance with people as they subconsciously expect you to go past them on their right rather than their left.<\/p>\n

City bus tours<\/h2>\n

Hop on\/ hop off buses are a great way to check out most US cities. You can buy tickets online ahead of time, onboard or at certain stops. It can sometimes be cheaper to buy at the stops as the guides can suggest which bus routes would be best for what you want to see. The buses give you an idea of the city super quick without your legs getting exhausted.<\/p>\n

Bring sunscreen, a hat<\/a> and plenty of water, especially in summer. You get an amazing view upstairs but be prepared for all types of weather up there, particularly when it\u2019s hot. Oh, and you may get the odd branch in your face, especially through Central Park.<\/p>\n

In the more touristy cities like LA and New York, there are buses that have both the recorded tour guide option, where you wear provided earphones (with multiple languages available) as you travel, as well as the option to have a live host that talks on a microphone as you go.<\/p>\n

I prefer the live hosts because they are much more jovial and give you hot pieces of information here and there. Plus, most of them like to add in the odd joke, which you won’t get as much with the recorded script. As you will stop on and off, you don\u2019t have to give a tip every time but if you think your host was entertaining, it\u2019s a great reward for them. A general guide is $2USD per person.<\/p>\n

\"Travelling<\/p>\n

A hop on \/ hop off bus tour in NYC is a great way to see the city without getting tired.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Driving in the USA with an Australian license<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re on a holiday visa in the USA, there are some states that will allow you to drive with your Australian license for a short period of time. But, I would recommend that if you want to be covered, especially when driving across the US, obtain an International Driver\u2019s Permit before you leave Australia.<\/p>\n

A tip for driving is that in most US cities, there aren\u2019t many roundabouts so there is the rule that you can turn right on a red light. For more information on foreigners driving in the US, check out this link here,<\/a> and to find out about road rules in each state, you can find them\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Uber<\/h2>\n

Uber Pool<\/a>\u00a0is big in the States and is more affordable than ordering a separate Uber for just yourself. And, if you are a solo traveller, you can meet other adventurers along your journey.\u00a0Keep in mind though it will often take longer to get to your destination as you will pick up\/ drop off other passengers along the way. Also, consider your luggage size and the possibility that it may not fit in the boot, especially if you get picked up last.<\/p>\n

When booking with Uber or Lyft, always select on the map where to get picked up from and think about the direction of the traffic. Consider where your pick up location is first before booking as some hotels will only have certain areas that they allow for you to be picked up from.<\/p>\n

Also, keep in mind that some airport locations don\u2019t use Uber because they want to stay loyal to the taxi and shuttle service. I always ask the customer service desk at the airport as they will let you know and give you the best advice about your travel options.<\/p>\n

\"Looking<\/p>\n

Looking down at all the Uber drivers from the John Hancock Center in Chicago.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Money & Tipping<\/span><\/h2>\n

How much should you tip?<\/h2>\n

In terms of tipping for service – 20% is polite, 15% is okay and 10% is rude. Nothing at all is a real slap in the face, even if you think the service was poor. You are not obliged to tip if you think the service was terrible but you may find walking out the door to be very awkward.<\/p>\n

Tips are a custom that are given to service-related workers, such as taxi drivers, waiters, tour guides, massage therapists and ski instructors. Workers in retail, such as clothing stores, do not need to be tipped. Here are some services that you may ask how to tip for…<\/p>\n

USA Tipping guide:<\/h2>\n

Bag Porter<\/strong> – $1-2 per bag.<\/p>\n

Bartenders \/Casino drink servers<\/strong> – $1-2 per drink.<\/p>\n

Gas Stations<\/strong> – No tipping required. You may tip the pump attendant if they fill your gas when there is also a self-serve option. Or, you may want to tip them $1-2 if they check your oil or help you with directions, or it’s boiling outside or freezing cold. More of a courtesy really.<\/p>\n

Hairdressers\/ Barbers<\/strong> – $5-$10 per head.<\/p>\n

Hotel housekeeping<\/strong> – $2-3 per night in medium to high-end hotels (per couple).<\/p>\n

Supermarkets<\/strong> – No tip required. $1-2 per bag if someone helps you to your car though.<\/p>\n

Uber<\/strong> – No tipping required. You can tip through the app if you want to though.<\/p>\n

Valet parking<\/strong> – $2-5 when picking up your\u00a0car.<\/p>\n

Australians are known for not tipping well in America, but you also don\u2019t want to tip more because they simply suggest you do. This is a common theme with tour guides. Stick with 15-20% as a rule of thumb, plus my suggested tips above, and you’ll be set for your stay.<\/p>\n

Hot tip! Make sure you get plenty of $1 notes when transferring your cash before you go. It’s always awkward giving the taxi driver a $10 ‘tip’ and asking for $8 worth of change.<\/p>\n

Food prices don\u2019t include tax<\/h2>\n

Food prices generally don’t include tax. Each state is different, so the amount will change depending on where you are.<\/p>\n

Be warned because at first, it may seem as though you\u2019re getting a great deal when looking over the menu, so to get a realistic idea of how much your meal will cost, add tax (could be over 9%) and how much you\u2019ll tip and that will answer the cost of your meal. This is particularly useful when going to fancier restaurants if you choose to.<\/p>\n

\"Thinking<\/p>\n

When it comes to tipping, 15-20% is what’s considered polite.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

ATM limits in the US<\/h2>\n

You can only withdraw up to $500USD at most American ATMs, but if you wish to withdraw more, you need to bring your passport to a bank for them to organise with your card. Be mindful of the fees you will likely incur when using your card before you go, so you don\u2019t get an unexpected transaction charge from your bank.<\/p>\n

Carrying cash<\/h2>\n

There are seven denominations of United States currency, which comes in $100 (also known as a \u2018Benjamin Franklin\u2019), $50, $20, $10, $5, $2 and $1 dollar banknotes. The coins available include $1, 50c (rare coin to see), 25c (quarter), 10c (dime), 5c (nickel) and 1c (penny). The banknotes are made of paper so try not to scrunch them up too much or keep them in your pockets… you may accidentally wash them.<\/p>\n

Always carry smaller bills with you when going to everyday places in the United States. I tried to buy an $8 meal from Starbucks once with a $100 bill and was turned down because it was too large. When getting your money exchanged, request smaller bills. Often, money exchange companies will give you larger bills because it is easier to count and exchange over to you.<\/p>\n

\"Carry<\/p>\n

Carry small change with you, especially for street vendors.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Deposits on hotel rooms<\/h2>\n

When checking into your hotel, you will likely have to put a deposit down. This can be fantastic if you want to use the credit to buy food, drinks or services in the hotel and just assign it to your room. Usually, the hotel is taking your money in case you don\u2019t pay for things or you trash your room.<\/p>\n

Beware of hotel deposits when travelling on a shoestring! They’ll getcha! I was checking into a hotel for 3 nights and they wanted to take out $600! And, this wasn\u2019t including the cost of my room. It was at the end of my trip, so I didn\u2019t have a lot of cash on me. I managed to negotiate down to a $300 deposit. Still a chunk considering that\u2019s US dollars!<\/p>\n

It took 10 business days to see the money back in my bank account after. It’s worth noting to keep a deposit stash of money aside if you\u2019ve only got a debit card, especially if you’re going to a bunch of hotels in a short period of time over there.<\/p>\n

\"Checking<\/p>\n

Put aside some money for a deposit when staying consecutively in hotels.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The best time to exchange your cash<\/h2>\n

Compare rates between money exchange companies to give you the best deal. This is particularly useful if they are in close proximity to each other. Another good option is to order your US money ahead of time, before your trip. You can do this over the phone and request exactly what you need (20 x $10 banknotes, etc.).<\/p>\n

If they don\u2019t have the notes at the location, then at least they can order it in and save you a trip down there. Often there is one person working at these booths so expect to wait when rocking up to collect.<\/p>\n

Food & Drink<\/span><\/h2>\n

Beware of food serving sizes<\/h2>\n

Food servings are usually ginormous, so keep in mind that most restaurants can offer you a doggy bag if you don\u2019t finish your meal. Great to pop in your hotel or communal hostel fridge for a snack later on, or a meal for the next day.<\/p>\n

A small meal at McDonald’s is like a large-sized one here. Be warned because you will be regretting it when you have a food coma shortly after.<\/p>\n

The fast-food menus are different<\/h2>\n

If you love KFC in Australia, it is completely different over in the states. I don\u2019t mean it\u2019s bad, I just mean if you\u2019re hanging out for a Zinger burger you won\u2019t likely find one there. The same goes for Wendy’s.<\/p>\n

So, even if food chains have the same name as in Australia, they likely have a completely different menu. This can sometimes be the case even for places like McDonald’s and Burger King (aka Hungry Jacks).<\/p>\n

What to expect with differences in food<\/h2>\n

Terms like biscuits are not cookies over there, they\u2019re more like a scone over here. Capsicum is a non-existent term, they are referred to as bell peppers, which is good to know when ordering at a Subway restaurant. Lemonade is not like Australian lemonade. It\u2019s a non-bubbly sugary lemon drink, so if you\u2019re after an Australian lemonade, ask for a Sprite or 7UP instead.<\/p>\n

Tomato sauce is referred to as Ketchup. If you\u2019re in Chicago, whatever you do, don\u2019t ask for tomato sauce on your Chicago hot dog! They will laugh at you! You may hear about the term, s\u2019mores, which are referred to as \u2018some mores\u2019. They’re a great treat for around the campsite.<\/p>\n

Cheese can look kind of orange in the States. This is common but can be weird to notice at first considering most cheeses in Australia are yellowish or white. If you see orange cheese, it usually means it’s been dyed. Traditionally, orange cheese was considered to be more authentic cheese to the consumer. Long story short – not to worry, it\u2019s still cheese and tastes amazing as per other cheeses at home.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Expect huge meals, and free soft drink refills in the States!<\/em><\/p>\n

Nutritional info on meals in restaurants<\/h2>\n

In the USA, most restaurants, particularly chains, will have nutritional information on the menu. This is superb if you\u2019re looking for something that is lower calorie\/kilojoule, especially if you\u2019ve been gorging yourself.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a hot tip, most Cheesecake Factory restaurants (they don\u2019t just have cake) have a SkinnyLicious\u00ae<\/a> menu. These meals are calorie conscious and I believe are just as tasty. Plus, you will likely feel more energised after eating rather than feel like you want to head back to your accommodation and nap.<\/p>\n

Beverages<\/h2>\n

Most places where you can get a drink, like a bar or a club, don\u2019t monitor their alcohol pouring. You\u2019ll find the drinks to be a lot stronger. So, bear this in mind particularly when you\u2019re driving or if you wonder why your head hurts so much the next day.<\/p>\n

Coke Zero is quite big in Australia, so I found it unusual that they don\u2019t usually have it in American restaurants when I was there. Diet Coke is your next best option.<\/p>\n

You will be surprised at how many extra soft drinks they have over in the States, like Pepsi with cherry\u00a0flavour. The names are slightly different, so if you\u2019re after a Pepsi Max, it is often called Pepsi Light or Diet Pepsi.<\/p>\n

Hot tea is not a common drink in the US but iced tea is. And, it isn\u2019t a cold version of a savoury hot tea but a sugary drink that can be quite refreshing. Keep a lookout for them at most restaurants and 7-Elevens.<\/p>\n

Top places I would go to for food in the States are:<\/h2>\n