Travel tips for America

Teak

Anyone got any general travel tips for America? Someone in their early 20s is going to San Francisco in September with a few friends from work. Will be their first time in the US, so any tips about travel money, using credit cards, mobile phones, customs, places to visit, shopping, bars/clubs, public transport, things to watch out for, etc would be most helpful.

student100

There's been hundreds of threads in the past on this forum related to this subject.

But briefly:

- Travel money - take Nationwide Credit Card plus Debit Card if you want to get cash out. Visa (& MasterCard) is accepted virtually everywhere in the US (save some taxis, small food vendors etc) and in some cases it's the only way of paying. Many US ATMs charge a fee regardless of who you bank with.

- Mobile phones - using UK phones is VERY expensive, avoid. To call home or within the US use a prepaid calling card (e.g. I have used and can recommend http://www.click4prepaid.com/). Payphones are everywhere.

- Customs (I don't know if you mean the "& Excise" sense or the "customary behaviour" sense?) For the latter, learn about tipping. Employees in service sector (esp. waitstaff) are often paid less than minimum wage (it's legal...:rolleyes:) i.e. about $2 an hour or something ridiculous. This is because they are expected to make up their wage in tips. So make sure you tip. For a restaurant, 15% is about minimum, 20% probably best unless the service was lousy. (Many comments on tipping from a waiter's point of view in the archives at https://www.waiterrant.net).

jenniferpa

Some random jottings:
BART - Bay Area Rapid transit - once of the best public transport systems in the country (although that's not saying much, I'm afraid).

SF, although in CA, has weather similar to the U.K. - rain and fog are not uncommon.

It is expected that you will tip bar staff (although not necessarily 15%), even if you're just drinking at the bar.

If you're in your early 20's, make sure you carry ID if you intend to drink alcohol.

Earthquakes happen! If you have no other options, braced in a doorway is the safest place.

fox2319

More random jottings. I've been over about a dozen times but never to SF (one day...)

Immigration will take a very long time to get through and the staff have a notorious absence of humour. Don't even think about joking with them, just be polite and it will all pass without hassle (I'd recommend a book)

Always carry a photo ID such as a passport or phot licence. Interestingly, I've seen people (with grey hair) get refused entry to places because they didn't have a photo licence. In some places (not sure about SF), it's a legal requirement to have a photo ID if you get pulled over etc by the police.

If you're in a bar, start a tab rather than pay for each drink individually. That way the expected tip will be a bit more predictable.

Sales tax is usually not included in the price of an item and is probably around 7.5%. So a $10 t-shirt will probably be closer to $11 after tax.

Duty free coming back this way is usually pretty slim pickings but there'll probably be a decent bar in the airport

Might be worth them reading some Bill Bryson "Made in America" before they go. It's written by an american who has been somewhat anglified and describes his experiences during a road-trip. Dunno if he's done a SF based one...

Probably loads of other stuff to remember but mainly, have fun, go with the flow and learn a little from the experience. Enjoy.

misskool

Going in SF is good, people are friendly (as all Americans somehow are when they hear an English accent).

As you are in California, there is no smoking anywhere that is indoors.