United States of America - Info & Facts

Suggested Length of Stay

USA can be experienced on a short major destinations highlights holiday of 12 days to a grander 40 days adventure.

Modes of transport

Road
Similar to Australia, the US is a big country. A journey from Sydney to Perth by road adds up to nearly 4000 kilometres, and likewise, a trip from Los Angeles to New York will take you on a journey of almost 4500 kilometres. As you would if you were planning a week-long road trip across the outback, it is a good idea to allow a lot of time and plenty of rest stops if you are travelling interstate.

Public transport

Bus
Traveling by bus is another popular and affordable way to get around. Buses generally offer free Wi-Fi access, comfortable seating, onboard restrooms and reclining seats with headrests for trips between major and smaller cities. The bus companies connect major cities with smaller towns and virtually run around the clock, allowing you to enjoy the daytime views or relax during a nighttime trip. You can bring your own food and beverage onboard. You can usually save money by purchasing your tickets in advance.

Rail
Amtrak is the primary train service in the USA, offering service to 46 states and Washington, D.C., with 500 destinations along its 34,000-plus-kilometer route system. Most trains offer wide seats with ample legroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, restrooms, food and the ability to get up and stretch your legs.

Flying
USA has an extensive domestic network and is well worth flying if you have a shorter itinerary.

Health Precautions

Health risks in America are like those in Australia. Medical costs in the US are extremely high. You may need to pay up-front. Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance.

Food and Drink

Like Australia, America has a wealth of varieties of choices when it comes to food.

Money

You’ll find that most Americans rely on their credit or debit cards to make purchases as much as cash. There are times when you’ll need to pay cash — if you’re buying a drink at a small bar or a hotdog from a food truck. However, you’ll see that most merchants in American cities are set up to handle cards.

Time Zone

The contiguous US has four standard time zones. In addition, Alaska, Hawaii, and 5 US dependencies all have their own time zones. As neither Hawaii nor the 5 dependencies use Daylight Saving Time (DST), there are only 6 corresponding DST time zones.

Visas

If you’re visiting the US for less than 90 days, you may be eligible to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and then enter under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts in the USA

Australia has High Commission or General Consulates in a number of cities throughout America.

American Embassy contacts in Australia

The USA has Consulates in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and the Embassy in Canberra.

Electricity

For America, there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. American operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.

Getting there (stopovers)

Qantas and Various US-based airlines fly between Australian east coast cities and US Cities.

Tipping

While there is no hard and fast rule about how much you should tip, and there are definitely regional variations on what is considered the norm, the unwritten rule is that you should tip 15-20% of the total bill. In some states, 20% is the norm; in others, you will only pay 20% if the service is exceptional. Nobody will get offended if you leave 15% on the table as you leave, but I try and go for the 20% mark every time if the service is good.