The United States is currently the most developed country in the world with a vast territory. The United States is rich in natural resources, and various special geographical features have formed unique scenic spots. This is a travel guide to the United States.
1) Valid Travel Document Passport:
You must have a valid EVUS registration to travel to the United States. Now, as of November 29, 2016, all individuals holding a People's Republic of China passport and a B1/B2, B1 and B2 visa with a maximum validity period of ten years must hold a valid EVUS registration. to travel to the United States. Passengers required to register with EVUS will not be able to obtain a boarding pass or enter through a land port of entry without valid registration.
2) Daily necessities:
According to the city you plan to travel to, check the local temperature and bring corresponding clothes. The hotel does not provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, slippers, etc. Please bring your own. The sun in the United States is very strong, so you can prepare a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotion.
3) Language:
Be sure to understand English when going on a road trip. Today, smartphone app stores offer translation software that can be downloaded in advance. English is too big for people. Do you want to avoid the trouble of English? Let's ask for help. All major tourist cities are equipped with Chinese-speaking driver guides. Locals will take you on a tour. What are you afraid of?
4) Communication:
Please activate international roaming service in advance, provided that your mobile phone meets mobile phone standards. The mobile phones available in the United States are tri-band mobile phones (GSM with 900M, 1800M, and 1900M frequencies). If you choose to charter a car now, you can get a US T-Mobile phone card for free.
5) Never bring anything you cannot bring:
There are customs regulations. The amount of currency and items you carry with you must comply with customs regulations. Details can be found on many websites (if you need a website, please message me privately). Don't take any chances. Do not bring meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits and other fresh or pickled animal and plant products into the country. If you want to bring it, please be prepared to declare it at customs.
6) Cash or Credit Card:
Credit card, MasterCard or Visa are accepted anywhere in the United States. As long as you have a card, you will be fine, but you need to bring a small amount of appropriate US dollar cash, such as service tips, etc. But still can't swipe the card.
7) Power plug:
Check in advance whether the voltage range of computer, mobile phone, and camera chargers can be used at 110V, because the voltage in the United States is 110v, 60HzAC. If 110v is not supported, please purchase an adapter plug.
8) Medicines for treating headaches and colds:
As you can imagine, in developed countries in Europe and the United States, medical expenses are very expensive, and buying medicines in pharmacies requires a doctor's prescription. It is necessary to take some common medicines. Please try to bring along medicine bottles with English labels.
9) Passport validity:
Before traveling to the United States, please check the validity of your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months longer than your intended stay in the United States.
1. Preparation before departure
1) No matter entering or exiting the United States, you can only carry liquids, gels and aerosols in containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml. And place it in a 1 liter bag with the lid open. Please put oversized containers in your checked luggage.
2) It is prohibited to bring knives, animals, plants, seeds, food (meat), and fruits into the country.
3) If you bring more than 10,000 US dollars in cash into the United States, you must declare it. The amount is the total amount of money brought by your companions, otherwise it will be confiscated by customs.
4) Please note when checking in luggage: documents, air tickets, cash and valuables of any kind, and films must not be checked in.
5) When entering and leaving the country, pay attention to your words and deeds, and do not make random remarks about terrorism.
6) If you fly to the United States, the flight attendant will issue you an I-94 form, which is the arrival/departure record, which records the immigrants' personal information and their address in the United States. To recap: Having a valid U.S. visa does not guarantee you entry into the country. Immigration officers at U.S. ports make the final decision on whether you can enter the country.
2. Entry and Exit
If you choose the Chinese driving guide, you can pass this item, please ask us for help!
1) Does the list of U.S. states allow B1/B2 visa holders to use domestic driver’s licenses:
Because each state in the U.S. has its own regulations, and they are all different or even different. Car rental companies will also be different and subject to change. In order not to break the law, be sure to double check locally. It is said that the penalty for driving without a license in many states is at least a substantial fine and even imprisonment if appropriate.
States where domestic driver's licenses are available:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana , Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma , Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, Washington, D.C.
States where domestic driver's licenses cannot be used:< /p>
Arkansas, Hawaii, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont, Wisconsin
2) Buy insurance when renting a car.
Be sure to rent a car from a regular company with a national chain. You must buy insurance. Pay attention to the insurance terms. It is recommended to use a national chain car rental agency for more security. Another advantage is that you can return the car in another location.
3) When renting a car, you must have GPS navigation
Use the app that comes with your phone or rent the GPS directly from the car rental company.
4) Bridge tolls
There are not many highway bridges in the United States, but some highways have full-service parking and rest areas, depending on the sign at the highway exit.
5) How to deal with the police?
If you hear the words "Don't move" or "Stop", you will be asked to stop immediately. Please do it.
If you need to communicate with the police, please try to remain still and ask verbally. Don't make sudden movements, especially don't suddenly reach into the inside pocket of your coat to grab something, lest they misunderstand you are drawing a gun. Then they'll start shooting.
If you have difficulty communicating, you can tell the police "I don't speak English" and they will try to find an interpreter immediately.
6) Do you want to avoid the hassle of driving in the United States and enjoy the scenery?
Kuaibang can help you:
Our business includes North American airport shuttles, one-day charters, one-way charters, private customization, special theme travel planning and other Chinese charter services.
Headquartered in Seattle, USA, it has established branches and professional teams in China, covering North America.
3. Driving in the United States
Hotels
When choosing, pay attention to the area where the hotel is located, and do not stay in areas with poor security for the sake of cheap. Most hotels have washing machines and dryers, and the front desk even provides laundry detergent, which you need to purchase and costs 25 cents.
2) Youth hostel
Suitable for backpackers, it is a good choice for young people.
3) Family hotels
If you want to experience the folk customs of local residential areas, please check the website and make a reservation in advance, and pay more attention to past guest reviews to make your choice. Please travel early.
4) Camping
There are camping places around tourist attractions in the United States, many of which are free. There may be a charge for bathing facilities, and there are many insects and wild animals. If you choose a camping spot, do your homework before hitting the road.
4. Accommodation
1) Drinking water
Cold water from faucets in the United States is generally drinkable directly, and public service facilities generally do not have hot water.
2) Restaurants
In the United States, there are not only specialty gourmet restaurants from all over the world, but also uncontaminated seafood and steaks from local countries. I recommend a very easy-to-use Chinese app, a must-have for travel. You can refer to many restaurants with delicious food, as well as the North American Mini Program. Click on the address to navigate directly.
Tourist Information Center
In general attractions, you will notice that there is a tourist information center, where there will be detailed brochures of attractions, as well as discounts in shops, restaurants, tickets, etc. Vouchers. Visitors can use it free of charge.
2) Tickets for attractions
State-owned museums, state parks, beaches, etc. They are all free, but some private scenic spots charge different prices for tickets. National park entrance fees are only a few dollars, and annual passes to U.S. national parks are as little as $100.
5. Food
Shopping mall
It is called shoppingmall in English, and there are various specialty shops in it.
2) Outlets
British outlets, where famous brand outlets are concentrated, can buy the same products at much cheaper prices than specialty stores, but the styles are not necessarily the same. is new. (Follow me to check the inventory of outlets in various states in the United States)
3) Sales tax
Except for Oregon and other individual states, shopping in other states in the United States has different shopping tax rates. For example, Washington state generally accounts for 10.1% of the total. (Follow me to view the inventory of tax rates in various states in the United States.)
In fact, airport duty-free shops are also brand-operated and a good choice to save money.
4) Returns
Returns in the United States do not require a reason. If you ask, tell the truth. You need to make sure that unused items with invoices and price tags are still available. Generally, the product can be returned to the original store or its chain stores elsewhere at full price within 30 days after sale. Please check the shopping receipt or consult the store for specific instructions.
6. Travel
1) Restaurant
When dining in an American restaurant, you usually need to tip the waiter, the amount is 15%-20% of the total meal price . Tipping is not required in fast food restaurants. Buffets usually pay $1-2 per person.
Generally speaking, if there are more than 6 people dining, the restaurant's bill may be automatically increased by 15%-20%. Please note that there is no additional charge.
2) Hotel
The tip for hotel room cleaners is US$2 per bed per day.
The bellman will tip you US$1 per bag.
When you win money at a casino, you usually give the banker 10% of the profit.
Tour drivers and guides usually pay US$5 to US$10 per passenger per day.
7. Shopping
The United States is divided into six time zones, and each adjacent time zone differs by one hour. Among them, there are four in the United States, from east to west:
1) Major cities in the Eastern Time Zone (EST): New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Miami.
2) Major cities in the Central Time Zone (CST): Chicago, Detroit, Houston, and Dallas.
3) Major cities in Mountain Time (MST): Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix.
4) Major cities in the Pacific Time Zone (PST): Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, and San Diego.
Besides, the two states outside the United States have their own time.
Eastern Time is 13 hours behind Beijing time and 12 hours behind daylight saving time. Pacific time is 16 hours behind Beijing time and 15 hours behind daylight saving time. Hawaii is 18 hours behind Beijing time.
8. Tip
911, emergency calls for life-saving, fire, police, and hospitals are all 911.