(Last updated: 10 Jun 2011)

Visas

Obtaining the correct visa prior to visiting the USA is important. The US Consulates in Australia can provide the information you need. Their website provides a comprehensive description of the various visa options. Additional information on visas and immigration matters is available on the official US Government site. If the Consulate assistance does not meet your requirements consider contacting a US immigration attorney. Austrade can provide the names of attorneys as required.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) advisory statement

As of 12 January 2009, the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is now required by the US Department of Homeland Security for citizens of Visa Waiver Programs (including Australia) before entering the USA. Further information is available.

US visa category created exclusively for Australians

The E-3 is available and will greatly assist companies seeking to take advantage of opportunities available under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement. Further information is available.

Climate

For weather details in the USA, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Atlanta

Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Direct flights are available from Hartsfield to all major cities in the Americas, and to many European cities. Delta Airlines is based in Atlanta.

Chicago

Chicago is serviced by two major airports:

• O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a hub for both American and United Airlines. As one of the world’s busiest airports, O’Hare offers more connections to more cities, more often than any other airport in the world, including over 60 foreign destinations.
• Midway International Airport (MDW) is the premier point-to-point airport in the nation and one of the fastest growing airports on the continent, serving over 19 million travellers each year.

Detroit

Detroit Wayne County airport (DTW) is the principal airport in Detroit and is a hub for Northwest Airlines.

Los Angeles

The main airport in Los Angeles is referred to as LAX and is usually the first stopover when coming to the USA from Australia.

New York

New York has three major airports:

• JFK is the major international airport with daily Qantas and United through flights to Australia. Flights to the west coast of the USA also operate from JFK. Travel time to JFK is about 40 minutes.
• La Guardia is located closer to Manhattan (around 30 minutes). La Guardia is primarily a short-haul domestic airport.
• Newark is a major international and domestic airport (about an hour to Manhattan).

Interstate trains operate from Penn Central Station on 34th Street and 7th Avenue. Regular fast trains operate to Boston (a three hour trip) and Washington (a three and a half hour trip).

San Francisco

San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located south of city, serves Silicon Valley and the wider Bay Area. One of the nation's busiest airports, SFO handles domestic flights and international connections to and from the Pacific Rim, Europe and Latin America. Some alternative airports are Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC)

Washington

Three main airports service Washington:

• Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
• Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
• Washington Dulles International Airport

If flying from New York to Washington DC, consider a shuttle flight with US Air or Delta Airlines from New York’s LaGuardia Airport into Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). From DC, it is only a 20-minute drive to your hotel. If catching the train from New York to Washington, it takes approximately four and a half hours. Driving takes around five hours.

Shuttle flights provide flexibility and subject to seat availability you can take an earlier or later flight at no extra charge. Providers include US Airways shuttle and Delta shuttle.

For other cities in the USA, World Executive has more information on how to get from the airport.

Ground transport

The internal travel systems in the USA are highly efficient. All larger cities have airports and the interstate highway system, connecting major cities, is well maintained and efficient. Air travel between cities is probably the best way to travel due to time and convenience.

Trains (Amtrak) rarely offer any significant cost savings. For travel within the compact cities of the eastern US, taxis are preferred due to parking difficulties. Taxi drivers expect a tip of approximately 15 per cent.

Some places in the USA have shuttlebuses, which seat around 10 people and are a cross between a taxi and a bus in as much as they run roughly to a timetable, but will pick you up from your door. The price too, reflects the compromise by being less expensive than a taxi, but more expensive than a bus.

Cities in the western US tend to be more dispersed, so hiring a car for your travels is often more economical. When possible, hire a car with a Global Positioning System (GPS) to reduce the chances of getting lost. An Australian driver’s licence is required to hire a car and get insurance in the USA, and can be used for up to six months, after which you will need a local licence. International licences can only be used for up to 10 days, and very few rental car companies will accept them for insurance purposes. Americans drive on the right side of the road and the driver sits on the left side of the car.

Security and health

The Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists to USA. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Airport security remains high. Expect delays getting to departure gates at all airports. Check with your airline for the latest list of items that cannot be carried in hand luggage.

Health

US health standards are very similar to those in Australia. However, extra health insurance should be obtained before travel, as medical/hospital costs are considerably higher. For example, US$1000 per night in hospital is not uncommon.

Time zones and time differences

The USA spans multiple time zones.

Between March and October, the USA switches from standard time to 'summer time'. However, simultaneously, most of Australia winds its clock back one hour. Three of the time zones operate as follows:

• US Eastern Summer Time = Australian Eastern Standard Time minus 14 hours (from November to March, 9.00am in Washington, New York and Atlanta is 1.00am Sydney time)
• US Central Summer Time = Australian Eastern Standard Time minus 15 hours
• US Pacific Summer Time = Australian Eastern Standard Time minus 17 hours

To find out the current times in the USA, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

The USA's country code is 1.

For calls to USA from Australia dial: 0011 + 1 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from USA to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Business hours in the US are generally from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Large retailers are usually open from 8.00am to 10.00pm, and some are open 24 hours.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year's Day
January 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 20 – Inauguration Day
February 20 – Presidents' Day
May 29 – Memorial Day
July 4 – Independence Day
September 4 – Labour Day
October 9 – Columbus Day
November 11 – Veterans' Day
November 30 – Thanksgiving
December 25 – Christmas

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The currency is the US dollar.

Electricity and water

The USA’s power supply is 110 volts, 60Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. Transformers are not necessarily an option in the USA because they don’t convert from the Australian 50 cycles to the US 60 Hz. Therefore, even if the voltage is correct, damage may occur to synchronous motors, eg. tape recorders, disc players. The two-parallel flat blades above a round pin plugs are the most common.