Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
days of unlimited travel on
Amtrak
(
&
800/USA-RAIL;
www.amtrak.
com). These passes are available
through many foreign travel agents.
(With a foreign passport, you can also
buy passes at staffed Amtrak offices in
the United States, including locations
in San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Chicago, New York, Miami, Boston,
and Washington, D.C.) Reservations
are generally required and should be
made for each part of your trip as early
as possible. Amtrak also offers an
Air/Rail Travel Plan
that allows you to
travel by both train and plane; for
information, call
&
877/937-7245.
BY BUS
Although bus travel is often
the most economical form of transit
for short hops between U.S. cities, it
can also be slow and uncomfortable—
certainly not an option for everyone.
Greyhound/Trailways
(
&
800/229-
9424
or 402/330-8552; www.grey
hound.com), the sole nationwide bus
line, offers an unlimited-travel
Ameri-
pass/Discovery Pass
for 7 days at
$199, 15 days at $299, 30 days at
$389, and 60 days at $549. Passes
must be purchased at a Greyhound
terminal. Special rates are available for
seniors and students.
FAST FACTS:
For the International Traveler
Automobile Organizations
Auto clubs can supply maps, suggested
routes, guidebooks, accident and bail-bond insurance, and emergency
road service.
AAA
is the major auto club in the United States. If you
belong to an auto club in your home country, inquire about AAA reci-
procity before you leave. You may be able to join AAA even if you're not
a member of a reciprocal club; to inquire, call AAA at
&
800/222-4357.
AAA is actually an organization of regional auto clubs; so look under
“AAA Automobile Club” in the White Pages of the telephone directory.
AAA's nationwide emergency road service telephone number is
&
800/
AAA-HELP.
Business Hours
The following are general hours; specific establishments
may vary. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm
(some also on Sat 9am-noon). Stores are open Monday through Saturday
from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from noon to 5pm (malls usually stay
open until 9pm Mon-Sat). Bars generally open around 11am, but are
legally allowed to be open Monday through Saturday from 6am to 1am
and Sunday from 10am to 1am.
Climate
See “When to Go” in chapter 2.
Currency
See “Money” under “Preparing for Your Trip,” earlier in this
chapter.
Currency Exchange
You'll find currency-exchange services in most major
international airports. There's a
Travelex Currency Exchange
kiosk (
&
206/
248-0401
) at Sea-Tac International Airport behind the Northwest Airlines
ticketing counters. There's another Travelex office in downtown Seattle at
Westlake Center shopping center, 400 Pine St. (
&
206/682-4525
).
Drinking Laws
The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic
beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars,
nightclubs, and restaurants, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when
you go out.
