Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Telephone
Cell Phones
In the USA, cell phones operate on different frequencies from other countries. You'll need a multiband GSM phone in
order for an international phone to work here. If your phone is unlocked, a prepaid rechargeable SIM card is usually
cheaper than roaming charges on your own network. SIM cards and inexpensive prepaid phones are sold at telecommu-
nications and electronics stores.
Pay Phones & Phone Cards
With the prevalence of cell phones, pay phones have become hard to find. Airports and some gas stations may have
them. Coins may sometimes be used (minimum of 50ยข).
For long-distance and international calls, whether at a pay phone or on a hotel's land line, use a prepaid phonecard,
which are sold at gas station convenience stores and some supermarkets.
Phone Codes
In many areas, local calls have moved to a 10-digit calling system. This means you must dial the area code even when
making a local call.
Country code
1
International dialing code
011
Time
Central Standard Time
Most of Texas is an hour behind New York (Eastern time), two hours ahead of Los Angeles
(Pacific time), and five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Daylight Savings Time
In effect in the US from early spring to late fall; clocks 'spring forward' one hour in March and
'fall back' one hour in November.
Mountain Standard Time
El Paso and Hudspeth counties in far west Texas; one hour behind Central, six behind GMT.
Tourist Information
Larger cities and towns have tourist information centers run by local convention and visitor bureaus. In smaller towns,
local chambers of commerce often perform the same functions.
The
Texas State Travel Guide
(
www.traveltex.com
) is a comprehensive glossy guidebook that lists almost every city
and town in the state. You can request one online, where most of the information is also posted, or at the Texas Travel
Centers located on major interstates near the state line.
