For International Visitors - Hawaii with Kids - page 410

3 Getting Around the U.S.
BY PLANE Some large airlines (for example, Northwest and Delta) offer trav-
elers on their transatlantic or transpacific flights special discount tickets under the
name Visit USA, allowing mostly one-way travel from one U.S. destination to
another at very low prices. These discount tickets are not on sale in the United
States and must be purchased abroad in conjunction with your international
ticket. This system is the best, easiest, and fastest way to see the United States,
including Hawaii, at low cost. You should obtain information well in advance
from your travel agent or the office of the airline concerned, since the conditions
attached to these discount tickets can change without advance notice.
BY CAR You will need to rent a car in Hawaii (unless you plan to stick strictly
to Waikiki). Some of the national car rental companies include Alamo ( & 800/
462-5266; www.alamo.com), Avis ( & 800/230-4898; www.avis.com), Budget
( & 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), Dollar ( & 800/800-3665; www.dollar.
com), Hertz ( & 800/654-3131; www.hertz.com), National ( & 800/227-7368;
www.nationalcar.com), and Thrifty ( & 800/847-4389; www.thrifty.com).
If you plan to rent a car in the United States, you probably won't need the serv-
ices of an additional automobile organization. If you're planning to buy or bor-
row a car, automobile-association membership is recommended. The American
Automobile Association ( AAA; & 800/222-4357; www.aaa.com) is the coun-
try's largest auto club and supplies its members with maps, insurance and, most
importantly, emergency road service. The cost of joining runs from $63 for a sin-
gle member to $87 for two members, but if you're a member of a foreign auto
club with reciprocal arrangements, you can enjoy free AAA service in America.
FAST FACTS :For the International Traveler
Automobile Organizations Auto clubs will supply maps, suggested
routes, guidebooks, accident and bail-bond insurance, and emergency
road service. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the major
auto club in the United States. If you belong to an auto club in your home
country, inquire about AAA reciprocity 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 ( & 800/222-4357 ). In Hawaii, AAA is located at 1130 Nimitz
Hwy., Suite A-170, Honolulu ( & 808/593-2221). There are branches on the
neighbor islands; call & 800/736-2886 or visit www.aaa-hawaii.com.
Business Hours Offices are usually open weekdays from 9am to 5pm.
Banks are open weekdays from 9am to 3pm or later and sometimes Sat-
urday morning. Stores typically open between 9 and 10am and close
between 5 and 6pm Monday through Saturday. Stores in shopping com-
plexes or malls tend to stay open late: until about 9pm on weekdays and
weekends. Many malls and larger department stores are open on Sunday.
Currency & Currency Exchange See “Money” under “Preparing for Your
Trip,” above.
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