Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tipping
In hotels, tip
bellhops
at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip
the
chamberstaf
$1 to $2 per day (more if you've left a big mess for him or her to clean up).
Tip the
doorman
or
concierge
only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for
example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the
valet-parking
attendant
$1 every time you get your car.
In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip
servicestaf
and
bartenders
15% to 20% of the check,
tip
checkroom attendants
$1 per garment, and tip
valet-parking attendants
$1 per vehicle.
As for other service personnel, tip
cabdrivers
15% of the fare; tip
skycaps
at airports at least $1
per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip
hairdressers
and
barbers
15% to 20%.
For help with tip calculations, currency conversions, and more, download the Travel Tools app for
your mobile device (see above).
Toilets
See “Where to Find Restrooms in Zion.”
VAT
See “Taxes,” earlier in this section.
Visas
The U.S. State Department has a
VisaWaiverProgram(VWP)
allowing citizens of the
following countries to enter the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days: Andorra,
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ger-
many, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxem-
bourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore,
Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. (
Note:
This list was accurate at press time; for the most up-to-date list of countries in the VWP, con-
sult http://travel.state.gov/visa.) Even though a visa isn't necessary, in an effort to help U.S. of-
ficials check travelers against terror watch lists before they arrive at U.S. borders, visitors from
VWP countries must register online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
before boarding a plane or a boat to the U.S. Travelers must complete an electronic application
providing basic personal and travel eligibility information. The Department of Homeland Security
recommends filling out the form at least three days before traveling. Authorizations will be valid for
up to two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first. Currently, there is 1
US$14 fee for the online application. Existing ESTA registrations remain valid through their expir-
ation dates.
Note:
Any passport issued on or after October 26, 2006, by a VWP country must be
an
e-Passport
for VWP travelers to be eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa. Citizens of these
nations also need to present a round-trip air or cruise ticket upon arrival. E-Passports contain
computer chips capable of storing biometric information, such as the required digital photograph
of the holder. If your passport doesn't have this feature, you can still travel without a visa if the
valid passport was issued before October 26, 2005, and includes a machine-readable zone; or
if the valid passport was issued between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006, and includes
a digital photograph. For more information, go to
http://travel.state.gov/visa
. Canadian citizens
may enter the United States without visas, but will need to show passports and proof of residence.
Citizens of all other countries must have (1) a valid passport that expires at least 6 months later
than the scheduled end of their visit to the U.S.; and (2) a tourist visa.
