Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Transportation
All major airlines, Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains can accommodate people with
disabilities, usually with 48 hours of advance notice required.
Major car-rental agencies offer hand-controlled vehicles and vans with wheelchair lifts at
no extra charge, but you must reserve these well in advance.
For wheelchair-accessible van rentals, also try
Wheelchair Getaways
( 800-642-2042;
www.mobilityworks.com
)
in LA, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno
and Chico.
Local buses, trains and subway lines usually have wheelchair lifts.
Seeing-eye dogs are permitted to accompany passengers on public transportation.
Taxi companies have at least one wheelchair-accessible van, but you'll usually need to
call and then wait for one.
Visas
Visa information is highly subject to change. Depending on your country of origin, the
rules for entering the USA keep changing. Double-check current visa requirements
be-
fore
coming to the USA.
Currently, under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), visas are not required for citizens
of 38 countries for stays up to 90 days (no extensions) as long as you have a machine-
readable passport (MRP) that meets current US standards and is valid for six months
beyond your intended stay.
Citizens of VWP countries must still register with the Electronic System for Travel Author-
ization (ESTA) online (
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
) at least 72 hours before travel. Once ap-
proved, ESTA registration ($14) is valid for up to two years or until your passport expires,
whichever comes first.
For most Canadian citizens traveling with Canadian passports that meet current US
standards, a visa for short-term visits (usually up to six months) and ESTA registration
aren't required.
Citizens from all other countries or whose passports don't meet US standards need to
apply for a visa in their home country. The process costs a nonrefundable fee (minimum
$160), involves a personal interview and can take several weeks, so apply as early as
possible.
