USA: travel information
Formalities, ESTA
Tourists from the EU and Switzerland are only allowed to enter the country if a return ticket and sufficient financial means are available to finance their stay in the country. A passport is required for entry, which must be valid for at least the duration of the planned stay. Since October 26, 2004, visa-free entry into the USA has only been possible with a machine-readable passport (burgundy color). All travelers, including children of all ages (babies!), Need their own machine-readable passport.
The new machine-readable children’s passport and the machine-readable temporary passport are also recognized for visa-free entry.
Passports issued after October 25, 2005 must have a digital. Have a photograph. The (burgundy) machine-readable German passports (European passports) already meet this criterion and continue to entitle you to visa-free entry to the USA until the end of their validity.
Passports that were issued after October 25, 2006 must also have biometric data in chip form (so-called e-passport). Since September 30, 2004, a digital fingerprint and a digital portrait photo have also been made of all travelers upon entry.
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
Since the beginning of 2009, visitors to the USA, for which visa-free travel applies, must have registered with the US Department of Homeland Security at least three days (72 hours) prior to departure using a special registration form. The registration form is available on the Internet.
It is also offered in German. The authorization sent via the Internet is also required for transit travelers and is valid for two years. This means that you have an arrival permit but no entry permit, which can still be refused at the airport.
According to the US Embassy, approval usually comes within a few hours. The “visa-free entry” with ESTA is only valid for visits up to 90 days. A visa is required for longer stays! The ESTA form must answer the following questions, among others:
– Name
– Gender
– Date of birth
– Telephone number
– Passport details – Airline
code – Flight
number
– Place of departure
– Address in the USA
– Do you take drugs
The ESTA form is over The following web address (URL) can be called up:
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
The “visa-free entry traffic” via ESTA applies to the following countries:
Andorra | Japan | San Marino |
Australia | Latvia | Sweden |
Belgium | Liechtenstein | Switzerland |
Brunei | Lithuania | Singapore |
Denmark | Luxembourg | Slovakia |
Germany | Monaco | Slovenia |
Estonia | New Zealand | Spain |
Finland | Netherlands | South Korea |
France | Norway | United Kingdom |
Ireland | Austria | Czech Republic |
Iceland | Portugal | Hungary |
Italy | Republic of Malta |
Currency, import and export of foreign
currency The US currency is the dollar.
1 dollar ($) = 100 cents
It is worth mentioning that all dollar bills with a length of 15.5 cm and a width of 6.5 cm are the same size. The weight of one dollar bill is around 1 g.
The import and export of foreign and national currency is possible without restrictions. However, if foreign or national currencies worth more than 10,000 US dollars are imported, a special customs declaration (customs form 790 “Currency Report”) is required. Tourists are advised to bring US dollars, travelers checks or credit cards with them as few banks exchange foreign currency. Travelers checks should be carried in US dollars. Money can be withdrawn from the ATM with a credit card or EC card (Maestro). Paying with international credit cards is now almost mandatory almost everywhere.
Importing and exporting goods The importation of weapons, ammunition or explosives is punishable by severe penalties, not least after September 11, 2001. The importation of illegal drugs of any kind is also strictly prohibited.
In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Convention on Endangered Species is prohibited. And under no circumstances should you enter the country with inappropriate literature. It has happened before that a passenger has been sent back at the airport because he had a Karl Marx tape with him. There is no possibility of appeal against the decision of the responsible immigration officer
Travel in the country
Air connections Because of the sometimes huge distances, airplanes play an important role in the United States as a means of transport. Almost every major city has its own airport, from which almost every other city in the country can be reached. Airfares vary greatly between different airlines. In addition to the common booking classes First and Economy Class, there are numerous special tariffs and discounts. There are good discounts, especially for early bookers. Night flights are usually cheaper. A flight from the west to the east of the United States takes about five hours and from south to north about two hours. The free baggage allowance is based on the number and size of the pieces of luggage rather than their weight.
bus
The inexpensive Gray Hound buses that more or less connect all cities in the USA are almost legendary.
train
The American Railroad Company (AMTRAK) has more than 500 destinations in the United States. In principle, reservations are required for rail travel in the USA. For many routes, it is advisable to book several weeks in advance. A special USA Rail Pass is offered for tourists who are not permanently resident in the USA or Canada. There are regional or national passports that have a limited period of validity (months or an entire travel season). The prices for train tickets vary according to capacity utilization and availability of the trains. Discounts for children on the basic price are possible. Surcharges are levied for traveling in first class and for sleeping compartments.
Ship connections
There are numerous and good ship connections on the rivers, lakes and on the coasts.
Roads
The car is a popular and convenient means of transportation in the United States. The maximum speed allowed on the roads is signposted. As a general rule: On interstate highways, depending on the state, 55-75 mph (miles per hour; this is 89-121 km/h); outside of cities on open roads 65 mph (105 km / h); 55 mph on US and State Highways, 25-30 mph (40-48 km/h) in built-up areas.
Especially in the east of the USA there are numerous toll roads (tolls), tunnels or bridges. Petrol is cheaper than in Europe. Petrol stations often have to pay in advance. The gasoline is filled in gallons, whereby one gallon equals 3.78 liters.
Rental car
There are large international car rental companies at all international airports and in major cities. There are flat rates and discounts for tourists. Credit card holders are often not required to pay a deposit. An “Economy” or “Compact” corresponds to a normal European car, “Standard” is a large sedan. The required minimum age of the driver differs depending on the car rental company. Especially travelers under the age of 25 should inform themselves about this in good time. An international driver’s license is often required in addition to a German one.
USA: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations, and Warnings
In the event of accidents, acts of violence or illness, good medical care is often life-saving, but at least it is of crucial importance for the course of the disease and the subsequent prognosis. In the major cities of the USA, medical care is excellent – but only if you can pay the sometimes extreme treatment costs. Therefore, a travel health insurance especially for the USA is strongly recommended.
Infectious diseases
In the USA, the following infectious diseases are to be expected in Germany or Central and Northern Europe:
- West Nile fever in California, New York, New Mexico and Florida, among others
- Rocky Mountain Mocks Fever
- Rabies, especially from mice, foxes, skunks, raccoons, wolves and especially bats
- Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites
- Dengue fever, especially in southern Texas (late summer/fall)
- Fox tapeworm
- Early summer meningo encephalitis, transmitted by tick bites
- Plague, isolated occurrences in the west and mid-west
- tetanus
- Typhus, a risk of infection only exists in travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to the United States, the following vaccinations recommended:
- Cholera, but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country.
- Hepatitis A and B, a vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
- Polio, polio, a vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country.
- Rabies, but only in high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals
- Typhoid, but only in travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
Warning notices
You can get current notices as follows:
Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany (AA)
Visit Countryaah for a full list of United States embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of the USA in Germany
The US embassy on Pariser Platz – right next to the Brandenburg Gate – was opened on July 4th, 2008 – the US national day – in the presence of George Bush Sr. and Chancellor Merkel, where she was before the Second World War. Because of the special security requirements of the building, there had been considerable differences between the USA and the Berlin administration before construction began, but these could be resolved in an architecturally acceptable manner.
Embassy of the USA in Berlin
Pariser Platz 2
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 830 50
Clayallee 170
14191 Berlin
Consulate General of the USA in Düsseldorf
Willi-Becker-Allee 10
40227 Düsseldorf
Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 7 88 89 27
Consulate General of the USA in Frankfurt
Gießener Strasse 30
60435 Frankfurt am Main
Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 7 53 50
Consulate General of the USA in Hamburg
Alsterufer 27/28
20354 Hamburg
Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 41 17 11 00
Consulate General of the USA in Leipzig
Wilhelm Seyfferth-Straße 4
04107 Leipzig
Tel: 0049 – (0) 341 – 2 13 84 10
Consulate General of the USA in Munich Koeniginstrasse
5
80539 Munich
Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 2 88 80
German representations in the USA
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington
4645 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington DC 20007 – 1998
Tel: 001 – 202 – 298 40 00
Email: [email protected]
www.washington.diplo.de
Consulate General in Atlanta
Marquis Two Tower, Suite 901, 285 Peachtree Center Avenue, NE
Atlanta GA 30303-1221
Tel: 001 – 404 – 659 47 60
Email: [email protected]
www.atlanta.diplo.de
Consulate General in Boston
Three Copley Place, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02116
Tel: 001 – 617 – 369 49 34
001 – 617 – 369 49 00
Email: [email protected]
www.boston.diplo.de
Consulate General in Chicago
676 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3200
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: 001- 312 – 202 04 80
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.chicago.diplo.de
Consulate General in Houston
1330 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1850
Houston, TX 77056-3018
Tel: 001 – 713 – 627 77 70
Email: [email protected]
www.houston.diplo.de
Consulate General in Los Angeles
6222 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tel: 001 – 323 – 930 27 03
Email: [email protected]
www.los-angeles.diplo.de
Consulate General in Miami
100 N. Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
Tel: 001 – 305 – 358 02 90
Email: [email protected]
www.miami.diplo.de
Consulate General in New York
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017, USA.
Tel: 001 – 212 – 610 97 00
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.new-york.diplo.de
Consulate General in San Francisco
1960 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel: 001 – 415 – 775 10 61
Email: [email protected]
www.san-francisco.diplo.de
You can find other honorary consulates in:
Anchorage, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Greenville, Indianapolis, Jackson, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, Minneapolis, Naples, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, and Virginia Beach.
Austrian representations in the USA
Embassy of the Republic of Austria in Washington
3524 International Court NW
DC 20008 Washington DC
Tel: 001 – 202 – 895 67 00
Email: [email protected]
The Austrian Embassy in Washington is still responsible for the Bahamas.
Consulate General in Chicago
Wrigley Building, Suite 707, 400 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Tel: 001 – 312 – 22 21 515
Email: [email protected]
Consulate General in Los Angeles
11859 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 501
Los Angeles, California 90025
Tel: 001 – 310 – 44 49 310
Fax: 001 – 310 – 47 79 897
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.aussenministerium.at/losangeles
Consulate General in New York
31 East 69th Street
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 001 – 212 – 737 6400
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.aussenministerium.at/newyorkgk
Honorary
Consulates Honorary Consulates can be found in: Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Richmond, Saint Paul, Salt Lake City, SanFrancisco, San Juan, Scottsdale, Seattle, St. Louis and St. Thomas.
Representations of the USA in Austria
Embassy of the USA in Vienna
Boltzmanngasse 16
1090 Vienna
Tel: 0043 -1 – 313 39
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.usembassy.at
Swiss representations in the USA
Embassy of Switzerland in Washington
2900 Cathedral Avenue NW
DC 20008 Washington DC
Tel: 001 – 202 – 745 79 00
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/washington
Consulate General in Atlanta
1349 W Peachtree Street NW
Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30309
Tel: 001 – 404 – 870 2000
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/atlanta
Consulate General in Chicago
737 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2301
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: 001 – 312 – 915 4500
001 – 312 – 915 0061
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: https: //www.eda. admin.ch/countries/usa/de/home/vertretungen/konsulate/konsulat-chicago.html
Consulate General in Los Angeles
11766 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tel: 001 – 310 – 575 1145
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/la
Consulate General in New York
633 Third Avenue, 30th floor
New York, NY 10017-6706
Tel: 001 – 212 – 599 5700
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/newyork
Consulate General in San Francisco
456 Montgomery Street
Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94104-1233
Tel: 001 – 415 – 788 2272
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/sf
Honorary
Consulates Honorary consulates can be found in:
Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Juan and Seattle.
Representations of the USA in Switzerland
Embassy of the USA in Bern
Sulgeneckstrasse 19
3005 Bern
Telephone: 0041 – (0) 31 – 357 70 11
Web: http://bern.usembassy.gov/
Consular agency in Zurich
c/o Zurich America Center, Dufourstrasse 101
8008 Zurich
Tel: 0041 – (0) 43 – 499 29 60
Currency, shop opening hours
The national currency of the USA is:
US dollars = 100 cents.
Shop opening times
Many supermarkets are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.