First trip to the US

[Lyrca]

Hi,

My wife and I are planning a trip to New York. We’re thinking of staying a week in the city.

We’ve been around Asia, South America and Europe where we are from.

This is our first time in the US however. Do you have any tips or things we should be aware of before leaving ? We know the importance of getting a health insurance or tipping but I’d rather be safe and ask just in case.

Thanks !

 

[KaliYoni]

Do you have any tips or things we should be aware of before leaving ?

Don't forget to buy a gun at the airport newsstand after clearing customs and immigration.
Just kidding!

I think the most important thing to do is to make sure your mobile phone, credit card(s), and ATM card will work in the US. In particular, most, but not all, merchants can handle chip-and-PIN and tap-to-pay transactions. But some stores and ATMs will still only do magnetic stripe transactions. Also, older ATMs may only be able to handle a 4-digit PIN.

Other quick tips:

• Bring a pen on the plane with you. You might have to fill out an immigration form before landing.
• It's best to use ATMs that are in a bank. ATMs in shops, hotels, and other non-bank locations often charge high fees and can be insecure.
• If you are staying at a hotel, ask a staff member if there are any unsafe areas to avoid before going out each day.
• Buy a good printed map of NYC before you leave or upon arrival (this one is a classic: Streetwise map)
• If you want to use a credit card to pay for a ride, Lyft or Uber can be easier than taxis. A lot of cab drivers hate taking credit cards because of the added fees and will do everything they can to get you to pay cash.
• Clean and safe public toilets are hard to find. The best thing to do when in a major city is go to a department store or big hotel. Restaurants, bars, and small shops will either expect you to buy something or won't have a public toilet.
• New Yorkers can seem brusque but most love to show off their knowledge of NYC. Don't be afraid to start a conversation when you are "waiting on line" somewhere.

 

[eyoungren]

Hi,

My wife and I are planning a trip to New York. We’re thinking of staying a week in the city.

We’ve been around Asia, South America and Europe where we are from.

This is our first time in the US however. Do you have any tips or things we should be aware of before leaving ? We know the importance of getting a health insurance or tipping but I’d rather be safe and ask just in case.

Thanks !

A few general tips based on some stuff I've read about non-Americans experiencing America.

The USA flag will be everywhere. It's ingrained and a major element of life and a lot of our advertising.

Get used to air conditioning. That's everywhere too. And we keep it cold.

Your accent, despite wherever it is you live in France, will get you noticed. Some people might ask you to say a few English words because they love the accent (except in our own country, Americans make no distinctions about regional accents)

If you do venture outside of NYC, keep in mind that the US is a large place and you should account for the distances involved. Also, public transportation is generally focused around metro areas.

Off that top of my head, that's all I can think of at the moment.

 

[theluggage]

If you do venture outside of NYC, keep in mind that the US is a large place and you should account for the distances involved. Also, public transportation is generally focused around metro areas.

...and even within a city, if you do try to get around on foot (thus marking yourself as a lunatic foreigner) - even after establishing (a) that the area is safe and (b) that a safe/legal pedestrian route between A and B even exists & you're not going to end up looking at an 8 lane highway with no crossing places - be prepared for the distance to be a lot further you thought it was going to be. It's like the whole country is built to 150% scale...

 

[eyoungren]

...and even within a city, if you do try to get around on foot (thus marking yourself as a lunatic foreigner) - even after establishing (a) that the area is safe and (b) that a safe/legal pedestrian route between A and B even exists & you're not going to end up looking at an 8 lane highway with no crossing places - be prepared for the distance to be a lot further you thought it was going to be. It's like the whole country is built to 150% scale...

Yep. A trip from Los Angeles to New York or vice versa can take 41 hours. That is assuming a non-stop steady speed of 70mph. And by non-stop I mean no stopping for gas, rest, bathroom breaks, detours or anything else.

 

[skyhawkmatthew]

In addition to tipping, it takes some getting used to the fact that the price on the shelf or menu board at a store or cafe doesn't include tax, so if paying cash don't bother preparing exact change while you're in the queue or you'll be in for a fun time when the price is suddenly higher at the counter!

Inexplicably for such a rich and developed city, there is generally no phone service in the subway, especially between stations, so if using online maps to get around, plan your journey before heading underground.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Manhattan is a wonderful and easy place to walk around. I cannot speak to the current level of safety as I am aware over the past year or so random incidents have supposedly increased.

 

[Madhatter32]

Take in a Broadway show if you have the time. Visit the Statue of Liberty. Take a walk in Central Park. Remember to have fun. New York is one of the greatest and most distinctive cities in the world.

 

[Lyrca]

• Bring a pen on the plane with you. You might have to fill out an immigration form before landing.
• It's best to use ATMs that are in a bank. ATMs in shops, hotels, and other non-bank locations often charge high fees and can be insecure.
• If you are staying at a hotel, ask a staff member if there are any unsafe areas to avoid before going out each day.
• Buy a good printed map of NYC before you leave or upon arrival (this one is a classic: Streetwise map)
• If you want to use a credit card to pay for a ride, Lyft or Uber can be easier than taxis. A lot of cab drivers hate taking credit cards because of the added fees and will do everything they can to get you to pay cash.
• Clean and safe public toilets are hard to find. The best thing to do when in a major city is go to a department store or big hotel. Restaurants, bars, and small shops will either expect you to buy something or won't have a public toilet.
• New Yorkers can seem brusque but most love to show off their knowledge of NYC. Don't be afraid to start a conversation when you are "waiting on line" somewhere.

I'm set in terms of credit card and phone connectivity. As for distances I guess I won't try and cover large distances on foot just like certain other cities I visited outside the EU.

Regarding not using shady ATMs in stores I've learnt my lesson already in India, I'm not going down that road again.

Pen on the plane, got that covered since I tried finding one 20 mins before landing in the past !

Regarding New Yorkers they can't possibly more brusque than Parisians.

The USA flag will be everywhere. It's ingrained and a major element of life and a lot of our advertising.

Get used to air conditioning. That's everywhere too. And we keep it cold.

Your accent, despite wherever it is you live in France, will get you noticed. Some people might ask you to say a few English words because they love the accent (except in our own country, Americans make no distinctions about regional accents)

If you do venture outside of NYC, keep in mind that the US is a large place and you should account for the distances involved. Also, public transportation is generally focused around metro areas.

Off that top of my head, that's all I can think of at the moment.

From the shows and movies Isaw from a young age Iexpect to see the US flag EVERYWHERE, there won't be any surprises there.

I was brought up in an English (British) speaking home. So the accent may not be that exotic !

In addition to tipping, it takes some getting used to the fact that the price on the shelf or menu board at a store or cafe doesn't include tax, so if paying cash don't bother preparing exact change while you're in the queue or you'll be in for a fun time when the price is suddenly higher at the counter!

Inexplicably for such a rich and developed city, there is generally no phone service in the subway, especially between stations, so if using online maps to get around, plan your journey before heading underground.

Yes, I remember being told to get ready to do a little math before reaching the counter.

Thanks for the tip regarding the phone service on the ̶m̶e̶t̶r̶o̶ ̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶g̶r̶o̶u̶n̶d̶ subway, I wasn't expecting this.

Manhattan is a wonderful and easy place to walk around. I cannot speak to the current level of safety as I am aware over the past year or so random incidents have supposedly increased.

There was just a documentary the other day about the state of Paris stating that it is safer to walk around mid town Manhattan than it is in some tourist corners of Paris.

Take in a Broadway show if you have the time. Visit the Statue of Liberty. Take a walk in Central Park. Remember to have fun. New York is one of the greatest and most distinctive cities in the world.

All these are on our to do list. (Most likely the Lion king).

Again thank you all for taking the time to respond.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Hi,

My wife and I are planning a trip to New York. We’re thinking of staying a week in the city.

We’ve been around Asia, South America and Europe where we are from.

This is our first time in the US however. Do you have any tips or things we should be aware of before leaving ? We know the importance of getting a health insurance or tipping but I’d rather be safe and ask just in case.

Thanks !

NYC is a beautiful city, probably my favorite. You will surely enjoy it

Some things that I can share from my travel experience to there:

1. You don't need cash, a CC or debit card will work without issues.
Depending on your bank you must notify them of your travel, so they "lower" the security
requirements for the transactions. A lot of credit card terminals in US are still using
the magnetic band and that could cause transactions being rejected. (Happened to me)

When paying in a restaurant for example, you need to add the amount of the tip
to the receipt AFTER you paid with your CC or debit card. You will leave the place and
if you check your bank app, only the meal has been charged. A few days later the
charged amount will increase to reflect the tip. Really crazy if you ask me.

2. I asume that you will be visiting the Statue of Liberty, Empire State, etc.
If possible, always purchase the "express" or "VIP" tickets. They are a little more expensive
but they will save you HOURS of waiting in a line. Time that you can spend enjoying the city.
For the Empire State for example, they cost us $30 over the regular price, but we got
up to the top in 20 minutes.
Purchase over internet only. Avoid any street seller, they are everywhere and they
are really pushing. Lot of them will lie about ticket kiosks being closed or something else.

3. It's a big city. It seems smaller in the map but it takes a lot of time to move up and down.
Use the NYC metro. When planning your day, remember that a trip from Wall Street area to
central park needs 50 minutes at least for example. Cars, taxis are not an efficient way to
move around the city. Use UBER to go from the airport to the hotel.

Not sure what you had planned for internet access, but an ESIM (like Airalo or GigSky),
it's my favorite solution. You can keep your SIM in your phone and add the internet access
with the virtual one. Apple Maps do a great job with the Metro, showing detailed instructions
to stations and train numbers together with time schedules.

4. Food is expensive and you have to tip. A 2 course meal in a regular restaurant would cost you
over $100. Without wine. In Little Italy expect to pay around $80 for 2 course pasta meal.
Also, there's not such a thing like American food. Most of the food that you can eat in NYC is Italian,
Mexican, Chinese, French. Unless you are foodie and expect to invest lot of money eating (like $400
or more for a 2 course), the quality of the food is not worth the price.
There are numerous Deli's where you can taste a more traditional food and eat on a budget.
Places like Paris Baguette are great to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

5. Shopping takes lot of time and effort. Stores are gigantic. You can easily spend 6-7 hours just
in Macy's. Plan ahead.

6. Use the Ferry's. They are several of them and it's a fantastic way to see the city skyline.
For example, after we crossed on foot the Brooklyn Bridge, we returned to Manhattan in a Ferry.
They are ridiculous cheap as well.

 

[Lyrca]

NYC is a beautiful city, probably my favorite. You will surely enjoy it

Some things that I can share from my travel experience to there:

1. You don't need cash, a CC or debit card will work without issues.
Depending on your bank you must notify them of your travel, so they "lower" the security
requirements for the transactions. A lot of credit card terminals in US are still using
the magnetic band and that could cause transactions being rejected. (Happened to me)

When paying in a restaurant for example, you need to add the amount of the tip
to the receipt AFTER you paid with your CC or debit card. You will leave the place and
if you check your bank app, only the the meal has been charged. A few days later the
charged amount will increase to reflect the tip. Really crazy if you ask me.

2. I asume that you will be visiting the Statue of Liberty, Empire State, etc.
If possible, always purchase the "express" or "VIP" tickets. They are a little more expensive
but they will save you HOURS of waiting in a line. Time that you can spend enjoying the city.
For the Empire State for example, they cost us $30 over the regular price, but we got
up to the top in 20 minutes.
Purchase over internet only. Avoid any street seller, they are everywhere and they
are really pushing. Lot of them will lie about ticket kiosks being closed or something else.

3. It's a big city. It seems smaller in the map but it takes a lot of time to move up and down.
Use the NYC metro. When planning your day, remember that a trip from Wall Street area to
central park needs 50 minutes at least for example. Cars, taxis are not an efficient way to
move around the city. Use UBER to go from the airport to the hotel.

Not sure what you had planned for internet access, but an ESIM (like Airalo or GigSky),
it's my favorite solution. You can keep your SIM in your phone and add the internet access
with the virtual one. Apple Maps do a great job with the Metro, showing detailed instructions
to stations and train numbers together with time schedules.

4. Food is expensive and you have to tip. A 2 course meal in a regular restaurant would cost you
over $100. Without wine. In Little Italy expect to pay around $80 for 2 course pasta meal.
Also, there's not such a thing like American food. Most of the food that you can eat in NYC is Italian,
Mexican, Chinese, French. Unless you are foodie and expect to invest lot of money eating (like $400
or more for a 2 course), the quality of the food are not worth the price.
There are numerous Deli's where you can taste a more traditional food and eat on a budget.
Places like Paris Baguette are great to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

5. Shopping takes lot of time and effort. Stores are gigantic. You can easily spend 6-7 hours just
in Macy's. Plan ahead.

6. Use the Ferry's. They are several of them and it's a fantastic way to see the city skyline.
For example, after we crossed on foot the Brooklyn Bridge, we returned to Manhattan in a Ferry.
They are ridiculous cheap as well.

Thanks for this awesome advice, you answered a couple of questions I was about to ask (tipping using the CC or Airlo esim).

Is it safe to trust the restaurant to deduct the correct tipped amount ?

Good to know I should rely on Uber to get from the airport to the hotel.

I was thinking of getting a 7 day unlimited metro card for $33.

Again thank you for taking the time to share your own experience and tips which I am sure will make for a great vacation.

 

[eyoungren]

I was brought up in an English (British) speaking home. So the accent may not be that exotic !

LOL. Americans have no idea the difference between an RP accent or say, a Huddersfield accent (Jodie Whitaker's accent). I am only aware because this stupid American (me) started looking up accents for Star Wars.

We have New York, Boston, the South, California (which is to say NO accent) and so on so, I should not have been surprised to find different accents in the UK.

I worked with a woman who was English once. Just had to have her say 'schedule'.

 

[Expos of 1969]

When paying in a restaurant for example, you need to add the amount of the tip
to the receipt AFTER you paid with your CC or debit card. You will leave the place and
if you check your bank app, only the the meal has been charged. A few days later the
charged amount will increase to reflect the tip. Really crazy if you ask me.

Simply a suggestion which is my approach regarding tipping: Give the tip in cash in person directly to the person who served you. He or she will appreciate the personal and instant feedback and will ensure that the money actually goes to the person who deserves it. In some restaurants and not just in the US, the management keeps all tips given on the credit cards.

I realize that people that you never interact with such as cooks and dishwashers should receive some of the tip and this will occur if the tip pool is done honestly and fairly in the establishment.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Expos of 1969]

LOL. Americans have no idea the difference between an RP accent or say, a Huddersfield accent (Jodie Whitaker's accent). I am only aware because this stupid American (me) started looking up accents for Star Wars.

We have New York, Boston, the South, California (which is to say NO accent) and so on so, I should not have been surprised to find different accents in the UK.

I worked with a woman who was English once. Just had to have her say 'schedule'.

Did you have her say Kentucky Derby?

 

[eyoungren]

When paying in a restaurant for example, you need to add the amount of the tip
to the receipt AFTER you paid with your CC or debit card. You will leave the place and
if you check your bank app, only the the meal has been charged. A few days later the
charged amount will increase to reflect the tip. Really crazy if you ask me.

Just a comment on that. Some places (I am thinking specifically of Olive Garden at the moment) have a pay computer right at the table. You add the tip on checkout (with your CC/Debit card) and it's charged all at once. The receipt is emailed.

At that point you can just get up and leave.

 

[eyoungren]

Did you have her say Kentucky Derby?

No, I didn't think of that.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Is it safe to trust the restaurant to deduct the correct tipped amount ?

Ha! Good question...I wouldn't lie to you, I worried about each transaction until the new amount appeared in my bank account 😅😅😅

As Expos of 1969 just say, maybe is better for the peace of mind, to tip in cash. But as you perfectly
know as a seasoned traveller, having cash in foreign currencies is always a complication at some point
(counterfeits, spare change, hundreds of coins 🤮, exchange back)

 

[cthompson94]

Since you are on a pretty techy website I imagine you know that emergency services is "911" on your cellphone. This should (someone correct me if I am wrong) work without a U.S. sim card, but I am not 100% sure whenever I traveled out of the U.S. I always bought a prepaid sim and requested a card or something for emergency numbers.

NYC is great I have family there and been there many times, I was raised in the rural area of North Carolina so whenever I would visit family it was initiating on the sheer amount of people walking around at any given moment. Just do you best to have a plan on where you want to go before leaving the hotel/store/restaurant/museum as it can get a little cumbersome trying to figure out directions while people are walking all around you. Like anywhere when you travel especially to another country/city you are unfamiliar with try not to stick out too much flashy wise. If you look lost and have expensive stuff that can be quickly snatched I would either not bring it or lock it up in the safe that is normally at hotel rooms. Speaking on that, I personally always leave the "do not disturb" sign on my hotel room door anytime I stay at hotels, if I need more towels or something I just request it and if I need my trash emptied I just tie up the bag myself and leave it next to the trashcan since there is usually an extra bag in the trash can. Not that I have have ever had issues when I have forgotten to leave the sign on the door, but this goes back to being from out of country. I hope I didn't worry you any, like I said I personally have never had issues, just going somewhere you have never been and needing to go back by a certain time can make lost/stolen items a huge pain especially if they are valuable.

 

[John V Keogh]

Most of NY seems to be windswept pavements at first, so get a good guide book or app.
There is plenty of junk food but delis, cafes and restaurants can be found.
Get a Revolut card and top it up in $.
get the ferry to Governors Island or City Island or the cable car (MetroCard) to Roosevelt Island.

 

[KaliYoni]

We’re thinking of staying a week in the city.

I think everything people have posted here is good advice. Now, here are a few follow-on comments:

• If corporate behavior is important to you, Lyft (marginally) treats its employees better and has a more positive internal culture than Uber.
• A non-American accent is much less remarkable in NYC than in a lot of other places in the US. And it's true, people in North America don't know or care if you have a Cockney, a Yorkshire, or a RP accent (ask Fiona Hill)
• Don't trust a business to add tips to bills for you. And tips are based on the pre-tax total, not the total after taxes and surcharges are added.
• Personally, I always try to tip the housekeepers when staying in hotels. Beginning on the second day of my stay, I leave $5-$10 on the bed pillows before leaving my room each day. This is because housekeepers have one of the hardest jobs in the hospitality industry.
• What is usually called the ground floor outside of North America is called the first floor in the US. In other words, the street entrance to a building is on the first floor.

You haven't said anything about your interests but here are some things I like about NYC:

Performing Arts
*Lincoln Center (the home of New York City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera, NY Philharmonic, and Julliard...and if you are a Parisian, the Met's theatre has prominent art by Chagall, just like the Palais Garnier.)
*Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (if they are performing while you are in NYC, they are well worth checking out)
*Jazz at Lincoln Center (not actually at Lincoln Center, go figure!)
*Village Vanguard (kind of touristy but remains relevant)

Museums
*Tenement Museum
*Guggenheim Museum (if I could only visit one art museum due to limited time in NYC, this is where I'd go because of the combination of art and architecture)

Jewish Food
*Barney Greengrass
*Russ & Daughters
*Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery
*2nd Ave Deli

NYC Food
*coal oven pizza
*hot dogs with a papaya juice drink

Finally, the best FREE ride you'll ever take is the Staten Island Ferry.

 

[hallux]

If you're going during baseball season (April-October) try to catch a game. Some say Citi Field (the Mets) is the nicer of the two stadiums (JUST talking about the stadium, not talking about the team on the field). I've been to both, but I'm a Mets fan and even though I had a FANTASTIC seat for one of the Yankee Stadium visits (3rd row behind the camera well by the visitor's dugout) I still prefer Citi Field. Which team/stadium you see depends on which week you visit - even though they have their own stadiums the Yankees and Mets are often not playing in NY at the same time.

I've had some GREAT burgers at the Brooklyn Diner (there's one right at Times Square), I hear their pastrami sandwich is also good but you can probably get even better ones at a deli.

 

[eyoungren]

In regards to tipping, I'm old school so do with this as you will.

There are some things that got co-opted for some reason that were never tippable things before. Stuff like walking your food out to your car, or tipping your barista.

I don't tip the people who walk your food out to your car. That's like tipping the drive thru employees simply for taking your order and handing you your food. It's their job to do this, they aren't waiting on me - I'm waiting on them.

I don't tip my barista for making my coffee. Those tips jars by the coffee bar only started showing up in the mid-00s and this was never a thing before that.

Some websites will try and add this stuff so just be aware of that.

 

[VuvuzelaiPhone]

While the gun may have been a joke, I would ensure that you are vigilant about your safety. Obtaining some pepper spray may not be a bad idea.

 

[unixfool]

Don't forget to buy a gun at the airport newsstand after clearing customs and immigration.
Just kidding!

I know you're just kidding here, but he'll be in the wrong part of the country for that - the joke doesn't quite mesh well with NYC or even NY the state. As far as guns are concerned, NYC is definitely not even close to gun-easy for normal law-abiding citizens, (doesn't stop criminals either).

OP, be sure to check out Central Park. I've only been to NYC once and Central Park left a lasting memory.

 

[eyoungren]

While the gun may have been a joke, I would ensure that you are vigilant about your safety. Obtaining some pepper spray may not be a bad idea.

Perhaps OP should avoid Arizona (where I live)…

AZ is an open carry state. Although, based on how I've seen some people 'carrying' lately I have to wonder how it is they haven't wounded or killed themselves yet. In the waistband of a particularly flimsy pair of workout shorts isn't my idea of safe.