Highlights

Anchorage

Anchorage is the perfect place to enjoy flightseeing trips by floatplane or a full day excursion to Prince William Sound. The region also offers ocean habitat for whales, porpoises, sea otters, sea lions and seals.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is home to Alaska’s “Big Five”; bears, wolves, dall sheep, caribou and moose. This thriving landscape is backed by the dominating Mt Denali, one of the most amazing sights in Alaska.

Glacier Bay

Alaska’s classic beauty can be found exploring the Inside Passage. These splendid waterways begin in the dense forested coastlines of the Pacific Northwest and continue to Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay.

Small ship cruises

Small ships show you what other cruises cannot. Explore the inner reaches of Alaska’s amazing fjords, sail so close to glaciers you can almost touch them, and get up-close to the shoreline to experience the wildlife.

Arctic Circle

For many visitors, crossing the Arctic Circle is a memorable moment. The Inupiat town of Barrow is home to one of the largest Eskimo communities. This far north, the sun doesn’t set for 82 days, shining from around May 10th to August 2nd.

Northern Lights

People come from around the world to view Alaska’s northern lights, the ‘Aurora Borealis’. One of nature’s most inspiring sights, the northern lights appear most often on cold, clear nights from late September through April.

Useful information

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Communications

Country Code for the USA: +1
Visa Global Assistance: 1866 765 9644
Emergency Services: 911

Customs

Americans are friendly and informal. People tend not to wait to be introduced and will begin to speak to strangers whether in a queue, sitting next to each other, etc. Americans can be direct and value logic and linear thinking ans speak clearly and in a straightforward manner. Greetings in the USA are casual and a handshake, smile and "hello" are all that are needed.

Electricity

Electrical Plug type: USA
Voltage: 110-120 Volts
Modem Plug: US (same as Australia)

Getting around

There are numerous underground train systems in operation in major cities including New York (subway), Washington, DC (metro), Boston ('T'), Chicago (train) and San Francisco (BART - Bay Area Rapid Transit); others are being planned or built. There are also several tramway and trolleybus systems, including the much-loved antique trams found in San Francisco, although in many cities a car will be needed to get around, due to lack of public transport.

Language

English 82%, Spanish 11%, other European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific Island 2.7%.

Health

The following information is intended as a guide only and in no way should it be used as a substitute for professional medical advice relative to a travellers individual needs and vaccination history. No guarantee is made as to its accuracy or thoroughness. For further information, please contact The Travel Doctor. 

Vaccination against Hepatitis B should be considered by frequent or long stay travellers to the United States. Dengue Fever occurs in the US, thus insect avoidance measures may be recommended depending on your itinerary.

Please consult a medical practitioner or contact The Travel Doctor for your specific risk to these preventable diseases and the appropriate avoidance measures. Australians travelling to the United States should ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover the length of their stay. For further information please visit www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/United_States_of_America

Tipping

Tipping is a widely practiced social custom in the United States. In restaurants, a gratuity of 15% to 20% of the amount of a customer’s check (receipt/bill) is customary when good service is provided. Tips are also generally given for services provided in golf courses, casino, hotels, food delivery, taxis, and salons.

Shopping

Shopping hours vary widely based on management considerations and customer needs. Key variables are the size of the metropolitan area, the type of store, and the size of the store. Typical store shopping hours are Monday - Saturday 9 - 10am to 8 - 10pm and Sunday 11 - 12 noon to 5 -7pm.

Visas

The Travel Corporation has partnered with the company Sherpa to provide travellers with the latest government and health restrictions. Simply enter the country you want to travel to for information on safety regulations, border closures, quarantine requirements, your travel visa and more using the Sherpa travel tool.

FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR TRIP


Official travel advice is available by visiting the SmartTraveller Website

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