Going to à LAS VEGAS: Formalities and administrative steps
Organize your stay à LAS VEGAS
Money à LAS VEGAS
In the United States, the dollar is king and the greenback's exchange rate fluctuates widely. For several months now, the euro has been fairly weak, with an exchange rate of 1 euro for between 1.06 and 1.10 US$. You'd think that Europeans would be the winners, but inflation and higher prices than on the Old Continent mean that this isn't the case.
Card payment fees. Depending on the bank, charges for payments outside the euro zone apply to every transaction. The fixed charge is between €0 and €1.20, plus a commission of 2-3% of the amount to be paid. Ask your bank advisor for exact costs. The same applies to withdrawals from ATMs (Automated Teller Machines). Be careful in casinos, as ATMs charge an even higher commission than banks.
Cash advance. If you've reached your withdrawal limit or your card is malfunctioning, you can take advantage of a cash advance. Offered by most major banks, this service enables you to withdraw cash simply by presenting your card at a bank counter, whether it's your own or not. You will often be asked for proof of identity. In general, the cash advance limit is the same as the withdrawal limit, and the two are cumulative. As for the cost of the operation, it's the same as for a foreign withdrawal.
Money transfer. With this system, you can send and receive money from anywhere in the world in just a few minutes. In addition to the big two, Westen Union and MoneyGram, there are a host of online platforms such as Wise and Paytop. As fees and commissions are generally relatively high, don't hesitate to compare offers. Don't forget international transfers, which may take longer but are often much cheaper.
Budget & Tips à LAS VEGAS
As a result of the current euro exchange rate, the cost of living in the United States has become higher overall than in Europe, not least due to inflation. In recent months, the biggest increases have been in restaurants, hotels and car rentals. Fuel prices, although much higher for diesel than for petrol, remain lower than in France. The minimum budget for a two-week trip to Las Vegas is highly variable, and clearly depends on the type of accommodation. On average, you should expect to pay around US$310 (€295) per day, i.e. US$2,170 (€2,065) for one person and US$4,340 (€4,130) for two.
Esta fees. The cost of an electronic visa for tourist travel is €21 per person. This visa is valid for 2 years, with periods on site of up to 90 consecutive days.
Plane. A one-way flight from Paris to Las Vegas (with a stopover in Atlanta, Detroit, Salt Lake City or Los Angeles) costs around €1,200 per person, depending on the airline and options chosen, with several months' lead time. Cheaper flights are hard to find due to the explosion in air fares.
Vehicle. A comfortable car (SUV type) costs between US$70 and US$90/day. You'll also need to add the cost of parking, which can run as high as US$25-30/day. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle will cost you US$200/day, with all the options required for this type of trip (including zero deductible insurance, roadside assistance, CDW and US$300,000 third-party liability). More attractive rates are available for multi-day packages. For motorhome rental, you can expect to pay between US$150 and US$200/day with rental companies such as Cruise America (www.cruiseamerica. com) and El Monte RV (www.elmonterv.com).
Fuel. This budget is difficult to estimate, as it will depend on where you go in the Las Vegas Valley. However, you can expect to spend between US$100 and US$200 if you count widely.
Accommodation. For a couple, you're looking at an average of US$300 for a double room. Prices vary widely according to the size of the establishment. In casinos, prices rise rapidly due to taxes and the famous resort fee (between US$30 and US$40/day).
Meals. For meals other than fast food, expect to pay US$40 per person for lunch and US$50 per person for dinner, including tax but excluding tips (add 15-22% to the tax-exclusive bill). Please note: an increasing number of establishments do not include breakfast. Please check when booking.
Visits. For visits to national parks such as Red Rock Canyon or Lake Mead, you should expect to pay US$25 per car and US$20 per motorcycle. For a state park such as Valley of Fire, admission is US$10 per car.
Communications. Wi-Fi is often available in motels, hotels, cafés and restaurants. If you don't have a plan with your operator, a prepaid SIM card for the US costs US$50 (T-Mobile, for example) for one month, plus a US$10 fee for the SIM card.
Tipping. With rare exceptions (more than 6 people at a table, for example), gratuities are not included in the bill. But check before you do. It's customary to leave the waiter between 15% and 22% of the total, depending on the quality of service - but never less than 15%. In a bar, you can leave the bartender between US$1 and US$2 per drink. For cabs, 10% to 15% of the total. Hotel staff generally receive US$1 or US$2 per piece of luggage. Valet parking costs between US$3 and US$5. If you pay by credit card, remember to fill in the tip box on the bill yourself. If you leave the tip in cash, write zero or cross it out.
Taxes. There is no general VAT in the United States. Taxes therefore vary from state to state, and some cities also add their own. In Nevada, VAT is set at 8.375%.
Passport and visas à LAS VEGAS
Before you leave, remember to photocopy or save in PDF format all the documents you take with you. In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew them with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). All you need to do is create an account. If you lose your papers, you'll need to contact the Honorary Consul in Las Vegas. He or she will explain the procedure to follow, and will be able to issue you a consular pass (usually within 48 hours) allowing you to leave American territory.
Passports. All passports issued in France are biometric. They include your photo, fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain a passport, you need to make an appointment at the town hall, and bring a tax stamp, proof of address, proof of identity and two passport photos. The passport is issued in around three weeks, but unfortunately it can take several months in some départements. We recommend that you apply well in advance. The passport is valid for ten years. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years).
Visa and ESTA. France is still part of the "Visa Waiver Pilot" program, which authorizes all French nationals to enter the USA without a visa, for a maximum stay of 90 days. To enter, all you need is a valid passport, ESTA authorization and a non-refundable round-trip ticket to the U.S., and no intention of extending your stay. This authorization must be obtained no later than 72 hours before departure. You need to fill in a form on the official website (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov), and pay the sum of US$21 by credit card. The procedure is quick and easy. ESTA authorization is also required for children aged 0-17. Please note! Many sites offer to make the request for you. Don't be fooled, as it will cost you much more.
For stays of more than 90 days, visitors must be in possession of a visa. There are several types of visa (student, work, B-2, etc.), but they are all fairly difficult to obtain. To find out everything you need to know about the type of visa to apply for and the procedures to follow, visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in France: fr.usembassy.gov
Driver's license à LAS VEGAS
Driver's license. For stays of less than 90 days in Nevada and neighboring states (California, Utah, Arizona and Oregon), a French driver's license is sufficient. The following states require an international driver's license in addition to the national license: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Vermont, Virginia, Washington. If your stay exceeds 90 days, you'll need a driver's license from the state declared as your state of residence.
International driver's license (IDL). The international driver's license can be obtained free of charge in France by sending an e-mail to the Agence Nationale des Titres Securisés (ANTS) well in advance of your departure, to make sure you get it in time. Visit www.service-public.fr and https://ants.gouv.fr/
Health à LAS VEGAS
United States. Running water is potable in all hotels.
Hospitals and clinics are plentiful in and around Las Vegas. The care provided is of good quality, but always for a fee. For a minor injury, there's no need to go to a hospital. You can go to"Urgent Care", a kind of small clinic. If it's more serious, you'll need to go to an"Emergency Room" (ER).
Before you leave, make sure you are covered by emergency and repatriation assistance. The latter will immediately open a file in your name and act as a relay between local doctors and the insurance company's doctor to quickly determine the best course of action should hospitalization, surgery or repatriation be necessary. There are several such organizations, including Europ-Assistance, April International and AVA assurances.
Take with you the duplicate of your prescriptions (necessary for customs clearance) and keep your medicine leaflets: they contain the chemical formula which will enable the pharmacist to provide you, if necessary, with an identical medicine.
Mandatory vaccination à LAS VEGAS
It isno longer compulsory to present a vaccination card or a negative virological test for Covid-19 before traveling to the United States. However, please check with your airline and/or the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs website (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr) to ensure that these provisions are maintained at the time of travel.
No other specific vaccinations are required for travel to the United States. However, make sure your vaccinations against tetanus, polio, hepatitis B and diphtheria are up to date, and take your health record with you.
Security à LAS VEGAS
Basic caution. In the United States, firearms are very common. Remain calm in all circumstances (traffic accidents, incivility, disagreements...). If things get out of hand, call the police or have them called.
Safety. Because violence is so well publicized in the media, it's difficult to distinguish between the reality we see on the news and the reality we should expect. However, certain neighborhoods, including several along Route 66 in Chicago, St. Louis and Los Angeles, are regularly singled out for criticism. In Chicago, it's the West Side and the south side of the city; in St. Louis, it's the north side between the airport and downtown (the Ferguson district in particular); in Los Angeles, it's the east, south and southeast sides, such as Watts, Inglewood and Florence. On Route 66 itself, the risk of robbery and assault is virtually non-existent.
Fraud. Because of the high risk of credit card fraud, particularly due to the absence of a secure microchip and PIN code. However, the use of the code is gradually becoming widespread in the United States. In all cases, you must be vigilant when using your card, and immediately stop payment if it is lost or stolen.
Beware of dehydration and heatstroke. This recommendation is particularly valid for motorcyclists from the Arizona-California border. In summer, the Las Vegas area can record temperatures in excess of 40ºC for several days at a time. Even at night, the thermometer can hover around 30ºC. If you want to go hiking, it's advisable to set off early in the morning. Some national parks, such as Lake Mead, advise against daytime outings.
Time difference à LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas is located between Arizona, Utah and California on the West Coast of the United States. The time difference with France is minus 9 hours.
The U.S. uses daylight saving time from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, while France applies this time change from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October; this results in an additional time difference between the U.S. and Europe during non-overlapping periods. Unlike its neighbors, Arizona does not apply Daylight Saving Time.
Note : in the U.S., time is indicated by the letters AM(ante meridiem) for morning and PM(post meridiem) for afternoon. so 6:00 AM indicates 6am, and 6:00 PM indicates 6pm.
Spoken languages à LAS VEGAS
The United States has no official federal language. The most commonly used language is English (in particular, American English), which is the de facto preferred language.
Speaking English, even hesitantly, is an opportunity to please your interlocutors, forge bonds and make encounters you won't forget (especially in the national parks)
Spanish is widely spoken in Nevada, and in neighboring states such as Arizona and California. In Las Vegas, there's a casino where only Spanish is spoken, and Hispanic stores (La Bonita supermarkets, for example) are plentiful. Don't hesitate to use it if you speak it.
Communication à LAS VEGAS
Phone. Phone coverage is excellent in major cities between 4G and 5G. In some areas of Nevada and other states, the network may not work well. There is deliberately little or no telephone network in large parks.
Internet. You'll be hard-pressed to find Internet cafés outside the major cities. But this isn't a real problem, as most hotels have Wi-Fi connections (free or for a fee, depending on the situation). Beware, however, of unsecured connections in these places. Most stores, libraries and museums have self-service connections. Finally, many fast-food outlets and bars have connections for their customers.
Electricity and measurements à LAS VEGAS
Electricity. 110/115 volts, 60 periods. Plugs have two flat pins. Buy an adapter for your appliances before you leave. It will be difficult to find one outside major cities. Hairdryers and irons are frequently available in hotels, more rarely in motels.
Distances. 1 mile (mi) = 1.609 km. To mentally convert distances and speeds (in miles per hour - mph), add 50% to the given figure, then 10% to the result.
Capacities. 1 gallon (gal) = 3.785 l , 1 quart (qt)= 0.946 l, 1 pint (pt) = 0.473 l, 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) = 0.0296 l.
Lengths. 1 yard (yd) = 0.918 m, 1 foot (ft) = 30.48 cm, 1 inch (in) = 2.54 cm.
Weights. 1 pound (lbs) = 0.4536 kg , 1 ounce (oz) = 28.35 g.
Temperatures. 32 °F = 0 °C and 104 °F = 40 °C. The conversion between degrees Fahrenheit (°F), as used in the USA, and degrees Celsius (°C) is more difficult to do off the top of your head. The exact calculation consists in subtracting 32 from the indicated figure, multiplying the result by 5 and then dividing by 9. Easier, but a little less exact: subtract 30 from degrees Fahrenheit, divide by 2 and add 10%.
Luggage à LAS VEGAS
All the big casinos on the Strip (and even in the surrounding area) have a luggage service to take your luggage up to your room. Feel free to give US$1 or $2 to the employee who will take care of you.
For a stay in Las Vegas, it's not necessary to bring a lot of stuff. At least, it depends on the time of year. In spring and summer, shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits and sandals are de rigueur, as temperatures regularly exceed 40ºC. Early autumn can also be hot. We also advise you to bring at least a sweater, as establishments tend to push the air-conditioning. July and August can also be rainy, with heavy showers that don't last long but can be violent. In winter, it's advisable to bring warm clothing, as temperatures can be around 0ºC or even negative.
The weather in the major parks is variable, and it's best to check websites for precise information. Some of them may even be closed from early winter to spring due to heavy snowfalls.
Daily life à LAS VEGAS
Hello? à LAS VEGAS
To call the USA, dial +1 before entering the 10-digit number.
In the U.S., only the 10-digit number can be used to make calls. The Nevada area code is 702.
To call France from abroad, dial +33 without the 0
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are the main telephone operators in the USA. Network quality is excellent, all operators included, in the cities and good, with a few uncovered areas, in the rest of the country. Please note: large parks have no network coverage.
Prepaid SIM cardscan be purchased directly from operators. T-Mobile offers a SIM card with unlimited calls, SMS and Internet in the USA, Canada and Mexico. This is an ideal package, especially if you use your smartphone as a road navigation tool. You can also buy inexpensive phones at major US chains, such as Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com), Walmart (www.walmart.com) or Target (www.target.com).
You can also use the wifi network available in all hotels, fast-food outlets and most cafés and restaurants for calls on WhatsApp, Messenger, Signal, Line or Skype among others.
If you don't have a U.S. plan, and want to use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS on your trip, uncheck roaming and data abroad in your phone's options before you land on U.S. soil.
At the airport, make sure all your electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, computers, cameras) are fully charged. They must be able to be switched on by the TSA.
Accessibility à LAS VEGAS
Since 1990 and the Disability Act, the United States has become a model of accessibility for people with disabilities. Las Vegas is no exception. However, the following websites can help you prepare your trip and assist you in your travel arrangements: Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): www.ada.gov, Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU): www.ilru.org. There are also travel agencies that organize trips for people with disabilities. These include Comptoir des voyages (www.comptoirdesvoyages.fr) and Yoola (www.yoola.fr).
Health à LAS VEGAS
There are no health risks in Las Vegas. For all types of treatment, there are various hospitals located throughout the city and in Henderson. We recommend Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center or Henderson Hospital. On the other hand, it's almost impossible to find a French-speaking doctor unless you contact the Los Angeles consulate, which may be able to help. We also recommend that you take out insurance in case of accident or health problem. You never know, and compared to France, the cost of health care is prohibitively expensive on this side of the Atlantic.
For a consultation with a doctor, the French embassy or consulate can put you in touch with a doctor approved by its services. Treatment, payment and reimbursement procedures are the same as for hospitals and clinics.
Before you leave, make sure you have emergency repatriationassistance from specialized organizations or via your credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). The insurance company will not necessarily pay the medical expenses directly, but will immediately open a file in your name and act as a relay between the local doctors and the insurance company's doctor to quickly determine whether hospitalization, an operation or repatriation should be envisaged.
Always take duplicates of your prescriptions (this may be necessary for customs clearance), and keep your medicine leaflets. They contain the chemical formula which will enable the pharmacist to give you an equivalent drug, if necessary.
Emergency numbers à LAS VEGAS
In the United States, in the event of an emergency, simply call 911. This emergency number connects you to the police, emergency services and fire department. It's the number to keep in mind at all times. For relative, non-life-threatening emergencies, you can also dial 311. This number can be called, for example, for a car accident without bodily injury.
It's also a good idea to know the names of emergency services. If it's not serious, you can go to what's known as Urgent Care. These are not emergencies, but rather medical centers that can treat minor problems. For real emergencies, the correct term is Emergency Room (usually spelled ER). Hospitals are of course equipped, but Las Vegas and the surrounding area also boasts several independent outpatient facilities.
Securty à LAS VEGAS
Nothing dangerous in Las Vegas! However, walking in North Las Vegas, just north of Downtown, is not recommended. Otherwise, Sin City is well secured, with a visible police presence on the Strip. The casinos also have their own security services. Of course, you should always be careful with your belongings. The police can be reached on 911 or 311 for less urgent situations (a car accident with no injuries, for example). In the event of a car accident without bodily injury, it's important to obtain the other driver's insurance details and call the insurance company. For rental cars, contact the rental company's emergency number first.
If you are stopped on the road by a Highway Patrol or police officer, always be courteous (it's common sense). Above all, remember to keep your hands clearly visible on the steering wheel. If you need to get papers from the glove compartment, for example, tell the officer.
LGBTQ à LAS VEGAS
Nevada is a progressive state, especially the city of Las Vegas, and the LGBTQ+ community is very well integrated into the city. Associations like Las Vegas Pride are very committed to defending the community. Every October, the entire LGBTQ+ community comes together in Downtown for a big parade. Since October 9, 2014, marriage for all has been legally recognized in Nevada. Since then, most Vegas wedding chapels have created LGBTQ+-friendly packages.
Embassies and consulates à LAS VEGAS
The French Embassy in the United States is located in Washington DC. For day-to-day formalities, the country is divided into several zones, each with its own consulate.
Southern Nevada is under the jurisdiction of the French consulate in Los Angeles (www.losangeles.consulfrance.org), as are Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. If you have any problems (loss of identity papers, serious accident...), don't hesitate to contact the consulate. The city of Las Vegas also has an honorary consulate who can help you with any formalities, particularly if you lose your identity papers.
Mail à LAS VEGAS
In the United States, USPS is responsible for mail dispatch and delivery. To send a letter or postcard (weighing less than 20 grams), the average cost is $1.50 for normal delivery. Receiving mail in France can take up to a week. If you need to send a letter urgently, it can be very expensive. For parcels, the price can rise very quickly, and delivery times can be as long as two weeks. Alternatively, you have access to other companies such as UPS or Fedex. For both of these companies, rates are high even if you're sending a simple letter.
When sending a parcel, you must indicate its contents and value. If the value exceeds US$50, your package may be held up in customs, with an additional fee.
In terms of price, USPS charges around US$27 for a 1 lb (approx. 450 grams) non-priority parcel. Arrival can take 10-15 days or less. UPS and Fedex charge higher prices.
Local media à LAS VEGAS
The main media outlet in the Las Vegas valley is the Las Vegas Review-Journal(reviewjournal.com). Every Sunday, the paper carries a section of the Las Vegas Sun , another local newspaper (lasvegassun.com). Otherwise, all the major national channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox...) have regional outlets for news from the city and state.
On the leisure side, the Las Vegas Weekly magazine(lasvegasweekly.com) provides a wealth of information on outings, activities, sports competitions, restaurants and shows. This magazine is very useful and easy to find, as it is distributed free of charge in stores and supermarkets.
