Organize your stay Boston
Covid-19 : current situation Boston
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Boston. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Boston
In Boston, as in the rest of the United States, the unit of currency is the dollar (US$). The denominations are 1, 2 (extremely rare), 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 US$. Denominations higher than 50 US$ are sometimes refused, especially at subway counters, in taxis but also in some shops and restaurants.
Uniformly green and white, American banknotes all look alike and require a minimum of attention. Especially since they are all the same size. Make sure you don't make a mistake when paying and always check when you get change. As for coins (corners), they are 1 cent (penny), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), 25 cents (quarter) - used in buses and laundromats -, 50 cents (half dollar) and, finally, 1 US$, which are now golden (golden dollar). The 1 and 5 cent coins are very small and copper-coloured; all the others are silver-coloured.
The exchange rate changes daily, check with your bank before departure or go to a specialized website, such as www.xe.com. In August 2020, the exchange rate is as follows: 1 US $ = 0.83 € / 1 € = 1.15 US$
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Budget & Tips Boston
With an almost equal exchange rate, the cost of living in the United States seems high to Europeans. Generally speaking, cities are more expensive than the rest of the country
The low-cost sectors are mainly catering and consumer goods (e.g. clothing or electronics). It is easy to have a very good lunch or dinner for 15 US$ per person, including tips. On the other hand, hotels are very expensive, especially in Boston, and it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to find a room for less than US$ 100. It is not customary to negotiate the price of the room, although in low season it is acceptable to ask if the establishment offers a discount. Likewise, outdoor activities and access to culture are very expensive, with museum entrance fees rarely below US$ 10 and up to US$ 25 or more. Also remember that prices are always quoted exclusive of tax and that a 15-20% tip is required in restaurants, bars and with taxi drivers. This can add up to a lot of extra cash
Passport and visas Boston
To travel to the United States, you need a biometric passport. France is part of the Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWP), which allows all French nationals to enter the United States without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. Since January 2009, to benefit from this visa waiver, it has been necessary to make an online declaration for tourist stays in the United States. To do so, you will need to fill out the ESTA form online (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov) and pay an administrative fee of US$14. Be sure to fill out the form at least 72 hours before and only through the above-mentioned site. Many fraudulent sites offer to take care of this administrative process for an exorbitant fee. To enter the United States, all you need is a valid, biometric, machine-readable passport and a non-refundable round-trip ticket and no intention of extending your stay. Finally, for any stay longer than 90 days, the visitor must be in possession of a visa. Several types of visas exist (student, work, etc.), but they are all quite difficult to obtain.
For more information on the type of visa to apply for and the procedures to follow, visit https://fr.usembassy.gov/fr/visas-fr/. To obtain a visa for the United States, you will need to go to the United States Embassy in Paris (http://fr.usembassy.gov). If you are not in France, here is the complete list of American consulates and embassies where you can apply for a visa: www.usembassy.gov
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Driver's license Boston
For a stay of less than three months, the French driving licence (one or three parts) of more than one year is valid in all States. You must be at least 21 years old (in some cases 25 years old) to rent a car in the United States. Once the length of your stay exceeds three months (in which case you are in possession of an American visa), the French license is no longer sufficient and it becomes mandatory to take the driving license in the State of residence. As the laws are different in each State, we advise you to contact the French consulate of the State that concerns you.
Health Boston
There is no health risk to you when you go to New England or the United States, and no vaccination is required.
Security Boston
Generally speaking, Boston is a safe city and one feels generally safe there. Nevertheless, you should remain vigilant and follow some basic safety precautions that apply wherever you are in the world. Familiarize yourself with money, differentiate between different denominations and coins, systematically classify your bills in the same direction and group them according to their value (the US$1 before the US$5, then the US$10 and finally the US$20) when you get change. Never display outward signs of wealth. Leave valuables and jewellery in the hotel safe or at home. Wear them only on your way to an evening at the theatre or when you are sure to take a taxi from door to door. Don't leave your shoulder bag hanging over your back. Wear it at your side or in front of you, keeping one hand on it and checking that it is securely closed. Don't put any valuables in your backpack unless it has an inside zippered pocket. Do not hang your bag on the back of your chair in bars or restaurants. Avoid vending machines in deserted areas, don't leave the bank until your money is stowed away and your wallet is out of sight. If someone shoves you violently or approaches you under a suspicious pretext, be on your guard. Also, beware of jostling while getting on or off public transport, an ideal opportunity for pickpockets. At night in Boston, avoid walking alone in parks and places where there are few people. At night, avoid keeping your camera around your neck
For the latest information on local security, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie. gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that this sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the actual situation in the country
Time difference Boston
It's seven o'clock with France. When it's 5:00 in Paris, it's 10:00 in Boston. This is true in winter as in summer, since the daylight saving time takes place on roughly the same dates in France and in the United States (give or take a week or two).
Spoken languages Boston
English is the language commonly spoken throughout New England. However, in Boston, it is estimated that nearly 34% of the population is fluent in another language, particularly Spanish, Chinese, and Creole (the city is home to a large Haitian community).
Learning English: There are different ways to learn some basics of the language and the offer for self-learning can be done on different media: CDs, video cassettes, workbooks or even directly on the Internet.
Communication Boston
In all major cities in the region, you will be able to connect to wifi in most restaurants and cafes. Libraries are always an excellent solution for those looking for access to a computer and the Internet. The Boston Public Library, the central library, has 26 addresses throughout the city.
However, in small New England towns and in the countryside, it gets a little more complicated. There is no telephone coverage everywhere, but even then, don't hesitate to push the door of a café or restaurant and ask if you can connect to the wifi network.
Electricity and measurements Boston
The United States operates at 110 volts and a frequency of 60 Hz. The sockets have two flat plugs and the bulb sockets are screwed (no bayonets). Whether you bring or buy electrical equipment locally, don't forget to bring adapters (converters), available at Best Buy and Duane Reade, among others. If you buy appliances locally, be sure to purchase the adapter before you return home. But beware! American standards are totally different from French standards, so make sure you only buy compatible equipment. The United States refuses to submit to the metric system, which doesn't make our life easier. Distances are measured in inches (inches), feet (feet), yards and miles. Weights are measured in ounces, pounds and tons. Liquid measurements are even more complex and confusing: imperial (English) and American measurements are in pints and gallons, but are different (1 imperial pint = 1.25 american pint).
Luggage Boston
Wherever you are in New England, even in midsummer, if you stay on the shores, it can get a little chilly in the evening when the sun sets over the plains. Bring a small sweater and especially a light K-way windbreaker, the goal being to counter the wind that brings down the temperature. It is in winter that you need to be the most provident; in temperatures of -15°C, it is best to have very warm clothing at your disposal, preferably several layers that you can add or remove, as well as gloves, hats and scarves. Don't forget lip sticks for the sensitive. In all seasons, sun cream, sun hat, sunglasses. Good walking shoes are recommended, if you plan to walk intensely in the city or in the countryside
