Organize your stay Boston
Money Boston
In Boston, as in the rest of the United States, the unit of currency is the dollar (US$). Denominations are 1, 2 (very rare), 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 US$. Denominations higher than US$50 are sometimes refused, particularly at metro ticket offices and in cabs, but also in certain stores and restaurants.
Uniformly green and white, American banknotes all look alike and require a minimum of attention. Especially as they are all the same size. Make sure you don't make a mistake when paying, and always check the change you're given. As forcoins, they are 1 cent(penny), 5 cents(nickel), 10 cents(dime), 25 cents(quarter) - used in buses and laundromats -, 50 cents(half dollar) and, finally, 1 US$, which are now gold-plated(golden dollar). The 1 and 5 cent coins are all small and copper-colored; all the others are silver-colored.
The exchange rate changes daily, so check with your bank before you leave, or visit a specialized website such as www.xe.com. In May 2024, the exchange rate is as follows: 1 US $ = 0.93 € / 1 € = 1.07 US$
Budget & Tips Boston
With an exchange rate close to parity, the cost of living in the U.S. appears high to Europeans. As a general rule, cities are more expensive than the rest of the country.
The cheapest sectors are mainly restaurants and consumer goods (clothing or electronics, for example). It's easy to have a decent lunch or dinner for US$15-20 per person, including tip. Hotels, on the other hand, are very expensive, especially in Boston, and it's becoming difficult, if not impossible, to find a room for less than US$100-150. Rates can vary from simple to triple, depending on the period and demand, and sometimes from one day to the next in the same establishment. It is not customary to negotiate the price of a room, although in low season it is acceptable to ask if the establishment offers a discount. Similarly, outdoor activities and access to culture come at a high price, with museum entrance fees rarely under US$10 and sometimes reaching US$25 or more. Remember, too, that prices are always quoted exclusive of tax, and that a 15-20% tip is customary in restaurants, bars and with cab drivers. This will quickly add to your budget.
Passport and visas Boston
To enter the United States, you need a biometric passport. France is part of the Visa Waiver Pilot (VWP) program, which allows all French nationals to enter the USA without a visa. Since January 2009, in order to benefit from this visa waiver, you need to make an online declaration for tourist stays in the United States. To do this, you need to fill in the ESTA form online(https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov) and pay the administrative fee (US$21). Be sure to fill in the form at least 72 hours in advance, and only via the above-mentioned site. The ESTA is valid for 2 years; it allows you to visit the USA several times without needing a new authorization (within the limit of 90 consecutive days and less than 183 days per year, at the risk of being considered a tax resident). Many fraudulent sites offer to take care of this administrative process for exorbitant fees. To enter the U.S., all you need is a valid machine-readable biometric passport and a round-trip ticket, and no intention of extending your stay. Finally, a visa is required for stays of over 90 days. There are several types of visa (student, work, 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 https://fr.usembassy.gov/fr/visas-fr/. To obtain a visa for the United States, you'll need to go to the U.S. Embassy in Paris(http://fr.usembassy.gov). If you're not in France, here's a complete list of U.S. consulates and embassies where you can apply for a visa: www.usembassy.gov
Driver's license Boston
For stays of less than three months, a French driver's license (one or three sections) valid for more than one year is valid in all states. You must be at least 21 years old (in some cases 25) to rent a car in the United States. Once your stay exceeds three months (in which case you'll need a U.S. visa), your French driver's license is no longer sufficient, and you'll need to get a driver's license in your home state. As laws vary from state to state, we advise you to contact the French consulate in the state where you are staying.
Health Boston
There are no health risks involved in traveling to New England or the U.S., and no vaccinations are required.
Security Boston
Generally speaking, Boston is a safe city, and you'll feel safe overall. Nevertheless, it's important to remain vigilant and to follow a few basic rules of caution, which apply wherever you are in the world. Familiarize yourself with money, distinguish between different denominations and coins, systematically sort your bills in the same direction and group them according to their value (US$1 before US$5, then US$10 and, finally, US$20) when you are given change. Never show signs of wealth. Leave valuables and jewelry in the hotel safe or at home. Wear them only when you're going to a party at the theater or when you're sure you can catch a cab door-to-door. Don't let your shoulder bag hang over your back. Carry it on your side or in front of you, keeping one hand on it and checking that it's securely closed. Don't put valuables in your backpack unless it has an inside zippered pocket. Don't hang your bag over the back of your chair in bars or restaurants. Avoid ATMs in deserted areas, and only leave the bank when your money is put away and your wallet is out of sight. If someone shoves you violently or approaches you under suspicious pretences, be on your guard. Likewise, beware of jostling when getting on or off public transport, an ideal opportunity for pickpockets. At night in Boston, avoid wandering alone in parks and other crowded areas. In the evening, don't wear your camera around your neck.
For the latest information on local safety, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French 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 rather alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
Time difference Boston
It's 7 o'clock in France. When it's 5pm in Paris, it's 10am in Boston. This is true in both winter and summer, since daylight saving time takes place on roughly the same dates in France and the United States (give or take a week or two).
Spoken languages Boston
English is the common language spoken throughout New England. However, in Boston, an estimated 34% of the population is fluent in another language, particularly Spanish, Chinese and Creole (the city is home to a large Haitian community).
Communication Boston
In all the region's major cities, you'll be able to connect to wifi in all hotels, most restaurants and cafés. In small New England towns and in the countryside, things can get tricky. Telephone coverage may vary from one area to another, but overall, in 2024, it's pretty rare to find yourself cut off from the world.
Electricity and measurements Boston
The United States operates at 110 volts and 60 Hz. Sockets have two flat plugs, and light bulb sockets are screw-in (no bayonets). Whether you bring electrical equipment with you or buy it locally, don't forget to bring adapters(converters). If you buy equipment on site, be sure to buy the adapter before you return. But be careful! American standards are totally different from French ones, so make sure you only buy compatible equipment. The USA refuses to use the metric system, which doesn't make life any easier for us. Distances are measured in inches, feet, yards and miles. Weights are measured in ounces, pounds and tons. Liquid measures are even more complex and confusing: imperial (English) and American measures 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 evenings as the sun sets over the plains. So pack a light sweater and, above all, a lightweight K-way windbreaker, the aim being to counteract the wind that brings the temperature down. Winter is the time to be the most far-sighted; in temperatures as low as -15°C, it's best to have very warm clothes on hand, preferably several layers that you can add or remove, as well as gloves, hats and scarves. Don't forget lip balm for the sensitive. In all seasons, sun cream, sun hat and sunglasses. Good walking shoes are recommended if you're going to be walking intensively in town or in the countryside.
