BUSINESS TRAVEL IN THE USA

Business travel is relatively convenient and easy in most parts of the USA, however some aspects of travel may be slightly different than in other countries. The United States has an excellent system of highways and roads that extend even into some of the more remote parts of the land. The public transportation network is excellent in most of the populated areas but can be quite limited in certain rural parts of the country. Air travel is typically the best option for long-distance journeys while automobiles are usually the most convenient method for shorter trips.

Accommodations are plentiful in all but the most rural and isolated areas. Hotels are usually the most convenient and most economic choice for business travelers. Corporate housing or extended-stay hotels are a suitable alternative for travelers staying for more than a week. Bed and Breakfast establishments are typically hard to find and more expensive.

Air Travel

The distances between cities in the United States can be quite extensive, and long distance transportation options can be limited. The network for passenger railroad travel in the US is very sparse with few trip options and little convenience. Train travel is a viable option along a few corridors on the east and west coast, but is impractical for business travel in most other parts of the country. Interstate busses provide long distance travel, but the service is normally inconvenient and uncomfortable. Traveling long distances via bus or automobile can consume large amounts of valuable time.

Fortunately, air travel is readily available between most cities and is normally quite convenient. Air travel schedules between major cities such as New york, Chicago or Los Angeles usually include dozens of flights at various times of every day. Flight schedules into more remote locations and to smaller towns are often more limited yet available on a daily basis. The prices for tickets between popular destinations can be quite competitive and are often more economical than the less-convenient options like bus, car or train travel.

You can minimize your cost of air travel by booking reservations at least 21 days in advance and by including a Saturday night stay in your trip. Airline tickets booked at the last minute for short-term trips flown on week days are the most expensive. A trip from New York to Los Angeles can cost as little as $300 or less if it is booked three weeks in advance and if it includes a Saturday night stay, yet the same ticket can cost over $1500 if it is booked only a few days before departure and does not include a Saturday night stay.

Automobile Travel

The USA has an excellent highway system that extends all over the land and even into some of the more remote and isolated parts of the country. Rental cars are readily available at airports and in cities and towns everywhere. Rental rates can be very economical in the highly competitive markets like the big cities and the major vacation destinations. The rates can be more expensive in less popular destination cities. You are permitted to rent a car and to drive it if you have a valid driving license from your home country. An international drivers license is not normally required.

Each state has its own set of driving rules and regulations and each state enforces its rules with its state, city and local police. The rules are generally similar in all states with some minor exceptions. Any good road atlas will give you a description of the specific exceptions that apply in each of the various states. If you purchase a vehicle in the USA, you must register it in one of the states and must obtain a state license plate that permits you to drive the vehicle on any public road. In order to register the vehicle you must show proof of ownership and proof that you have sufficient liability insurance to meet the state minimum standards. Check the Driving Tips Page on our USATourist.com web site for more information about driving in the USA

Trains and Busses

Amtrak, a government supported private corporation, operates the US passenger railway system. It supports passenger traffic across the USA between the major cities and to a few of the smaller communities along the way. It does not service the vast majority of US smaller cities and towns and provides only minimal service in many of the larger cities that it serves. Unless you have some reason to avoid flying, railroads are not a suitable method of long-distance business travel in the USA. The only exception is along the eastern seaboard, where Amtrak provides good high-speed train service between Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Here is a link to the Amtrak web site where you can check train routes, schedules and fares: AMTRAK

The Greyhound Bus Company is a private corporation that offers interstate passenger service between most major cities, minor cities and larger towns in the US. Greyhound USA provides a fairly comprehensive network of routes that cover most of continental USA. Greyhound Canada and Greyhound Mexico extend that service throughout most of North America. The fares are typically reasonable, but the services is not always convenient and the rides are not necessarily comfortable. Buses are fine for short-distance travel but are not very useful for long-distance business travel. Here is a link to the Greyhound Web site where you can check routes, schedules and fares: Greyhound USA

Many of the larger cities have local commuter train lines that connect the inner city with the outlying suburban communities. Nearly all cities and most towns have bus systems connecting various parts of the communities and outlying suburban neighborhoods. Many of these systems provide excellent efficient local transportation.

Hotel Accommodations

The hospitality industry providing accommodations in the USA is dominated by large chain hotel corporations that each own hundreds or thousands of properties scattered about the country. Most of the brand-named chain hotels offer good clean, comfortable and secure accommodations at reasonable prices with quality standards that seldom vary. When you stay in one of the well-known branded hotels you can be reasonably assured of the level of quality and service that you will receive and of the price range that you will be charged. Certain brands appeal to the budget-minded traveler. Other brands appeal to the mid-priced better-quality market or to the premium-priced high-quality market. Many hotel rooms are equipped with two queen-sized beds which can comfortably sleep up to four people. Accommodations are normally priced by the night, and it costs little more for two people or even four people to share a room. Some hotels offer free breakfast, but very few hotels offer any meal plans. Use this link to find hotel accommodations in any US city and to compare prices or make reservations: Hotel Search

Bed and Breakfast establishments are not very common in most parts of the USA. Premium-priced B and Bs can be found in popular vacation destinations but they are seldom a practical choice for business travelers. Most cities have a selection of corporate apartments or extended-stay hotels that provide suites or efficiency apartments at daily, weekly or monthly rates. The prices are comparable to hotel rooms, but they do include added kitchen and living facilities. In some cities, it is possible to find short-term furnished rentals for a few weeks or a few months. Outside of the larger cities it is difficult to rent an apartment for less than a six-months or a one-year commitment except from extended-stay hotel facilities.

Restaurants

There is a wide assortment of restaurants in every price range throughout the United States. In the big cities, you can find restaurants featuring vegetarian fare, lean cuisine, regional American foods or the cuisine from nearly every land. In small towns and isolated areas, the selection may be somewhat limited, but good food at reasonable prices is available nearly everywhere. Chain restaurants offer predictable meals at consistent levels of service and quality. At local independent restaurants, the quality and service can vary, but the variety of regional offerings often makes the experience much more adventuresome and enjoyable When choosing a place to eat, it is a good idea to ask local residents for recommendations on the best restaurants in the area.

When entertaining for business, lunch is the most popular meal. Some executives are agreeable to meet for a dinnertime business discussions, but most prefer to spend their evenings with their family. Some executives claim to be too busy to spend time for either lunch or dinner. Often, an early breakfast meeting is more convenient.

Tips are not included in the price of a meal at restaurants in the USA, so it is customary to add an extra 15% to 20% to the bill. You can do this by inconspicuously leaving the cash on the table as you leave or by adding the tip to your credit card bill. When the waiter presents you with your credit card check to sign, it will have a space to add the tip and to total the purchase amount. If you host a larger party of eight or more people at a restaurant, the establishment may automatically add a 15% service charge to your bill. In such cases, it is not necessary to add any additional tip.

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