Banks: 09.00 to 16.00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09.00 to 15.00, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09.00 to 17.00/18.00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 10.00 to 21.00, daily; some closed on Sundays

Like any large US city, Austin has some areas where it’s unwise to frequent alone at night. These areas include Montopolis Drive, Dove Springs, East Side and Sixth and Seventh streets at weekends. Crime is not especially prevalent in the city but pickpockets and opportunist thieves are not uncommon and since they often target tourists, it’s wise to stay alert at all times and to keep cash and valuable items in secure places.

110V AC, 60Hz; all plugs are two-pronged and flat pinned.

Austin presents no major threats to the health of either its permanent residents or those holidaying in the city. No vaccinations are necessary for travel here and tap water in Austin is safe to drink. Standards of care and treatment in the city’s hospitals are high but expensive, so all non-US visitors should be sure to take out travel insurance with medical cover ahead of their trip.

Austin State Hospital: +1 512 452 0381
Emergency services: 911

English is the official language of the US.

The currency in Austin is the US dollar with US$1 equal to 100 cents.

The duty-free allowance for non-US citizens is: 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigars) and a single litre of spirits. Visitors are required to complete a customs declaration form before entering the country and are not allowed to bring fresh food or organic agricultural products in with them.

Austin’s residents are generally polite characters and will expect visitors to show similar good manners in public places. Holding open doors for people is usual practice and thanking someone for doing the same for you is expected. Queues for services are orderly and jumping a queue is highly frowned upon.

Despite the summer weather being hot in Austin, it’s not fitting for men to parade bare-chested through shopping centres or malls or to head for restaurants in a similar state of undress. Equally, women should reserve bikinis and swimwear for the poolside.

European Union nationals need to fill out a form requesting a visa at least 72 hours before they plan to travel to the US. You may need to show evidence of funds and an onward ticket. Canadians also require a passport to enter the US.

The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau is situated on Congress Avenue and can be contacted at +1 800 926 2282 or +1 866 46 287 846 (toll free within the US but overseas callers may be charged for their call).