Banks: 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 21:00, daily, some closed on Sundays
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, some open on weekends
Business Offices: 08:00/08:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

The United States is generally regarded as a safe place in which to travel. There is an excellent tourist infrastructure in place and policing of the busy areas is high. Petty crime does take place in Baltimore and you are advised to always hold onto your belongings and avoid carrying large sums of money around your person. Leave all valuables either at home or in the hotel safe and avoid walking along dimly lit streets on your own at night.

The currency used nation-wide is the US dollar. Notes come in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 as well as higher denominations and coins are available in US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent.

The majority of shops and businesses readily accept both credit and debit cards making life easy for visitors from overseas. That said, it’s always wise to keep some cash on you and tourists can bring their own currency or traveller’s cheques and exchange them at one of the city’s many banks or bureaux de change kiosks.

The alternative is just to use your domestic ATM card as Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diner’s Club, Maestro and Cirrus are all accepted at ATM machines. It’s wise to check with your own bank or card provider with regards to fees for withdrawals from overseas ATMs as they may be greater than the commission charged by banks or bureaux de change for exchange services.

Visitors arriving from overseas are obliged to complete a customs declaration upon entering the US. Fresh food and agricultural products are not permitted to be brought in. Neither are items from North Korea, Cambodia, Libya and Cuba; pre-Columbian artefacts; chocolate liquors; or obscene publications. Strict regulations are also in forced with regards to drugs and firearms. Duty-free allowance is: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars; a litre of spirits.

110V AC, all plugs are two-pronged.

There are no specific rules of etiquette that are peculiar to Baltimore and the general American codes of social conduct apply. If you are engaging is business, then do be aware that Americans are, on the whole, more formal than Europeans both in dress and behaviour. As a business visitor, you should observe the level of formality appropriate to the type of business you are engaging in. Rules at the dinner table are the same as those observed throughout the US and in many European countries. Visitors observing politeness and behaviour considered globally acceptable will generally avoid offending other dinner guests. Whatever the situation, you should wait until all guests are seated before beginning you meal. Toasts are observed by stopping eating and recommencing only after all glasses have been lowered. When your meal is finished, you may indicate such by placing your knife and fork together on the plate.

If you are invited to the house of a local person for dinner, you should show your appreciation with a small token or gesture such as a bottle of wine, box of chocolates, flowers or a small gift.

There are no specific health warnings required for those visiting Baltimore as the city is free from any dangerous levels of transmittable diseases and water borne diseases are entirely absent. Visitors are not required to have any vaccinations prior to visiting the city, although it’s always wise to make sure that your tetanus inoculations are up to date. Malaria is not an issue in Baltimore however there are still plenty of mosquitoes so, it’s wise to make sure you have repellent for your skin and perhaps a smoke-based deterrent such as mosquito coils.

Should you fall ill while holidaying in Baltimore, you’ll find excellent health care facilities on offer with both hospitals and local surgeries offering the highest standards in patient care. You’ll need to have a travel insurance policy with provision for medical treatment otherwise you may be liable for some fairly hefty bills. 

Maryland General Hospital: Tel: +1 410 225 8000

English is the main language spoken in Baltimore although with a large ethnic community it’s not unusual to hear Italian, Chinese, Arabic and others.

The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Centre is located at 100 Light Street, Baltimore and can be contacted by telephone on: +1 410-659 7300 or alternatively you can visit their website at: http://www.baltimore.org

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.