Banks: 09:00-15:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00-17:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00-13:00, Saturday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00-18:00 daily, some closed on Sunday
Museums: 10:00-17:00, some open on weekends
Business Offices: 09:00-5:00, daily

Indianapolis is a relatively safe American city, but visitors should still exercise caution when they go out. Most of the crimes in the city are theft, so take extra care to safeguard your valuables. Wear a concealed money belt and keep cameras and bags slung across your shoulder to deter theft. Better yet, keep your valuables in the hotel safe. Downtown Indianapolis becomes deserted after the retail shops close, so be extra careful if you are walking alone to your car in the outdoor parking lots.

Indiana sees occasional tornadoes during the summer season from June to August, so be alert if the sky darkens. Warnings are issued by the government as soon as conditions get dangerous.

Police: 911

The currency in the United States is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. Bills come in denominations of US$1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. Coins come in denominations of 1 (penny), 5 (nickel), 10 (dime), 25 (quarter) and 50 (half-dollar).

Although most businesses in American take credit cards and bank debit cards these days, it is still advised that you keep some cash on hand. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport and any bank. Private currency exchange offices are not common in American cities, so it’s best to visit a bank, where you will also find a better rate than at the airport.

ATMs are widespread in the city and you may even find that the rates for a cash advance are better with your debit card than at the bank. Cirrus and Plus are widely accepted and usually offer exceptional exchange rates. 
 

Visitors coming from outside the country must fill out a customs declaration form at the airport upon arrival. Non US residents may import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or two kilograms of tobacco, one litre of alcohol and gifts with a value up to $100. Meat products, seeds, plants and fruits are prohibited. For additional information, contact the US Customs Service (tel: +1 202 354 1000).

110V, 60Hz, all plugs are two-pronged.

Americans are not known for their strict etiquette, but there are a few social rules which you should be aware of. Most Americans will readily talk to you about any subject, but be careful when the topic turns towards politics or religion. The dress code in Indianapolis is slightly more conservative than other American cities; however, shorts can be worn in most instances. As public smoking becomes more of an issue, be considerate of others and don’t smoke in public places. Smoking outdoors is acceptable, but be aware that most Americans now frown on the habit. People from Indiana are generally warm and welcoming, so don’t be put off if a stranger invites you to eat or have a drink in a bar.

If you dine at a restaurant, wait until everyone at the table has been served before you eat. If a toast is offered, you should stop eating and wait until the toast is finished before resuming. There is no set rule for who pays the bill at a restaurant. Unless specifically invited by someone to dinner, most people simply pay for their portion of the bill. Waiters are expected to be tipped between 15 and 20 per cent for their service. For groups of six or more, a 15 per cent gratuity is often added to your bill, and no additional tip is necessary.

No specific vaccinations are required to visit the United States. However, it’s best to make sure you are up to date with your basic inoculations such as tetanus and hepatitis. The tap water is safe to drink.

If anything does happen during your visit, there are excellent medical facilities in Indianapolis. Visitors from other countries should check whether they are covered by their medical policy in the United States. If not, it’s wise to get some travel insurance to cover any unexpected hospital costs. The price of travel insurance is very small compared to a typically exorbitant American medical bill. If you simply feel ill, there are CVS pharmacies located all over the city, and many of them are open 24 hours.

Methodist Hospital: +1 317 916 3525
Emergencies: 911

English is the main language spoken in the United States. In Indianapolis, it is unlikely you will hear any other language being spoken although many Americans can also speak a little Spanish.

Like most large American cities, Indianapolis has a well-organised and useful tourist information office. These offices are occasionally located in the airport, but can always be found in the city centre, often near major attractions. They provide brochures about local sights and offer information on lodging and travel. The tourism office is located at 1 North Capitol Avenue, Suite 100. The phone number is +1 317 232 8860.

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.