Route 66: A wild ride to the American West

Safety

The United States does not present a safety risk for visitors. Nevertheless, given the vast stretches of desert in the West, you should be careful. If you are making long car journeys through the deserts of Arizona, you need to take along a supply of water in summer and stay well hydrated at all times of the day. You should also check road conditions before setting off. Some animals can be dangerous, such as bears, grizzly bears or wolves in the north, or snakes in the deserts of the south-west. Fortunately, they are not very curious and you will rarely come across them.

Formalities and visas

Since January 2009, nationals of visa-exempt countries, including France, have had to apply online for an ESTA travel authorisation at least 72 hours before departure. This authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires.

If you have an old-style passport, you will need a visa, as this type of passport is not machine-readable and therefore not secure under US regulations. However, you can use it until its expiry date. But note that the tourist visa will cost you 80 euros. The United States requires an individual passport, whatever the age of the traveller. Babies (even a few months old) and children must therefore have the same passport as adults (or an individual visa if the child is included in the passport of one of the parents who has a visa). The individual passport for children should be applied for at the Préfecture or Sous-préfecture de Police in the place of residence. It is valid for 5 years and costs 30 euros.

Because of the attacks of 11 September 2001, security checks are more numerous and longer for travellers to the United States. Remember to allow a little extra time at the airport.

Transport

Route 66 aficionados are adamant about the perfect mount for travelling along Route 66. But in reality, it's best to adapt your vehicle to your journey. Some will not hesitate to hire a motorbike for the sensation of riding with their hair blowing in the wind. This solution is better suited to solo travellers or groups of friends who love two wheels and other big bikes. For those travelling as a family, it's best to opt for a car, which will offer a more comfortable ride. For a treat, you can hire a classic car. This will add a certain cachet to your trip.

GOOD TO KNOW :

Be careful! Almost all cars hired in the USA are automatic. This is slightly different from manual driving, but is very pleasant over very long distances.

Health

No special vaccinations are required, but very good insurance is strongly recommended (for treatment and repatriation costs), in the event of illness or accident, given the very high cost of medical care in the United States. To contact the emergency services, dial 911 (police, fire brigade, ambulance). Good to know The prices of products displayed in shops are always exclusive of tax. State tax, in this case 7.75%, must be added. An additional local tax may be applied to hotels in certain towns, for a total that can vary from 11% to 14%. Prices quoted in the service sector (restaurants, taxis) always exclude a tip: it is customary to add a 15% tip to the price quoted. If you pay by credit card, you should add the tip yourself and make up the final bill before signing.