Indianapolis Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Indianapolis, Indiana - IN, USA)



Downtown Indianapolis is a relatively small area and visitors to the city will find that walking through the district is not only feasible, but a much more pleasant experience than attempting to see it through the windows of a car.

Since public transport in Indianapolis is not renowned for its efficiency, visitors are advised to rely on taxis or hire cars when traveling any significant distance. Here are some helpful travel tips about life in Indianapolis.


Tourism and Tourist Information

Indianapolis offers visitors a number of useful tourist and travel centers that can assist you in planning your holiday and advise you on places to visit, suitable accommodation and so on. These offices often provide tourists with free maps and brochures which highlight the city's various attractions.

Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association
Address: One RCA Dome, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana IN, 46225, USA
Tel: +1 800 323 INDY

Language

More than 300 languages are spoken in the USA, including over 170 that are indigenous to the area with the main spoken language in Indianapolis, Indiana (IN) and throughout the USA being English.

Visas

Prior to your arrival in Indianapolis, check with your nearest consulate or embassy for details about whether you need a visa when traveling to Indianapolis and the USA. Applications for visas should always be made well in advance.

Working

A number of different categories of non-immigrant visas are available for those planning to work in Indianapolis and the United States temporarily. Working without a current visa is against the law in America and harsh penalties are enforced. Those intending to work in Indianapolis should apply for the relevant working visa in their home country and may need a letter or documentation from their prospective Indianapolis employer.

Tipping

Tipping is generally expected in Indianapolis and in many cases required, unless service has been particularly poor. Restaurants in Indianapolis usually expect a tip of between 10 to 20 percent, together with the city's taxi drivers. Bars also appreciate some kind of gratuity and often place special tips trays on the counter. Hotel staff in Indianapolis also expect a small tip, which can be as little as a dollar.

Currency

Currency in circulation today in Indianapolis, Indiana, is typical of the United States of America. The American dollar is the official currency of the USA, and is commonly known as buck. Dollar bank notes in Indianapolis are usually called bills and come in denominations of $1, $2 (unusual), $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. The dollar is divided into 100 cents and coins in Indianapolis come in denominations of 1 cent (penny), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime) and 25 cents (quarter) and a 1 dollar coin.

Smoking

When eating out in Indianapolis, you will find many restaurants now operate strict 'no smoking' policies and the attitude of locals towards smoking in most public places in Indianapolis has changed greatly over recent years. Smoking is now also not permitted on public transport in Indianapolis, including buses and trains. Before smoking in public areas in Indianapolis and Indiana, check with those around you.