With its leafy avenues, iconic monuments, world-class museums and diverse dining scene, Washington, DC is a capital to be proud of. True it’s a hardworking place where politicos ceaselessly tap away on smartphones, over-achievers jog up and down the Mall at sunrise, and interns dash around Capitol Hill, but the dynamism and drive are compelling.

Public Transport

Washington’s Metrorail (tel: 202 637 7000; www.wmata.com) is one of the best in the country. Trains run from 5am to midnight, and tickets (computerised fare cards) are available at vending machines inside stations. Unlimited daily and weekly travel passes are also available. Alternatively, Circulator buses (www.dccirculator.com) run to and from Georgetown.

Climate and best time to visit Washington, DC

With politics at its heart, Washington’s busy seasons revolve around Congress sessions between mid-September to November and mid-January to June. During these periods, hotel prices rise and you’ll need to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Visitor numbers peak in spring when the cherry blossom covers the National Mall in swathes of pink confetti petals. For better value and fewer crowds, early September and late November and December are best. Early July is also an option although in summer the city can get very hot and humid.

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing Code: +1

Telephone

For emergency police, fire or medical services in major cities, dial 911. The following codes denote toll-free (freephone) numbers: 800, 855, 866, 877 and 888.

Mobile Telephone

Foreign mobile telephones only work if they are tri-band or quad-band; charges are high. Visitors can also hire a mobile telephone. Pre-pay cell phones can be purchased from a variety of retail outlets, including drug stores.

Key Areas

Vibrant shopping areas include Penn Quarter and Union Station where most of the popular brands are represented. For quirky, one-off shops, collectibles and bookstores, Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle are a good bet, as are U Street Corridor and 14th Street where vintage is king. But the city’s most enjoyable shopping is in historic Georgetown where shops stay open late.

Markets

Dozens of farmers’ markets are dotted around Washington. Two of the best include Dupont Fresh Farm Market and Adams Morgan, while Union Market is a huge, year-round indoor market featuring 40 local producers. The city’s largest, most vibrant flea market is Eastern Market.

Social Conventions

Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. The wide variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities.

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting in formal situations and in business meetings. A relaxed and informal atmosphere is usually the norm. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background.

Main emergency number: 911

Food & Drink

Food in the US is safe to eat, and the conditions under which food is prepared and served are regulated by city, state, and federal health and hygiene agencies. In many jurisdictions, it is mandatory for restaurants to have a certificate of health or hygiene, as well as the current grade they have been assigned, posted visibly.

Although America is famous for its fast food and obesity rates, the local and fresh food movement is very popular in many areas, especially cities, making it easy to eat healthy. A variety of options also makes it easy for people with special dietary needs to find food that suits them, whether their needs are due to health reasons or to religious requirements.

Tap water is considered safe to drink in the US and is often offered in restaurants before bottled water. Bottled water is available throughout the country, however, both in restaurants and shops, for those who prefer not to drink tap water.

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.

IATA Travel CentreIATA Travel Centre