Page 181 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  179

Communications and Media Newspapers and
Magazines
Boston’s communications infrastruc ture is modern and well The most widely read news­
developed. Public payphones can still be found on some paper in the Boston area is The
streets and in hotel lobbies. Visitors will find the city is well Boston Globe (see p158), which
supplied with cell phone stores, Internet cafés, and public is thought of as one of the best
newspapers in the U.S. The
access to computers and Wi-Fi. News is readily available from other widely avail able local daily
Boston’s many television and radio stations, newspapers, and is the Boston Herald tabloid
magazines, and the postal service is quick and efficient – (www.bostonherald.com). The
whether you are sending mail within the U.S. or abroad. Thurs day and Friday editions
of The Boston Globe, and Boston
Magazine (see p158), published
Telephones phones require a chip or need monthly, contain listings of
Public telephones are found on to be unlock ed for inter national entertainment and cultural
some street corners and in usage, while others carry hefty events in Boston.
many hotels. Most accept coins roaming charges. Renting a cell
as well as phonecards, which phone while in America (try Cell Television and Radio
can be purchased at gas Hire) is an attractive, and often
stations, convenience stores, cheaper, option for many The Boston media market is
and newsstands. Local calls cost international visitors. highly competitive. Major
50 cents to $1 from payphones; network television stations
long­distance call rates vary. All include CBS (channel 4), ABC
numbers with a 1­800, 866, 877, Area Codes (channel 5), NBC (channel 7),
or 888 prefix, however, are free Central Boston’s area codes are and Fox (channel 25). Public
of charge. Direct calls can also 617 and 857; include this when television station PBS is on
be made from hotel rooms but dialing local calls. If dialing out channel 2. Popular radio
usually carry hefty surcharges. of the local area (but within the stations include NPR (National
Unless you are using your own U.S. or Canada) dial 1, then Public Radio) on WBUR (90.9
international telephone card, it the area code. FM), KISS­108 (107.9 FM),
is cheaper to use the payphone For international calls, dial WCRB (99.5 FM) for classical
in the lobby. 011, then the country code, music, and WMJX (106.7 FM)
For directory assistance, dial the area code (minus the first 0), for easy listening.
411 (local) or 00 (inter national); and the local number.
for operator assist ance, dial 0 DIRECTORY
(local) or 01 (inter na t ional.) All Internet and Email
operator­assisted calls carry Cell Phones
a surcharge. For emergency From neighborhood coffee AT&T
services (police, fire, or shops and hotel lobbies to ∑ att.com
ambulance) call 911. parks, there are Wi­Fi hotspots
all over the city. Those traveling Cell Hire
without their computers or ∑ cellhire.com
Cell Phones Internet­enabled devices can
In America, there are several cell visit a library – Boston Public Internet and Email
phone systems (AT&T is one of Library’s main branch has Boston Public Library
the largest). Check with your several Internet terminals for 700 Boylston St.
service provid er to learn about public use – or an Internet café. Map 3 C2.
your options when abroad. Some ∑ bpl.org
Postal Service Post Offices
Post offices are open from 9am Financial District
to 5pm, Monday through Friday, 31 Milk St.
and most are also open Saturday Map 2 D4.
from 9am to noon. They close on Tel (617) 482­1956.
Sundays and for all Federal holidays.
If the correct postage is North End
217 Hanover St.
attached, letters and parcels Map 2 E2.
of less than 13 oz (370 g) can Tel (617) 723­6397.
be put in any blue mailbox. Pick­ ∑ usps.gov
up times are written inside the
lid. Always use a zip code to
ensure delivery, and send all
overseas mail by airmail to
Boston post office, Charles Street avoid long delays.

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