Page 112 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guides - Chicago

110 ❯❯ Streetsmart

Practical Information

Passports and Visas Travel Safety Advice For serious illnesses,
see the hospitals and
Citizens of EU countries, Visitors can get up-to-date emergency rooms listed
Australia, Chile, Iceland, travel safety information in the Yellow Pages of
New Zealand, and Japan from the Foreign and the telephone directory.
can spend up to 90 days Commonwealth Office Weiss Memorial Hospital
in the US without a visa, in the UK, the State and Northwestern
so long as they have a valid Department in the US, Memorial Hospital are
passport and a round-trip and the Department of convenient to downtown
ticket. They will also need Foreign Affairs and and the city’s Northside,
to register with the US Trade in Australia. while Bernard A.
Department of Homeland Mitchell Hospital, at the
Security and pay a fee Travel Insurance University of Chicago,
online prior to departure. serves the South Side.
Canadian citizens must A comprehensive travel Even with medical
show a valid passport. insurance policy is rec- insurance, you may have
Citizens of other countries ommended. This should to pay for services and
should contact their local include cover for trip claim reimbursement
US embassy well in cancellation, lost luggage, after. Contact your insurer
advance of their trip to car rental insurance before receiving any
obtain the relevant visa. and medical expenses, treatment. Many dental
which are high in America. clinics are open 24
Customs and Rental car agencies hours and available for
Immigration offer vehicle coverage emergency procedures.
(which can be high), Check with the hotel
Landing cards and but many credit cards, concierge or contact the
customs forms are home owner’s insurance Chicago Dental Society
distributed on the plane. policies, and banks for a referral.
Often travelers will also extend vehicle coverage. Pharmacies are plentiful
be required to enter Check with your credit throughout the city.
such information on card, insurer or bank Many drug stores are
a computer screen in before leaving home. open 24 hours. The most
the entry hall. Foreign popular drug store chains,
nationals have to join a Emergency Services including Walgreens and
separate line to have CVS, all have pharmacies
these and their passports For police, fire, and inside. The pharmacies,
inspected after landing. medical emergencies, however, even in 24-hour
Strict security checks, dial 911. If you are not in drug stores, are often
involving the taking a position to speak, the only open during regular
of photographs and emergency locator should business hours and often
fingerprints, are now in still be able to track you. close on Sunday.
place for those arriving in For non-emergency police Chicago is a city of
the US on a visa. Note matters, such as theft or extreme seasons. Visitors
that any person entering vandalism, dial 311 to should be prepared for
the US is required to stay reach the City Helpline. cold, windy, and snowy
off their cell phones while Both numbers can be winters, which can create
in the immigration line. accessed by cell phones. hazardous conditions.
US Customs and A hat, gloves, and suitable
Border Protection Health footwear are essential.
stipulates that visitors In summer, the extreme
can bring up to $100 of Tap water is potable and heat can also cause
merchandize as gifts special vaccinations are health problems: ensure
per family duty-free. The not required. Carry with you apply sunscreen,
$100 cap may include 100 you prescriptions for wear a hat, and drink
cigars but no alcohol. medications that you take. plenty of water.

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