Page 113 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guides - Chicago

Practical Information ❮❮ 111

Personal Security an intercom in case of list the fees and ask you
emergency. At night, avoid if you wish to accept them
As in most cities, the walking alone in dimly lit before continuing with
most common crimes are areas and in parks. Steer the transaction.
pickpocketing and purse clear of areas on the far Banks tend to offer
snatching. Common West Side of the city and better exchange rates
sense can help deter parts of the South Side than the exchange
these problems. Leave where crime levels are windows found at the
surplus cash, credit much higher. airports, though rates
cards, and valuables in a vary from bank to bank
safe place at your hotel, Currency and not all banks offer
preferably a locked safe and Banking foreign exchanges.
in the room. Don’t walk As an emergency stash,
around with your wallet in The US currency is the US dollar traveler’s
a back pocket, and keep dollar ($), which is divided checks can be changed
bags securely fastened into 100 cents. Paper notes at most banks and foreign
and close to your body. are in denomi nations of exchanges by showing a
Keep a copy of your $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and photo ID. They can also
credit card numbers (and $100. Coins are 50 cents, normally be used in
the number to call if they 25 cents, 10 cents, stores and restaurants.
are lost) separate from 5 cents, and 1 penny. Credit cards are widely
the cards, and bring with Coins valued at $1 and $2 accepted and commonly
you photo copies of are in circu lation, but are used, even for small
important documents, very rarely used. purchases like a coffee.
including passports, ATMs (cash machines) Some smaller, family-run
in case they are stolen. abound and are the establishments only
It’s best to avoid using easiest way to get money, accept cash, but those
public transportation very though most banks with this policy usually
late at night. Take a taxi charge a fee for use and advertise this clearly,
instead. Train platforms another for the exchange often with signs in
and trains usually have rate. The machines will their windows.
DIRECTORY
PASSPORTS AND UK HEALTH
VISAS MAP L3 • 625 N. Bernard A. Mitchell
US Department of Michigan Ave. Hospital
§ 312-970-3800
Homeland Security ∑ gov.uk MAP E6 • 5841 S.
∑ esta.cbp.dhs.gov Maryland Ave.
CUSTOMS AND § 1-773-702-1000
EMBASSIES AND IMMIGRATION ∑ uchospitals.edu
CONSULATES Chicago Dental Society
US Customs and
Australia § 312-836-7300
MAP J4 • 123 N. Wacker Border Protection ∑ cds.org
∑ cbp.gov
Dr. § 312-419-1480 CVS
∑ usa.embassy.gov.au TRAVEL SAFETY ∑ cvs.com
Canada ADVICE Northwestern
MAP L4 • 180 N. Stetson Department of Foreign Memorial Hospital
Ave. Affairs and Trade MAP L2 • 201 E. Huron St.
§ 312-616-1860 ∑ dfat-gov-au § 312-926-3627
∑ chicago.gc.ca ∑ smartraveller.gov.au ∑ nm.org
Ireland Foreign and Walgreens
MAP K3 • 1 E. Wacker Dr. Commonwealth Office ∑ walgreens.com
§ 312-337-2700 ∑ gov.uk/foreign-travel-
∑ irishconsulate.org advice Weiss Memorial Hospital
4646 N. Marine Dr.
New Zealand US State Department § 1-773-878-8700
∑ nzembassy.com ∑ travel.state.gov ∑ weisshospital.com

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