For your convenience, The Ritz-Carlton has provided the following information to help you plan for and enjoy your stay with us.

Before you come to Philadelphia

Climate

· The weather in Philadelphia is seasonal with the temperature ranging from 25F to 39F degrees during the winter to 70F to 86F during the summer.

Clothing

· Cotton or lightweight clothing is suitable for daywear

· Proper evening attire is recommended when dining in restaurants

· Varies by season

Visas

A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. If your destination is the U.S., please see our e-Jourmal USA: See You in the USA and watch this brief video. These items assist in explaining new visa policies and procedures for visitors to the United States -- a nation with secure borders and open doors. Our Customer Service Statement details our commitment to those who seek visas to travel to the U.S.

*Info from travel.state.gov

Health Requirements

N/A

Language

• The national language of the United States of America is English
• English is widely spoken in Philadelphia

Transportation

Airports

Philadelphia International Airport

30 airlines provide 700 daily departures to more than 120 cities, including 52 daily nonstop flights to 31 international destinations

PHL ranked 15th in the nation and 27th in the world in passenger traffic in 2005 with 31.5 million passengers; 9th in the nation and the world in aircraft operations (more than 535,000 takeoffs and landings in 2005); 14th in the nation and 34th in the world in cargo and mail tonnage (more than 558,000 tons per year)

*Info from www.phl.org

Taxis

The Philadelphia Parking Authority currently regulates taxi fares in Philadelphia.

Tariff fare rates must be posted in all Philadelphia taxicabs.
Rates for service in the City of Philadelphia are as follows:

• First 1/7 mile (flag drop) or fraction thereof: $2.70
• Each additional 1/7 mile or fraction thereof: $.30
• Each 54 seconds of wait time or fraction thereof: $.30
• Airport flat rate (to and from Center City Zone): $26.25
  For areas outside Center City, the P.P.A. has authorized the taxi drivers to add $1.50 per trip egress fee as an additional charge to the fare and is payable at destination.
  
  Center City Zone is defined between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers as falling between South Street on the south and Fairmount Avenue on the north. West of the Schuylkill River to 38th Street between JFK Boulevard around 30th Street Station (2900 Arch Street) to it’s intersection with 32nd and Market Street and along a line west on Market to it’s intersection with 38th Street, south on 38th Street to it’s intersection with Spruce Street, east on Spruce Street to it’s intersection with South Street.
• The minimum fare including the egress fee for any trip starting at the airport: $10.00

* Tips and tolls are not included in the fare

** Fares are per cab not per person

*Info from http://www.philly-taxi.com/fares.htm

Rental Cars

Information phones are available at all baggage claim areas for each of the on-airport car rental agencies. Vehicles equipped with hand controls are available at all of these agencies. Please be advised that as much as 72 hours advance notice is required by some agencies if you require special arrangements. All such requests must be made at the time the vehicle is reserved.

ALAMO
Reservations: 800-327-9633; TDD: 800-522-9292
Internet Address: http://www.goalamo.com/
To pick-up your vehicle from the Airport, please proceed to Zone 2 outside the baggage claim area.

AVIS
Reservations: 800-331-1212; TDD: 800-331-2323
Internet Address: http://www.avis.com/
To pick-up your vehicle from the Airport, please proceed to Zone 2 outside the baggage claim area.

BUDGET
Reservations: 800-527-0700; TDD: 800-826-5510
Internet Address: http://www.budget.com/
To pick-up your vehicle from the Airport, please proceed to Zone 2 outside the baggage claim area.

DOLLAR
Reservations: 800-800-4000; TDD: 800-826-5510
Internet Address: http://www.dollar.com/
To pick-up your vehicle from the Airport, please proceed to Zone 2 outside the baggage claim area.

ENTERPRISE
Reservations: 800-RENT A CAR; TDD: 866-534-9270
Internet Address: http://www.enterprise.com/
To pick-up your vehicle from the Airport, please proceed to Zone 2 outside the baggage claim area

HERTZ
Reservations: 800-654-3131; TDD: 800-328-6323
Internet Address:http://www.hertz.com/
To pick-up your vehicle from the Airport, please proceed to Zone 2 outside the baggage claim area.

NATIONAL
Reservations: 800-227-7368; TDD: 800-328-6323
Internet Address:http://www.nationalcar.com/
To pick-up your vehicle from the Airport, please proceed to Zone 2 outside the baggage claim area.

*Info from www.phl.org/rental_cars

Parking

The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia offers valet parking. There are several lots in the Center City area.

Buses

Please contact concierge for details

Trains

30th Street Station, one of America's finest transportation hubs and a historical landmark in Philadelphia, plays host to 25,000 commuters daily. Conveniently located in the heart of Philadelphia, the station offers a variety of transportation means to get you where you need to go. We offer all local and regional rail lines - Amtrak ,SEPTA and NJ Transit , and ground transportation.

For questions regarding parking at 30th Street Station, please call The Central Parking System at (215) 386-2393.

For 24 hour Amtrak Customer Service please dial,
(215) 349-2270 or (215) 349-2153

*Info from 30thstreetstation.com

Local Information

Electricity

· 120 - 240 AC/DC voltage

Currency

· Transactions are done in USD. One USD is equivalent to 0.50 GBP

· You may change your money or cash travelers checks at banks

· Remember to bring along your passport to help facilitate exchanges

Phone

· The country code is 1, and the city code is 215

· International calls are made by first dialing 00 followed by the numbers. Calls to other states in the USA are made by dialing the area code before the number

· For local directory assistance, call 555-1212

Tourist Information

If you would like to speak with someone about visiting Philadelphia, call the Independence Visitors Center at 1(800) 537-7676. The visitor center is open seven days week, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Emergency Phone Numbers

911

Public Holidays

Labor Day

Memorial Day

Thanksgiving

New Year’s Day

Christmas

Easter

Hours of Work/Business

Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm

Banking Hours

Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm

Shopping Hours

Monday thru Friday 9am to 7pm / Saturday thru Sunday 11am to 6pm

Tipping

· Tipping is usually based on 18% of the total check and is greatly appreciated.

· Most restaurant and hotels include a service charge as part of your bill for parties over eight.