Tennessee Travel Advice 

Passport Information

All travellers visiting the US with a visa under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program are required to have an individual machine-readable passport.

Detailed information, including a step by step guide to determine your eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program is available on the US Embassy’s website at London US Embassy or call the information line on 09402 450100 (£1.20 per minute from BT Landlines, calls from mobiles and other network providers may vary) or call a recorded information line on 0906 820 0290 (60p per minute).

Visa Information

Most citizens of 35 countries, including the UK travelling on their national passports with at least 90 days validity from the date of entry into the US, for business or tourism for 90 days of less, are eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program provided they meet certain conditions.

Before going online to register, you need to ensure that you are qualified to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) otherwise your registration will be rejected. It also does not guarantee entry into the US; that decision rests with the immigration official at the point of entry in the same way travellers currently entering the US under the Visa Waiver Program or with a visa are subject to inspection. Full details about ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) and the registration process can be found on the Embassy’s website, longon.usembassy.gov. Online application forms are available at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

Useful Information 

Electricity – 110/120 volts AC, 60 cycles. Flat, two-pin plugs are used.

Insurance – There is no agreement between the US and the UK for medical or hospital care. There is no equivalent to the National Health Service and medical expenses are very high. Medical insurance is strongly recommended. Anyone renting a car is also urged to take out comprehensive insurance as litigation claims are extremely common in the US and payments are high.

Money – All major credit cards are accepted throughout the US. When hiring a car or booking a hotel an imprint of a credit card is usually taken in advance to cover extras. Travellers cheques in US dollars are recommended. If these are carried, they will be accepted as cash in most restaurants, hotels and shops. It is recommended to arrive in the US with about $100 in cash, including one dollar bills for tipping and paying taxis. 

Tipping – In America tipping is a common and expected practice. Suggested tips are 10-20% of the bill for meals in restaurants and the same to taxi drivers. About $1 per bag or suitcase carried by bellboys or porters at hotels or airports is the norm. If going on an escorted tour, check beforehand whether tips are included. If not, the tour guide and others will expect at tip.

Sales Tax

Tennessee’s state sales tax is 7.0% plus local optional tax of up to 2.75%. Advertised prices rarely included the tax.

USA Public Holidays:

New Years Day

Martin Luther King Day: Third Monday in January

Presidents Day: Third Monday in February

Memorial Day: Last Monday in May

Independence Day: 4th July

Labour Day: First Monday in September

Columbus Day: Second Monday in October

Veterans Day: 11th November

Thanksgiving Day: Fourth Thursday in November

Weather in Tennessee

Tennessee is blessed with a temperate climate, with warm summers and generally mild winters. But since the state's geography varies greatly from the Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi Delta, it's best to check current conditions before you travel!

Time difference in Tennessee 

Tennessee is divided by two time zones. West and Middle Tennessee are within the Central Time Zone (GMT minus 6 hours)  while East Tennessee, including Chattanooga and Knoxville, are within the Eastern Time Zone (GMT minus 5 hours).

Trains in Tennessee

Amtrak’s City of New Orleans (Chicago to New Orleans) stops at Memphis and Newbern 0 Dyersburg, Tennessee. This train travels daily to New Orleans to connect the Amtrak’s westbound service on the Sunset Limited (New Orleans to Los Angeles). Visit www.amtrak.com for further information.

Jessica, our Tennessee Representative, has also shared her travel tips and advice. Read more...