Our West Virginia (WV) travel tips mostly concern the broad matters of travel, especially where foreign visitors are concerned. As with other U.S. states, travelers will find West Virginia relatively safe and free of serious infectious diseases and home to friendly inhabitants. West Virginians are renowned for their friendly, accepting attitudes. The following West Virginia travel tips should answer most of your questions.
Language
More than 95 percent of West Virginians speak English, the most common langauge employed in the United States (US) midlands. Spanish is the second most common language. Others languages include widely in urban and resort areas include French, German, Italian, and Arabic.
Currency
The US dollar (USD, US$) is the official currency in West Virginia, as in the rest of the United States. The US dollar (USD1) is made up of 100 cents. Other currencies are not accepted in West Virginia, though travelers may exchange foreign currency at any bank. Automated teller machines, or ATMs, are widely distributed and may be accessed 24 hours daily. Credit cards are taken in most shops, restaurants, and hotels. Travelers’ checks may be exchanged at West Virginia airports and at most banks.
Time
West Virginia is in the Eastern Time Zone (EST), which is five hours or four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT -4,-5), depending on Daylight Saving Time (DST), which is generally in effect during the seven months of spring, summer, and autumn.
Electricity
As in the rest of the US, electricity is distributed at 120 Volts and 60 Hertz. Electric-socket plugs are types A and B, so visitors who wish to use electronics that require different sockets will need adapters.
Communications
The dialing code in the United States is +1, and West Virginia’s area codes are 304 and 681. All 10 digits must be dialed when calling numbers in the state. Verizon, AT&T, Cricket, and T-Mobile offer reliable mobile service, which may, however, be unreliable or non-existant in mountainous areas. Internet cafés are located in its largest cities. Most hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels offer free wireless internet.
Duty-Free
There is no international airport in West Virginia. Visitors entering the country via another state are subject to US duty-free regulations.
Consulates in West Virginia
There are no foreign consulates in West Virginia. Visitors are served through their country’s embassy or consulate in Washington, D.C., or in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (PA).
Emergency Services
Emergency-service systems may be accessed by phone by dialing 911.
Visas
There are no international ports of entry in West Virginia, and border crossings into the state are not demarcated or policed. Visitors should, however, visit the website of the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs to verify whether they need a visa to enter the U.S. Canadian and Bermudian citizens may visit the U.S. without a visa for up to six months. Visitors from most other countries may visit the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days.
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