Getting through Philly airport

After you arrive follow signs for immigration (just follow the crowd). Once in immigration visitors are on the right side desks, but just listen to staff who will guide you through. Family groups can approach the desk together. Hand your customs form in (blue and white form handed out on the aircraft). They will hand the form back, hang on to it you'll need it later. You will be asked to provide fingerprints first your 4 fingers then thumb again just follow the instructions. You will also have your photo taken (no hats or specs allowed ). After a couple of questions you will pass through to baggage hall.  Your flight number will appear on the screen, go to that belt. It's possible your luggage may be off the belt and stacked on the floor ( depends how long it's taken to get through immigration).  Carts cost $4 and you need to swipe your credit card if you want one. Leave baggage hall following signs for customs, it's near baggage belt 2 or 3. Hand your customs form in. Turn right and bear left through double doors, you are now in Philly...welcome!  

To get to the hotel or car hire buses keep walking straight ahead, take lift to ground floor, exit the lift turning left, go through 1 set of double doors turn left and out of the airport building. Look for bus stop for car hire buses. Happy days !

Free satnav to use in the US

Download NAVFREE app US version, then install any of the state maps you might need (Pennsylvania) and use like any satnav. It's free and does not use any data when over in the US .., BONZA!! 

Getting through Philly airport....update

Ok we are here now, I'll update this page shortly with more details about getting through the airport etc

Nearly there

Oddly after all the planning, the fact that some of us head off next week is a bit surreal. Head off we will, just a quick posting to say if you need any info / advice / anything, then just get in touch.

Getting through Philly airport. 

Pretty straightforward really, first desk (queue) is immigration, just follow directions given by staff and line up. Immigration will check passports, check customs form, ask a few questions, take photograph and your fingerprints. Just watch what the people ahead are doing. 

Once through immigration, you'll collect your bags. 

Trollies in PHL are paid for, there will be a line of them and you will need to either use a credit card or cash to get one...$2 was the price last time we went through. If you can manage your bag ok you will probably be ok without one. 

Now follow signs to customs and hand customs form in. 

Turn right and within a few yards you are in Philly, WELCOME!!  

All of the buses (hotels and car hire) are on lower floors so use lifts, you'll see others using them. 

If you are collecting a car just follow the signs, all of the car hire companies are off site but the roads are quiet where the depots are. 

Car hire buses constantly run passed the terminals you won't have to wait too long. 

Make sure you know where you are going plan your route have a map or sat nav etc. if in doubt ask at the car hire office. Or give us a shout and we will see if we can help with directions. 

Driving in the USA is straightforward but the first few miles will naturally be a little different!  Just take your time, you will be fine. 

Last minute stuff

OK people we are getting there!

Reminders...print copies of things like 

• Flight itinerary
• Insurance documents, 
• ESTA forms (you won't need ESTA form for immigration, but it's just for peace of mind you have one), 
• Copies of any vouchers ie car hire/hotels.

Other reminders

• Passports sorted and packed in hand luggage,
• Make sure you have filled in Advance Passenger info (APIS) with your airline.  
• Currency arranged (better deals are online, don't just go into a store to buy you won't get the best rates).  
• Tell your bank (credit and debit cards) you are away and the dates you'll be in the US.  

Have a copy of your contact details inside your suitcase, never put your home address/phone number on a luggage label

Medication, make sure it's in your hand luggage

Read the page on the blog about driving in the USA, just to remind yourself of the rules when in the US.

Weddingsnap app...please make sure you have the app installed on your smartphone, we are going to be asking you to use it (use it now to show your preparations for your trip)...we really want to see photos of what you are doing...even if you don't have a smart phone, take some digital shots and send me the jpegs....it's really important.

If you have any questions about anything let me know.

US Customs Declaration Form and Entry Into The US

Immigration and Customs (you might want to print this off)

Customs form will be provided on the aircraft when travelling to the US

• Below you will find a copy of the customs declaration form all families must complete on entry into the US.  I have listed the notes from the form along with any of my own comments in red.
• Only one form per family group needs completing.
• Do not include yourself in the count in section 3, Family Members travelling with you.
• Country of residence is UK
• If you make any mistakes, complete a new form, immigration will not take a corrected form.
• The immigration officer will want to see your customs form but will hand it back, you need to hand the form to customs officers, after you have collected your bags. 
• Immigration will take your photo and fingerprints (electronic), just watch the people in front of you when they speak to the officer to see how it's done.
• On arrival the sequence of events is 

1. Immigration
2. Collect bags
3. Customs

US Immigration Site with sample forms

Customs Declaration Form (Front)

Sections to complete (All must be printed and in ballpoint pen)

1. Print your Family (Surname) name. Print your first (Christian) name. Print the first letter of your middle name (if you have one)

2. Print your date of birth in the appropriate day/month/year boxes.

3. Print the number of family members travelling with you (do not include yourself).

4. Print your address in the United States. If you are staying at a hotel, include the hotel's name and street address. Print the city and the state (PA is enough) in the appropriate boxes.

5. Print the name of the country that issued your passport. (enter UK)

6. Print your passport number.

7. Print the name of the country where you currently live. (UK for those of us coming from UK)

8. Print the name of the country(ies) that you visited on your trip prior to arriving to the United States. (None)

9. Print the airline's name and flight number.

10. Mark an X in the Yes or No box. Are you traveling on a business (work-related) trip?

11. Mark an X in the Yes or No box. Are you bringing with you:

12. Mark an X in the Yes or No box. Have you or any family members traveling with you been in close proximity of (such as touching or handling) livestock outside the United States?

13. Mark an X in the Yes or No box. Are you or any family members traveling with you bringing $10,000 or more in U.S. dollars or foreign equivalent in any form into the United States? (if yes then you must declare it on a separate form which you can complete in advance)

Currency in excess of $10,000 form

Read definition of monetary instruments on the reverse side of the form.

Examples: coins, cash, personal or cashier's check, traveler's checks, money orders, stocks, bonds.

14. Mark an X in the Yes or No box. Are you or any family members traveling with you bringing commercial merchandise into the United States?

Examples: all articles intended to be sold or left in the United States, samples used for soliciting orders, or goods that are not considered personal effects.

15. If you are a U.S. resident, print the total value of all goods (including commercial merchandise) you or any family members traveling with you have purchased or acquired abroad (including gifts for someone else, but not items mailed to the United States) and are bringing into the United States.

Note: U.S. residents are normally entitled to a duty-free exemption of $800 on items accompanying them.

If you are a visitor (non-U.S. Resident), print the total value of all goods (including commercial merchandise) you or any family members traveling with you are bringing into the United States and will remain in the United States.

Note: Visitors (non-U.S. Residents) are normally entitled to an exemption of $100.

Declare all articles on this form. For gifts, please indicate the retail value. Use the reverse side of this form if additional space is needed to list the items you will declare.

The U.S. Customs officer will determine duty. Duty will be assessed at the current rate on the first $1,000 above the exemption. (this will generally be 0, Immigration will ask the purpose of your visit, if you say wedding they may ask if you have brought anything into the USA as gifts, they may not.)

· Read the notice on the reverse side of the form.

· Sign the form and print the date.




Selling Long Haul online magazine, article on Philly and Valley Forge Park

Click on this link to see the online travel magazine Selling Long Hauls' article on Philadelphia and Valley Forge Park.  

Valley Forge is a national park and within easy driving distance of Berwyn, it's well worth a visit (free entrance and parking).

This is where George Washington (that well known Geordie) billeted his troops during the War of Independence, there are a few historic buildings for you to wander round.

But mainly, it's a big old park

Valley Forge National Park