Sending a postcard within the US costs $0.26, while sending letters (up to 13 oz.) domestically costs $0.41 for the first ounce and $0.17 for each additional ounce.
Airmail is the best way to send mail home from the US; write “airmail” on the front of the envelope. Aerogrammes, printed sheets that fold into envelopes and travel via airmail, are available at most post offices. If regular airmail is too slow, Federal Express (FedEx) (☎800-247-4747) can get a letter from New York City to Sydney in two business days for a whopping $50. By US Express Mail, a letter will arrive within three to five days and will cost $25. Surface mail is by far the cheapest and slowest way to send mail. It takes one to two months to cross the Atlantic and one to three to cross the Pacific—good for heavy items you won’t need for a while, such as souvenirs or other articles you’ve acquired along the way that are weighing down your pack. These are standard rates for mail from the US to:
To ensure timely delivery of your mail, mark envelopes “airmail” or “par avion.” In addition to the standard postage system whose rates are listed below, Federal Express (www.fedex.com; Australia ☎13 26 10, Canada 800-463-3339, Ireland 1800 535 800, New Zealand 0800 733 339, the UK 0800 123 800) handles express mail services from most countries to the US.
There are several ways to arrange pickup of letters sent to you while you are traveling in the US. Many hostels and hotels will agree to accept mail for guests; after confirming with your hotel or hostel that this is possible, have mail sent directly to your attention at the establishment’s street address. Mail can also be sent via General Delivery (Poste Restante) to almost any city or town in the US with a post office, and it is very reliable. Address letters like so:
The mail will go to a special desk in the central post office, unless you specify a post office by street address or postal code. It’s best to use the largest post office, since mail may be sent there regardless. It is usually safer and quicker, though more expensive, to send mail express or registered. Bring your passport (or other photo ID) for pickup. Let’s Go lists post offices and postal codes in the Practical Information section for each city and most towns.
American Express’s travel offices throughout the world offer a free Client Letter Service (mail held up to 30 days and forwarded upon request) for cardholders who contact them in advance. Some offices provide these services to non-cardholders (especially AmEx Travelers Cheque holders), but call ahead to make sure. Let’s Go lists AmEx locations for most large cities in Practical Information sections; for a complete list, call ☎800-528-4800 or visit www.americanexpress.com/travel.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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