DC offers direct flight connections to more than 30 international destinations, making it a popular destination for international convention attendees. Here is some useful information to help your international delegates to feel right at home during their visit to the nation’s capital.

Embassies: Many embassies offer guided tours with prior notification, and they’re an essential starting place for any international visitors who wish to tour the White House during their visit. Go to embassy.org to find contact information for each of the more than 150 embassies in DC.

Multilingual Services: The White House Visitors Center, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Mount Vernon and other attractions offer brochures in several languages. The Smithsonian Institution provides multilingual information at the visitors center in the Castle Building.

Complimentary foreign language tours are available by appointment at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, Freer and Sackler Galleries of Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Visit smithsonian.org for more information.

The Kennedy Center offers free tours on request in Spanish, German, French and Japanese. Tour scripts are available in 11 languages for self-guided tours. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.

The Meridian International Center offers multilingual services at its information desk at Dulles International Airport, and staffs a telephone language bank. For details, call Meridian International Center at 202-667-6800 or meridian.org.

Tipping: Tipping is voluntary; gratuities are not automatically added to the bill except in some cases for large groups. Tipping guidelines: servers – 15%, for outstanding service – 20%; taxi drivers – 15%; doormen, skycaps and porters - $1 per bag.

Electricity: The electricity used in Washington, DC is standard electricity, which is 110 volts. Appliances brought from Europe, Africa and most of Asia and Latin America will require a voltage transformer.

Passport & Visa Requirements: All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable. International visitors who need a visa to travel to the US must apply for one at an American embassy or consulate. For more information visit travel.state.gov.

Customs: You must complete customs and immigrations formalities at the first point of arrival in the U.S., whether or not it’s your final destination.

Travel Insurance: There is no compulsory or government plan in the U.S. You are advised to purchase travel and health insurance in case of an emergency.

Telephones: When calling from one area code to another, dial 1, followed by the area code and the seven-digit telephone number.

White House & Capitol Tours: Non-US citizens must contact their embassies in DC to inquire about White House tours. Contact information for embassies is available at embassy.org. International visitors may join public tours of the Capitol; tickets are offered on a first come, first served basis. See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.