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Most New York banks are open from Monday through Friday, 9am–4pm, though individual branches may have longer opening hours. Only larger banks are equipped to exchange foreign currency. Be prepared to show a passport or other photo identification when changing currency.

People’s Foreign Exchange offers currency exchange with no commission charge. Travelex Currency Services charge a fee.

ATM machines can be found at almost all banks and are open 24 hours a day. They accept most common bank cards and credit cards, although they usually charge a small service fee.

Cash advances can be obtained from ATM machines using MasterCard and Visa cards; Banks accepting Cirrus (see Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)) take MasterCard; Plus card banks (see Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)) accept Visa. American Express members can also withdraw cash with their credit card at American Express offices.

Travelers’ checks in dollars issued by well-known organizations such as American Express or Travelex are widely accepted in the U.S. in restaurants, banks, and stores, although personal checks on a foreign bank are not. American Express offices will also cash checks for their cardholders.

Public telephones are found on many street corners, in hotel lobbies, and in restaurants and department stores. You will need 25 cents in coins to make a local three-minute call, and more if you talk longer. You can buy prepaid telephone cards at many newsstands, which conveniently eliminate the need for coins.

Many hotels now have free dataport connections for laptop Internet access. In addition, free access to the Internet is available for members of the public at the Science and Business branch of the New York Public Library

Postage for letters sent within the U.S. costs 37 cents for the first ounce, and 23 cents for additional ounces; stamps for postcards cost 21 cents. To send mail internationally, postcards cost 70 cents, and letters start at 80 cents for the first half-ounce.

All city post offices are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday; the General Post Office stays open 24 hours a day. Most hotels sell stamps and will mail letters for their guests.

The U.S. Post Office Express Mail next-day delivery service starts at $12.25 for up to 8 ounces; global 2- to 3- day delivery costs from $24. Next-day delivery is also available from Federal Express, DHL and United Parcel Service; both include pick-up services in their charges.