After Arriving in the United States
What you need to know upon arriving in the United States
From Immigration to Pickup
What Do They Ask at Customs?
On my first trip abroad, I spent a total of 30 hours traveling. I was already falling apart on the plane, desperate to escape what felt like a prison, and I kept staring at the screen wondering where my plane was. Once I arrived, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to the customs officer’s questions, so I even asked him to repeat them! Honestly, his expression was dreadful—I thought I was doomed! I couldn’t make out what he was asking, but I assumed he wanted to know where I was headed. I simply answered “Cornell University,” and he let me go. So, I suggest traveling with a companion so you have someone with you while going through customs.
What Is the Duty-Free Limit for Gifts?
For personal items and gifts carried into the country, non-U.S. residents have a duty-free allowance of 100 USD. The duty-free limit for alcohol is one liter (carriers must be 21 or older), and for tobacco, it is one carton of cigarettes (200 sticks) or 100 cigars. For any other items not covered here, please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
Is There a Limit on How Much Cash You Can Bring Into the U.S.?
You may bring up to 10,000 USD in cash and negotiable monetary instruments (U.S. or foreign coins and banknotes, traveler’s checks, money orders, or transferable securities) when entering or leaving the U.S. If you exceed this amount, you must declare it to Customs in advance. Failure to do so will result in civil and criminal penalties, and the cash and instruments may be confiscated.
What Is the Price for a Charter Shuttle to Campus?
$550 for 5 people, or $940 for 14 people.
Can You Spend the Night at JFK Airport?
- At JFK, only Terminal 4 is open 24 hours; the other terminals close at night, so be aware of that! All terminals are connected by the free AirTrain, although once you exit, the AirTrain service does charge fees.
As long as you remain inside the airport, the AirTrain is free for you (it has red/green lines; if you get on the wrong one, simply get off at the next station, don’t panic)!
As for where to stay, if you plan to remain within the airport, all areas are generally safe (with plenty of police available at service desks) and well-lit! The downside is, there are very few seats available (they get taken almost immediately)!!
If you must stay, I would recommend booking accommodation outside the airport, for example:
- Hilton or Marriott are also options—closer but slightly more expensive than IHG, though still cheaper than the TWA Hotel.
Does OurBus Depart from JFK Airport?
Yes, but the departures are infrequent! It leaves from Terminal 7, so you should take the AirTrain to Terminal 7. The bus will be on the arrival (immigration) side, parked at ground level near the Passenger Pickup area (either A or B).
New York City Tips
Is There a New York City Tourist Map Available?
Here is a Google Maps itinerary I created from my first trip to New York City. It can serve as a reference, though I can’t guarantee everything will be fun 😅.
Are There Ways to Save Money on New York City Travel?
Yes! When riding the bus and subway, make sure you use the same form of payment for all journeys.
Is It Safe to Go to Manhattan Alone?
Manhattan is relatively safe, with lots of police on the streets, so it is generally okay to travel alone. It is also reasonably safe at night, though it’s still advisable to travel with companions! One more thing: most people advise not venturing north of 120th Street (streets in Manhattan are numbered sequentially from south to north).
Last updated 26 Mar 2025, 19:39 -0400 .