Travel tips · Baltimore · United States
Baltimore travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matthew Binebrink, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Baltimore calls itself 'Charm City' and is proud, quirky and working-class at heart, with neighbourhood identities built around row houses, corner bars and parish halls. Locals are friendly and direct, and the city's eccentric side shows in Hampden's 'hon' culture and the films of John Waters.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Call the city 'Bawlmer' only in jest; locals use it affectionately, visitors less so.
- At crab feasts, share the table, use the mallet gently and put shells in the middle; staff will show you how to pick a crab if you ask.
- Wear purple on Ravens game days and orange for the Orioles if you want to join in.
- Respect residents' marble front steps and stoops, which are part of row-house life.
- Tip at sit-down restaurants and bars.
- Book National Aquarium ahead: Timed-entry tickets are sold online and weekend slots can sell out in summer.
- The Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters, the Basilica, Federal Hill Park and the harbour promenade are free.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hon | Friendly term of address, like 'dear' |
| Down the ocean | Going to the beach at Ocean City |
| Bawlmer | Baltimore, in the local accent |
| Natty Boh | National Bohemian beer |
What to wear
Casual. Bring comfortable shoes for cobbled streets in Fells Point, and light clothes for humid summers.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- US SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy; free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, libraries and at BWI.
- Time zone
- America/New York
Visitor areas such as the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Mount Vernon are generally fine with normal precautions, but conditions can change from block to block, so stick to busy streets after dark and use rideshares for longer trips at night. Car break-ins happen; leave nothing visible in parked cars.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Baltimore?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
+Can you drink the tap water in Baltimore?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Baltimore?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Baltimore?
English.