Summer Travel Guide
Summer Travel Guide
Written by Staff Thursday, 08 May 2008
Ways to support local business while traveling from home
Local travel agents
Australian & Amazonian Adventures, Full-service agency specializes in Australia, New Zealand, South American and African trips, 443-5393, No charges for service
Cruise Holidays of Austin, Specializes in cruises and land packages. Does not include air travel, 911 FM 1626, 419-7306, No charges for service
International Tours, Full-service agency specializes in international air tickets, 7911 Manassas Drive, 441-1000, Charges for making airline reservationsTumbleweed Travel Incorporated, Full-service agency, 7206 S. Brook Drive, 301-1195, Charges for making airline reservations
New Application for a U.S. Passport
Forms and directions for obtaining a passport are available online at www.travel.state.gov/passport.
Local passport acceptance facilities:
Oak Hill Station, USPS, 6104 Old Fredricksburg Road, 892-2794, By appointment only
Mockingbird Station, USPS, 7310 Manchaca Road, 416-1094, By appointment only
Leaving quickly?
The normal process for obtaining a passport can take up to 12 weeks through the postal service. Customers who need expedited services or foreign visas, must go to the nearest regional passport agency, which for Austinites is in Houston.
Another option is to use a service offered by businesses such as A Rush Passport & Visa, which is a locally owned Austin business, now open for 15 years. A Rush is an accredited associate of the National Association of Passports and Visa Specialists, a member of the Better Business Bureau and is registered with the Department of State.
The staff takes packages directly to the federal building and to the Department of State Passport Office in Houston, Chicago, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and San Francisco. Once the process is complete, the staff picks it up and ships it to customers.
How fast?
If you are leaving within 3 months, a passport can be acquired within 10-14 business days.
If you are leaving within 2 weeks, a passport can be acquired within 2-5 business days.
If you are leaving within 3 days, a passport can be acquired within 1 business day.
A child needs to reapply every 5 years for a new passport.
An adult passport is good for 10 years.
A Rush fees are in addition to government fees. 321 W Ben White Blvd., Ste. 201, 280-9389, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
0 Comments 
