In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · United States
Salem, Virginia
Spend a half‑day in Salem, Virginia, then drive to Roanoke (20 min) or Richmond (3 h) for more sights.
Salem is a small Shenandoah‑Valley city with a historic downtown, a museum, and nearby Dixie Caverns. One half‑day covers the main attractions; add extra time if you plan a day‑trip to Roanoke or Richmond.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $50–70 excl. bed (2026 estimate) · Mid $70–120 excl. bed (2026 estimate) · High $120+ excl. bed (2026 estimate) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | $2–4 (2026 estimate) |
| Beer (draft) at a bar | $4–6 (2026 estimate) |
| Meal at a casual restaurant | $10–18 (2026 estimate) |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.30–$3.80 (2026 estimate) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ROA · Roanoke‑Blacksburg Regional Airport
- about 20 min drive east via I‑81 (check)
Typical fares
- Roanoke Airport → Salem (rental car)
- about $45 per day (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is the most convenient; I‑81 runs north‑south. Downtown is walkable; parking available at hotels and the museum.
See and do
Known for
- Dixie Caverns
- Salem Museum and Historical Society
- Olde Salem Brewing Co.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, Virginia | Drive north on I‑81, about 20 min | ≈30 min total |
| Richmond, Virginia | Drive east on US‑460, about 3 h (check route and timing) | ≈3 h (check) |
Sleep
- Near I‑81 exits 140–141
- Chain hotels (Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn) with free parking; convenient for drivers.
- Downtown (East Main St)
- Walkable to museum and breweries; Holiday Inn Express and a few B&Bs.
- Inn at Burwell Place (B&B)
- Victorian B&B, $115–175/night (check current rates).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse meExcuse me |
| Thank you | Thank youThank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it?How much is it? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom?Where is the restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer temperatures often exceed 30 °C; stay hydrated.
- Traffic on I‑81 can be heavy on weekends (check).
Salem is generally safe; typical small‑town caution: lock car doors, watch for summer heat.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Salem, Virginia yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Dixie Caverns
- Salem Museum and Historical Society
- Olde Salem Brewing Co.
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Salem city official website: www.salemva.gov/
- Wikivoyage: Salem (Virginia), revision 5242838 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5242838
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Salem, Virginia
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US consulates are in Roanoke (check) and Washington, DC.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/salem-virginia). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.