Billings has a semi-arid climate, with low humidity all year round. Summers are sunny, warm and pleasant, and autumn is a particularly lovely season with spells of 'Indian summer'. The first frost usually comes at the end of September. Winter brings fairly heavy snowfalls, but snow does not accumulate. Warm 'Chinook' winds during February and March bring unseasonably warm conditions.

Billings' downtown area is confusing for visitors, being designed on a grid system with numbered avenues increasing numerically both to the north and south of Montana Avenue, and numbered streets crossing it from east to west. The central area is compact and can be explored on foot. Most visitors, however, prefer to rent a car to explore the city and outskirts. The city bus service is the Billings Met Transit, which is very efficient and easy to use. MET buses stop at most corners and at stops with a distinctive blue and green sign. Exact fares are required, paid to the driver. Buses run from 6.10am to 6.45pm on weekdays and from 8.10am to 5.45pm on Saturdays. There are no buses on Sundays or major public holidays.

English is the most common language but Spanish is often spoken in south-western states.

The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.