US Holiday

[peejay]

Me too...

UNTIL I GOT APPROVED FOR 4 MONTHS OF LEAVE FROM MY JOB TODAY!!!

2012 Summer period- USA here I come!

Exactly what i am doing right now.

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

Only just noticed this thread, I rarely post anywhere but it looks like many people have a US obsession. I traveled to the US as a kid 8-9 years old and went again 17 with my Dad. I'm looking at heading over early in 2012 with a good mate of mine. For a holiday in the US. My best friend has scored a college football scholarship (extreme jealousy) so will meet up with him and possibly go to Mexico. I will also head to Canada and try and score a bar job or something in Toronto and live there for a while. After some advice.

I'm looking at the trains, they seem a good deal and an interesting way to travel, does anyone have any thoughts/experiences on these?

I'm thinking of doing West coast then train to Chicago, then train to the big eastern cities, Boston, Philli, New York, DC. I then hope to head to Florida and check out the South.

How much is car hire in America, it would just be my friend and I for the majority of the trip and a car could seem a good way of getting around? Time is no issue for us, what about hiring/buying a van or something and driving it around America. Is this a good idea or is it expensive and pointless?

What sort of money would I be looking at each day, we are poor uni students and can survive on the basics. Hostels would be the go mostly.

Also if we do decide to go to Mexico, is it dirt cheap? Or will heading there for a week be an expensive exercise?

Thanks

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Has anyone done the Grand Canyon (West Rim Skywalk) by car from Vegas?

We are planning on doing this tour but still unsure if we will buy a bus tour and let them do all the driving or drive our self and have the freedom to explore at our own will.

Any recommendations?

 

[Leslie_Chow]

Whats the best way to go about booking Internal flights?

Travel agent, the actual sites, or online somewhere like Expedia?

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Whats the best way to go about booking Internal flights?

Travel agent, the actual sites, or online somewhere like Expedia?

I don’t know the exact answer but when we booked our flights through Harvey World Travel we got a really good deal, something like $110 cheaper than the net. So we took it.

Also, due to this time being our first time we booked flights and accommodation, we had someone we could refer back to and ask silly questions.

Maybe next time we will book on line because now we never go to a travel agent to book anything domestic anymore. Next time I’ll try Expedia.com.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Whats the best way to go about booking Internal flights?

Travel agent, the actual sites, or online somewhere like Expedia?

Expedia, Priceline or through the airlines themselves. Price differences tend to vary and sometimes the airlines directly are just as cheap.

Using a travel agent, you pay them and they pay the airlines. You then have to go through the travel agent to make any last minute changes because they are the purchaser. I wanted to extend my holiday by one day and I called Air New Zealand, but because I could not quote the payment method of the booking agent, they couldn't deal with me until 24 hours before the return flight.

If you are travelling with others, remember to put in your booking numbers and choose your own seating as sometimes they will seat you separately to your companions.

Also be aware of their cancellation policies. If you are delayed and it is their fault, they will compensate you for missing a connection. If it the airports fault, you miss out. Most will try to put you on the next flight out even if they use another airline, whilst some you have to wait for their next flight.

If I am on a tight schedule, I like to check whether there are other flights out with the same airline if I miss my first connection.

For example, Airtrans is one airline that has no reciprocal agreement with other airlines, so if you miss their connection, you have to wait for their next flight out so if it is a connection time gap of 90 minutes or less, make sure they have another flight after that one the same day.

I was held up for an hour leaving Memphis because Atlanta airport was overloaded and I had a 30 minute connection window to get a flight from Atlanta to New York. Apparently this sort of delay is common in some airports as the traffic is a lot larger than you would think. Atlanta claims to be the busiest domestic airport in the US for example.

 

[Vendrell]

I've got family in Canada and the USA and I'm currently looking at flights as I've already got a Canadian working visa. At some point I'd like to visit family and friends in the US while I'm over there but I'm having some issues getting my head around the ESTA.

Do I need an ESTA if my flights to Canada have a stopover in the US for a few hours? If so, does that mean I can't then apply for entry to the US later on, say if I want to spend Christmas with family in the US because I actually have to leave the continent first? I've looked into a B1 tourist visa which allows you to cross the US/Canadian border whenever you want but the wait for processing is 2 months and I'd like to leave before then.

The only way I can see getting around this is by booking flights to Canada that stopover in Hong Kong which are at least an extra $1000.

What I was hoping to do was fly to Canada for work/holiday, travel down to the US, back up to Canada then home to Australia.

Does anyone have any insight?

 

[peejay]

Expedia, Priceline or through the airlines themselves. Price differences tend to vary and sometimes the airlines directly are just as cheap.

Using a travel agent, you pay them and they pay the airlines. You then have to go through the travel agent to make any last minute changes because they are the purchaser. I wanted to extend my holiday by one day and I called Air New Zealand, but because I could not quote the payment method of the booking agent, they couldn't deal with me until 24 hours before the return flight.

If you are travelling with others, remember to put in your booking numbers and choose your own seating as sometimes they will seat you separately to your companions.

Also be aware of their cancellation policies. If you are delayed and it is their fault, they will compensate you for missing a connection. If it the airports fault, you miss out. Most will try to put you on the next flight out even if they use another airline, whilst some you have to wait for their next flight.

If I am on a tight schedule, I like to check whether there are other flights out with the same airline if I miss my first connection.

For example, Airtrans is one airline that has no reciprocal agreement with other airlines, so if you miss their connection, you have to wait for their next flight out so if it is a connection time gap of 90 minutes or less, make sure they have another flight after that one the same day.

I was held up for an hour leaving Memphis because Atlanta airport was overloaded and I had a 30 minute connection window to get a flight from Atlanta to New York. Apparently this sort of delay is common in some airports as the traffic is a lot larger than you would think. Atlanta claims to be the busiest domestic airport in the US for example.

how many times have you travelled out of Australia?

 

[Freakie]

Your ESTA last 2 years. As long as you put your travel details into your application you will be fine to do what you have planned.

Otherwise you can get Air NZ flights MEL/SYD(or wherever you are/AKL/Vancouver and bypass the states, price should be similar to your original quote.

 

[Vendrell]

Your ESTA last 2 years. As long as you put your travel details into your application you will be fine to do what you have planned.

Otherwise you can get Air NZ flights MEL/SYD(or wherever you are/AKL/Vancouver and bypass the states, price should be similar to your original quote.

Thanks for the reply. I think the Visa Waiver Program only lasts for 90 days from when you land in the US and it includes time spent in Canada and Mexico. Therefore, the 90 days would start when I land for a stopover in the US. Once that time is up, I'd have to leave the continent (like go to London for a week) if I wanted to then travel the US.

Maybe I'll think about doing the US before Canada.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

how many times have you travelled out of Australia?

A few ... relevance?

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

Only just noticed this thread, I rarely post anywhere but it looks like many people have a US obsession. I traveled to the US as a kid 8-9 years old and went again 17 with my Dad. I'm looking at heading over early in 2012 with a good mate of mine. For a holiday in the US. My best friend has scored a college football scholarship (extreme jealousy) so will meet up with him and possibly go to Mexico. I will also head to Canada and try and score a bar job or something in Toronto and live there for a while. After some advice.

I'm looking at the trains, they seem a good deal and an interesting way to travel, does anyone have any thoughts/experiences on these?

I'm thinking of doing West coast then train to Chicago, then train to the big eastern cities, Boston, Philli, New York, DC. I then hope to head to Florida and check out the South.

How much is car hire in America, it would just be my friend and I for the majority of the trip and a car could seem a good way of getting around? Time is no issue for us, what about hiring/buying a van or something and driving it around America. Is this a good idea or is it expensive and pointless?

What sort of money would I be looking at each day, we are poor uni students and can survive on the basics. Hostels would be the go mostly.

Also if we do decide to go to Mexico, is it dirt cheap? Or will heading there for a week be an expensive exercise?

Thanks

Any help with these questions, have read the entire thread

Cheers

 

[Keys]

Any help with these questions, have read the entire thread

Cheers

can't help with most of your questions but if you're planning on staying there for a while you should consider buying a car

driving around north America is brilliant and I've only done the west coast

 

[2009premiers]

Only just noticed this thread, I rarely post anywhere but it looks like many people have a US obsession. I traveled to the US as a kid 8-9 years old and went again 17 with my Dad. I'm looking at heading over early in 2012 with a good mate of mine. For a holiday in the US. My best friend has scored a college football scholarship (extreme jealousy) so will meet up with him and possibly go to Mexico. I will also head to Canada and try and score a bar job or something in Toronto and live there for a while. After some advice.

I'm looking at the trains, they seem a good deal and an interesting way to travel, does anyone have any thoughts/experiences on these?

I'm thinking of doing West coast then train to Chicago, then train to the big eastern cities, Boston, Philli, New York, DC. I then hope to head to Florida and check out the South.

How much is car hire in America, it would just be my friend and I for the majority of the trip and a car could seem a good way of getting around? Time is no issue for us, what about hiring/buying a van or something and driving it around America. Is this a good idea or is it expensive and pointless?

What sort of money would I be looking at each day, we are poor uni students and can survive on the basics. Hostels would be the go mostly.

Also if we do decide to go to Mexico, is it dirt cheap? Or will heading there for a week be an expensive exercise?

Thanks

I would recommend hiring a car for the west. Transport isnt that flash and there are some big distances to travel. You really need a car in LA. From memory it cost me less than $1000 for a month (including petrol, insurance and an exchange rate of 0.75). In 2007, I did a massive roadtrip loop of LA, San Diego, Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, San Fran and back down the coast to LA. Split the cost between two and that is good value. Stayed at cheap roadside motels (Motel 6) for as little as $20. Visit Vegas during the week and rates are pretty low. Check out Hotwire for cheap hotel rates anywhere in America.

If you book far enough in advance, an airfare on Southwest from LA to Chicago is $100. That is much better than sitting on a train for a few days. I would also rather drive Route 66 than get the train. Probably another $100 from Chicago to east coast.

On the east coast, train or bus is fine as cities are close together. You will struggle to park a car in big cities for a cheap price and the public transport is fine in DC, Philly, NY and Boston. hostels are pretty good in these cities too. You should get away with about $40/night for accommodation.

 

[peejay]

A few ... relevance?

Curious.

Is that okay ?

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

I would recommend hiring a car for the west. Transport isnt that flash and there are some big distances to travel. You really need a car in LA. From memory it cost me less than $1000 for a month (including petrol, insurance and an exchange rate of 0.75). In 2007, I did a massive roadtrip loop of LA, San Diego, Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, San Fran and back down the coast to LA. Split the cost between two and that is good value. Stayed at cheap roadside motels (Motel 6) for as little as $20. Visit Vegas during the week and rates are pretty low. Check out Hotwire for cheap hotel rates anywhere in America.

If you book far enough in advance, an airfare on Southwest from LA to Chicago is $100. That is much better than sitting on a train for a few days. I would also rather drive Route 66 than get the train. Probably another $100 from Chicago to east coast.

On the east coast, train or bus is fine as cities are close together. You will struggle to park a car in big cities for a cheap price and the public transport is fine in DC, Philly, NY and Boston. hostels are pretty good in these cities too. You should get away with about $40/night for accommodation.

Very helpful information, thanks very much.

Whereabouts did you hire the car from, that seems very affordable.

 

[peejay]

If travelling around the north east coast there are some cheap bus companies.

On the weekend i am going to Boston to watch the red sox.

With this company http://us.megabus.com/ i can get NYC/Boston return for $35

Bolt Bus is another one https://www.boltbus.com/

Looking forward to Fenway park

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

Also great information.

Best of luck with the Fenway Park experience. I've seen the dodgers before in LA and enjoyed the experience if not the sport itself.

When does the NHL run, is it easy to get tickets?

 

[peejay]

The season ended tonight !

Boston beat Vancouver 4-0 in the 7th and final game to win the stanley cup.

Reports ae there is a street party of mamoth proportions in Boston right now 1.30am first stanley cup since the very early 70's

Cars get turned over and businesses torched in Vancouver.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

When does the NHL run, is it easy to get tickets?

Almost the same as the NBA - Oct to June.

I guess it would depend on the team and the time you are going.

We are going in January and will just rock up one night to an Anaheim Mighty Ducks games and if they have tickets, great, if not, so be it. I have heard they don't sell out and have lots of walk up tickets available.

 

[SonOfScray]

If travelling around the north east coast there are some cheap bus companies.

On the weekend i am going to Boston to watch the red sox.

With this company http://us.megabus.com/ i can get NYC/Boston return for $35

Bolt Bus is another one https://www.boltbus.com/

Looking forward to Fenway park

I am a Red Sox fan but was over there during the baseball off season, we went to Fenway Park anyway for the tour and to visit the team shop. Just a great day out, an awesome stadium. For me it felt like what maybe the Western Oval could have been if the Bulldogs were in position to stay there and develop the site over time.

 

[peejay]

I am a Red Sox fan but was over there during the baseball off season, we went to Fenway Park anyway for the tour and to visit the team shop. Just a great day out, an awesome stadium. For me it felt like what maybe the Western Oval could have been if the Bulldogs were in position to stay there and develop the site over time.

Just got back - great time Sox won 10 -4 V brewers. Town is going nuts as the Bruins won the stanley cup. Got decent seats but the thrill was after the game going to sit in the "red" seat. The seat in the bleachers painted red and singnifies were the ball landed of the longest homer hit at fenway. Ted Williams back in the 40's 502 feet and only 10 rows from the very back of of the stadium - amazing !!

 

[NitroFan]

Hockey is ****ing awesome to watch live. I was 4 rows from the front at a Ducks game in April and had a great time. Only problem is when the play goes to a certain section of the rink the glass can distort the view.

Baseball the following night was great as well, even if I did leave during OT (wasn't sure the time of the last bus so left early to make sure I'd catch it. Ended up missing it anyway after going to a burger joint and decided to walk back to my hotel rather than wait an hour for the next one).

Tickets should be easily obtained through whatever ticket agent they use. I got my tickets to the Ducks game (vs. Kings) about 3 weeks before the game.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Has anyone been to the Fashion District in Los Angles?

If so, is it worth going to, safe, value for money?

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Has anyone been to the Fashion District in Los Angles?

If so, is it worth going to, safe, value for money?

I assume you are basically talking about Santee Alley?

My wife was keen to go there because of all the designer knockoffs that were supposed to be there. We had a private tour beforehand and got dropped off about 4pm. The guide said that it can be unsafe, but we should be okay if we get out before 5pm. This was our first full day in the US mind you.

There were a few others looking around at first but the place is 99% Mexican and they either don't speak English or don't care to. Anyway, there seems to be some decent deals happening there although the designer knockoffs the wife was hoping for, didn't really eventuate.

After a while we noticed we were the only caucasians around (my Dad and daughter were with us) and people were basically staring at us as though we were aliens, which let's face it, we pretty much were.

I told the others we were going but knew nothing about getting out of there except for the guide having given us instructions to walk 7 blocks north and another 9 blocks west or something like that, in order to get to Pershing Square Station. We stopped at the seediest looking McDonald's I have ever seen, not at all clean and professional like the ones were are used to. Someone hit us up for money there, just for holding the door open. Called it an exit fee. Not in Kansas anymore Toto.

As we kept walking I noticed there were no cabs at all in this area. Never saw a cop either. I had read that Santee Alley itself had cleaned itself up with extra security, but never saw any of that either.

Anyway, we walked several blocks and the area went from being Mexican to African American. People spilling out into the streets from alleys. My wife was freaking visually and verbally. I had to get stern with her and reminded her that we were just in a different environment but had no reason to think that any of these people would do us harm. Being brought up on a diet of American TV will do that to you I guess.

In the end nobody gave us any trouble or even sized us up, aside from the stall keepers at Santee Alley, but then they were hoping we would spend.

My advice, go earlier in the day when there are more visitors around, and know how you are getting out of there. It pretty much all closes around 5pm or so I read.

There is a youtube video or two visitors have posted about Santee Alley and they seem mostly positive.