planning a trip to america - Page 2

flappist · 08-02-2006, 09:49 PM

Special rules for when you are in USA

1) Do NOT get into the front seat of a taxi, it REALLY freaks them out and they think you are going to rob them
2) If you are driving and are pulled over by the police, SIT IN THE CAR AND KEEP YOUR HANDS IN PLAIN SIGHT. They will shoot you if they think you are going for a gun i.e. reach down to get your licence and then get out to show it to them. This is not a joke.
3) The average yank is not very knowlegable about anything outside the USA and you can have lots of fun with this but DO NOT say anything anti-american even as a joke. They will not get it and will get VERY aggressive.
4) Do not get into any political arguements, (see rule 3)
5) They are, as a whole, VERY polite and expect the same of you. They have strange views on many things including drinking, expect the unexpected.
6) Yanks usually like Aussies becuase we always help them in wars but remember THEY won WW1, WW2 end everything else, it is just easier to agree.
7) It is a GREAT place to visit, I have been there heaps of times to most of the different areas and you will have a ball.
8) This is VERY IMPORTANT.... DO NOT joke with the INS/Customs/Airport Security guys as you enter/exit. When you land at LAX (assuming you go via LA) as you pass into the customs area after grabbing your bags you will see a small room with a big glass window and a lot of very unhappy faces, these people drew the attention of the customs/INS officers, they are not having fun.....

Wednesday · 08-02-2006, 10:33 PM

We did a trip in 2002. Flew Qantas, stayed 7 nights in Las Vegas (and got married - yes, still married). We stayed at the Stardust - old hotel, but we barely spent any time in the room anyway. Got Breakfast vouchers from hotel, and just ate buffets most of the time (cheap but good). Did proper dinners a couple of times.

Then we flew to the Grand Canyon, and spent 2 nights there. Stayed at a place called 'Maswick Lodge'. Good accommodation. Included aerial tour of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead & Canyon. This was a package tour straight out of a Qantas brochure. Included most meals from memory.

Flew to back to Vegas then straight on to LA. We stayed in Anaheim 6 nights (across the road from Disneyland, name of Hotel was 'Anaheim Fairfield Inn' - good accommodation).

Went to Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, 3 day pass to Disneyland & California Adventure Park (as well as a Hollywood tour etc).

Then went to San Diego for 3 nights. Stayed at Best Western Seven Seas Lodge (good hotel). Went to Sea World and San Diego Zoo.

Then back home via LA.

We arranged it all through Flight Centre and everything (including the theme park passes etc) was paid for before we left.

It was just under $4500 per person. This was:
- all flights
- 7 nights in Las Vegas
- 2 nights in Grand Canyon
- 6 nights in Anaheim
- 3 nights in San Diego
- Knotts Berry Farm admission
- Universal Studios admission
- 3 day disneyland admission
- San Diego Zoo admission
- transfers
- taxes.

We spent about $2000 each (including wedding stuff and our 'gambling budget').

I recommend going to 'Flight Centre' with a list of what you want, and how long you want to spend where. They will come back with a few options with different hotels etc, and then they book everything. It was great to have everything organised before leaving.

I'd be quite happy to do it all over again - it was awesome - all of it! :sm_headba

ETA: we went in September - weather was perfect - not one day of rain and temperature was great too (apart from Vegas where a couple of days it was really hot - but because it's a dry heat it's very bearable).

Craig · 08-02-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Special rules for when you are in USA

1) Do NOT get into the front seat of a taxi, it REALLY freaks them out and they think you are going to rob them
2) If you are driving and are pulled over by the police, SIT IN THE CAR AND KEEP YOUR HANDS IN PLAIN SIGHT. They will shoot you if they think you are going for a gun i.e. reach down to get your licence and then get out to show it to them. This is not a joke.
3) The average yank is not very knowlegable about anything outside the USA and you can have lots of fun with this but DO NOT say anything anti-american even as a joke. They will not get it and will get VERY aggressive.
4) Do not get into any political arguements, (see rule 3)
5) They are, as a whole, VERY polite and expect the same of you. They have strange views on many things including drinking, expect the unexpected.
6) Yanks usually like Aussies becuase we always help them in wars but remember THEY won WW1, WW2 end everything else, it is just easier to agree.
7) It is a GREAT place to visit, I have been there heaps of times to most of the different areas and you will have a ball.
8) This is VERY IMPORTANT.... DO NOT joke with the INS/Customs/Airport Security guys as you enter/exit. When you land at LAX (assuming you go via LA) as you pass into the customs area after grabbing your bags you will see a small room with a big glass window and a lot of very unhappy faces, these people drew the attention of the customs/INS officers, they are not having fun.....

Well said flappist........

DABOSS · 08-02-2006, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig@ACE

Well said flappist........

Yeah you could always play a game and wear a t-shirt the says "Death to all American's " And see how far you can get before you get shot...... Only joking , I'm bored.

:

**ebxr8240** · 08-02-2006, 11:34 PM

I was asked what I was doing in U.S on the Canadian Eastern border nr Vancouver..I said terrorist..Hmm quickly changed that to tourist... Sheeesh they have BIG guns over there...

Craig · 09-02-2006, 08:00 PM

Everything is bigger over there dude.........

Dodge · 09-02-2006, 08:06 PM

u have to go to Crystal cove car park on a saturday morning at 7am , there is every kind of exotic sports car there on show for 2 hours,

X ORSMXR · 09-02-2006, 10:29 PM

Mate all l can say is l and the wife had a ball over there....

We spent 3 days in Vagas and 5 in San Fransico and 9 in Anahiem..

We stayed at the monte Carlo (Vagas) good Value for money...

Can't remember the name of the Hotel for San Fran

We stayed at the Sherraton in Anahiem which is walking didtance to Disney Land also good value as they also have a bus that leaves every half and hour to Disney Land....

Also when your at Anahiem there are lots of cheap place to shop for clothes so look out for them espicially shoes.....

Dude you have to drive when you go over there as that is an experience all to it's own...

My trip cost us $12,000 to 13,000 that includes airfare,transfers,insurance(is a must),car hire,accomadation,entry to Disneyland,Calafornia Park,Universal Studios,Sea World (San Diego),food and all the other little stuff ie: buying crap for the family and friends.......

pauly85 · 07-06-2006, 09:46 PM

hey guys, well its been a while since i made this post, plans are all coming together

got my passport today, thank god! wat a stuff around that was!

im outta head on the 3rd of august and back on the 23rd, short but sweet (and expensive!!!) backpacking most of it, most prob gonna only do cali and nevada, gonna stay in a hotel on the strip in vegas tho, most prob gonna be the Luxor

also gonna rent a car in LA and drive to vegas, so thats gonna be heaps of fun!

i had a few questions when i started writing this post but forgotten them already haha, ill remember em tomorrow, too tired!

cant wait only 2 more months!!

Miss_XR6 · 08-06-2006, 08:50 AM

well i use to live in america (for work) and if your going to stay in vegas you need to stay on the strip depending on how much u want to spend the MGM and bellagio are nice hotels but then you can go to 3* hotels like circus circus... san francisco and san diego are pretty nice towns too.... the more east you go like new york or miami the more money you are going to need... book way ahead as american is a top destination and hotels are hard to get at the last mintue

quest · 08-06-2006, 10:00 AM

If your planning to be in the Florida area... I would try to time it for a Space Shuttle Launch
I saw one years ago and it was just amazing!

Even the Kennedy Space center is great to see

johnnyb · 08-06-2006, 10:23 AM

Hey Mate,

I Went to New York it rocked big time

You must go there

08-06-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro

I spent 6 weeks in the US driving all over Florida and then up through the centre to Cinncinatti & loved it.
Since then I've been told you can drive across USA for free delivering new cars. You can probably google a web site for more information by typing in something like "USA deliver new cars" or such.

http://www.autodriveaway.com/driversform.aspx

dogwatch2 · 08-06-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xbcoupe302

when i go there a couple of places i want to see one is gracelands if its still there and hasnt been hit by floods.

and down to the deep south i want to go to a colored church(not religous) but i reckon with there singing it would be good.

We went to gracelands two years ago and really enjoyed it, especially the hallways full of all the gold/platinum records Elvis achieved. I expected it to be tacky, but was suprised how enjoyable it was. We got the tickets for a discount thru the Motoring association over there. Just around the corner ther is a "shooting" gallery where you can shoot just about any weapon you want. Also it was my wife's wish to go to a coloured church, which we did in Tulsa Oklahoma, we were only 2 of about six whities amongst a hundred blacks. The singing was absolutely awesome. To top it off the lady pastor (an ex. Opera singer) stopped the service and had word for us Ozzies, some of which she sung out. XB coupe - Start saving to go over, it's well worth it. The only thing I find surprising is that rental cars, by the time you pay the rip off insurance, are a little dearer than here.

ronwest · 08-06-2006, 07:43 PM

as with others, I have lived and worked in the US over a number of years.

Many great ideas already suggested.

All I would add is that you *must* hire a car and have a drive around while you are there.

I spent most of my time in the mid-west in an area roughly bordered by Detroit -> Cincinnati -> St Louis -> Chicago -> Detroit.

If you do choose to drive, for part of the time get off the interstates and drive the original highways. It's slower but you get to drive through towns and gain a real "feel" for what America is.

They call the mid-west the "heartland" for very good reasons.

XR8 Uterous · 08-06-2006, 07:44 PM

I'm going to America in about 15 days.

I can't remember exactly where i'm going and the exact costs but when i get back i will.

I'l make sure to sell you where i went and how everything was.

One of the things i do remember is im going to san fransisco, il be their for the July 4th celebrations

should be awesome, make sure if you go to san fransisco you go to Alcatraz (sp?)

Miss_XR6 · 09-06-2006, 08:45 AM

dont ever book at flight center.. i work in the travel industry and all they do is rip people off big time.. book thru harvey world or travelworld there much better places and they dont stuff u around either...

also if u want to go to alcatraz u have to book months in advance as it sells out

Tote · 09-06-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss_XR6

dont ever book at flight center.. i work in the travel industry and all they do is rip people off big time.. book thru harvey world or travelworld there much better places and they dont stuff u around either...

also if u want to go to alcatraz u have to book months in advance as it sells out

Last year when I was there in April to go to Alcatraz the booking time was only a couple of days, you do have to book in advance though. I'm off to Georgia, Sacramento and Cupertino for 3 weeks in mid August for work, should be fun (except for the work)
Regards,
Tote

punkin · 09-06-2006, 10:22 PM

When I went to the states I got an Amtrak pass (the rail pass), 30 days unlimited one (they also do them in "zones"). I stayed in youth hostels (if you are a bit shy - ask before you book in if they are shared rooms - you don't want the freakout of walking out of the bathroom nekkid and seeing girls there). To save on hostel bills I did some of my longer trips on the train overnight.

I flew into NY (from London), trained it to Boston (slept at the station that night), spent the morning in Boston & then the arvo in Salem, trained it down to Washington DC (watch where you stay in DC - some places are in VERY dodgy parts of town), flew from DC to Orlando (had an internal flight as part of my round the world ticket), went along the south from there on the train to LA - didn't make it to Las Vegas as I was running out of time after spending nearly 3 weeks in New Orleans (that will teach me to pick up cute guys in bars

, in LA I stayed in Venice Beach (and house-sitting in the Hills), flew home via honolulu & nz.

Not too sure how much it cost me as the plane ticket had already been paid for, the train ticket as well. Also I was going from pounds into usd so the exchange rate was better.

On a side note - my trip was totally solo and as a female travelling on her own I didn't have any problems at all, even on the subway in NY. But something I've learnt from travelling, if you look & act like a victim then there is a good chance you will be a victim. I'm not talking about walking around like you're about to beat people up but if you look frightened then you will be perceived to be an easy target (got this advice from a big scary looking black man on the subway in NY).

punkin · 09-06-2006, 10:53 PM

one last thing
how old are you? Just that some states the drinking age is 18 but in the majority it is 21. from memory the won't accept an aussie drivers licence as proof of age so I had to carry around my UK and/or Aussie passport

A few useful shopping things to get.
1. money belt
2. waterproof money belt (for when you're in a shower at a youth hostel)
3. travel clothes line (looks like two twisted pieces of elastic) - I'm serious - this is a godsend
4. a squash ball - for playing with when you're bored and for using for a plug when you're somewhere where the plug has been stolen and you need to fill a sink

I found that travelling with usd travellers cheques was easy as, most places (including food stores) would accept them as cash and give change in currency.

You must also remember to tip people - about 10%+ of what the bill is.

All I can say is enjoy yourself, take heaps of photos, be safe (you will usually find that australian condoms are stronger that those in other countries so take some with you), also get a range of medicines from the doctor (like anti-nausea & anti-runny-bums stuff) but make sure the names on the boxes are yours and you have a letter from your doctor stating they are for you.

ltd · 09-06-2006, 11:30 PM

Try to get to the east coast as well. The west coast is OK for a first time but LA is a hole. Places like New York City, Washington DC, New Hampshire, Maryland are absolutely worth the trip. If you plan to do clothes shopping on the East coast check out Lancaster in Pennsylvania. The Tanger outlets have the cheapest clothes like Boss suits for 150 bucks US. Not to mention all the other brands like Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Nautica, Timberland etc, and in PA there is no sales tax. DKNY jeans for example are $35.00 US. Polo are $29.99 US, and often on special for $19.99.

If you like scenery and plan to drive check out places like Montana and Wyoming, they have some good national parks there and are really great places to visit. Jacksons hole in wyoming is a nice place to stop. Try the Sun road into canada aswell, and check out banff.

So far I have seen 47 out of the 50 states, driven through them all and now just hire a car out of LA. 5000 to 7000 miles later and return it back to LA. No domestic flights and that way we don't waste time at airports.

If you do plan to drive around the USA the best driving state is Texas. Most speed limits there are 85mph and you can cruise on 100 without the police batting an eyelid. Oh and if driving, speeding is generally not frowned upon on the interstates within reason (like 10-15mph over), but tailgate or undertake and you will be pulled over. Also, watch for the four way stop signs, where everyone gets a turn to go, and if you arrive first people will expect you to go. Also, right turn on red after stopping is not signposted, it is the general rule. You will see a sign when you aren't allowed to at those lights. Finally, slow down at train crossings, it's the basic rule, and always stop when a schoolbus has the stop sign displayed and wait for the kids to cross the road.

Oh, and as an Aussie you'll find most of the monuments and tourist things are pretty cool. I'd suggest talking to the concierge in your hotel to find out about cool places to go, and remember even if a porter touches your bag it is implied that you tip between 1-5 bucks per bag (depends on how far they take it).
Have Fun. I'm going again in September, and already have my tickets for the future of flight boeing factory tour.

ltd · 09-06-2006, 11:32 PM

Oh I forgot one thing. If you go to NYC and your'e single, go to the club called "the blue room". It is full of 30 somethings who just wanna have fun.

pauly85 · 10-06-2006, 02:28 PM

all good advice guys, thanks for that,

punkin: im 21, going to the us wasnt even an option unless i was 21 or over, already got the money belt, but the travel clothes line is something i didnt even think about, thanks for that!

everthing will be booked this weekend, im cutting out the middle man and doing everything myself over the net, and saving about $500 from the quote from the travel agent

anyone been on the greyhound busses? are they worth it? we are planning to bus it back from vegas to la, and its only $45 AUD, seems to good to be true

Black XR6 · 10-06-2006, 02:49 PM

We went to America last year for 3 weeks. Started in NYC and drove to washington, then flew over to LA and spent some time at annaheim and in LA itself, then drove to san dieago and back to LA to fly home. Including air fares and accomodation food etc. We came back about $20k lighter. That was for two adults. So 10K could be a good budget to go with if you manage to reduce the accomodation costs.

I would highly recomment NYC. If you decide to go to the top of the empire state, buy an express pass that bypasses the queue. You will know why once you get there. The statue of liberty is great value and something special. We stayed at a hotel across from maddison square gardens, which is central to NYC. You dont need a car to get around new york as the subway is fine and alot is within walking distance and cab distance. This was just a short walk to time square. If your into it or even if your not go and see one of the bigtime broadway shows. We saw Beauty and the Beast and again, it was something I wont forget and was simply amazing but super expensive. Also, there is a bubba gump shrimp restaurant in time square. Yes, from the movie. It had good food as well.

Skip LA totally. We stayed in LA itself for 3 nights and couldnt get out of their fast enough, it really is a slum. The walk of fame is nothing like we thought it would be and really, the walk is full of adult clubs and porn shops. Skip it. See Disneyland and if your into rollercoasters go to the 6 flags magic kingdom park near annaheim. LA is a dive so skip it totally. Instead stay at annaheim and spend atleast a good two full days checking it out. The trick to getting on the rides is using the fast pass system to its fullest. This allows you to book into a time to go on the ride and then head off to enjoy something else. The trick is to get a fastpass time for a ride and then go line up for another.

Washington was one of the best places. Really gives you a sense of the history and makes you feel like Aus is just a baby still. Washington can be done cheaply as the monuments and things are mostly free but are spectacular. The lincoln monument was awesome, something you see in movies and on telly alot and its amazing to be standing in front of it. Basically that whole area is full of stuff to go see, off the top of my memory you have, washington monument, lincoln monument, the white house, the pentagon, The capitol building and the national air and space museum which is but one of the smithsonian institution.

Be prepared to tip whilst over there. Tipping is very expected in alot of cases. If someone at a hotel or cab or any accomodation place helps you with your bags the expected tip is $1 per decent bag. Taxi's expect around %10. Restaurants are between %10-20 of the bill depending on how you liked the meal and service, hotel rooms is about $3 a night for the cleaners, left on the pillow.

Other tips I can think of. Depeding on what city you fly to you can organice a shuttle from the airport to your hotal online so you dont have any hassle getting to the destination from the airport. Dont pay for the tip in advance as the driver will expect the tip regardless. Dont expect to eat well over there, they have a lot of fast food and it is very hard to get actual vegetables whilst there. Go see a major league baseball game whilst there. Its boring as bat to watch on telly but the atmosphere at the game is great.

Anything else specific you want to know just ask.

Tote · 10-06-2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauly85

all good advice guys, thanks for that,

punkin: im 21, going to the us wasnt even an option unless i was 21 or over, already got the money belt, but the travel clothes line is something i didnt even think about, thanks for that!

everthing will be booked this weekend, im cutting out the middle man and doing everything myself over the net, and saving about $500 from the quote from the travel agent

anyone been on the greyhound busses? are they worth it? we are planning to bus it back from vegas to la, and its only $45 AUD, seems to good to be true

I've done LA - Texas - Tennessee - Colorado - LA on greyhound buses, met some very "interesting" people at 03:00 in the morning. If you want to travel between cities I'd look at an amtrak pass instead. not quite as flexible in where you want to go but not as much trailer trash.
Security guard to Tote:"I'd not be going outside the bus station if I were you, theres people doing crack and they'd like to play with a nice white boy like you"
Tote: "No problem"
Also I caught the bus in Anahiem and the only place it stopped on the way back was South Central LA. That was interesting too.
Regards,
Tote

pauly85 · 27-08-2007, 09:39 PM

well talk about diggin up a thread from the past, about this time last year i was drunk somewhere in san diego!!!!

tote: i now no exactly what you are talking about, 2:30 in the morning somewhere inbetween vegas and san fran some guy really didnt like me because of aussie rules football, and when i say some guy, i mean some freaking HUGE black guy, he didnt like the little guys who wear white uniforms and wave flags....that was damn scary, then i got searched in the LA greyhound station by a HUGE black woman....fun times!!!

so im off to vanuatu and new caledonia next month, then im thinking of joining the camp america progam, anyone here done camp america??