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Coffee House => Coffee House Boards => CH / General => Topic started by: tormedhammaren on March 08, 2004, 11:32:18 AM
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Me and some blokes are planning a trip to the United States this summer. We are travelling from Norway or Sweden (it's much cheaper from Sweden). We want to visit New York and Washington DC (maybe Boston and Atlanta too), and at least one of us want to visit California (LA and San Francisco). I have some questions about travelling to and living in the US. Since there are a lot of US citizen here on amiga.org, I thought this was the place to ask. ;-)
1. How much does it cost to travel (by plane or other) from New York to San Francisco, CA?
2. How long does it take to drive from New York to Washington DC?
3. We want to live and eat cheap. What do you typically pay on cheap (but safe) motels/hotels? Where do you buy the cheap food?
4. How long does it take to drive between San Francisco and LA?
5. We have thought about driving the Route 66. :-) Can anyone recommend it? How long will it take?
6. What about renting cars. What is the cheapest company? We have heard about Rent-A-Wreck. Recommended? Can we rent a car from them and drive the Route 66?
7. How much does gasoline cost in the US?
8. Can anyone recommend places to go and things to see?
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I wouldn't know - I live in Britain! :laugh:
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tormedhammaren wrote:
Me and some blokes are planning a trip to the United States this summer. We are travelling from Norway or Sweden (it's much cheaper from Sweden). We want to visit New York and Washington DC (maybe Boston and Atlanta too), and at least one of us want to visit California (LA and San Francisco). I have some questions about travelling to and living in the US. Since there are a lot of US citizen here on amiga.org, I thought this was the place to ask. ;-)
1. How much does it cost to travel (by plane or other) from New York to San Francisco, CA?
2. How long does it take to drive from New York to Washington DC?
3. We want to live and eat cheap. What do you typically pay on cheap (but safe) motels/hotels? Where do you buy the cheap food?
4. How long does it take to drive between San Francisco and LA?
5. We have thought about driving the Route 66. :-) Can anyone recommend it? How long will it take?
6. What about renting cars. What is the cheapest company? We have heard about Rent-A-Wreck. Recommended? Can we rent a car from them and drive the Route 66?
7. How much does gasoline cost in the US?
8. Can anyone recommend places to go and things to see?
Well, I'm going to Canada in the summer, and I would like to do a US trip as well, so I'm also interested in these questions too.
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@summer7:
Well, I didn't ask you, mate! 8-)
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tormedhammaren wrote:
@summer7:
Well, I didn't ask you, mate! 8-)
OK, fair enough. Hope you have a good trip when you go there anyway. :-)
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@summer7:
Thank you! :-) Need to see a superpower with my own eyes. USSR is out of the question.
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Who'd want to go to the USSR on holiday? Or Benin or Rwanda for that matter? OR EVEN THE PHILIPPINES? :laugh:
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I know a lot of Norwegians that travelled to Moscow during the USSR era (communists and non-communists). The KGB was off course following them around everywhere. Generally they got the impression of a rich and developed industrial country. In some parts of Norway (northern parts) most people had great respect (and not fear) of the Russians.
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2. How long does it take to drive from New York to Washington DC?
it's something like a 3 to 4 hour drive depending of exactly where you are going. it's a nice trip. I've done it a bunch of times.
4. How long does it take to drive between San Francisco and LA?
THAT is a long distance. HOurs and hours. but if you go up the Pacific Highway you'll have one of the most beautiful sights in the universe. I haven't done this - I've just seen some places but everything outside of LA is stunning.
5. We have thought about driving the Route 66
it's historic but it's no longer a standard route to take. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try it! I have no idea how long it would take. you might be forced to take detours at certain points. this would require some researce.
We have heard about Rent-A-Wreck.
those are not good cars for long distance driving. and you have to return them where you started.
8. Can anyone recommend places to go and things to see?
In NY, go to the Village. Lots of fun people-watching. And don't look like a rube. there are alot of great, helpful people in NY, but you always have nuts. keep your eyes open.
actually, everywhere in NY is great. there's not one place that hasn't enthralled me or educated me. Central Park is incredible, btw.
have fun!
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Well, I'm going to Canada in the summer, and I would like to do a US trip as well, so I'm also interested in these questions too.
Which parts of Canada are you planning to visit?
- Mike
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tormedhammaren wrote:
@summer7:
Thank you! :-) Need to see a superpower with my own eyes. USSR is out of the question.
:lol:
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> 4. How long does it take to drive between San Francisco and LA?
THAT is a long distance. HOurs and hours. but if you go up the Pacific Highway you'll have one of the most beautiful sights in the universe. I haven't done this - I've just seen some places but everything outside of LA is stunning.
LA is not worth seeing at all?
> 5. We have thought about driving the Route 66
it's historic but it's no longer a standard route to take. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try it! I have no idea how long it would take. you might be forced to take detours at certain points. this would require some researce.
I could probably find more info about it in some travel guide.
> We have heard about Rent-A-Wreck.
those are not good cars for long distance driving. and you have to return them where you started.
Ok, I see. We have also thought about buying a used car and sell it when we've reached our destination. How much will we have to buy for some 8X model?
> 8. Can anyone recommend places to go and things to see?
In NY, go to the Village. Lots of fun people-watching. And don't look like a rube. there are alot of great, helpful people in NY, but you always have nuts. keep your eyes open.
actually, everywhere in NY is great. there's not one place that hasn't enthralled me or educated me. Central Park is incredible, btw.
have fun!
Ok. I will try not to look like a rube. What about these nuts. Are you talking about thieves and gangsters? :-)
Thank you for very good answers!
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LA is not worth seeing at all?
:lol: :lol: Ok, i'm jaded because I've been there and was working and looking for work which makes it a dark, dank place indeed!
But going to LA for fun is ok. don't mind me!
:-D
Ok. I will try not to look like a rube. What about these nuts. Are you talking about thieves and gangsters?
walking around looking up tends to be a dead give-a-way! :lol: :lol: Seriously, people who have never been in NY are always amazed at the giant buildings. And it's quite a beautiful sight! I live here and it thrills ME!
And, yes, I'm talking about criminals and weirdoes. You have to develope some "street-smarts". always be aware of who is around and where you are. New Yorkers tend to be busy Going Somewhere, so if you see people spending too much time paying attention to you, that's an indication that these are people looking for trouble. often, all you have to do is just be aware that they are there. What they are looking for are "marks" who don't notice them. If you notice, more than likely, you are safe just because you can't be surprised. And they will look for someone else to jump.
If you keep moving and have an idea of where you want to go, that's also a good thing. Believe it or not, Ny'ers are friendly. but cautious. I often get asked directions by (usually female) strangers. Probably because I don't look like I'll hurt them. :lol:
I can't help with things like the price of cars 'cause it depends on where you are. It's a MIGHTY BIG country!
you don't need a car in NY. go here for subway info (http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/). There are different kinds of Metro cards you can get depending on how long you stay. And there is a list of cool places to visit via the subway.
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@cecilia:
I just wanted to thank you for good advices! Hopefully we will arrive on JFK in the beginning of July. :-D
Just one more question: Do we really have to give our fingerprints to your police?
Regards,
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Get your fingers ready for fingerprint fame then :-)
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:lol:
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tormedhammaren wrote:
@cecilia:
I just wanted to thank you for good advices! Hopefully we will arrive on JFK in the beginning of July. :-D
my pleasure! have a great trip!:banana:
Just one more question: Do we really have to give our fingerprints to your police?
to the police? only if you get caught up in a crime! :-o
as for customs and passports: this stuff is changing even as I type so I can't say for sure what in hell is going on.
if i was you i'd call the airline you are traveling with and ask them. :-?
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my pleasure! have a great trip!
Thank you. I'm really looking forward to it.
to the police? only if you get caught up in a crime!
as for customs and passports: this stuff is changing even as I type so I can't say for sure what in hell is going on.
if i was you i'd call the airline you are traveling with and ask them.
Good idea. I will call them about it.
Regards,
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1) By a quick look online plane tickets start at about $120 one way.
2) No idea
3) On the cheap for hotels food? How cheap do you want to go? Days Inn or Motel 6 is about the cheapest you will find. Rates will vary wildly between different parts of the country with NYC and LA probably being the most expensive. In many areas you can get a sparse but clean room for $30-$40 a night, you can probably tripple that for NYC. Insane. Cheap food? Fast food resturants or even better, mom and pop resturants.
4) Long time, California is HUGE.
5) No clue
6) Probably Budget, but someone else would know better.
7) For regular unleaded about bteween $1.75 and $2.20 depending on where you are. Figure in a compact rental you will get about 25 miles per gallon.
8) Yeah stay away from everywhere you mentioned. I'm sure I will piss some people off for saying this(sorry), but why visit the places you mentioned? NYC and LA are the left and right armpits of the US. Atlanta? That's the rectum of the US.
There are so many places to see in the US, the big cities is the last place I'd recomend. Big cities suck, period. But then again it all depends on what your interests are. Personally I'd say instead of Atlanta, go airboat riding in the FL everglades. Instead of LA, go see the Grand Canyon. Instead of NYC go ANYWHERE :lol:
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Florida has some curb appeal for visitors. Here's a few things of interest in case it is considered.
Everglades Holiday Park (http://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/)
Sanibel Island (http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/) <-- NICE! Not for partying, but nice for nature/history/relaxation.
Edison and Ford winter estate (http://www.edison-ford-estate.com/)
Deep sea drift fishing (http://www.flamingofishing.com/)
Not to mention, Disney, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens yadda yadda yadda
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3) On the cheap for hotels food? How cheap do you want to go? Days Inn or Motel 6 is about the cheapest you will find. Rates will vary wildly between different parts of the country with NYC and LA probably being the most expensive. In many areas you can get a sparse but clean room for $30-$40 a night, you can probably tripple that for NYC. Insane. Cheap food? Fast food resturants or even better, mom and pop restaurants.
As cheap as possible but not in a tent. Thanks. What is mom and pop restaurants?
4) Long time, California is HUGE.
Yes, it's huge. 6 % bigger than my country.
7) For regular unleaded about bteween $1.75 and $2.20 depending on where you are. Figure in a compact rental you will get about 25 miles per gallon.
Or about 10.6 km per liter.
8) Yeah stay away from everywhere you mentioned. I'm sure I will piss some people off for saying this(sorry), but why visit the places you mentioned? NYC and LA are the left and right armpits of the US. Atlanta? That's the rectum of the US.
I take that as a good advice. Three weeks in New York sounds stressing.
There are so many places to see in the US, the big cities is the last place I'd recomend. Big cities suck, period. But then again it all depends on what your interests are. Personally I'd say instead of Atlanta, go airboat riding in the FL everglades. Instead of LA, go see the Grand Canyon. Instead of NYC go ANYWHERE
I am Norwegian, and I've never been to a really big city, that's why I want to visit New York (to walk bellow the skyscrapers, to get a view of the famous Manhattan skyline and such). But just for a couple of days. Then I want to go ANYWHERE. Maybe Florida, as you describe is as an interesting place. We have much nature/rural areas in Norway, and I actually want to see the nature/rural areas of other countries. Airboat riding in FL everglades sounds fun. Can I drive my own airboat? :-) Deep sea drift fishing sounds exciting. It's not catch and release, is it? Of course I must visit Kennedy Space Center too. Can you recommend visiting Key West?
What about taking the summer in Alaska? Have anyone been there? (seriously meant)
Thank you! :-D
Regards,
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4. How long does it take to drive between San Francisco and LA?
I was on a job in Menlo Park, just a few miles outside San Francisco, and then we decided to make a trip down to Hollywood in the north part of LA to visit the Universal Studios theme park.
The ride down took about 6 hours, exluding a one hour stop in a small Danish village I don't recall th name of. This was on the 101. On the return trip we used I5 which saved us an hour making it 5. Well, we did drive a little bit faster than the allowed speed limit though.
I'll guess there would be another hour to reach central LA. And it also takes an hour due to traffic from where we lived to SF. Considered you might want to make some stops and that San Fransisco is not an easy town to drive in you may estimate about 10 hours for your trip.
If you take the Pacific Highway 1 then expact alot more hours, but it probably very nice. I5 is totally boring road in the middle of nowhere.
Most people recommend to take a flight since it's apparently whery cheep and doesn't take long.
However, if you don't plan too see any special in LA you could probably skip it. And about Hollywood and Beverly Hills it's not much to see actually, so if thats the reason for your stay then skip it. LA however have numerous theme parks which may be fun to visit, but it's not much to a city more like a gigant suburb.
Anyway California is alot like home but also totally different at the same time. If you are the visit a McDonalds take a crash course in Spanish first, it would help significantly. :-)
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FYI when travelling to the States...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;$sessionid$OPUZXXP1IOF2VQFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2004/04/23/wus23.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/04/23/ixworld.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;$sessionid$OPUZXXP1IOF2VQFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2004/04/23/wus23.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/04/23/ixworld.html)
And don't make any jokes about being a reporter because you won't get a refund on your ticket when they deport you directly from the airport.
Once you're in, though, you can probably get a job and stay for years if you want :-).
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There are so many places to see in the US, the big cities is the last place I'd recomend. Big cities suck, period
redrumloa, i formerly invite you to visit New York and I'll take you around to places the will leave you breathless with the sheer beauty and majesty of the place.
there are big cities and then.....there is New York.
Once you see it you'll never think badly of it ever again.
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I'm so blind. I thought this said "Vatican in the US" and wondered what the hell...