Travelling to America

D/C

Ok folks heres the story,

Me and a mate are planning a 3 month trip to USA in the early new year.

Haven't a thing organised yet so has anyone any advice?

Was thinking of starting off in New York maybe a bit of the east coast and then maybe west!

Need advice regarding where to stay, where to go, what we need to get over there (visa issues), and any other advice you may have!

Wisesmurf

whats your budget.

Will you be planning on staying in hostels and bussing/railing around or is it hotels/motels and flights or a mixture.

My biased opinion would say fly into chicago and stay there.

rossie1977

Ok folks heres the story,

Me and a mate are planning a 3 month trip to USA in the early new year.

Haven't a thing organised yet so has anyone any advice?

Was thinking of starting off in New York maybe a bit of the east coast and then maybe west!

Need advice regarding where to stay, where to go, what we need to get over there (visa issues), and any other advice you may have

no visa issues if you are an irish citizen, you will get a green visa waiver form from the check-in staff before you board the plane and that will allow you to stay 90 days in the states.

as for where to go, new york is a good choice to start off, its the closest city to ireland and probably the most famous, but very over-rated for me.

Having been all across the states I would advise maybe 3-4 days in New York, `1-2 days in Washington DC, 5 days in Orlando and another few days checking out southern florida, 3-4 days in Chicago. Leave about 2 months free to explore the western usa, the states of colorado, wyoming, new mexico, arizona and especially southern utah are breathtaking. Utah contains 5 of the most amazing national parks on earth Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, each deserve a day at least. Make sure you visit Yellowstone in Wyoming and Yosemite in California too. you only truly appreciate the real USA when you get out of the big cities

Las vegas deserves a week, san fran deserves at least 3 days, Texas i would miss out completely, Seattle and Washington state are really nice and although i haven't been, Alaska cannot be ignored.

as for accommodation try
http://www.hostelworld.com
http://www.travelaxe.com

Flights
http://www.southwest.com
http://www.united.com
http://www.travelocity.com

Ms Inquisitive

I agree with all of Rossie recommendations except the part about atleast a week in Vegas, I was there earlier in the year for 4 days and it was more than enough time to squeeze everything in!

D/C

Wisesmurf wrote: »

whats your budget.

Will you be planning on staying in hostels and bussing/railing around or is it hotels/motels and flights or a mixture.

My biased opinion would say fly into chicago and stay there.

Budget is about 8 - 10 grand! Its probally going to be a mixture of hostels, motels and hotels! I dont really want to be staying in one area, It want to see alot of America because its going to be my last chance to go travelling like this before I get a real job!


Another question about travelling do I have to get a return ticket or can I go over there on a single ticket and get another ticket when I am returning!

keefg

D/C wrote: »

Another question about travelling do I have to get a return ticket or can I go over there on a single ticket and get another ticket when I am returning!

To qualify for the Visa Waiver program you will need to have a return ticket - otherwise you could be asked some sticky questions at US customs and if you get someone in customs having a bad day you could (in theory) even be refused entry to the US and sent back on the next flight.

Reading your comments I am guessing you have just finished college/uni and want to head off before you get tied down as you say by a proper job.

If you turn up to customs with a one way ticket, a big wad of cash and no "proper job" at home it may appear that you are going to the US to settle & look for work. Not worth drawing the attention to yourself - I suggest you get a return ticket. Even if you are not 100% sure when you will be returning or from which city you can change the details (for a charge) with the airline at a later date.

mcgrate

rossie1977 wrote: »

Las vegas deserves a week,

Going to Vegas next may, What is there to do for a week? (apart from gambling)? I have 3 days pencilled in and thought that would be enough...

rossie1977

mcgrate wrote: »

Going to Vegas next may, What is there to do for a week? (apart from gambling)? I have 3 days pencilled in and thought that would be enough...

nothing much http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055175172 in 3 days you might have managed to navigate your way around your hotel

Ms Inquisitive if you managed to see everything in vegas in 4 days you were travelling around at the speed of light, i have been there 5 times spending about 6-7 weeks there and still i haven't seen everything or even close to it, i would love to see your itinerary for those 4 days :eek:

nytraveller

mcgrate wrote: »

Going to Vegas next may, What is there to do for a week? (apart from gambling)? I have 3 days pencilled in and thought that would be enough...

You could rent a car and drive to the Grand Canyon via the Hoover Dam. (About 4 hours to GC). I would advise staying at the Canyon that night and returning to Vegas the next day.
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/

Also, beware of helicopter trips from Vegas to GC. They take you to the nearest part of the Canyon to Vegas which is not really that spectactular. Much smaller. Not the real Grand Canyon.