Flying in and out of different cities in USA

gracie10

I'm looking at prices for when they break up for next summer and they are a lot more than what we paid last year. Looking at flying into LA and back from Vegas, coming up £4000 ish for 2 adults and 2 children!!!!

Speedy669

Be careful when flying out of USA as my Samsonite luggage strap was unclipped off my bag when searched and it's not been seen since and Gatwick airport baggage claim are not sympathetic unless the luggage is actually damaged. I'd sent several emails to TSA but they don't even have the decency to reply . :mad:

Doshwaster

Speedy669 wrote: »

Be careful when flying out of USA as my Samsonite luggage strap was unclipped off my bag when searched and it's not been seen since and Gatwick airport baggage claim are not sympathetic unless the luggage is actually damaged. I'd sent several emails to TSA but they don't even have the decency to reply . :mad:

Seems a lot of fuss over just a luggage strap worth a few quid.

814man

Have you considered the overnight Amtrak, did it a few years back between Boston and Washington and it was very comfortable and with only limited days to do stuff saved on time as we slept the journey and didn't waste a day travelling.

Archergirl

You should ideally have your ESTA approved before you book your flights. Make sure you use the proper .gov site they are about $15 ish.
Don't take too much luggage if you're travelling around it can be a pain on and off trains, when we went from NY to Conn the train was down stairs with no lifts available.

jpsartre

victoria61 wrote: »

Are there any disadvantages to booking early? If I left it a few months would prices be likely to come down at all (or go up!)? We are definitely going to go so if necessary I will just suck it up and book.

There are no guarantees either way but since you're more than 10 months away from your departure date I would definitely wait to book and keep an eye on prices, especially if you don't mind a stop-over.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the tips. The ESTA thing had slipped my mind so will sort that first. Good tip about the luggage, thanks, planning to travel as light as possible as we'll be on and off trains every few days - that'll be a challenge for me!

I like the idea of overnight trains to save time and money, will definitely explore that a bit more, thanks

lr1277

When I was travelling around the US 20 years ago, I got a one month pass for Amtrak. You got unlimited travel and ended up in the centre of a city (unlike the flight pass which landed you at an airport many miles from a city centre and you fly on standby so no guarantees).
I looked on the Amtrak website and they do a greater variety of passes now which may suit your needs. You still need to get a ticket, but it will be free if you have the pass.


HTH

lr1277

I should have said they now do passes and multi-ride tickets, which may suit your needs.

Doshwaster

victoria61 wrote: »

Thanks for the tips. The ESTA thing had slipped my mind so will sort that first. Good tip about the luggage, thanks, planning to travel as light as possible as we'll be on and off trains every few days - that'll be a challenge for me!

I like the idea of overnight trains to save time and money, will definitely explore that a bit more, thanks

Yes, travel as light as possible. Many hotels have their own DIY laundry rooms and you can always do a big clothes shopping trip before coming home to use up your luggage allowance. I hate clothes shopping in the UK but I always bring a suitcase full back from a trip to the US a the prices are so cheap.