Not sure of the best order would to visit these places?

katies_mum

Hoping to fly from Manchester and then return to Manchester about 22`ish days later. Not sure whether to start in Washington or New Orleans. Has anyone done anything similar? It will all be done by flying and we won`t be hiring a car. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks

Washington DC 4- 5 days
Niagra Falls (assuming as will already be in the US then via Buffalo Airport) 2 days
New Orleans 4 days
Miami 2 days
Key West 4 days

richardw

United has direct flights from MANchester to Newark and also in summer only Washington.

Their inbound flights from the US are overnight to MAN, if you want a slightly longer flight home I'd end the trip at Washington and start at Newark.

American Airlines has direct flights from MAN to NY's JFK airport, Chicago and Philadelphia. They also fly internally in the US between Key West, Miami and Washington Reagan. They are also good for flights to New Orleans and Buffalo. It appears AA could be good if you want all flights on one ticket.

katies_mum

Thanks for replying richardw, we flew United last year and they were great (did 6 flights on one ticket). Would you consider Newark to New Orleans and then work up the US or Newark to Buffalo?

callum9999

katies_mum wrote: »

Thanks for replying richardw, we flew United last year and they were great (did 6 flights on one ticket). Would you consider Newark to New Orleans and then work up the US or Newark to Buffalo?

That depends on your budget - flights vary in price all the time, you need to find the right combination at the right price. It doesn't matter logistically whether you work your way up or down.

In theory I'd fly: UK - New Orleans - Miami/Key West - Niagara Falls - Washington DC - UK or reverse as it avoids backtracking and there are direct flights between all those places (except New Orleans - UK which needs one stop).

I see no major reason why you should stick to one airline or even have the flights on one ticket.

richardw

United are poor in south Florida for flights to Miami and Key West.
Their advantage is that you'd end the trip in Washington knowing that on the last day you'd have a full day and then fly home in the evening direct non-stop to MAN, 4 nights would be adequate.

katies_mum

Thank you callum9999, I just assumed that if you had multiple flights it was best to do it all on one ticket with the same airline if possible, had not thought about booking separately with more than one airline. In my mind I was thinking that either Washington DC or Miami would maybe be the best for a direct flight home. I think putting in the various options could be an afternoons work!! lol
Last year we used google flights and then booked through United, flew Man, changed Newark for San Francisco, then flew San Diego, amtrak to LA, LA to Vegas and then Vegas to Manchester 21 days.

katies_mum

Good suggestion richardw. Our plan on paper made us think we would need 5 full days in Washington DC but the plan at the moment is flexible.

richardw

Air canada also fly non stop MAN to Toronto and then you could do land transportation to Niagra. They may also ticket with United.

richardw

katies_mum wrote: »

..assumed that if you had multiple flights it was best to do it all on one ticket with the same airline if possible, had not thought about booking separately with more than one airline..

Sometimes it is less hassle if there are are schedule changes and your separate internal flights are mucked up, but airlines in the US such as Southwest and JetBlue are enormous and offer many internal flights. Jet Blue has internal flights to/from BUFfalo. If the separate internal flight is in the middle of your trip then the risk of it being affected is smaller.

I did a massive trip last August to North and South America and found that some 2 night stops in places were not that relaxing because you only have one full day there, I try to avoid these consecutively.

katies_mum

I`ll look those airlines as well, thank you

callum9999

katies_mum wrote: »

Thank you callum9999, I just assumed that if you had multiple flights it was best to do it all on one ticket with the same airline if possible, had not thought about booking separately with more than one airline. In my mind I was thinking that either Washington DC or Miami would maybe be the best for a direct flight home. I think putting in the various options could be an afternoons work!! lol
Last year we used google flights and then booked through United, flew Man, changed Newark for San Francisco, then flew San Diego, amtrak to LA, LA to Vegas and then Vegas to Manchester 21 days.

At least an afternoon! Yes if you want the simplest fight home then ending in DC is probably best.

Google flights is a good place to start. Put the route Richard or I suggested in and see what it comes up with ticket-wise, then compare with slight alterations. From memory I think it can suggest buying separate tickets if it's cheaper or more convenient but you can check yourself too (e.g. look for Manchester-New Orleans, DC to Manchester as a return ticket then price the rest up individually).

It's a risk to have tight connections on separate tickets, but if you're flying on different days between areas with frequent service it doesn't make a lot of difference. You can be better off too - e.g. a budget airline seems to fly directly from Niagara Falls airport to Miami (Fort Lauderdale) whereas the likes of AA/United don't.