Planning a trip to NYC. First long haul flight questions

isadreamalie

Hello

I fly frequently but so far I've only done Europe. I often go for a few days but sometimes a week and I've managed with a small backpack (north face) I wear one pair of shoes... I imagine I might need a larger bag for NYC but I don't want to have checked luggage. I'm looking at a travel bag as I hate roller bags. Any suggestions for a good value travel backpack for a week in NYC?


I will also need to apply for an ESTA. Is it best to do this a few months in advance?



Is it better to print out flight info etc as for Europe I've never bothered

Finally are there extra checks leaving the UK for NYC (probably Heathrow?) Guessing I will get there three hours before in case

Thanks

lr1277

Get the ESTA before you pay for any flights or hotels. Need to be sure you can get into the country first. When getting the ESTA ensure you get it from the correct website.

I think this is correct as it is from the Customs and Border Patrol agency of the US government. Also it is only $21.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

As you have travelled extensively in Europe, I am sure you know the following. Ensure you are contactable by your bank or credit card companies to confirm any transactions etc. Be that adding a bolt-on to your current SIM or using an e-sim whilst in the USA.

Ensure your travel insurance covers America. As America is so expensive for health costs, the insurance is correspondingly expensive.

Many recent travellers to USA say the tipping culture is out of control. Suggest you read up on that and make a plan of action.

A few recent travellers to USA have noted a strong smell of weed when walking around NYC. Take that as you wish.

Emmia

Bag wise, I fly a lot hand luggage only and have a Crumpler Track Jack backpack. It's about the same size as a cabin roller suitcase and fits into overhead lockers on BA and KLM flights. I've done 10 days out of it, and still had some unused clothing. I especially like the fact it unzips like a suitcase, making packing/unpacking easier.

https://crumpler.co.uk/products/track-jack-board-backpack

It's not cheap, new,  but you may be able to get a deal on a secondhand one. I also take a smaller bag for day use when traveling and having my passport etc. to hand when flying . One of the Uniqlo sling bags is my current usual choice.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E470040-000/00

I bought my crumpler as my husband has a different  crumpler, and also travels a lot, handluggage only (although his is curved and so less ideally shaped for overhead lockers). His current bag is a decade old and still going strong.

jackieblack

lr1277 said:

Get the ESTA before you pay for any flights or hotels. Need to be sure you can get into the country first. When getting the ESTA ensure you get it from the correct website.

ESTA actually only gives authorisation to travel, ie get on a flight, it doesn’t guarantee entry to the country on arrival, that’s up to US Border Protection (or before boarding if you fly from an airport that offers pre-clearance) 

jimi_man

Hi. IME the ESTA takes about an hour to come through and never more than four hours. Apply when you want bearing in mind they only last two years. 

If you’re HBO then (depending on who you’re travelling with) you can check in online then go straight to security so three hours is probably a bit excessive tbh. Sometimes there can be random searching at the gate - you’ll be able to tell as there will be ‘SSSS’ on your boarding pass. It can be quite thorough (I’ve had it once and it was pretty thorough) but if you have that on your BP then just get to the gate slightly earlier as they usually do that before they start boarding.

Otherwise no real difference. JFK (if that’s where you’re flying into) is legendary for extensive immigration queues. You might be lucky, depends on when you get there. We were there in January and it was 35 minutes, which wasn’t too bad despite being the first four people off the plane. 

Enjoy your trip, it’s a great city. 

On-the-coast

I’ve taken many trips to US & Europe with just a small backpack. Can’t see why you’d need a bigger bag for USA. 

Yes get your esta early. Almost never a problem unless you have a criminal background or been to some odd countries. 

US border control will ask you more questions than European. (Where you’re staying, what the purpose of your visit is, & maybe what your source of funds is)  You will be photographed & fingerprinted at the entry point.  Mostly they are quite friendly… but don’t joke with them unless they start first!

daveyjp

If you want  smoother entry into the US consider a flight via Dublin as all your US border checks are done there and it only takes about an hour.
After the long flight you arrive at a domestic terminal in NYC and will be out of the airport within half an hour, less if you don't have hold luggage.

isadreamalie

lr1277 said:

Get the ESTA before you pay for any flights or hotels. Need to be sure you can get into the country first. When getting the ESTA ensure you get it from the correct website.

I think this is correct as it is from the Customs and Border Patrol agency of the US government. Also it is only $21.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

As you have travelled extensively in Europe, I am sure you know the following. Ensure you are contactable by your bank or credit card companies to confirm any transactions etc. Be that adding a bolt-on to your current SIM or using an e-sim whilst in the USA.

Ensure your travel insurance covers America. As America is so expensive for health costs, the insurance is correspondingly expensive.

Many recent travellers to USA say the tipping culture is out of control. Suggest you read up on that and make a plan of action.

A few recent travellers to USA have noted a strong smell of weed when walking around NYC. Take that as you wish.

Ah yeah I've heard about the tipping!
Found flights for around £310 but hotels for five nights will be around 1k easily in Manhatten... plus the insurance. Expensive trip...

isadreamalie

On-the-coast said:

I’ve taken many trips to US & Europe with just a small backpack. Can’t see why you’d need a bigger bag for USA. 

Yes get your esta early. Almost never a problem unless you have a criminal background or been to some odd countries. 

US border control will ask you more questions than European. (Where you’re staying, what the purpose of your visit is, & maybe what your source of funds is)  You will be photographed & fingerprinted at the entry point.  Mostly they are quite friendly… but don’t joke with them unless they start first!

I've spent a week in Madrid with just a small bag so in theory it should be no different especially if the hotel provides toiletries. I guess it's just psychological going so far with a small bag

jackieblack

isadreamalie said:

I've spent a week in Madrid with just a small bag so in theory it should be no different especially if the hotel provides toiletries. I guess it's just psychological going so far with a small bag

Definitely.  It's really no different apart from a bit longer flight and different travel plugs.
And there are shops in NYC if you find you need something you haven't taken

Emmia

jackieblack said:

isadreamalie said:

I've spent a week in Madrid with just a small bag so in theory it should be no different especially if the hotel provides toiletries. I guess it's just psychological going so far with a small bag

Definitely.  It's really no different apart from a bit longer flight and different travel plugs.
And there are shops in NYC if you find you need something you haven't taken

But the advantage of a larger bag is that you can take purchases home more easily - plus winter weather usually = more or thicker clothing, taking up more space.

But yes, if you can do it out of a small backpack, do it that way.