Five go to the USA

mrtg0525

The other important bit nobody mentioned yet regarding the rental car is that you need to insure the quote includes the insurance. If you get a quote from an American company, these are often excluding the insurance because in the US, your car insurance often covers you for rental cars as well. That doesn't work if you haven't got US car insurance, so you really want to ensure that you get insurance with the car. I've had this situation before where the quote didn't include insurance and by the time I had enough cover to brave Silicon Valley traffic, the cost of the car had roughly doubled. OK, it was a cheap rental to start with but it didn't end up being that cheap in the end.

Savvy_Sue

That's particularly useful, and explains why holiday autos which I've used happily in Europe looks more expensive than US companies mentioned above - I'm sure holiday autos IS including insurance.

N9eav

That's why you book the rental car this end. All the insurances are included. The full tank of fuel option means you can return it empty and also avoid the lengthy booking in process when you get there. Airline network did cheap car rental for me. Also haggle! I managed to get a cheaper deal by using their price promise that they won't be beaten.

Upgrades are cool. Last Christmas I upgraded from a minivan to a Chevy surburban.... Best thing I ever drove.. I haggled that too and go it for half price...

Savvy_Sue

There's a part of me thinking 'the bigger the better': when you've got 3 lanky lads in the back you don't want to be skimping on the legroom. On the other hand, when we went to Spain last year we were upgraded to something massive, and I was terrified the whole time because I usually drive a Yaris! :rotfl:

One option would be to let DH drive more but I'm not a good passenger on the 'wrong' side of the road and he doesn't like me squealing ...

cazziebo

I've always been offered a free upgrade in America - possibly more than a dozen visits where I've driven. Always an automatic so an easy drive! There will be no squealing, Savvy Sue. Driving in America is so easy - wide well maintained roads, good signage, and speed limits are strictly enforced so slower pace. So different from Europe!

Savvy_Sue

cazziebo wrote: »

There will be no squealing, Savvy Sue.

You haven't seen my husband's driving. :rotfl:

Seriously, his driving is fine, I think I just don't like being a passenger. Someone gave me a lift last night and I was convinced we were going to hit all the parked cars! :eek:

N9eav

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

, and I was terrified the whole time because I usually drive a Yaris! :rotfl:

...

Then you would be terrified as a Surburban is enormous. V8 5.8L petrol engine, doing 16mpg. Fab car though, 8 seats all large, massive 6 suitcase boot.... Anyway there are good size saloon cars all, auto and larger roads, so you should be able to get the hang of it.

martindow

Regarding travelling around NYC, public transport is very good and subways are often going to be faster than cabs. You will probably do a lot of walking too though it can be very hot in summer.

You can get very cheap day tickets (Metro Cards) for 7.50 dollars for unlimited travel on the subway and buses and there are free maps you can get at subway stations.

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm

I was only in NYC for a few days and was bowled over by the place, and found the people wonderfully helpful and friendly (quite unlike their reputation).

Have a lovely time.

pavlovs_dog

sod the boys sue, take me instead! i'd happily spend the whole trip as your shopping buddy. im sure between us we'd manage to find a good second hand bookshop or two

one tip i see repeated time and again when it comes to new york is to book yourself in with a free big apple tour guide, who will take you around and show you the best sites.

Savvy_Sue

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

sod the boys sue, take me instead! i'd happily spend the whole trip as your shopping buddy. im sure between us we'd manage to find a good second hand bookshop or two

:rotfl: What a wonderful offer, I would threaten them with that but the youngest might take me up on it, and I am DETERMINED that we are ALL going to have a WONDERFUL holiday, whatever it takes to make them admit it.

Maybe next time ...

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

one tip i see repeated time and again when it comes to new york is to book yourself in with a free big apple tour guide, who will take you around and show you the best sites.

Brilliant thank you, I had spotted a mention of them in the not-quite-new Rough Guide someone has lent me, and just hadn't got round to searching this board to see if people thought they were any good or not.