US help.

[Shiny Things]

Thanks for the recommendations! My friend's based near LA (Irvine) so we are making trips out of there around the weekends, was initially thinking of doing Yosemite/White mountains-LV but it was kind of hard to fit that into our schedule. Doing the Highway 1 and will be staying on the coast (Pismo, cambria, monterey etc) which will hopefully be cooler. Will be staying at Hotel Kabuki at SF - any interesting places nearby? (understand you're based in SF?)

OK, yeah, you've absolutely got the right idea. The Kabuki's in Japantown, which is a great part of town to stay in; it's a little bit out of the way (a mile and a half from downtown, which is a long way in SF!), but there's plenty around there (including some epic jazz clubs in the Fillmore district if that's your thing). It's easy to get around the city: the 38-Geary bus runs right past the hotel and takes you to Union Square if you take it eastbound, or all the way west out to the beach; the 22 bus takes you up Fillmore St. to the Marina and Crissy Field, or down to the super-trendy Hayes Valley district; and you can grab a bike or an Uber if there's anywhere else you want to go.

You're going to love highway 1, as well. I'd do that in two nights or so - one night in Pismo Beach or Cambria, one night in Big Sur (the Glen Oaks Motor Lodge is great, and make sure you eat at Nepenthe restaurant), and from Big Sur you can be in SF the next afternoon if you're eager, or you can do an extra night in Monterey, Santa Cruz, or Half Moon Bay if you want to prolong the trip. (pro tip: Santa Cruz is awesome, but don't go there on the weekend - it's always jammed to the gills on summer weekends).

 

[Hisashiburi]

For usa residents, here is a good deal to get a google nexus 5x 32gb phone for $250.
Usual price is 400.

Google has this new fi sim card plan that is for travelers n charges 10usd per gb data for international roaming in 120 countries. There is also a basic 20usd per month for phone n txt.

Can cancel anytime or "pause" the service when not using it.
Dont have to use local simcards when abroad too.

I just signed up since my current phone doesnt have lte n i can use this phone for lte roaming.

https://fi.google.com/account

 

[aizutto]

I am thinking of travelling to USA in Dec. Thinking of staying there for maybe two - three weeks. The thing is, I haven't really figure out where to go and I have a budget of around $2k for two people, which is consider quite little, minus the flights.

Planning to stay in hostels throughout the journey and probably take some night trains or buses to another city to save up. Would it be possible with such a little budget?

Thanks!

 

[Hisashiburi]

Weather is milder on the west coast in dec.

ya 2k budget is a bit low for two people for two weeks.
Not sure if it is worth going if u have to go very low budget though.
Do-able but have to miss out on quite a bit.

I am thinking of travelling to USA in Dec. Thinking of staying there for maybe two - three weeks. The thing is, I haven't really figure out where to go and I have a budget of around $2k for two people, which is consider quite little, minus the flights.

Planning to stay in hostels throughout the journey and probably take some night trains or buses to another city to save up. Would it be possible with such a little budget?

Thanks!

 

[patryn33]

I am thinking of travelling to USA in Dec. Thinking of staying there for maybe two - three weeks. The thing is, I haven't really figure out where to go and I have a budget of around $2k for two people, which is consider quite little, minus the flights.

Planning to stay in hostels throughout the journey and probably take some night trains or buses to another city to save up. Would it be possible with such a little budget?

Thanks!

2K is tight!

hostel rates can go us$40 per pax or ~sgd$60 or 16 nites; airbnb maybe US$80-150. add transport and food.. the numbers don't really add up even if U talk nite bus and train.
http://www.norcalhostels.org/rates/

if U out in the Cali - think about transportation and tickets to theme parks and places.

if U headed to DC dom rates ~us$30 per person. attractions free. if do U like to do that? NYC room rates higher esp over the Xmas holidays.

 

[invisible999]

I am thinking of travelling to USA in Dec. Thinking of staying there for maybe two - three weeks. The thing is, I haven't really figure out where to go and I have a budget of around $2k for two people, which is consider quite little, minus the flights.

SGD 2K won't be enough even to purchase flights for two people. You need to have at least SGD 5K to cover two weeks, flights included.

 

[invisible999]

Hotel in SF with view of Golden Gate

Shiny - you, as local, could you tell except Fairmount, are there any hotels where one can see Golden Gate Bridge from the room?

 

[Shiny Things]

Shiny - you, as local, could you tell except Fairmount, are there any hotels where one can see Golden Gate Bridge from the room?

OK, that's tricky - the GGB is over completely the wrong side of the city to be visible from most hotels.

You might be able to see it from the west-facing rooms at the Argonaut; or from the higher floors of the Westin St. Francis and the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins. (I'm a Starwood loyalist, so: obviously the Westin.)

There are smarter plays if you don't mind being away from the action a bit. The Inn at the Presidio is very nice, and right near the SF end of the bridge; or you can stay at the Cavallo Point Hotel, just across the bridge, and you'll be literally at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

[invisible999]

OK, that's tricky - the GGB is over completely the wrong side of the city to be visible from most hotels.

You might be able to see it from the west-facing rooms at the Argonaut; or from the higher floors of the Westin St. Francis and the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins. (I'm a Starwood loyalist, so: obviously the Westin.)

There are smarter plays if you don't mind being away from the action a bit. The Inn at the Presidio is very nice, and right near the SF end of the bridge; or you can stay at the Cavallo Point Hotel, just across the bridge, and you'll be literally at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Dude you are awesome. when you finally get bored at your job, you should be a travel writer and have your own TV/yourtube program.

 

[humanrace]

Cathay Promotion:

Two-to-Travel Early Grab fares to North America from SGD1,218 all-in per person
Fly with a companion and enjoy our early grab fares to North America from SGD1,248 all-in per person
The early bird catches the worm and you get the special fares.

Plan your vacation ahead and save more with our special two-to-travel Early Grab fares to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago, Vancouver or Toronto now. Offer ends 22 Jun 2016.

 

[Cometdevil]

I am travelling to Houston for business trip. Can i buy Tmobile sim at IAH terminal E's best buy express vending machine*?

From what above posts, the cheapest plan is 40usd for 3gb data 30days right?

 

[cdrom85]

How bad is the weather on the East Coast in late December? Thinking of going to visit friends and catch a NFL game if possible.

Given how long we have to fly, how likely would you opt for a premium economy seat instead of discounted economy fares? The S$1.2-1.5k fares that I'm seeing on a few decent airlines is quite enticing..

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hisashiburi]

Ya i had tmobile about 30 or 40usd for 3gb for 30 days.

Cricket wireless is about the same.

Be sure your phone has the supported LTE bands ...otherwise have to put up with 2g...that was painful...

I am travelling to Houston for business trip. Can i buy Tmobile sim at IAH terminal E's best buy express vending machine*?

From what above posts, the cheapest plan is 40usd for 3gb data 30days right?

 

[Hisashiburi]

I wouldnt mind paying premier economy for flt to ny if it isnt too pricey!

Not all premier economy seats are the same though. Some airlines are better than others.

Make NY or DC your first usa port of entry and dont go through Sf or la or other usa airports. Save yourself the trouble of going though domestic security.

This year is La Nina, not sure how that affects the east coast.
More snow?

How bad is the weather on the East Coast in late December? Thinking of going to visit friends and catch a NFL game if possible.

Given how long we have to fly, how likely would you opt for a premium economy seat instead of discounted economy fares? The S$1.2-1.5k fares that I'm seeing on a few decent airlines is quite enticing..

Thanks in advance!

 

[cdrom85]

I wouldnt mind paying premier economy for flt to ny if it isnt too pricey!

Not all premier economy seats are the same though. Some airlines are better than others.

Make NY or DC your first usa port of entry and dont go through Sf or la or other usa airports. Save yourself the trouble of going though domestic security.

This year is La Nina, not sure how that affects the east coast.
More snow?

My friend suggested flying into NY too. More snow should be exciting.. Not sure if my wife will be as game for the game as I am. LOL..

My plan is to go to NY, Boston and Philly over 2 weeks. Not driving so gonna just stay in the cities. Should be more than enough to see. But ultimately still dependent on whether I manage to buy the single game tickets directly or via one of the more reputable resellers.

Thanks man.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Some credit cards like Amex lets u buy advance tickets on ticketmaster.
Dont know if that also applies to sporting events.

My friend suggested flying into NY too. More snow should be exciting.. Not sure if my wife will be as game for the game as I am. LOL..

My plan is to go to NY, Boston and Philly over 2 weeks. Not driving so gonna just stay in the cities. Should be more than enough to see. But ultimately still dependent on whether I manage to buy the single game tickets directly or via one of the more reputable resellers.

Thanks man.

 

[ceecookie]

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-international-tourist-plan

T-Mobile launched special plan just for tourists - Free SIM card, unlimited data (first 2gb at 4G) and international SMS for $30. Plan will last for 3 weeks.

 

[Cometdevil]

At houston iAH, there only ATT vending machine selling prepaid phone. To get sim only will need to travel via car to the telco shop.

Since i couldnt go down to store i bought a tmobile sim starter pack with value from bestbuy website and deliver to me in 2 days. I activated online and there was a 30usd plan available, 5gb data, and unlimited calls

 

[cdrom85]

Some credit cards like Amex lets u buy advance tickets on ticketmaster.
Dont know if that also applies to sporting events.

Thanks for the heads up. I'd also stand by my friend as a fallback.

 

[Shiny Things]

How bad is the weather on the East Coast in late December? Thinking of going to visit friends and catch a NFL game if possible.

Given how long we have to fly, how likely would you opt for a premium economy seat instead of discounted economy fares? The S$1.2-1.5k fares that I'm seeing on a few decent airlines is quite enticing..

Thanks in advance!

1) Oooh this is risky. Even in NYC, which is more mild because it's on the ocean, it could be anywhere from "clear and mild" to "clear and cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" to "chucking it down with apocalyptic snow"; it all depends on whether the jet stream is up north (so it's trapping cold arctic air north of it) or dipping down south (so the arctic air is flowing down into the northern USA). And this can change from day to day - I was in Chicago back in January and it was minus 20 Celsius, but a few days either side of my visit it was right around freezing.

It gets worse if you go upstate to Buffalo to watch the Bills. Weird local weather effects around the Great Lakes mean that Buffalo occasionally gets crippled by ridiculous ten-foot dumps of snow in the space of a day or two.

December's really tough to call, but if you pack for an apocalyptic winter and bring layers, you should be fine. (And if you see anyone from The Weather Channel setting up across the street, you might want to buy some last-minute tickets to Florida and go see the Dolphins instead.)

2) I'd lash out on premium economy, at those prices. SIN-NYC's a bloody miserable flight at the best of times; anything you can do to make it less miserable is absolutely worth it.