US help.

[ceecookie]

It's not ideal to do a self drive tour in winter season. Winter storm and road closures will frustrate you, not to mention driving in icy conditions require more attention.

You can do a one way rental from nyc to Orlando but the one way drop fee will be quite expensive.

 

[Morugana]

anyone knows how long does it take to approve ESTA?

do i need to show my flight details?

 

[yxerin]

Agree it's not ideal to do a road trip in winter on the East Coast. There will be snow. If you really want a self-drive road trip, then do the West Coast instead. Even in good weather, I very much prefer to drive the West Coast than the East Coast.

Can consider taking a bus from NY to Washington DC, and then flying to Orlando. This should work out much cheaper than renting a car.

 

[yxerin]

anyone knows how long does it take to approve ESTA?

do i need to show my flight details?

In most cases, almost instantly.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...do-i-know-if-my-esta-application-was-approved

 

[Shiny Things]

My intended travelling date will be in Feb 2018, approx. 21 days trip including flight time.

Intended states to visit will be New York -> self-drive to Orlando -> domestic flight to Las Vegas -> back to SG.

Is it possible to drive from New York to Orlando?

Oh absolutely: literally just get on Interstate 95 and point your nose south. As people have said, though, this is a bit of an iffy proposition in February.

February in the Northeast is pretty much the depths of winter. The temperatures are icy, there are frequent snowstorms so driving's going to be hairy... you're running the risk that you'll be held up in a town for three to four days while you wait for a huge winter storm to pass. This is going to be an issue in New York and Washington, definitely.

I'd go with the suggestion below of taking the train from NYC to Washington, but then I'd add another suggestion: instead of driving down from Washington, fly to Miami, and then drive up to Orlando from there!

Starting from Miami lets you escape the northeastern winter; you'll be able to do some shopping on South Beach and try some of the amazing Cuban food in Little Havana.

Then you can drive down the Florida Keys over the gorgeous Overseas Highway, spend a night in Key West, then double back through the Everglades and head up the Space Coast (Cape Canaveral!) to Orlando.

 

[Arcanell]

Hi all,
I’m on the beginning phase of planning an US trip with my hb. This would be the first time I’m travelling so far and I’m kinda lost as in where should I start from and whether my intended plan is feasible.

My intended travelling date will be in Feb 2018, approx. 21 days trip including flight time.

Intended states to visit will be New York -> self-drive to Orlando -> domestic flight to Las Vegas -> back to SG.

Is it possible to drive from New York to Orlando? As per map it will be approx. 16 hrs journeys to drive, sounds a bit crazy but I really want to experience a self-drive trip in the US. Also from the map, the journey seem would be passing by places such as Philadelphia, Washington and etc… intend to stop over these places for 1-2 night each to rest and at the same time touring. Most importantly, if this route is workable, will I be able to rent a car starting from NYC and then return it at Orlando?

I’m more interested in sight-seeing the natural, theme parks (that’s why Orlando), shopping, food...

Basically, need advises on whether my intended plan is feasible, anything that I’ll need to take note on, any great website to do my tour research and etc..

Thank you.

Another alternative is to take the amtrak (rail) from nyc to was to phil. Then domestic air to Orlando. You can self drive at Orlando, very easy to navigate, cheap and weather is less harsh. Do drive to miami if you have time.

https://www.mousesavers.com/
The website above has all the info on Orlando theme parks. Do book early for cheaper rate, same goes for Amtrak.

 

[jvscmschanel]

It's not ideal to do a self drive tour in winter season. Winter storm and road closures will frustrate you, not to mention driving in icy conditions require more attention.

You can do a one way rental from nyc to Orlando but the one way drop fee will be quite expensive.

Agree it's not ideal to do a road trip in winter on the East Coast. There will be snow. If you really want a self-drive road trip, then do the West Coast instead. Even in good weather, I very much prefer to drive the West Coast than the East Coast.

Can consider taking a bus from NY to Washington DC, and then flying to Orlando. This should work out much cheaper than renting a car.

Oh absolutely: literally just get on Interstate 95 and point your nose south. As people have said, though, this is a bit of an iffy proposition in February.

February in the Northeast is pretty much the depths of winter. The temperatures are icy, there are frequent snowstorms so driving's going to be hairy... you're running the risk that you'll be held up in a town for three to four days while you wait for a huge winter storm to pass. This is going to be an issue in New York and Washington, definitely.

I'd go with the suggestion below of taking the train from NYC to Washington, but then I'd add another suggestion: instead of driving down from Washington, fly to Miami, and then drive up to Orlando from there!

Starting from Miami lets you escape the northeastern winter; you'll be able to do some shopping on South Beach and try some of the amazing Cuban food in Little Havana.

Then you can drive down the Florida Keys over the gorgeous Overseas Highway, spend a night in Key West, then double back through the Everglades and head up the Space Coast (Cape Canaveral!) to Orlando.

Another alternative is to take the amtrak (rail) from nyc to was to phil. Then domestic air to Orlando. You can self drive at Orlando, very easy to navigate, cheap and weather is less harsh. Do drive to miami if you have time.

https://www.mousesavers.com/
The website above has all the info on Orlando theme parks. Do book early for cheaper rate, same goes for Amtrak.

Thank you for all the great advises! and phew.. yea.. definitely I wouldn't want my trip got held up due to weather condition. Time is so precious since 21 days is the longest I can spend for this trip We also prefer to travel during the CNY period as we'll be less busy from work, hence, couldn't avoid the cold cold winter Any recommendation on website to book domestic flight? guess I'll need to book 2 trips, 1 to Miami/Orlando and 1 to Las Vegas.

 

[Arcanell]

Thank you for all the great advises! and phew.. yea.. definitely I wouldn't want my trip got held up due to weather condition. Time is so precious since 21 days is the longest I can spend for this trip We also prefer to travel during the CNY period as we'll be less busy from work, hence, couldn't avoid the cold cold winter Any recommendation on website to book domestic flight? guess I'll need to book 2 trips, 1 to Miami/Orlando and 1 to Las Vegas.

use https://www.skyscanner.com.sg/ to look for airline and timing. Then go to airline's website and book.

 

[takuyazzz]

Need some suggestions for a couple of driving stops from Palm Springs to Las Vegas, hope to experience a bit of route 66 if possible. We'll be leaving Palm Springs at around 8am. Any ideas?

Edit: Did a bit of research. Is the following rote ok?

Palm Springs > Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch > Route 66 Museum (Barstow) > Peggy Sue's > World's Tallest Thermometer + Mad Greek/Del Taco > Seven Magic Mountains > Vegas

Was originally thinking of going to Roy's as a first stop but kinda out of the way...is it worth the detour? Otherwise we'll try to hit Cool Springs Station Museum or Hackberry General Store for Route 66 gas station pictures later on when we drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon.

 

[Shiny Things]

Thank you for all the great advises! and phew.. yea.. definitely I wouldn't want my trip got held up due to weather condition. Time is so precious since 21 days is the longest I can spend for this trip We also prefer to travel during the CNY period as we'll be less busy from work, hence, couldn't avoid the cold cold winter Any recommendation on website to book domestic flight? guess I'll need to book 2 trips, 1 to Miami/Orlando and 1 to Las Vegas.

Unless you've got some particular loyalty to one airline: just use Hipmunk. Check Southwest Airlines as well, since they don't feed their rates to the aggregators.

 

[Morugana]

I have 4 full days at San Francisco.

Rented a car as well.

LA, Yosemite too far away.
Dont wanna spend time driving too long

Any good inputs to share? Thanks alot guys.

Day 1: Alcatraz island - san fran area walk walk
Day 2: silicon valley - san jose - carmel by the sea
Day 3: napa valley winery
Day 4: ???

 

[shawniiex]

I have 4 full days at San Francisco.

Rented a car as well.

LA, Yosemite too far away.
Dont wanna spend time driving too long

Any good inputs to share? Thanks alot guys.

Day 1: Alcatraz island - san fran area walk walk
Day 2: silicon valley - san jose - carmel by the sea
Day 3: napa valley winery
Day 4: ???

You going Napa Valley to drink wine.
Then driving? Hahaha.

 

[patryn33]

You going Napa Valley to drink wine.
Then driving? Hahaha.

Wine tasting don't have to drink into tummy.
What to haha

 

[lugia88]

anyone knows how long does it take to approve ESTA?

do i need to show my flight details?

no need flight details, ESTA approve in 1-3days i think very fast.
print out ur ESTA approval or have it ready on ur phone if you transiting to other countries.

 

[Morugana]

Over there got grape juice also.

Anything interesting in san jose and carmel?

 

[Morugana]

Just applied esta.

Approval within an hour.

no need flight details, ESTA approve in 1-3days i think very fast.
print out ur ESTA approval or have it ready on ur phone if you transiting to other countries.

 

[crunsik]

I have 4 full days at San Francisco.

Rented a car as well.

LA, Yosemite too far away.
Dont wanna spend time driving too long

Any good inputs to share? Thanks alot guys.

Day 1: Alcatraz island - san fran area walk walk
Day 2: silicon valley - san jose - carmel by the sea
Day 3: napa valley winery
Day 4: ???

napa you might want to consider 2 days. Its very vast and with you driving you can visit more wineries along the way. Shiny has recommended several to me and the list is good. I went for the wine tour at Schramberg and Domain chandon. Pretty solid tours but note that payment is required unlike in Australia. I went to Robert Mondavi for photos, quite a splendid place too. Could consider uber or Lyft to go about drink driving.

 

[Morugana]

What about Sausalito CA?

Anything worth seeing or

 

[Shiny Things]

What about Sausalito CA?

Anything worth seeing or

Oh heck yeah, Sausalito is amazing and it's dead easy to get to. Either hop a ferry from the Ferry Building; or, if you're feeling really ambitious, rent a bike, ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, then come back on the ferry with your bike in the afternoon.

Sausalito's very rich and very touristy. Lots of little galleries, restaurants, and strolling along the waterfront; you know the type of place.

 

[dilphinus]

Any recommendations for things to eat, see and do in Maine? Will be in mid coast Maine for a month!