There are lots of fantastic things about America. The diversity of culture and lifestyle from the east coast to the west is surprisingly vast. There are many ways to travel around and across America depending on personal preference, how much time you have and, of course, budget. Unfortunately, though there is an immeasurable amount of wonderful things about America, the train system is not one of them. Over short distances, trains are reliable and fast but unfortunately over distances of more than about sixty miles trains are breathtakingly expensive, and hair-tearingly difficult to get information about. Experience has taught me that your first phone call to try and figure out timetable information (the sources for which depend on the state you are in) will give you the kind of information that turns you pale with its complexity. Your second call will provide you with information totally different to the first and the new information will be even more confusing. Even British Rail can’t prepare you for the complexities of American trains! That said, there are many fast and efficient ways of getting around. Here are a few pointers to help.
Travelling...
By Air
It is still possible to find cheap domestic flights in the US. ‘Jet Blue’ is fairly inexpensive, reliable and comfy, offering extra legroom and a TV in every seat back for reasonable fares, though having a TV doesn’t seem such a good thing when you have to watch ‘Little House on the Prairie’ reruns for seven hours! Flights from east to west can be found for around one hundred US Dollars (about £50) and Jet Blue fly from all the major airports in the US. (Remember though that it is approximately a seven-hour flight from coast to coast!)
American Airlines also have cheap domestic flight offers sometimes (though no ‘Little House on the Prairie’!) so it’s worth checking out their website too. If you want to find a good deal on domestic flights you have to give yourself plenty of time to look. ‘Expedia’ and ‘Kayak’ offer a good choice but are often not the cheapest options, so it is worth looking at other websites. It is also worth knowing that if you are flying into San Francisco, Oakland airport is often cheaper than the main San Francisco airport and is an easy journey by subway into the centre of San Francisco.
www.jetblue.com
www.aa.com
By Car
The great American road trip is a thing of legend and it really is a fantastic experience. Taking it slowly with lots of sight-seeing and detours usually takes around one to two weeks to drive from east to west. It is possible to do it in half that time, but for a real road trip experience you should take your time.
Driving in New York isn’t nearly as daunting a prospect as it seems. The grid system is very easy to navigate (though having a map helps!) and traffic often moves so slowly that you have plenty of time to think about where to go next. You do have to be a bit pushy at busy junctions, or you’ll be sitting there for a while. It can be a little bit ‘survival of the fittest’ at times!
Where you choose to go on your road trip is entirely down to individual taste. Montana and the more northern states offer unrivalled mountain scenery and hiking opportunities and of course the Rockies, stretching from Canada to New Mexico, are a must see, particularly Colorado.
Hiring or buying a car is by far the easiest way to travel, but if you can possibly buy a car that will get you across the country then you should, because hiring a car can be expensive. It is much cheaper to hire if you are over the age of 25 and you are unlikely to be able to hire a car, at least from the major companies, if you are under 23 years of age.
A handy hint if you are travelling on a budget is to check out rent-a-wreck. Now, we know that the name doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, but this company is fantastic. They hire out older cars for about half the price of other companies. All the cars are smart and road worthy, and not the clapped-out old bangers that the companies name suggests! And you have all the usual roadside assistance and break-down cover of any big car rental company. So, though you might have an older car, ‘Rent-a-wreck’ hires affordable, reliable cars with all the assurance and insurance of the big companies but at half the price and with much friendlier service.
Check out www.rent-a-wreck.com for more information.
The next paragraph is for those who have never heard of ‘car-pool lanes’. These are very easy once someone has explained them to you, but totally mystifying if not. ‘Car-pool’ or high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) are a lane on a highway separated from the other three or four lanes by (usually) an unbroken white line. This lane is usually the inside one and it is only allowed to be used by cars with two or more occupants. These lanes are sometimes empty and can cut your travel time substantially (though we won’t deny that sometimes they are just as jammed up as the other lanes). Also, they are not in all states and seem to be more on the west coast. Do not automatically head for this lane if you are the only person in your car because this is illegal and the police do patrol, so beware! There is a hefty fine for any driver using the carpool lanes without at least one other person in the car. In emergencies these lanes are open for all, but only when directed.
Where to go – A few different possibilities
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah is a good place to stop if you are passing through; it is culturally different from anywhere else in America with its huge Mormon population. Temple square is really beautiful; there are some nice, cosy and inexpensive hostels, though not too many to choose from, so if you are going in high summer be sure to book ahead. Be aware though that on Sundays the city shuts down and it can be a little boring. It is nearly impossible to find a decent coffee and alcohol is scarce! Also, just a heads up, while we’re on the subject… it is illegal to be drunk on the streets of Salt Lake City, even if you are just walking back to the hostel! This rule is enforced so be warned! That said, it’s a nice relaxing, fascinating and beautiful city if you want a day or two of chill-time.
San Francisco
The west coast of America has far too many must see places to list here, but if we are going to name a few favourites then San Francisco is a city you must add to your list. It offers everything from beautiful scenery, interesting architecture and lively nightlife to the almost carnivalish atmosphere of Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square. This area covers about half a dozen blocks along the waterfront and constitutes much of the stereotypical San Francisco image. Tourists walking here are entertained by street performers and tempted by souvenir shops and restaurants. While these places are popular, and many people feel they haven't visited San Francisco unless they've seen them, keep in mind that this tourist haven bears little resemblance to the rest of the city of San Francisco. San Francisco is a little like New York in its ‘anything goes’ attitude, but it moves at a far more laid-back pace. It is an open-minded city and named the gay capital of America, if not the world! It is a must-see for anyone looking for good nightlife, beautiful sights and an action packed time. San Francisco bay is also stunning, offering fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the opportunity to see seals, walruses and pelicans basking on the sea wall in the sunlight.
Yosemite National Park
It is possible to get guided tours for one day or more in Yosemite National Park from San Francisco, and the park is approximately a four-hour drive from the city. If you have your own car then you can consider driving here; it really is worth a visit. Yosemite Valley is the most touristy area in Yosemite. It gets incredibly crowded during the summer but once you manoeuvre your way through hordes of screaming kids and bumper to bumper traffic the rest of Yosemite Park is breathtaking. The most popular routes from the valley take you to Vernal falls and Nevada falls, then trails lead on towards ‘Half Dome’ and many places besides. If you like to hike then Yosemite has a never-ending supply of beautiful scenery and well marked trails. Many of these are not for the faint hearted, though, and once you are out of the valley the weather can turn nasty surprisingly fast. The more adventurous hikes are only for the experienced and well-equipped. As with any hike, the right equipment and maps are essential. The Valley does have its good points though, and offers a reasonably priced campsite and helpful information points.
Check out www.incadventures.com for reliable and fun tours.
Where else…?
Another great place to visit is San Diego. The drive from San Diego towards San Francisco is breathtaking if you drive along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) instead of the inland highways, and though it takes longer it is highly recommended. San Diego Sea World offers a truly American day-out experience and nothing there is done on a small scale.
LA and Las Vegas in California and Seattle in Washington State (not to
be confused with Washington DC which is in the east!) also have a lot to offer. LA and Las
Vegas can be daunting and pricey, but they are immensely popular and fun, and very worth seeing if you can get there! If you want a quiet time it is a little harder to find in LA and Las Vegas than in other areas of the west coast, but each city offers unique experiences and we would recommend as many as you can afford, even if just for a few days!
Where you choose to go in America is entirely up to you but the above hints should help you to save some time, or money, or both! Happy travelling.
