Usa Travel Forum

Wondering if anyone had tips for travelling in America (family of four) at Christmas time. I want to got to Disneyland and Universal Studios and then to New York. What is best way to get to New York? Is flying expensive? Is there a rail service? I was thinking of hiring a car/motorhome but no prices online for Winter???

Any good ideas appreciated.

Flying is definitely the best way. Check out www.virginamerica.com. They have pretty great prices on flights between Los Angeles and New York if you book far enough in advance. To drive between Los Angeles and New York you would need a MINIMUM of 5 days, possibly longer in a motor home. You can also check out www.southwest.com for flights to New York, but their flights likely won't be direct (although they may be) and you'll have to fly into Long Island and then take a train (Long Island Rail Road) or taxi into the city. I currently live in Los Angeles (Venice Beach) and have also lived in New York so I'm happy to help you out with info on both places if I can.

A few questions first. Do you want to go to Disneyland and Universal Studios in California or Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida? If you are in California and will go to New York you should fly as it is a long driving trip and the weather in parts of the USA at that time of year could be very treacherous to drive in. If you are in Florida you could take a train. If you fly at that time of year prices for airlines and train travel will be expensive unless you actually fly on Christmas Day when you could get some good airfares.

By car would take a long, long time - a week if you don't stop anywhere. How much time do you have for your trip? To rent a motorhome is rather expensive. It would be cheaper to rent the car and stay at motels/hotels along the way instead of renting a motorhome. The best way to get from LA to NY or vice versa is by plane. A direct flight is 5 hours. Jet Blue offers a nonstop that's pretty cheap. Other airlines would be Southwest, Delta, Continental or United. I think the train would be horrible. They tend to be uncomfortable and noisy. If you book your flight now - I think it will be expensive. If you book your flight around August or September, might be cheaper. But then again, air travel at Christmas time is pretty busy here in the states.
Anyway, hope that helps.

New York is wonderful at Christmas time but hotel prices peak starting about Dec. 1. The tree at Rockefeller Center is great and there is always a special Radio City Rockettes show. It would need to be booked early to assure seats.

Hi.

A drive from west to east in the US at that time of the year and with a family, is definitely not a good idea; specially in a motorhome!. Every single time I took that 4 day trip, I regretted. Now that the gas is getting higher, even worse!

American Airlines has good deals all the time; check their site quite frequently and also other airlines. You can get tickets for as low as 250 both ways if you catch one of their good specials. A regular price can be in the 350-500 dollars range. Check Expedia too.

Martin