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Author Topic: Travelling across the US  (Read 1525 times)

Offline niknak

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Travelling across the US
« on: November 20, 2003, 07:58:03 AM »
I am about to embark on a round the world trip, the last leg of which will overland from L.A. to Miami taking 5-6 weeks. What i want to know is what would be a good route to take and what is the cheapest/best way to do it. By the I very much doubt i will be able to hire a car as i am 21 with <1 year driving experience.

Any advice will be much appreciated.
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Offline Ripsnort

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2003, 08:13:01 AM »
Cheapest: Fly commercial airlines
Best: By Amtrak train.
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Offline mora

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2003, 08:14:32 AM »
Maybe you should consider getting a train or bus pass?

They seem to be more expensive than in Europe but you will save a lot of money anyway:
http://www.amtrak.com/savings/northeast/promo-passintro.html
http://www.usitnow.com/countries/northire/bus/namerica.htm
« Last Edit: November 20, 2003, 08:19:21 AM by mora »
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Offline BZip

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2003, 09:16:46 AM »
I think the best route would be to go from LA up the coast to Seattle... stopping in San Fran. and Portland along the way. Then I would travel East across the Northern US to Chicago. From Chicago I would travel east to New York. Then from New York I would travel south to Miami... maybe stopping in D.C. along the way. I think you could easily do this in 5-6 weeks staying in some of the cities for a few days. This would be the way I would go. LA straight to Miami would be boring.
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Offline niknak

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2003, 09:28:59 AM »
Thanks for the replies, some very useful stuff by all.

What would be the advantages of travelling amtrak over greyhound ?
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Offline Ripsnort

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2003, 09:40:26 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by niknak
Thanks for the replies, some very useful stuff by all.

What would be the advantages of travelling amtrak over greyhound ?


Train: You get to see beautiful countryside. You can get up and have a bite to eat while moving, or a beer. More room. They usually have a "Lounge" car or Smoking car where you can light up.

Bus: Cheaper than train, but you're limited to eating what you bring with you in a sack. No Food/Beer services on the bus. No smoking or drinking.
« Last Edit: November 20, 2003, 10:00:12 AM by Ripsnort »
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Offline Sikboy

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2003, 09:47:31 AM »
I can't recomend reading this book enough:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140053204/qid=1069343023/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/103-2763655-0044619?v=glance&s=books

I really enjoyed taking the train from LA to Del Rio Tx, you get a chance to meet people, and make their aquaintence, plus as has bee mentioned there's a lot more room. I think I only spent about 20 minutes in my seat the whole trip.

-Sik
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Offline mora

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2003, 10:31:20 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Ripsnort
No smoking or drinking.


Of course you can drink, you just need to bring your own a be a little discreet. They have toilets don't they?
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Offline Rude

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« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2003, 10:46:47 AM »
Don't hitchhike
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Offline Pfunk

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2003, 11:27:20 AM »
Enterprise rental car will rent car to those under 25 specifically all you have to be is 21............however the rates are a bit higher than if you were 25.
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Offline Ripsnort

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #10 on: November 20, 2003, 11:27:38 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by mora
Of course you can drink, you just need to bring your own a be a little discreet. They have toilets don't they?


Yes.
I've been to 42 states, by train, bus, airplane, car.  Train is/was my first choice if I have the time to travel.
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Offline Pfunk

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #11 on: November 20, 2003, 11:45:08 AM »
weird thing about being on a train for any extended period of time is that as soon as the train stops and you get off at your destination it takes your body several hours to realize that it is no longer moving.  Kinda like getting and losing your sea legs on a cruise ship.
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Offline Krusher

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Re: Travelling across the US
« Reply #12 on: November 20, 2003, 11:48:50 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by niknak
I am about to embark on a round the world trip, the last leg of which will overland from L.A. to Miami taking 5-6 weeks. What i want to know is what would be a good route to take and what is the cheapest/best way to do it. By the I very much doubt i will be able to hire a car as i am 21 with <1 year driving experience.

Any advice will be much appreciated.


If you come thru Dallas on the way and need anything holler.
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Offline capt. apathy

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #13 on: November 20, 2003, 11:55:51 AM »
the bus sucks, you'll meet 'interesting' people that you'll wish you hadn't.
I've taken a few cross country trips on them and every one of them was a horible experience.

that said you can go from anywhere to anywhere (in the US) for about $100.

pack your own food.  the places they stop for meal breaks usually suck and the food is overpriced.
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Offline midnight Target

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Travelling across the US
« Reply #14 on: November 20, 2003, 12:18:33 PM »
The train is a blast. Almost as expensive as flying (maybe even more) but well worth it. You can take the coastliner from LA to Seattle then go east from there.
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