I need itinerary help - pretty please

[shushh]

Ms shuttergirl, why don't you price out both and see if you're happy with the price difference?

Or you can leave it and I'm sure someone here will finally cave and do some research for you!

Are you big NYE people? We decided not to stay at NY for NYE because we usually sleep at the usual time even on NYE...

If you're not big NYE people, then washington is definitely the place to be because everything stays open on Jan 1!!! And it is quiet...because everyone else is sleeping in.

Boston sounds good too though

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Flattery sometimes gets you what you want.......chocolate always works.


Sure. Happy to help, if I can. And you know everyone else will also want to share as well.

Ooooh chocolate, of course I knew I forgot something

We caught the train from Toronto to Niagara with no hassles. Our travel agent actually booked all of our train legs for us; but you can check out the VIA Rail website to give you a rough idea of times/cost (http://www.viarail.ca/en) Looks like the cheapest fare to do this leg is $22.60 and it's about a 2 hour trip.

We also used VIA to travel between Toronto and Montreal (and then Amtrak for our train trips in the states)

Thanks Lulu, perhaps it is something I could leave to the TA to do. Sometimes I get stressed trying to work out the best option and how to go about it. $22.60 each doesn't sound bad.

Ms shuttergirl, why don't you price out both and see if you're happy with the price difference?

Or you can leave it and I'm sure someone here will finally cave and do some research for you!

Are you big NYE people? We decided not to stay at NY for NYE because we usually sleep at the usual time even on NYE...

If you're not big NYE people, then washington is definitely the place to be because everything stays open on Jan 1!!! And it is quiet...because everyone else is sleeping in.

Boston sounds good too though

Shushh, are you implying I'm trying to convince someone to work it out for me .

No we are not big NYE people which is why Washington will be fine. DH said he doesn't want to lose a day to sleep because we are tired from staying up way past our (he means his ) bedtime. Good to hear everything will be open on NYE.

Do you think 4 nights is one too many? It's 3 1/2 days. Or do you think 3 nights/2 1/2 days would be plenty?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Ms shuttergirl, why don't you price out both and see if you're happy with the price difference?

Or you can leave it and I'm sure someone here will finally cave and do some research for you!

Are you big NYE people? We decided not to stay at NY for NYE because we usually sleep at the usual time even on NYE...

If you're not big NYE people, then washington is definitely the place to be because everything stays open on Jan 1!!! And it is quiet...because everyone else is sleeping in.

Boston sounds good too though

Ooooh chocolate, of course I knew I forgot something

Shushh, are you implying I'm trying to convince someone to work it out for me .

You two are not implying that *I* was going to do the work??

Oh no.....not I.....I've got my own Hong Kong research to do; which I should get back to. I've been too distracted with posting about my mini TR and Chinese New Year!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

 

[PrincessInOz]

And Shuttergirl - I'm with Lulu. I'm a big fan of Via Rail. Clean trains, runs on time and reasonable rates if you book in advance. Their website was quite easy to navigate.

Amtrak, on the other hand....not so much. The trains just seemed old and tired in comparison.


(We could almost draw comparisons between Amtrak and United; but that's such a easy shot......that it hardly seems worth it. )

 

[shushh]

Queenie...don't disappoint. I'm waiting for a comeback

 

[shushh]

You two are not implying that *I* was going to do the work??

Oh no.....not I.....I've got my own Hong Kong research to do; which I should get back to. I've been too distracted with posting about my mini TR and Chinese New Year!

I wouldn't dare...but perhaps one OCD planner might find some spare time to help another OCD planner

By the way Princess, your Chinese NEw Year photos were awesome! We are very lucky indeed in this country to be able to have wonderful new year celebrations.

 

[shushh]

Do you think 4 nights is one too many? It's 3 1/2 days. Or do you think 3 nights/2 1/2 days would be plenty?

No, I think 4 nights is fine. You don't want to make it too short. There's a fair bit to see at Washington DC.

OK, seeing as the Canadian experts have spoken, why not train the internal Canadian segments leaving only the flights in and out. That way, it should also help with costing airfares as it is less complicated?

 

[PrincessInOz]

I wouldn't dare...but perhaps one OCD planner might find some spare time to help another OCD planner

By the way Princess, your Chinese NEw Year photos were awesome! We are very lucky indeed in this country to be able to have wonderful new year celebrations.

Thanks. We are indeed very luck to have access to such a range of festivals and celebrations.

I need to get round to posting Australia Day as well.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

And Shuttergirl - I'm with Lulu. I'm a big fan of Via Rail. Clean trains, runs on time and reasonable rates if you book in advance. Their website was quite easy to navigate.

Amtrak, on the other hand....not so much. The trains just seemed old and tired in comparison.


(We could almost draw comparisons between Amtrak and United; but that's such a easy shot......that it hardly seems worth it. )

Well sounds like this might be the preferred option for us. Will definitely check it out.

Too funny about the Amtrak and United comparison.

Queenie...don't disappoint. I'm waiting for a comeback

I've been poking at Queenie all day and she isn't biting. She is obviously far more mature than us and I'm going to take a leaf out of her book

No, I think 4 nights is fine. You don't want to make it too short. There's a fair bit to see at Washington DC.

OK, seeing as the Canadian experts have spoken, why not train the internal Canadian segments leaving only the flights in and out. That way, it should also help with costing airfares as it is less complicated?

Shushh, I had originally thought to train internally in Canada but I believe the train from Quebec to Niagara Falls is upwards of 14 hours so I think flying from Quebec to Toronto which is approx. 1 1/2 hours then training it to Niagara Falls would be the quickest way.

Okay well for now I will stick with the 4 nights thing.

 

[cola]

One risk, that is pretty unavoidable that time of year, is the weather concerns - flight delays due to snow storms are not uncommon up north! If trains are an option, they are usually disrupted less than air travel.

As others have mentioned. open jaw plane tickets (get off in one city, get on at another) are not a problem. I would recommend getting as many internal flights on the same ticket as your international flights as you can, makes luggage fees a non-issue (because it is an international ticket)



PS I've flown United a few times when they had the ridiculously cheap tickets (under $1000 Sydney-Orlando return).
An iPad would probably be better than any in-seat entertainment on any airline these days, if you are in economy.

 

[dabecs]

PS I've flown United a few times when they had the ridiculously cheap tickets (under $1000 Sydney-Orlando return).
An iPad would probably be better than any in-seat entertainment on any airline these days, if you are in economy.

That is what we are planning to do - if United is the cheapest fare we can get we are going to buy 2 iPads to take with us. Between the 4 of us (my parents can work out their own entertainment!) we will have 2 iPads, my kindle, our iPhones and iPod Touch; we should be entertained enough! Plus we get to keep the iPads at the end of it

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

One risk, that is pretty unavoidable that time of year, is the weather concerns - flight delays due to snow storms are not uncommon up north! If trains are an option, they are usually disrupted less than air travel.

As others have mentioned. open jaw plane tickets (get off in one city, get on at another) are not a problem. I would recommend getting as many internal flights on the same ticket as your international flights as you can, makes luggage fees a non-issue (because it is an international ticket)



PS I've flown United a few times when they had the ridiculously cheap tickets (under $1000 Sydney-Orlando return).
An iPad would probably be better than any in-seat entertainment on any airline these days, if you are in economy.

So with regard to the open jaw tickets, this is where I get confused. If I was to go to expedia or best flights, how do I actually price an open jaw ticket. I have to say it completely baffles me as to exactly what they are and how I can look for pricing for them. I intend to book with my TA if she can match the best price I find online but to be honest, I have no idea to how to find the best price online if there is a break in the flight pattern.

I understand how to book a return flight with stopovers added in but when the flying stops and train rides are thrown into the middle I don't know how to price it.

If yourself or anyone else could give me some instructions and info I would be very grateful.

 

[Andona]

Hi Shuttergirl,
Are you planning to stay in Toronto or is Niagara the main attraction?

If it's mainly Niagara, then I don't know if this will help or just confuse things but when we went to Niagara ( flying from Boston) it was MUCH cheaper to fly into Buffalo than into Toronto. We just hired a car for a couple of days and drove up to Niagara from Buffalo airport.
Niagara is closer to Buffalo than Toronto - I think it was only about an hours drive.

If you're looking for a hotel in Boston I can highly recommend the Hilton Financial District. Fantastic location - It was a 5 minute walk to Fanueil Square - which we loved. I imagine they will be having lots of fun there on NYE ( if you end up in Boston on NYE) .

Your trip sounds amazing

Andona

 

[PrincessInOz]

So with regard to the open jaw tickets, this is where I get confused. If I was to go to expedia or best flights, how do I actually price an open jaw ticket. I have to say it completely baffles me as to exactly what they are and how I can look for pricing for them. I intend to book with my TA if she can match the best price I find online but to be honest, I have no idea to how to find the best price online if there is a break in the flight pattern.

I understand how to book a return flight with stopovers added in but when the flying stops and train rides are thrown into the middle I don't know how to price it.

If yourself or anyone else could give me some instructions and info I would be very grateful.

Try using the multi-city option.

 

[queenie82]

That is what we are planning to do - if United is the cheapest fare we can get we are going to buy 2 iPads to take with us. Between the 4 of us (my parents can work out their own entertainment!) we will have 2 iPads, my kindle, our iPhones and iPod Touch; we should be entertained enough! Plus we get to keep the iPads at the end of it

PS I've flown United a few times when they had the ridiculously cheap tickets (under $1000 Sydney-Orlando return).
An iPad would probably be better than any in-seat entertainment on any airline these days, if you are in economy.

Need I say more...

YOU GET TO KEEP IT!!!!!! And it doesn't crash and it is in ANY position you want so you can get as "comfy" as you can...on an aircraft economy seat....


Oooo...and there's that awesome thing called ECONOMY PLUS which you can tack on for less than a standard seat on other airlines
Awesome for tall people...

Hi Shuttergirl,
Are you planning to stay in Toronto or is Niagara the main attraction?

If it's mainly Niagara, then I don't know if this will help or just confuse things but when we went to Niagara ( flying from Boston) it was MUCH cheaper to fly into Buffalo than into Toronto. We just hired a car for a couple of days and drove up to Niagara from Buffalo airport.
Niagara is closer to Buffalo than Toronto - I think it was only about an hours drive.

If you're looking for a hotel in Boston I can highly recommend the Hilton Financial District. Fantastic location - It was a 5 minute walk to Fanueil Square - which we loved. I imagine they will be having lots of fun there on NYE ( if you end up in Boston on NYE) .

Your trip sounds amazing

Andona

Good luck with convincing her of that

Not to mention if you were willing for a (yes 3.5hour each way drive from Washington...but you could work it within the travel) side trip while wandering the East coast you could see AMAZING Amish crafts.
There is NO POINT doing a tour to Lancaster County as I've now seen where they take the tour groups. You either pay a premium, have a poor choice, or are actually getting stuff made in China

I don't have photos of the stuff I wanted as they don't permit photos. But I was so so so tempted with the Quilts I saw
Not to mention the wooden boxes made by a local amish woman who prefers to work with Wood than fabric.

This is a range of what we got
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snowqueenie82/sets/72157629095732077/

 

[shushh]

Cola makes a good point. When the blizzard hit NY last year, the trains kept running whilst the airport was closed.

Queenie, the timber work is just gorgeous! Will pick your brains for my US trip in 2013 when I may travel up the east coast...or I can pick Ms Shuttergirl's brain too as she would have completed her trip by then!

Ms Shuttergirl, most sites will let you price a multi-city option as mentioned by Princess, you simply input each leg. However I know that certain sites/airlines make you ring up if you want open jaw tickets. I'm pretty sure virgin is one of them.

So make sure you price on sites like expedia as well as directly on the airlines website. Sometimes, they come up cheaper.

 

[Andona]

Need I say more...

Good luck with convincing her of that

If the drive is a problem then there are airport shuttles from Buffalo to Niagara.

http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Airport_Shuttle_Services_Buffalo_Airport_Niagara_Falls.htm

I asked DH and he said it was more like a 30 minute drive.

I just remember it saved us a packet to fly into Buffalo rather than Toronto.

Andona

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Hi Shuttergirl,
Are you planning to stay in Toronto or is Niagara the main attraction?

If it's mainly Niagara, then I don't know if this will help or just confuse things but when we went to Niagara ( flying from Boston) it was MUCH cheaper to fly into Buffalo than into Toronto. We just hired a car for a couple of days and drove up to Niagara from Buffalo airport.
Niagara is closer to Buffalo than Toronto - I think it was only about an hours drive.

If you're looking for a hotel in Boston I can highly recommend the Hilton Financial District. Fantastic location - It was a 5 minute walk to Fanueil Square - which we loved. I imagine they will be having lots of fun there on NYE ( if you end up in Boston on NYE) .

Your trip sounds amazing

Andona

Thanks Andona. Yes Niagara is the main attraction, not really fussed about Toronto. As the lovely Queenie mentioned, my family is not keen on driving in the US. And since we are travelling during the middle of their winter and in a guaranteed snowy area, we don't think this is the time to try our hands at driving on the wrong side of the road for the first time. I appreciate it would be awesome and so much quicker to get there though.

Thanks for the Hilton in Boston recommendation. Off to have a look at that. Can you give me any further info on why you liked it so much?

Try using the multi-city option.

So with the multi-city option, you don't have to take off from where you previously landed? Well I didn't realise that was an option. Cool. Thanks PIO

Need I say more...

YOU GET TO KEEP IT!!!!!! And it doesn't crash and it is in ANY position you want so you can get as "comfy" as you can...on an aircraft economy seat....


Oooo...and there's that awesome thing called ECONOMY PLUS which you can tack on for less than a standard seat on other airlines
Awesome for tall people...


Good luck with convincing her of that

Not to mention if you were willing for a (yes 3.5hour each way drive from Washington...but you could work it within the travel) side trip while wandering the East coast you could see AMAZING Amish crafts.
There is NO POINT doing a tour to Lancaster County as I've now seen where they take the tour groups. You either pay a premium, have a poor choice, or are actually getting stuff made in China

I don't have photos of the stuff I wanted as they don't permit photos. But I was so so so tempted with the Quilts I saw
Not to mention the wooden boxes made by a local amish woman who prefers to work with Wood than fabric.

This is a range of what we got
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snowqueenie82/sets/72157629095732077/

- what is it with your love affair with United Queenie. They should be paying you a commission .

Ipads are very expensive, we have one that we enjoy in our home and will probably take it along on our trip, as well as our laptop but our family would probably want 4 ipads . We aren't good are sharing

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Cola makes a good point. When the blizzard hit NY last year, the trains kept running whilst the airport was closed.

Queenie, the timber work is just gorgeous! Will pick your brains for my US trip in 2013 when I may travel up the east coast...or I can pick Ms Shuttergirl's brain too as she would have completed her trip by then!

Ms Shuttergirl, most sites will let you price a multi-city option as mentioned by Princess, you simply input each leg. However I know that certain sites/airlines make you ring up if you want open jaw tickets. I'm pretty sure virgin is one of them.

So make sure you price on sites like expedia as well as directly on the airlines website. Sometimes, they come up cheaper.

I do like the idea of using trains for some of the legs and I think when you factor in getting through security and my anal tendency to need to be at airports way early , then trains could often be a good option for us.

Thanks for the additional multi city info. I'm going to give it a try. I promise to try and handle it myself , but if I get stuck, I'll come a beggin.

If the drive is a problem then there are airport shuttles from Buffalo to Niagara.

http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Airport_Shuttle_Services_Buffalo_Airport_Niagara_Falls.htm

I asked DH and he said it was more like a 30 minute drive.

I just remember it saved us a packet to fly into Buffalo rather than Toronto.

Andona

Now Andona, that is one hell of an idea. This is sound like a fantastic option rather than flying into Toronto. I'm going to check this out more thoroughly and will come back to you in I have more questions. Thanks so much for this, I really appreciate it.


QUEENIE - the things you bought in Amish country are beautiful. I really wanted to have an Amish experience but my DH is a big like on the whole thing so I don't think it will happen.