East Coast USA trip

[irv]

Am in the process of planning our next trip, unfortunately won't be till 2015 as our Son is getting married next year and SWMBO wants us to contribute to the nuptials. I am looking for advice, my plan is flying into Washington, then train to NYC and then to Boston. Ultimate aim is to work our way up to the north east tip of Canada and then home via Hawaii. Is it better to fly into Washington from an ease of travel perspective, then continue to work our way North or fly to NYC and then move backwards and forwards. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Hvr]

Where are you starting from? Do you have any airline allegiances? Class of travel?

If from Australia then MEL/SYD-LAX-JFK on QFi is a good way to get there.

Generally the seats from HNL-Australia are said to be quite poor.

 

[irv]

We will be leaving from Sydney, it will be either Qantas or Virgin (member of both) or any recommended alternatives. Will probably be cattle class as I would rather spend the money when we get there as apart from getting there. Flew into LAX in 2011 to go to Canada pretty unimpressive airport. Having been to neither New York or Washington I am looking to fly to the city that offers the easiest hub facilities to travel around.

Thanks for your initial reply

 

[Hvr]

Another route is SYD-DFW then you have a large choice of destinations because DFW is an AA hub.

DFW-JFK will put you on a train line into town and you can stay near Grand Central Terminal (not Grand Central Station!!) where there are trains to Boston and further north.

 

[erkpod]

Talking in the VA universe, you will only fly into LAX from Australia. You'll fly into TBIT. From there, you can fly either DL (T5) or VX (T3) to the east coast. As an alternative, you can also fly SYD - LAX on DL.

To me, flying from NYC - DC is like SYD - MEL. You can have the hassles at either end or take the train in around 4 hrs.

 

[amaroo]

We're catching the Acela Express (train) from NYC-DC on Saturday.....then flying Air Canada up to Toronto.....then catching the train to Montreal.

We settled on this route due to flying QF to JFK.....it was basically free to fly J LAX-JFK

 

[irv]

We're catching the Acela Express (train) from NYC-DC on Saturday.....then flying Air Canada up to Toronto.....then catching the train to Montreal.

We settled on this route due to flying QF to JFK.....it was basically free to fly J LAX-JFK

That is a great train trip, from memory no platforms in Montreal, you climb down the steps on the train. Bit awkward if older or you have a lot of luggage.

 

[erkpod]

That is a great train trip, from memory no platforms in Montreal, you climb down the steps on the train. Bit awkward if older or you have a lot of luggage.

Low platforms or no platforms at all are common around the US. I found that the staff were very helpful with luggage when I was riding on Amtrak earlier this year.

 

[casanovawa]

I was lucky to have a friend who worked over in the US and had a a big van when we did our 3 week road trip in 2011 from Norfolk-Wash DC-NYC-Boston-Montreal-Toronto-Niagara-Chicago... Nice being able to just take off when ever you wanted and leave all the luggage in the back... Apart from when we had the car accident... Not sure if hiring a vehicle is a possibility for any parts of it??

 

[Jimgotkp]

To be honest, it doesn't matter which city you start from but if I were you, I'd start the trip from Washington DC and work my way up.

I definitely recommend taking Amtrak instead of driving since the traffic and tolls get ridiculous after awhile. The train fares are rather affordable, especially on the Northeast Corridor. If you want to splurge, then the Acela isn't a bad option as well, especially from Washington to New York.

Depending when you're flying, the fares from the Boston area to Toronto can be pretty ridiculous. So, it's not a bad option to do a road-trip to Toronto via Niagara Falls like another poster mentioned. If your travel is during the fall months (Oct-Nov.) then you will see some beautiful scenery in the Northeast US.

If you had to go from New York-Toronto, then I would've recommended using Avios (BA) from either LGA or JFK to YYZ, since the redemption rates are fantastic.

 

[amaroo]

Sending this from 2D Acela Express 2207 NYP-WAS. On board WIFI is full bars and working a treat.

 

[Foreigner]

Sending this from 2D Acela Express 2207 NYP-WAS. On board WIFI is full bars and working a treat.

Hope to travel by rail DC to NY vv in May.

My daughters in NYC tell me It's nice and sunny today in NY. 9c. Similarly, good weather in DC - 13c. Both cities revert to chilly weather from tomorrow.

 

[voslow]

BWI is a good alternative. IT's easy to get to both Washington D.C. and into NYC.

 

[Foreigner]

BWI is a good alternative. IT's easy to get to both Washington D.C. and into NYC.

Why would you choose BWI for NYC? NYC has three airports serving it.

DC has three airports too and though I haven't used BWI, I like Regan National, DCA. Anytime over Dulles, IAD.

 

[Jimgotkp]

Why would you choose BWI for NYC? NYC has three airports serving it.

DC has three airports too and though I haven't used BWI, I like Regan National, DCA. Anytime over Dulles, IAD.

The upside with BWI is that Amtrak serves BWI Airport, like they do with EWR airport.

DCA and IAD are pretty far away from Washington Union Station, especially if you add in the time it takes during rush hour.

 

[Foreigner]

DCA and IAD are pretty far away from Washington Union Station, especially if you add in the time it takes during rush hour.

Not sure if you're referring to Union Station with reference to train service, which is obvious, for me a better, option for DCA. It will take you about 15 minutes including a transfer between the yellow and red lines. IMO that not pretty far. Even by road it can be far less than 30 minutes if there's less traffic.

From IAD, I would take Super Shuttle and it does can take over an hour to central DC depending on road traffic. I dislike IAD because of this fact.

 

[amaroo]

Hope to travel by rail DC to NY vv in May.

My daughters in NYC tell me It's nice and sunny today in NY. 9c. Similarly, good weather in DC - 13c. Both cities revert to chilly weather from tomorrow.

Correct. Beautiful day for a train journey and walk from the Lincoln Memorial along the reflecting pools and over to the White House. Still warm with positive highs.

Highly recommend Amtrak. Funny scene when we entered Penn station.....mass of people standing and staring up at the station sign waiting to get their station number. The Red Cap system is brilliant - avoids the zombie staring at the big sign!

 

[amaroo]

That is a great train trip, from memory no platforms in Montreal, you climb down the steps on the train. Bit awkward if older or you have a lot of luggage.

Can confirm no level platform in Toronto either......

Beware!!! ViaRail are very strict with luggage and 40lbs is the limit per passenger. We blew that by a large margin and were read the riot act.....first guy wanted our luggage to travel on a train 2 hrs after us however, The second guy in the link took pity on us and allowed us to pre-board early without luggage penalty of $150.

The business carriage is nice and the trip very scenic.......Toronto-Montreal is 5hr journey with meal service and WIFI. Posting from on-board surrounded by a winter wonderland

 

[irv]

Yes they are very strict with luggage ($150 ouch!)

 

[irv]

I don't remember Toronto Station very well as we were in a rush to board. Due to a delay in our flight from Vancouver to Toronto we were a no show for our train trip, were shuttled to Niagara as well. As a result of that all our Via Train journeys were cancelled which included Toronto to Montreal and Montreal to Quebec. The staff were excellent, even if we had to pay again and fixed up with travel insurance later. Is a pleasant comfortable trip with plenty to see along the way.