Travel

[Motterman]

I have some questions for the Americans in the audience - does anyone know how long it would take, by road, to travel from southern Maine (roughly the Portland area) to Baltimore? I know last year it was 6-7 hours to New York, but your country's so damn big I can't estimate properly.

In a similar vein, how far away is Baltimore from Asheville, North Carolina?


New York to Baltimore is about a 4 hour drive.
Baltimore to North Carolina is probably about a 6-7 hour drive.

[Leto]

I've made the Baltimore to Maine trip by car (as part of the longer trip from Tennessee) and I remember it taking 8-10 hours going at a pretty decent pace. That fecking Jersey turnpike can be a killer if there is a wreck or traffic stoppage of any sort though. I would definitely take a flight unless you would be stopping at places along the way.

How late into the summer are you going to be in Maine, Leto? I'll be up probably the first week of September if you're still around.

Heh - that's probably just when I'd be getting out of there! My contract finishes on the 1st Sept and I'm sure I'd be looking for a change of scenery, although I could end up in New Hampshire for a night or two. If you end up arriving a bit earlier let me know. Alternatively, if the west coast plan falls through I'll have more time to play with on the eastern side, and I know I have places to stay in Tennessee so if I end up heading that direction keep an eye out for the sunburnt Irishman.

Incidentally, I don't get what all the fuss about sweet tea is for. It's sugarwater.

Motter, Ray - thanks again. It seems I have several lines of enquiry to get researching. The time estimates are a huge help given that I'll only have a few weeks to get around in, hopefully with my legs intact.

[Vermont Red]

Don't forget to visit the most beautiful state in New England. (Hint: It's Vermont.)

[Numquam Moribimur]

I've made the Baltimore to Maine trip by car (as part of the longer trip from Tennessee) and I remember it taking 8-10 hours going at a pretty decent pace. That fecking Jersey turnpike can be a killer if there is a wreck or traffic stoppage of any sort though. I would definitely take a flight unless you would be stopping at places along the way.

How late into the summer are you going to be in Maine, Leto? I'll be up probably the first week of September if you're still around.



Maybe you just can't drive ..you ever think of that
:D

[Vermont Red]

Maybe you just can't drive ..you ever think of that :D

To be fair, New Jersey sucks, except for Springsteen of course.

[Howard Zinn]

Maybe you just can't drive ..you ever think of that
:D


You should be lucky I didn't mention the smell. Driving the Jersey turnpike is like driving along an unwashed ass crack.

[Vermont Red]

You should be lucky I didn't mention the smell. Driving the Jersey turnpike is like driving along an unwashed ass crack.

No need to bring his mom into this.

[Numquam Moribimur]

You should be lucky I didn't mention the smell. Driving the Jersey turnpike is like driving along an unwashed ass crack.

must of been north jersey..

[jayro75]

must of been north jersey..

Because being closer to Philly makes all the difference...:rolleyes:

[StrikerCW]

Is going to London the only way to (relativelly cheapilly) get to Europe.

Sure this is late issue, but I was looking at flights for May 22 or thereabouts and it is something like 1.1k to Paris, but only 6.5 hundred or so for cheap to London.

Is it like this all the time, or just because it is short notice?

I ask because I am probably going to head back across in a couple of years (maybe after graduation) but don't really want to go to England again (been twice) unless I get to get into a footie match. Want to see by myself what the rest of the the continent has to offer.

[Leto]

I ask because I am probably going to head back across in a couple of years (maybe after graduation) but don't really want to go to England again (been twice) unless I get to get into a footie match. Want to see by myself what the rest of the the continent has to offer.

The thing is, even if flying into London is the cheapest option from the US, if you book ahead there are gazillions of cheap flights between dozens of European cities so getting from London to anywhere else shouldn't be that expensive. It would certainly be a hell of a lot less than $450. Try ryanair.ie or easyjet.co.uk to see what you can find.

If a particular date that you're looking at is expensive, try scouting a day or two forward or back - there'll usually be something very affordable. If you're looking to travel within a (relatively) compact area on the continent - France to Belgium to Germany to Switzerland, say - look into rail tickets as well.

[StrikerCW]

The thing is, even if flying into London is the cheapest option from the US, if you book ahead there are gazillions of cheap flights between dozens of European cities so getting from London to anywhere else shouldn't be that expensive. It would certainly be a hell of a lot less than $450. Try ryanair.ie or easyjet.co.uk to see what you can find.

If a particular date that you're looking at is expensive, try scouting a day or two forward or back - there'll usually be something very affordable. If you're looking to travel within a (relatively) compact area on the continent - France to Belgium to Germany to Switzerland, say - look into rail tickets as well.
Yeah, I had thought about that, but it is quite a hassle, but I guess not really for the saved money.

I think I already know the answer though. When I go, I will probably end up doing what you said. I was just thinking aloud (on type????)

[Sapphire]

Is going to London the only way to (relativelly cheapilly) get to Europe.

Sure this is late issue, but I was looking at flights for May 22 or thereabouts and it is something like 1.1k to Paris, but only 6.5 hundred or so for cheap to London.

Is it like this all the time, or just because it is short notice?

I ask because I am probably going to head back across in a couple of years (maybe after graduation) but don't really want to go to England again (been twice) unless I get to get into a footie match. Want to see by myself what the rest of the the continent has to offer.
May is a tough time to fly, especially since it's only 2 weeks away -- that's going to kill you. In my experience (and don't understimate the thoroughness of my searches for discount travel to Europe -- my cheapness is certifiable ;) ), 4-6 weeks before you want to travel is when you book your ticket. The prices gradually decline until about that time, then they bottom out and start crawling back up. Anyway, I always found the cheapest flights to Europe on Expedia (by far). I chose to fly into Munich one year in July, probably because it was cheaper than other options, so check that out. I've also flown very cheaply into Brussels, but that's another time of year. Also, if you can drive to a major airport (I don't know what's close to you? Atlanta?), it can save you a couple hundred dollars on the flight, as it might eliminate a connection. Don't just search your local airport, search the nearby big cities as well. Good luck.

[jayro75]

I'll second what saph said.. May to September are peak season and you're straight up screwed pricing wise. I'm flying to Bologna tomorrow and I bboked the trip 2 months ago and still paying about a grand for the ticket.

If you fly during the fall or winter you can typically get tickets for as little as $400. Like everything it's all in the timing..

[mhtwins113]

I have some questions for the Americans in the audience - does anyone know how long it would take, by road, to travel from southern Maine (roughly the Portland area) to Baltimore? I know last year it was 6-7 hours to New York, but your country's so damn big I can't estimate properly.

In a similar vein, how far away is Baltimore from Asheville, North Carolina?

Finally (for now), are internal flights usually cheap?

Basically, I'm going to be in Maine again for most of the summer, and since last year I didn't have time after work to get beyond Boston/Cape Cod/New York I have a lot of places I want to get to, and some of last year's friends to visit - hence Baltimore. The problem is that a couple of guys I became friendly with in Spain this year, one of whom lives in Tucson, have also invited me to go road-tripping along the New Mexico, Mexico, Cali, Arizona region.

I want to do both, but I don't know how viable it is time- and fund-wise to move down the east coast and then fly to Tucson, bearing in mind that whatever I do I'll have to get back to New York in the end to get the transatlantic flight back. I have 3, maybe 4 weeks to play with altogether.

Hit me.
I'm gonna warn you right now... do not spend any time in Tuscon unless you are morbidly depressed and want to put yourself out of your misery. Tuscon is about an hour and a half south of Phoenix, and outside of the University of Arizona and a few token bars, there really is NOTHING BUT DESERT around it. Speaking from experience here, my sister attends U of A, and it drove me mad visiting her.

If you get the chance to swing by Southern California, specifically Orange County, then PM me and I'll give you tips on where to go and what to do, and even hang out with you if you want.

[Joelzinho]

I'm gonna warn you right now... do not spend any time in Tuscon unless you are morbidly depressed and want to put yourself out of your misery. Tuscon is about an hour and a half south of Phoenix, and outside of the University of Arizona and a few token bars, there really is NOTHING BUT DESERT around it. Speaking from experience here, my sister attends U of A, and it drove me mad visiting her.

If you get the chance to swing by Southern California, specifically Orange County, then PM me and I'll give you tips on where to go and what to do, and even hang out with you if you want.

So the town is basically supported by the student population.

[StrikerCW]

I think I will end up going in May because my school only gives me a couple of weeks after Christmas and I figure the next best time will be right after I graduate in a couple of years.

Also, I wasn't talking about now, but I have just started to think about it, hence I searched and asked. :)

[Numquam Moribimur]

Hello you **********......I made it! ...i am in bristol right now just got back from the pub, £1.50 for a pint a stella think i am in heaven ....well report back later:D



oh my tickets haven't showed up yet :rolleyes:

[sdotsom]

oh my tickets haven't showed up yet :rolleyes:

What!

Damn NM, I hope they come through for you.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Hello you **********......I made it! ...i am in bristol...

Bwahahahahaahahahaah...