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USA
TRAVELING
- AIR, TRAIN, TAXI, CAR, RENTING A CAR
By
Air : When dealing with any commercial airline, buying in
advance is best periodic price wars may lower prices in spring
and early summer months, but they are unpredictable. To obtain
the cheapest fare buy a round trip ticket, stay over at least
one Saturday and travel on off-peak days (i.e. Monday, Thursday
morning) and off-peak hours (overnight red-eyes) flights can be
cheaper and faster than primetime).
Chances
of receiving discount fares increase on competitive routes. Fees
for changing flight dates range from $ 25 (domestic) to $ 150
(international). Most airlines allow children under 2 years to
fly free and those under 10/12 years a half ticket. The major
airlines in USA are Alaska Airlines, America West, Continental,
Delta, Northwest, Southwest, TWA, United, US Air. There are a
variety of programs, fares and services.
By
Train: Getting around by train is still one of the cheapest
ways to tour the US. It is essential to reserve tickets and travel
light on trains and not all stations will check your baggage.
Amtrak - Is the only provider of intercity passenger train services
in the US. Most cities have Amtrak offices which directly sell
tickets but tickets must be brought through an agent in some small
towns. Discounts are given to elderly, the disabled, students
and children.
The
sub way: In general people seem to avoid traveling by subway unless
at peak hours. The system is divided into known as T has Inbound
(into city) and Outbound (from city to outlying areas) trains
(metro rails). Useful maps and other information can be got from
T stops and at information centres. Lines run daily between 5.30
am to mid night.
In
crowded stations and deserted stations as well always watch your
self and your belongings. Try to stay in lit areas near a transit
cop or token clerk. When boarding the train make sure to pick
a car (carriage) with a number of other passengers on it - for
long subway rides, the conductors car, is usually the best idea.
For safety avoid riding the subways between 11 pm and 7 am. Riding
the subway at night can be dangerous - don't ride alone.
If you are a regular traveler you can save upto 35% by purchasing
Transit Bus Pass . On main bus route passengers are required to
have exact fare in coins, subway tokens or $ 1 bills. Drivers
do not carry money and cannot make change. The MTA (Metropolitan
Transit Authority) also runs buses for $ 1.50 a ride. Buses are
relatively safer and clean. They'll also probably get you closer
to your destination, since they stop roughly every two blocks
and run cross town, uptown and downtown.
Ring
the bell when you want to get off. A yellow painted curb indicates
bus stops, but a blue signpost announces the bus number on a glass.
Walled shelter, displaying a map of the bus s route and a schedule
of arrival times are common sights . Bus fares range from $ 2
to higher rates depending on the length of routes, age of traveler,
kind of ticket time of travel etc.
By
Taxis: The yellow cabs or Taxis are available all 24 hr.,
even on a phone call. Passengers to also pay the base charge,
a surcharge and for all tolls. It is expensive to travel by a
taxi.
By Car: This is the most comfortable and cheap way of traveling
in the US. Tune up your car. Get good maps (Rand Mc Nally s Road
Atlas, $ 10, available at book stores and gas stations, covers
all of US). All vehicle drivers have to pay at each poll crossing.
It is easy to navigate the interstates because of systematic numbering.
Even-numbered interstate highways run East-West and odd ones run
North-south decreasing the number towards the South and the West.
RENTING
OF CARS
Although
the cost of renting a car is often prohibitive for long distances,
renting for local trips may be reasonable. Auto rental agencies
fall into 2 categories.
National
chains usually allow, cars to be picked up in one city and dropped
off in another for a hefty charge. By calling a toll free number
you can reserve a reliable car any where in the country.
Minimum
age is 21 for a car driver in the US. Most rental packages allow
a certain number of miles free before the usual charge of 30-40
(c) per mile; for long distances, drivers avail unlimited mileage
packages. Always be sure to ask whether the price includes Insurance
against theft and Collision and Damage Waiver (CDW) which comes
to $ 12-15 per day. The American Automobile Association (AAA)
is the best known auto club and offers a variety of car related
services. Car washes are a popular feature in the US. Rates begin
from $ 3 and vary if further services are required in your car.
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