Multi stop holiday in USA and Hawaii
Discussion
I am planning a 3 week trip to the US and Hawaii in September this year. The very rough plan is to link the following with flights.
UK to New York
New York to Vegas
Vegas to Honolulu
Honolulu to Big Island
Back to UK
There will be four of us - my girlfriend and my parents. Has anyone experience of such a trip? I am wondering if there are any specialist travel agencies that can arrange flights and hotels or would I be better just arranging everything separately?
UK to New York
New York to Vegas
Vegas to Honolulu
Honolulu to Big Island
Back to UK
There will be four of us - my girlfriend and my parents. Has anyone experience of such a trip? I am wondering if there are any specialist travel agencies that can arrange flights and hotels or would I be better just arranging everything separately?
You can do it all yourself easy enough. I'd be surprised if an agent can get it cheaper as where would the margains be? In the US hotels tend to be room only.
I will say one thing though, for me Hawaii was a bit meh. I'd rather spend my time driving around California, cities, lakes, deserts California has it all. Then again I didn't hugely rate Vegas but it's horses for courses as with anything in life.
It's quite allot of flying as I'm sure you're aware, 7ish hours to NY, 6 to Vegas, then another 5.5 to Hawaii then a real slog home.
For flights look at BA, allied with AA, Continental, Delta, United etc. If you can get a cheap return to New York the domestics you can chop and change and find some low cost carriers. Although effectively a 3 centre trip given the distances involved 3 weeks is abotu the min I'd allow. I'd be tempted to drop NYC and perhaps include time in CA, like in San Francisco etc. NYC is allot easier to do as a shorter trip anotehr time than the rest.
I will say one thing though, for me Hawaii was a bit meh. I'd rather spend my time driving around California, cities, lakes, deserts California has it all. Then again I didn't hugely rate Vegas but it's horses for courses as with anything in life.
It's quite allot of flying as I'm sure you're aware, 7ish hours to NY, 6 to Vegas, then another 5.5 to Hawaii then a real slog home.
For flights look at BA, allied with AA, Continental, Delta, United etc. If you can get a cheap return to New York the domestics you can chop and change and find some low cost carriers. Although effectively a 3 centre trip given the distances involved 3 weeks is abotu the min I'd allow. I'd be tempted to drop NYC and perhaps include time in CA, like in San Francisco etc. NYC is allot easier to do as a shorter trip anotehr time than the rest.
Edited by a311 on Sunday 10th February 22:58
Go onto kayak or a similar site and look at flights. You will probably find it makes sense to change around your order of locations. If you want to go to all those places, it may make more sense to go Lhr to las, las/lax to hnl, hnl to JFK, JFK to Lhr. Otherwise you will end up doing spending lots of time in airports!
ViperDave said:
I'd drop ny and go for a weekend later on the airmiles from a return to HI
You say that, but I would be surprised if it adds anything to the flight costs as you have to stop somewhere with these long journeys. Adding it might also give more chance of getting non stop flights instead of even more stopovers.Yeah I realise I'm cramming a lot into 3 weeks but this will be my parent's first time to the states. New York is a must IMO. Vegas is debatable but it's fairly close to the Grand Canyon which they'd both like to visit.
Hawaii is really the reason for the trip - my mother has always wanted to visit and this is a kind of present for them putting me through Uni and generally being great parents. I've been to Hawaii myself and want to split the time between touristy Oahu and the much quieter Big Island.
I may shorten the stay in Hawaii and spend a few days in San Fran on the return - this will help split up the long return to the UK.
Hawaii is really the reason for the trip - my mother has always wanted to visit and this is a kind of present for them putting me through Uni and generally being great parents. I've been to Hawaii myself and want to split the time between touristy Oahu and the much quieter Big Island.
I may shorten the stay in Hawaii and spend a few days in San Fran on the return - this will help split up the long return to the UK.
Matt.. said:
ViperDave said:
I'd drop ny and go for a weekend later on the airmiles from a return to HI
You say that, but I would be surprised if it adds anything to the flight costs as you have to stop somewhere with these long journeys. Adding it might also give more chance of getting non stop flights instead of even more stopovers.I'm concerned the OP is going to spend a third of his vacation in airports or on the plane. even the hop from one island to another will take a good chunk of your day. When we did it we booked an amex FHR so we had the hotel to 4pm and took a late afternoon flight, even so although we got some beach time in the morning with all the faf of flying these days it still made a big mess of the day.
Ps as the op is set on seeing NYC, he better go straight to Vegas, they have NYC right there, Paris and Venice also
Done similar - most years we do multiple US cities and have done all destinations mentioned (and Las Vegas in an annual jaunt regardless). Summer past we did Los Angeles, Hawaii (Oahu) and Las Vegas. All previously visited [many times], but we like them. I always just book up everything bar the hire car off Expedia, and that's only because I have a Hertz gold card and want soething decent (Camaro, Corvette etc) and book direct. [Report in this year's motors here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
]
All do-able in the time. If you get the finger out in New York you can do Liberty, groud zero, the Empire State, the Rockerfeller Centre in one day alone, plus have time for a nice meal. Day 2 the museums and the cant-remember-its-name aircraft carrier with concorde and now the shuttle I believe. In truth you can do the 'must sees/must dos' in NY in well under a week.
Hawaii after Vagas - you'll find the hotels mighty expenive after Vegas and not really in the same league (dollar for dollar) ...but they can have nice views if you pay for it. I'm sure you do know what to expect, but I know some folks have been disappointed in Hawaii (Oaho at least) as they've expected some idillic desert island with nothing but endless beaches and swaying palms. The south of the island is basically Pearl Harbor, Waikiki and Honolulu - which are basiclly American cities with high-rises and a freeway. More Miami Beach with hula than the Maldives with McDonalds. Up the east coast past Kailui it all gets a bit low-rent looking - there's not much on the North shore bar surfing and beaches, and the centre of the island is agrultural.
That's not to say its not a great place to visit - that's why we've gone back - but then I like travelling in the US and I'm a city-person rather than Robinson Crusoe. As long as you go thinking the backgrop of Hawaii Five-O rather than Mutiny on the Bounty you'll enjoy it. I haven't done the Big Island but I have been to Maui in the past. I went primarily to go windsurfing so lots to do for me, but in reality after you've had your fill of the scnenery (which doesn't take long) then unless you have a specific activity in mind such as surfing, diving, golf etc then there's not a whole lot to do.
In terms of Oahu, Pearl Harbor is well worth a visit with the associated air museum and the Missouri (book ahead on the net for a time-slot for the Arizona memorial). Presuming you want to go to a luau, then some are pretty tacky and touristy. If you accept you are goung to see a show and not really live culture, then the best is the one at the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach. Pay extra for the whatver-its-called more expensive option with seats near the performers and unlimited free drinkies. Decent food, great bar and they'll mix anything you want, plus make some good suggesitons. Very very good show too with a great compere, on a nice location right on the beach. This is way more expensive than some of the other luaus (like the one at the Polynesian Cultural Centre) but it really is a most memorable evening - and they don't pick folks out the audience to make fools of themselves, it rather more refined than that. If you are a surfing god you'll know where to go - if you just want to give it a try then the rental/instruction is pretty good at the Royal Hawaiian too - you don't have to be a resident. Snorkelling at Hanuma bay is worth a trip - you can hore gear there. You don't really have to 'dive' as such - the fish are so tame you can see them by just floating on the surface. Sadly for me kite surfing has taken over from windsurfing at Kailua, but still a few folks out at Diamond Head.
And Vegas - I love it. Grand Canyon drivable in a [long] day. Helicopter transfer is no doubt quicker but me and small aircraft don't mix. Death Valley another day out, and Valley of Fire (my favourite drive) will just take half a day.
Note that lots of the Hawaii/LV flights actually include a stop/change at LA. Persnally, if it was my trip I'd drop the big island and do Hawaii first before LV. I'd then stop off at LA for a few days on the return (I love Disneyland - so much better that WDW in Florida, or bum around the studios in Hollywood) and then drive to LV from LA. Not a bad drive and half a day with stops.
Enjoy.
]All do-able in the time. If you get the finger out in New York you can do Liberty, groud zero, the Empire State, the Rockerfeller Centre in one day alone, plus have time for a nice meal. Day 2 the museums and the cant-remember-its-name aircraft carrier with concorde and now the shuttle I believe. In truth you can do the 'must sees/must dos' in NY in well under a week.
Hawaii after Vagas - you'll find the hotels mighty expenive after Vegas and not really in the same league (dollar for dollar) ...but they can have nice views if you pay for it. I'm sure you do know what to expect, but I know some folks have been disappointed in Hawaii (Oaho at least) as they've expected some idillic desert island with nothing but endless beaches and swaying palms. The south of the island is basically Pearl Harbor, Waikiki and Honolulu - which are basiclly American cities with high-rises and a freeway. More Miami Beach with hula than the Maldives with McDonalds. Up the east coast past Kailui it all gets a bit low-rent looking - there's not much on the North shore bar surfing and beaches, and the centre of the island is agrultural.
That's not to say its not a great place to visit - that's why we've gone back - but then I like travelling in the US and I'm a city-person rather than Robinson Crusoe. As long as you go thinking the backgrop of Hawaii Five-O rather than Mutiny on the Bounty you'll enjoy it. I haven't done the Big Island but I have been to Maui in the past. I went primarily to go windsurfing so lots to do for me, but in reality after you've had your fill of the scnenery (which doesn't take long) then unless you have a specific activity in mind such as surfing, diving, golf etc then there's not a whole lot to do.
In terms of Oahu, Pearl Harbor is well worth a visit with the associated air museum and the Missouri (book ahead on the net for a time-slot for the Arizona memorial). Presuming you want to go to a luau, then some are pretty tacky and touristy. If you accept you are goung to see a show and not really live culture, then the best is the one at the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach. Pay extra for the whatver-its-called more expensive option with seats near the performers and unlimited free drinkies. Decent food, great bar and they'll mix anything you want, plus make some good suggesitons. Very very good show too with a great compere, on a nice location right on the beach. This is way more expensive than some of the other luaus (like the one at the Polynesian Cultural Centre) but it really is a most memorable evening - and they don't pick folks out the audience to make fools of themselves, it rather more refined than that. If you are a surfing god you'll know where to go - if you just want to give it a try then the rental/instruction is pretty good at the Royal Hawaiian too - you don't have to be a resident. Snorkelling at Hanuma bay is worth a trip - you can hore gear there. You don't really have to 'dive' as such - the fish are so tame you can see them by just floating on the surface. Sadly for me kite surfing has taken over from windsurfing at Kailua, but still a few folks out at Diamond Head.
And Vegas - I love it. Grand Canyon drivable in a [long] day. Helicopter transfer is no doubt quicker but me and small aircraft don't mix. Death Valley another day out, and Valley of Fire (my favourite drive) will just take half a day.
Note that lots of the Hawaii/LV flights actually include a stop/change at LA. Persnally, if it was my trip I'd drop the big island and do Hawaii first before LV. I'd then stop off at LA for a few days on the return (I love Disneyland - so much better that WDW in Florida, or bum around the studios in Hollywood) and then drive to LV from LA. Not a bad drive and half a day with stops.
Enjoy.
Keep it short in Honolulu (Pearl Harbour, Waikiki beach, that's about it, nothing else to see really). Other than Kiluaua, there's little to see on the big island too (Captain Cook's monument,where he fell and was murdered is pretty). Maui is by far the much preferred island destination. It's stunning scenery, lack of concrete jungle like Waikiki/Honolulu has, the road to Hana (through the rainforest), Hookipa (famous "Jaws" shorebreak where the surfers and windsurfers do some crazy stuff), Lahaina (the famous Banyan Tree, the best Luau's in the whole of Hawaii), Charles Lindburg's resting place, Seven Sacred Pools, the bamboo forest, the natural waterfalls, top of Haleakala volcano, the restaurants and bars on Front Street in Lahaina old town, The Pioneer Inn next to the harbour in Lahaina. The Hula Grill and Leilani's on the beach at Whalers Village (for the amazing sunsets). Honestly, Honolulu is mad and the Big Island is dead and like a 3rd world country (albeit pretty). Maui is the very best of Hawaii you will see. There's a reason the late George Harrison lived there, as well as Mick Fleetwood, Magic Johnson, Kelsey Grammar (Frasier) and others (including me for 6 years). Have sunset cocktails at either the Hula Grill (Whalers Village). Kimo's (Lahaina Town) or especially the Napili Kai Beach Club (a Napili hotel on the beach with a brilliant bar looking out over a stunning little sandy bay with giant green sea turtles playing around. Enjoy and make it memorable.
YRRunner said:
Maui is by far the much preferred island destination. It's stunning scenery, lack of concrete jungle like Waikiki/Honolulu has, the road to Hana (through the rainforest), Hookipa (famous "Jaws" shorebreak where the surfers and windsurfers do some crazy stuff), Lahaina (the famous Banyan Tree, the best Luau's in the whole of Hawaii), Charles Lindburg's resting place, Seven Sacred Pools, the bamboo forest, the natural waterfalls, top of Haleakala volcano, the restaurants and bars on Front Street in Lahaina old town, The Pioneer Inn next to the harbour in Lahaina. The Hula Grill and Leilani's on the beach at Whalers Village (for the amazing sunsets). Honestly, Honolulu is mad and the Big Island is dead and like a 3rd world country (albeit pretty).
Thanks. Maui does sound pretty special and I'd not considered it. I agree about the Big Island - some spectacular scenery but does look run down in a lot of places. My main reason for wanting to re-visit was to go on the Volcano tour - I got to prod lava with a stick last time I was there, as well as the night time Telescope tour on Mauna Kea. Does Maui have active lava flows above ground?
nammynake said:
Thanks. Maui does sound pretty special and I'd not considered it. I agree about the Big Island - some spectacular scenery but does look run down in a lot of places. My main reason for wanting to re-visit was to go on the Volcano tour - I got to prod lava with a stick last time I was there, as well as the night time Telescope tour on Mauna Kea.
Does Maui have active lava flows above ground?
No it doesn't, it's dormant and sleeping at the moment. You are right, the live lava flows are something to behold and looking into the caldera is memorable, as is walking through the lava tubes which I will never forget. We took a helicopter tour over the lava flows and that was wonderful, except the bit where the crazy assed, ex-Vietnam war vet pilot decided to shoot vertically skyward and then suddenly drop the nose into a dive and hurtle toward the ground. I still have the cockpit video and my face is contorted to say the least. I thought the bugger had wigged out and decided to kill us all. Oh how we laughed afterward.... NOT!!! Does Maui have active lava flows above ground?
Hi. i live in Hawaii..just outside Honolulu. Flights to Hawaii 1st of all. Out of Las Vegas you can fly with quite a few airlines. Book them direct. I would recommend Hawaiian Airlines or United. They fly everyday from Vegas to the Islands. Important point..do try to fly 1st class with them. It really doesn't cost much more but you get higher luggage allowance, drinks & meals etc. Flying Economy they will charge you per bag etc etc. I have used them and always find them really good. Fly to Oahu first...that is the main island. As to things to do well there is so much. Pearl Harbour is just brilliant and can be a long day. You need to get there early as this is free and if your not there by 8.30am you won't get a parking space. There is the Royal Palace in Honolulu to look around...or climb Diamond Head which is a trail up the inside of an extinct volcano. Go to Sunset beach on the west side of the island and watch the sun go down. Try the Wiamea Falls trek..brilliant walk up into the jungle. Lanakai Beach..voted one of the best beaches in the world..go there and you will understand why. On the west side of the island around Ko Olina you can swim with dolphins, turtles just by walking into the water...drive up to the North shore..words just fail me. Oahu is just stunning. As to hotel..depends on your budget. if there is 4 of you i would recommend the Beach Club at Ko Olina. An apartment there will be cheaper that a hotel room. Flights to "Hilo" Big Island are regular and you can get flights for as little as $30..book them when your there. Either Hawaiian or one of the other many Island hopping airlines. But most of all please be careful when swimming in the Sea. More people drown in Hawaii then get shot. This year 6 people have already drowned since 1st Jan 2013. The other point is depending on the time of year you come out whilst the weather is always beautiful and the temp never gets hotter than about 90 F or colder than 80 F the sun index can be as high as EXTREME 16...your can get serious burns within 20 minutes. So always use minimum 30 factor sun cream. 
This was sunset 2 night ago 
This was sunset 2 night ago Edited by Geoff Stilwell on Monday 11th February 19:47
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