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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 9:01:14 GMT
I've also never felt unsafe in the City and I've travelled on my own since I was 19 there. Usual 'be aware of your surroundings' advice that you'd have in any big city (or anywhere) but I've honestly never felt in danger, and always found New Yorkers incredibly helpful when I needed it.
Hotels wise Holiday Inn Express are a good chain that tend to have reasonable prices. There's one in Hell's Kitchen that's a 15 minute walk to the theatre district. Otherwise I'd highly recommend staying in Long Island City- much much cheaper and you get on a Subway direct to Times Square in the same time it'd take to walk it. We stayed at the LIC Hotel last time for literally half the price of a Manhattan one. Worth considering maybe.
I will say that the Tripadvisor forum for NYC is very knowledgeable on hotels if you have specific questions- I lurked there quite a lot planning my last trip! (not that our good people here aren't fabulous too!)
I haven't been to DC in a while but I love it- I stayed at Dupont Circle last time, which was perfectly fine and accessible to the city. But I also went in July, which I wouldn't recommend because it was hotter than hell and humid. If you enjoy history though Washington is your place.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 9:24:49 GMT
Don't take a big suitcase! If you roll your clothes really tightly, you can get at least a week's worth of clothing (buy toiletries after you land) in a hand-luggage sized case, even in the dead of winter. Your luggage then can't be lost by the airline, and is much more portable when you get to your destination than a massive case.
I personally find the subway fairly confusing. I'm used to the tube, which has the clearest signage I can possibly imagine, and I spent the first half of my last trip to NYC unfailingly getting on the subway heading in the wrong direction or getting on the wrong line and heading off somewhere weird. I think this can be overcome by simply paying attention, but it's worth bearing in mind. Also I feel like the thing that *really* gave me away as a British tourist was that I would keep my Metro card out once I was on the train, as though it was an Oyster card I'd have to use to tap out again at the other end.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Feb 10, 2017 9:41:07 GMT
Can't be the only one who's fascinated to know what Jan and Tibidabo did to be refused entry!
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 10, 2017 9:47:50 GMT
Can't be the only one who's fascinated to know what Jan and Tibidabo did to be refused entry! .......answers on a postcard, 'cos I'd also like to know!
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Post by d'James on Feb 10, 2017 9:47:51 GMT
Can't be the only one who's fascinated to know what Jan and Tibidabo did to be refused entry! Well, I didn't want to say
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Feb 10, 2017 12:04:05 GMT
Can't be the only one who's fascinated to know what Jan and Tibidabo did to be refused entry! .......answers on a postcard, 'cos I'd also like to know! Possibly (if you were a young person!) they didn't believe your reasons for coming to the US and thought you were planning to work illegally. I heard of someone there on a business trip who made the mistake of saying they were there "for work" rather than "for business" and were refused entry. Agree that US immigration is the most stressful part of any journey to the US, before the current issues!
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Post by kathryn on Feb 10, 2017 12:07:45 GMT
I've also never felt unsafe in the City and I've travelled on my own since I was 19 there. Usual 'be aware of your surroundings' advice that you'd have in any big city (or anywhere) but I've honestly never felt in danger, and always found New Yorkers incredibly helpful when I needed it. Hotels wise Holiday Inn Express are a good chain that tend to have reasonable prices. There's one in Hell's Kitchen that's a 15 minute walk to the theatre district. Otherwise I'd highly recommend staying in Long Island City- much much cheaper and you get on a Subway direct to Times Square in the same time it'd take to walk it. We stayed at the LIC Hotel last time for literally half the price of a Manhattan one. Worth considering maybe. I will say that the Tripadvisor forum for NYC is very knowledgeable on hotels if you have specific questions- I lurked there quite a lot planning my last trip! (not that our good people here aren't fabulous too!) I haven't been to DC in a while but I love it- I stayed at Dupont Circle last time, which was perfectly fine and accessible to the city. But I also went in July, which I wouldn't recommend because it was hotter than hell and humid. If you enjoy history though Washington is your place. I've stayed in Long Island City before now, too. It's not as shiny and touristy as Manhattan, and so feels a bit more run-down, but I was perfectly safe there. If you want to be in central manhattan for less, and are not terribly picky about the actual hotel you're in, then Priceline Express Deals (where you don't find out the name of the hotel before you book) can be good. We got the Holiday Inn Express in hell's Kitchen about 5 years ago through that.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 12:20:50 GMT
I second kathryn on the Priceline (or Hotwire) used them many a time- if you're not fussy about exact hotel and just want 'generic 3* in x or y area' you can get great bargains!
I tend to start stalking tickets about 3 months out, unless you're wanting a SUPER hot ticket that's usually the point to get a sense of availability and what you can wait on discounts for. Most Broadway discounts run about a month ahead in my experience but of course for ones you aren't bothered about you can wait.
I'd also advise taking the odd 'night off' from theatre, partly because NYC has so much more besides, partly because don't underestimate how tired you'll end up if you're full throttle touristing as well.
Another tip- don't bother turning up to theatres early, you'll just end up in a long queue down the block. Find a nearby shop/bar/café to loiter in until they're going in!)
ETA while potentially a bit confusing, the Subway isn't scary at all. It's busy at all times full of people and plenty of Police/Staff. Do be prepared for there being no escalators and lifts in most stations though. In terms of it being confusing the main issue people fall foul of is the Express Train which misses out stations. Otherwise just know whether you're heading up or down and you'll get there eventually!
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 10, 2017 13:35:33 GMT
.......answers on a postcard, 'cos I'd also like to know! Possibly (if you were a young person!) they didn't believe your reasons for coming to the US and thought you were planning to work illegally. I heard of someone there on a business trip who made the mistake of saying they were there "for work" rather than "for business" and were refused entry. Agree that US immigration is the most stressful part of any journey to the US, before the current issues! Honest Miss, I dun nuffin! After a year working in Costa Rica I had a one way ticket to London from San Jose, with a 9 hour stop-over in Miami. I wanted to go and see Miami as I'd landed early in the morning and could have had a whole day doing touristy things. It just wasn't to be as they simply attached me to a bodyguard and refused to let me go through passport control. Maybe I was sweating overly profusely after the flight in the Costa Rican flying machine that had more ups and downs than a wh.......um.....fiddler's elbow..... or maybe they were bored. I have no idea. I had tried to get a visa at the American embassy in Costa Rica beforehand but ...oh I'm not political but Libya, Gaddafi and Reagan were mentioned before a big REFUSED stamp hurtled down onto my passport! The bodyguard, ironically Spanish speaking with very leeeetle Ingleeesh - they'd let him in then(!) lost his job if he lost me! He was, however, absolutely gaaaaawwwww-juuuuuuuus! Reader I married him....... just kidding....but I would have if he'd asked! Great thread btw - sorry to drag it off topic - wish I was off to NY with so much fantastic advice.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 16:07:26 GMT
After a year working in Costa Rica I had a one way ticket to London from San Jose, with a 9 hour stop-over in Miami. Interesting. Do you know the way to San Jose though? I've been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way.
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 10, 2017 16:12:18 GMT
After a year working in Costa Rica I had a one way ticket to London from San Jose, with a 9 hour stop-over in Miami. Interesting. Do you know the way to San Jose though? I've been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way. Thanks Ryan......that's replaced One Way Ticket to the Blues from going round in my head......
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 16:16:00 GMT
Interesting. Do you know the way to San Jose though? I've been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way. Thanks Ryan......that's replaced One Way Ticket to the Blues from going round in my head...... Here to help.
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Post by viserys on Feb 10, 2017 16:32:09 GMT
After a year working in Costa Rica I had a one way ticket to London from San Jose, with a 9 hour stop-over in Miami. I wanted to go and see Miami as I'd landed early in the morning and could have had a whole day doing touristy things. It just wasn't to be as they simply attached me to a bodyguard and refused to let me go through passport control. Oh God, just the story I need right now as I'm going TO Costa Rica in two weeks and need to go through US immigration in Houston for the connecting flight to San Jose. At least on the way home I'll be transferring in Toronto. Never had issues anywhere so far at least, though I find JFK immigration is by far the slowest. I think I once spent about two hours in the queue...
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Post by Tibidabo on Feb 10, 2017 16:37:44 GMT
After a year working in Costa Rica I had a one way ticket to London from San Jose, with a 9 hour stop-over in Miami. I wanted to go and see Miami as I'd landed early in the morning and could have had a whole day doing touristy things. It just wasn't to be as they simply attached me to a bodyguard and refused to let me go through passport control. Oh God, just the story I need right now as I'm going TO Costa Rica in two weeks and need to go through US immigration in Houston for the connecting flight to San Jose. At least on the way home I'll be transferring in Toronto. Never had issues anywhere so far at least, though I find JFK immigration is by far the slowest. I think I once spent about two hours in the queue... viserys it was a LONG, LONG time ago.....Reagan....remember him? Nope, thought not. The last thing I wanted to do was stress anyone out. (And I did have a lovely time with my bodyguard )
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Post by viserys on Feb 10, 2017 16:48:34 GMT
Haha, I actually do remember Reagan I'd also think things got only stricter post-9/11, but alright, here's hoping they'll let me through.
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Post by kathryn on Feb 10, 2017 17:17:52 GMT
Haha, I actually do remember Reagan I'd also think things got only stricter post-9/11, but alright, here's hoping they'll let me through. I think the problem might have been the Visa being rejected? They must have thought that he was going to try and enter the country permanently instead of just staying for 9 hours.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 17:34:49 GMT
Haha, I actually do remember Reagan I'd also think things got only stricter post-9/11, but alright, here's hoping they'll let me through. I think the problem might have been the Visa being rejected? They must have thought that he was going to try and enter the country permanently instead of just staying for 9 hours. Yeah I never got detained but travelling from Canada via US for Europe/beyond I've seen others held up for simialr reasons on flights...depending on the mood of the officials that day most often...
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Post by Michael on Feb 10, 2017 17:47:27 GMT
Never had any problems with CBP officers. Tbh, I always found them friendlier and more welcoming than our German Bundespolizei. Some of them even practised their little remaining German (they served in Germany) with me.
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 10, 2017 21:38:49 GMT
I'd also advise taking the odd 'night off' from theatre, partly because NYC has so much more besides, partly because don't underestimate how tired you'll end up if you're full throttle touristing as well.
I'm not being allowed to go every night! Actually, having looked up the list of current Broadway shows, there isn't masses I want to see. I started reading the list & wondered if it was actually a West End one as so many of the shows are running over here. I'll definitely be seeing TPTGW more than once & I'd like to see Groundhog Day to see if/how if has changed since the Old Vic. I also am intending to go to the Met at least once, possibly twice. Other than that, there's not much that appeals. I don't want to see stuff like Wicked or Phantom with American accents & most of the Broadway-only shows don't sound like my cup of tea. Thanks to whoever (can't seem to find the post right now) gave the tip about taking the coach rather than the subway from JFK. I'll definitely look into that. I'm terrified of the US airport immigration, as I have OCD & would have a complete meltdown if they wanted to search me, so I hope they're less suspicious of holidaymakers than possible workers.
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Post by sophie92 on Feb 10, 2017 21:49:59 GMT
I've just got back from New York - we thought immigration would be horrendous and were giving ourselves 2 hours when making plans. Instead, we breezed through in about 20 minutes! I don't know if it was to do with the time of the year but there were practically no queues. We didn't even have a wait to collect our cases (British airports, take note!)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 10:18:37 GMT
I've just got back from New York - we thought immigration would be horrendous and were giving ourselves 2 hours when making plans. Instead, we breezed through in about 20 minutes! I don't know if it was to do with the time of the year but there were practically no queues. We didn't even have a wait to collect our cases (British airports, take note!) I've never waited more than 30 mins at JFK it might be because I tend to fly in at around 9pm, and usually it's only been my flight and maybe half of another...but I think it's more luck than judgement!
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Post by Steffi on Feb 11, 2017 11:40:21 GMT
Immigration at JFK has been super quick for me ever since they intriduced returning Esta. The last times it took me all of 20 minutes from leaving the plane to jumping in a cab in front of the terminal. And the officers at Border Control have always been friendly to me. One even got into a little chat about theatre - it turned out he had seen Sleep No More and got all excited when I mentioned I was going to watch it a couple of times on my trip. From my experience when you are nice and polite the officers treat you lovely. The moment you tell them you are there for theatre, some shopping and so on they consider you to be a harmless tourist.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Feb 11, 2017 11:48:18 GMT
Yep. Basically they are trying to establish why you are visiting and may ask you several times in different ways to check you are consistent. Saying you're there for theatre and being able to reel off the shows your planning to see certainly helps!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 11:58:49 GMT
Indeed! the reeling off a list of shows quickly establishes you're definatly a tourist and a harmless nutter! I did momentarily worry last time when my Mum couldn't remember where we were staying, luckily it was clear to the nice official that was just because she leaves it to me to organise us!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 12:29:13 GMT
I flew to JFK from Dublin airport...and the US border patrol is actually at Dublin airport before you get to go to the gate. Which made landing in JFK after a 7 hour flight aui8te easy as my friend and I just glided on through.
Funny story though...my friend had previously applied for a visa to work and live for up to a year, even had a job and apartment waiting in the wings, she just needed to wait to hear about her visa...REJECTED. She was raging, but got over it eventually. Flashforward about 4 years...both of us are in the queue for border patrol, I sail on through and make it to the gate just as they announce the flight is starting to board. I'm waiting on my friend who was literally having her estaa and passport checked the same time as me. 20 minutes later she shows up saying she was taken to a room for questioning, and thought she wasnt going to make it, because her visa had previously been denied, and the border patrol couldnt not understand how her esta was accepted.
The only thoughts going through my mind while I was waiting was, what if I go alone how so I check in the hotel without her because she booked it. She wasn't pleased that thats all I was thinking while she was being questioned by people with guns. So I had to make her promise that next time we go, she is booking the flights, and I am booking the hotel, just incase.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 15, 2017 20:26:30 GMT
I flew to JFK from Dublin airport...and the US border patrol is actually at Dublin airport before you get to go to the gate. Which made landing in JFK after a 7 hour flight aui8te easy as my friend and I just glided on through. Funny story though...my friend had previously applied for a visa to work and live for up to a year, even had a job and apartment waiting in the wings, she just needed to wait to hear about her visa...REJECTED. She was raging, but got over it eventually. Flashforward about 4 years...both of us are in the queue for border patrol, I sail on through and make it to the gate just as they announce the flight is starting to board. I'm waiting on my friend who was literally having her estaa and passport checked the same time as me. 20 minutes later she shows up saying she was taken to a room for questioning, and thought she wasnt going to make it, because her visa had previously been denied, and the border patrol couldnt not understand how her esta was accepted. The only thoughts going through my mind while I was waiting was, what if I go alone how so I check in the hotel without her because she booked it. She wasn't pleased that thats all I was thinking while she was being questioned by people with guns. So I had to make her promise that next time we go, she is booking the flights, and I am booking the hotel, just incase. Our rule is we wait two hours at the airport and if the other partner has still not been released you head to Manhattan and start your trip
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Post by mistressjojo on Feb 16, 2017 1:33:55 GMT
Immigration at LAX is now automated, so if you have a valid ESTA you don't even speak to a person unless you have a problem. Just scan your passport, answer a few yes/no questions on a screen and it spits out a receipt, which you hand in on the way out the door.
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Post by mmmbop on Feb 16, 2017 10:00:14 GMT
Immigration at LAX is now automated, so if you have a valid ESTA you don't even speak to a person unless you have a problem. Just scan your passport, answer a few yes/no questions on a screen and it spits out a receipt, which you hand in on the way out the door. It was the same for me at JFK when I went in January.
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Post by Michael on Feb 16, 2017 10:57:56 GMT
This only applies for repeat visits. If it's your first time visiting the US with an ESTA, you still have to talk to a CBP officer.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Feb 16, 2017 11:05:29 GMT
Yes, that was my experience. Second time on the same ESTA, no interview. Because one of the key things is they want to make sure you leave the country after your visit! So if you've come and gone before, this isn't an issue.
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