John
I have an Australian licence (i will get an international licence if i go to USA)
i am 31 yrs old, so can i use a rental car? is it expensive to have the car for about 20 days?
Answer
Car rentals are usually by the week, so you will maximize your value if you rent for 21 days. One-way rentals are often more expensive than the cheap rates advertised for returning to the same location. And some rental companies restrict where you can drive. Plan on spending a lot of time on rental car websites, and be sure to read the fine print for restrictions.
You will have to balance the size of the car with fuel economy. Bigger cars cost more to rent and will use more gasoline, but will give you more space inside.
The Collision Damage Waiver can cost almost as much as the rental itself. The folks at the rental counter will really push it. Find out before you go if your insurance will cover you, or if using your credit card will give your insurance on a rental car. If you have other insurance that is good in the U.S., you can skip the CDW. Check what rental companies charge for the CDW and other add-ons when you compare prices.
Check to see if your automobile club has reciprocal arrangements with the American Automobile Association. If so, you might be able to get free maps from AAA offices when you get here. Get the info in writing in case the clerk who serves you doesn't know all their policies.
As others have said, when you get to the big eastern cities, transit is good and the car isn't necessary. If you time things right, you can get rid of the car when you arrive in NYC and have your last few days on foot, subway, and taxi.
The contiguous U.S. states are roughly the size of Australia, so you are looking at a drive equivalent to going from Sydney to Perth. You couldn't see every corner of Australia in three weeks, so you won't be able to see everything of interest in the U.S., either.
Go for a balance of cities, history, and natural wonders. The mountains out west are twice the height of the mountains in the east, but even in the east you can find nice scenery.
Try to do most of your driving by daylight so you can see more. The Interstate Highway System will get you places quickly, but if you want to experience places get off onto the old U.S. Highways that go through towns rather than around them.
As someone else mentioned, many of the small towns in the midwest and plains states have a city park where you can stop for a picnic lunch, or diners on Main Street (High Street) where you can experience local food. You can eat at McDonald's anywhere in the world, and you can find them all over the U.S., but you probably want to experience more than fast food while you are here.
Even the plains states in the middle have a lot to see. For example, in Nebraska you have the historic Oregon Trail near Scotts Bluff, the busiest railroad line in the world for train spotters, a half-kilometer long bridge almost a hundred meters over the Niobrara River along the Cowboy Line trail in northern Nebraska, and a world-class zoo in Omaha.
June through August are the peak travel months in much of the U.S. It's northern hemisphere summer, and schools are on summer break. Accommodations at some national parks book up early during the summer, so you might need to do some advance planning. You might consider traveling in May or September when the popular parks won't be as crowded, but the weather will be good. If you travel between November and March you will need to keep an eye on the weather forecast for snow, particularly in the mountain passes in the west.
Remember we drive on the other side of the road.
Have fun.
Car rentals are usually by the week, so you will maximize your value if you rent for 21 days. One-way rentals are often more expensive than the cheap rates advertised for returning to the same location. And some rental companies restrict where you can drive. Plan on spending a lot of time on rental car websites, and be sure to read the fine print for restrictions.
You will have to balance the size of the car with fuel economy. Bigger cars cost more to rent and will use more gasoline, but will give you more space inside.
The Collision Damage Waiver can cost almost as much as the rental itself. The folks at the rental counter will really push it. Find out before you go if your insurance will cover you, or if using your credit card will give your insurance on a rental car. If you have other insurance that is good in the U.S., you can skip the CDW. Check what rental companies charge for the CDW and other add-ons when you compare prices.
Check to see if your automobile club has reciprocal arrangements with the American Automobile Association. If so, you might be able to get free maps from AAA offices when you get here. Get the info in writing in case the clerk who serves you doesn't know all their policies.
As others have said, when you get to the big eastern cities, transit is good and the car isn't necessary. If you time things right, you can get rid of the car when you arrive in NYC and have your last few days on foot, subway, and taxi.
The contiguous U.S. states are roughly the size of Australia, so you are looking at a drive equivalent to going from Sydney to Perth. You couldn't see every corner of Australia in three weeks, so you won't be able to see everything of interest in the U.S., either.
Go for a balance of cities, history, and natural wonders. The mountains out west are twice the height of the mountains in the east, but even in the east you can find nice scenery.
Try to do most of your driving by daylight so you can see more. The Interstate Highway System will get you places quickly, but if you want to experience places get off onto the old U.S. Highways that go through towns rather than around them.
As someone else mentioned, many of the small towns in the midwest and plains states have a city park where you can stop for a picnic lunch, or diners on Main Street (High Street) where you can experience local food. You can eat at McDonald's anywhere in the world, and you can find them all over the U.S., but you probably want to experience more than fast food while you are here.
Even the plains states in the middle have a lot to see. For example, in Nebraska you have the historic Oregon Trail near Scotts Bluff, the busiest railroad line in the world for train spotters, a half-kilometer long bridge almost a hundred meters over the Niobrara River along the Cowboy Line trail in northern Nebraska, and a world-class zoo in Omaha.
June through August are the peak travel months in much of the U.S. It's northern hemisphere summer, and schools are on summer break. Accommodations at some national parks book up early during the summer, so you might need to do some advance planning. You might consider traveling in May or September when the popular parks won't be as crowded, but the weather will be good. If you travel between November and March you will need to keep an eye on the weather forecast for snow, particularly in the mountain passes in the west.
Remember we drive on the other side of the road.
Have fun.
What are some good things to do in Australia and places to visit?
Taylor =)
Any info would be good!!!
Answer
Wow where to start!
Ausralian Capital Territory - Canberra http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/
Check out the:
War Memorial
Arts Centre
Questacon - Science and sports
Football game at the stadium
Yarralumla - for dining - Yarralumla Gallery and the Oaks Brasserie
Try the http://www.poacherspantry.com.au/ which is top of my list for awesome smoked goods and wine tasting
Goulburn/Yass/Young/Cooma for day trips
Floriade - Flower Festival every year brings heaps of tourists
CAIRNS - QLD - http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/
Scuba diving off the reef (recommend Saxon and Hastings) http://www.diversionoz.com
Night markets near the Esplanade
Rain forest tours
Lake Eacham for swimming
MELBOURNE - VIC http://www.visitvictoria.com/
Shopping...Shopping...Shoppping!!!!
The city is the best place to be with plenty of shops and side alleys to explore
Car De Vin is a delightful pizziera down a side alley
Lygon is the best place for a meal with Little Lygon the top restaurant on my list
Check out Haigue Chocolate shops
Ride on trams modern and old
Ride through the city on a horse and carriage
Watch the flame tours go off every hour
Check out the Crowne Casino
SYDNEY - NSW
Do a Harbour Bridge Climb http://www.bridgeclimb.com
Check out the Luna Park
Some more shops and Factory Outlets
Watch yourself in Oxford street and the Mardi Gras!
Blue Mountains - Three Sisters
GOLD COAST - QLD
All the amusement parks - http://www.theme-parks.com.au/
Lovely beaches
Currumbin Park
Beechmont - for Hinterland bush walks and sightseeing
Surfer's Paradise - Says it all relly , lovely beaches to relax and sun yourself on as well as swim.
Other places I've never had the privelege but have heard about
The Kimberlys - Mountain Ranges
Ayers Rock - you can climb this I think - http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/
Plenty of beaches
Opal mines in Central and Western Australia
Have heaps of fun in the sun when you come over but pack a jumper just in case!!!!!
Wow where to start!
Ausralian Capital Territory - Canberra http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/
Check out the:
War Memorial
Arts Centre
Questacon - Science and sports
Football game at the stadium
Yarralumla - for dining - Yarralumla Gallery and the Oaks Brasserie
Try the http://www.poacherspantry.com.au/ which is top of my list for awesome smoked goods and wine tasting
Goulburn/Yass/Young/Cooma for day trips
Floriade - Flower Festival every year brings heaps of tourists
CAIRNS - QLD - http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/
Scuba diving off the reef (recommend Saxon and Hastings) http://www.diversionoz.com
Night markets near the Esplanade
Rain forest tours
Lake Eacham for swimming
MELBOURNE - VIC http://www.visitvictoria.com/
Shopping...Shopping...Shoppping!!!!
The city is the best place to be with plenty of shops and side alleys to explore
Car De Vin is a delightful pizziera down a side alley
Lygon is the best place for a meal with Little Lygon the top restaurant on my list
Check out Haigue Chocolate shops
Ride on trams modern and old
Ride through the city on a horse and carriage
Watch the flame tours go off every hour
Check out the Crowne Casino
SYDNEY - NSW
Do a Harbour Bridge Climb http://www.bridgeclimb.com
Check out the Luna Park
Some more shops and Factory Outlets
Watch yourself in Oxford street and the Mardi Gras!
Blue Mountains - Three Sisters
GOLD COAST - QLD
All the amusement parks - http://www.theme-parks.com.au/
Lovely beaches
Currumbin Park
Beechmont - for Hinterland bush walks and sightseeing
Surfer's Paradise - Says it all relly , lovely beaches to relax and sun yourself on as well as swim.
Other places I've never had the privelege but have heard about
The Kimberlys - Mountain Ranges
Ayers Rock - you can climb this I think - http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/
Plenty of beaches
Opal mines in Central and Western Australia
Have heaps of fun in the sun when you come over but pack a jumper just in case!!!!!
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