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United States
For anyone on a budget, taking the train across America is ideal. We paid about £650 from NYC to LA, via Toronto, Chicago, Seattle and SF, and you can stop off for as long as you like in your chosen stops!
Because it's America, the space you get on the trains is immense compared to the UK and on certain legs of the journey you get your own cabin with panoramic windows to watch the world go by (and a free little bottle of bubbly upon arrival!)
The longest leg of our journey was approx. two days through the beautiful flat plains of the Midwest with the occassional ranch and small town thrown in for good measure, followed by the beautiful Rockies, where we even saw a few wild animals!
All your food is included in the price of your fare - staff come knocking on your cabin door to take reservations and at your alloted time you make your way to the dining carriage. If you're travelling alone or in a couple you'll share a table with other passengers.... although we're a bit British sometimes and don't like awkward small-talk, this actually was a lot of fun! One night we shared a table with a sweet Midwest school teacher (v. talkative) and a toothless trucker (not so talkative!) Priceless!
By far the most economical means of travelling into New York centre from JFK airport is by train. The density of traffic in the city can make a journey by bus or taxi painfully slow and expensive the closer you get to the centre.
Most people coming from Britain will arrive at JFK Terminal 7. There is a free bus to take you from there to the relevant stop on the JFK Airtrain, where you buy a $5 ticket to take you to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station. The Airtrain is a bit like London's Circle Line, i.e. it goes round and round, so check that you are going in the right direction. You'll get to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach eventually but it saves time to go the right way. At Jamaica or Howard Beach Station buy a ticket (machines or booth) and take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) into Manhattan, from where you can take the New York Subway to all parts of the city. Buy a one, two or seven day Metrocard at the Subway station and you'll save money on single trips, both on the subway and buses.
JFK Airport, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), New York Subway www.mta.info
It's cheap and covers some amazing scenery in a comfy environment, even the Amtrak food and drink is cheap. I accidentally booked a hotel in Canada, forgetting when I set it up to check which side of the falls I was on. Check it out at: writeronthestorm.wordpress.com
from Penn station to Niagara Falls
Amtrak and VIA Rail passes make train travel in the USA and Canada a bargain for those on a tight budget. The range of passes covers different regions or the whole country for periods of up to a month.
Is this your business?Search Been there
