Airline question

[Jarvin]

Originally Posted by mp51998

If you drive in Germany you will have no issues driving in the states, Just remember the speed limit on the signs and on the Speedo are in mph not kph. LA is not a town you want to drive too slow in. You will be much happier with a rental. The cost of one taxi ride will be more than a days rental. Taxi's in the US are crazy expensive.

I'm living in a small village with about 1000 residents.

My biggest concern is that my navigation systems fails or I take the wrong exit and I drive into a dangerous area. That would be the ultimate MCA.
Or I'll have an accident or the police stops my car.

And so on.

Hmm, I think I'm watching too much american movies.

[t!mbo]

I am German and live in the US for 2 years now. Trust me, just rent a car in Vegas and drive to LA. First of all you will really learn how big the US by traveling by car and that's just impressive and you will be able to go wherever you want.

Your taxi idea might not work as well as you think. If you get too far away from an area where people normally take cabs, you might simply not get one at night or so.

In the US a car is a must in most cities, besides maybe New York, San Francisco, Chicago where they have decent public transport.

Don't worry you will do just fine driving there, just pay attention.

[mlee]

Get a Rental w/ GPS. The drive to LA is all desert so it's wide open freeway. A Taxi will be very expensive and the transit systems here are nowhere near as good as what you are used to.

[2012-1822]

Honestly, not a lot of America to see between Las Vegas and LA, a lot of dessert though. But the buses take forever, so I like the recommendation of plane or rent a car. If you rent a car you can divert and see whatever you want.

[Scooter11]

Originally Posted by Jarvin

Thank you very much Scooter11,
I really hope that I'll never meet an unfriendly American

Mario, I hope not either! There are a plenty to go around over here, but I hope you don't run into any of em'!

If it were my trip I'd probably go with renting a car... we have tons rental places and you might be able to secure a Camaro (most respectable rental dealers have them). This way you'd be free to explore and be all about that "Land of the Free" mentality, lol. I don't think you could go wrong with flying though, but I imagine coming all the way from Germany in the first place you'd be a bit tired of that. Your choice, either way enjoy the trip!!!

[Jarvin]

Shall I really rent a car?
Hmm, maybe. You have almost convinced me.

But I guess a Camaro is unfortunately not suitable for me because we will have 2 big suitcases and at least 2 carry-on bags.
I'm afraid that is too much for the Camaro trunk.

So, enough of this topic now.

Southwest or car?

I could also flip a coin? Hmm, I think I'll go this way.

Again thank you very much for all your very nice replies.

Have a great day!
Mario

[ADIO SS]

Originally Posted by Jarvin

Shall I really rent a car?
Hmm, maybe. You have almost convinced me.

But I guess a Camaro is unfortunately not suitable for me because we will have 2 big suitcases and at least 2 carry-on bags.
I'm afraid that is too much for the Camaro trunk.

So, enough of this topic now.

Southwest or car?

I could also flip a coin? Hmm, I think I'll go this way.

Again thank you very much for all your very nice replies.

Have a great day!
Mario

There is a backseat in the Camaro for 'overflow' luggage...

[ElGK]

A car down here is a MUST particulary if you are hitting those spots.

Renting a car in Vegas and driving down here can be one heck of a fun weekend. Don't worry about driving in the wrong areas as you'll notice very quickly that the environment isn't friendly anymore. Also a GPS isn't going to have an issue guiding you to those places nor will any map program. The areas around those parks aren't bad.

I'd add in another day to hit Los Angeles proper and Hollywood (during the day for both).

[Jarvin]

Hello,
so in May, I'll flying to Las Vegas.

Yesterday said my traveling companion to me that he also wants to visit the Grand Canyon.
Well actually I have visited the Grand Canyon already two times but I will fulfill his desire.

By now, I have made all my Grand Canyon tours with Vision Airlines.
http://visionholidays.com/



But their website is unfortunately down at the moment and I have no idea why. I hope this company is not broke.

Therefore I would like to know whether anyone know another company that offers flights to the Grand Canyon?
Preferably in the afternoon or in the early forenoon (9 am+).

Because I do not like to get up early during my vacation.

Thank you very much in advance for your answers.
Mario

BTW: I have booked my flights to Los Angeles at Southwest.

[Scalded Dog]

When you are IN Las Vegas, you will see advertisements everywhere for "Grand Canyon Flight Tours." There are a LOT of companies that offer the service, either by plane or helicopter... I recommend the helicopter tours. You could even take a bus tour, if you want to spend time on the ground.

I would recommend Googling "Las Vegas" and "Grand Canyon" and "tour"... you'll find MANY options.

Hope that you have decided to rent a car for your trip to Los Angeles... and if there are only two of you travelling, while the trunk may not hold all of your luggage, the back seat will hold whatever doesn't fit there! Rent a Camaro!

[Jarvin]

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

When you are IN Las Vegas, you will see advertisements everywhere for "Grand Canyon Flight Tours." There are a LOT of companies that offer the service, either by plane or helicopter... I recommend the helicopter tours. You could even take a bus tour, if you want to spend time on the ground.

I would recommend Googling "Las Vegas" and "Grand Canyon" and "tour"... you'll find MANY options.

Hope that you have decided to rent a car for your trip to Los Angeles... and if there are only two of you travelling, while the trunk may not hold all of your luggage, the back seat will hold whatever doesn't fit there! Rent a Camaro!

Yeah I know these advertisements but I would prefer it to book my tours in advance.

I think helicopter tours would be very good but they are too expensive.
And a bus tours would be also great 'cause I could see a lot of the U.S. but the only companys I know - that offers bus tours to the Grand Canyon - are Adventure Photo Tours and Pink Jeep Tours.
Both are great - I have made some tours with them on my last Las Vegas vacation - but their bus tours starts 6 am and 7 am. Too early for my taste.

I'm sorry but I must say that I have not rented a Camaro.
We have too much fear.
I think I'll never be brave enough to drive a car in the U.S..

[Scalded Dog]

Originally Posted by Jarvin

... I'm sorry but I must say that I have not rented a Camaro.
We have too much fear.
I think I'll never be brave enough to drive a car in the U.S..[/FONT]

I understand... while I am a very patriotic American, one of the few things that I must hang my head in shame about is the skill of our drivers. I spent two years in your country, and LOVED every moment of driving on the roadways and, of course, the Autobahn. You drivers are highly skilled, extremely courteous, and are respectful of other drivers. We are not as fortunate here: The training process for drivers is not nearly as good as yours is, and the penalty for not having a driver's license here in the U.S. is a joke... so many drivers on the road have no license. Drivers will drive slowly, all day long, in the passing lane (left lane), and haven't a clue what the right lane is for. Bottom line is that, yes, driving here in the U.S. can be hazardous and frustrating, compared to the skilled and courteous drivers that Germany offers. I respect your decision to avoid driving here.

[Jarvin]

No that is not the reason why I have fear to drive a car in the U.S..
I have heard and read only good things about american drivers and the american traffic.
No stress, polite drivers and no speeding.

I have fear that my navigation systems fails and I drive by mistake in a dangerous area. Or I have a car accident or a breakdown.
That would spoil my vacation.

[Jarvin]

So guys, now I'm again at home and back from the USA.
As usual am I in a really bad mood. Each time the same after an USA vacation.

I just want to say thank you, to all who have gave me all these very good recommendations.

Southwest is really a good airline. All has worked perfectly.
The Early Bird Option was a really good advice.


To drive a car in the USA is really easy.
I must say all my concerns were really unfounded.

Nevertheless I would like to ask you something. It could be that I have made a mistake.
What means a red flashing traffic lights?

Unfortunately was the reserved Camaro broken, so we had to take another car.
We decided us for a Cadillac CTS-V.

That car was really expensive but every cent worth.