V-Flyer

Hello all

Planning the next big holiday next Spring, we have decided to go to the USA. Having looked at various options we will probably book with Virgin Holidays as they offer a very competitive price for 14 nights, 7 each in Las Vegas and San Francisco, staying at the Luxor and Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf. There are other hotel options available but as I have only previously stayed at Circus Circus and the Stratosphere, and enjoyed both, I would rather save money for spending than use it on a higher class hotel.

Before we book the major decision is whether to go to Vegas and then SF, or the other way 'round. If you had my decision to make, what would you do?

Paul

Vegas then SF [y]

No real quantifiable reasons, but that's what I'd do. It's also nice to use SF as a bit of a "chill out" after Vegas.

I agree with preiffer on this one.

I have visited both great cities many times, and a hectic week in Vegas, followed by a more relaxing week in San Francisco would get my vote every time.[y]

Just out of interest do you fly or drive from SF to Vegas and vice versa?? Only reason I ask is we drove from Vegas to Yosemite a couple of years ago and it took us 10 hours!

Agree with preiffer. Vegas is so frenzied and SF is laid back. Going home directly from Vegas will mean you will still be weary when you arrive. Leaving from SF is much more ... civilized, I guess. Besides you'll want a place to spend your winnings!

Chuck-

I don't drive and neither does the other half so we would fly between the cities and not take up the option of car hire. I've done that before, though not with VH. Maybe if I pass my driving test by next year I might change my mind - something about driving across the desert appeals.

TTFN

Paul

As already mentioned, start at the LAS end and then fly to SFO.

The drive from LAS>SFO or vice versa is quite long and can gat a little tedious after a while. It's much easier to fly.

Regards

Originally posted by AndyR
Just out of interest do you fly or drive from SF to Vegas and vice versa?? Only reason I ask is we drove from Vegas to Yosemite a couple of years ago and it took us 10 hours!

Oh so you were the guy in front of me obeying the speed limit [ii]

Originally posted by karnsculpture
something about driving across the desert appeals.

TTFN

Paul

The appeal wears off by the 3rd or 4th hour..trust me on this..if however you do decide to make the trip by car, make sure it has satellite radio as most of the highway staions play country music...and thats it.

Also depending on which route you take you could also stop of in Tahoe for the night...don't know if that is an option..of course this all depends on you getting your license.

Well I have to pass my driving test first so it's more likely I'll fly!

Thankyou for responding, I do think Vegas first will be the best option. Must check with Virgin what the options are for internal flights - the phrase on the VH site stating you can have car hire or "transfers" is a bit vague - that may just mean the bus from the airport to the hotel. Will see.

Thanks

Paul

Originally posted by Scrooge

Oh so you were the guy in front of me obeying the speed limit [ii]

Yep that'd be me. We had planned to drive a little quicker in places but on the way from LA to Palm Springs and then onto Lake Havasu / Grand Canyon we saw so many people pulled over by the cops that we thought better of it.

Was a nice drive though, albeit a bit long, but we left plenty of time so stopped in a few places. There is some great scenery in the states!

Originally posted by AndyR
we saw so many people pulled over by the cops that we thought better of it.

Been there, done that (quite a few times)... [:I]

Did you try and tell the cop that the beeping noise he was hearing was all a lie ?

Originally posted by karnsculpture
Must check with Virgin what the options are for internal flights - the phrase on the VH site stating you can have car hire or "transfers" is a bit vague - that may just mean the bus from the airport to the hotel. Will see.

I wouldn't book your internals through VH, although it may be easier, it will cost you a lot more. When I was pricing up the same trip last yr VH wanted £120pp for LAS-SFO but booking directly I got quote of about £40-£50pp.

Neil

Agreed, unless you are connecting to a VS flight there is no reason to book directly with VS with such a mark up.

And to confirm, when VH say "transfers", they do indeed mean transportation to the hotel (csr hire or limo/bus included). The trip from Vegas to SF would not be deemed a "transfer", and will definitely come at extra cost.

As the others have said, book it direct (or with Expedia/Travelocity)

Originally posted by Scrooge
appeal wears off by the 3rd or 4th hour..trust me on this..if however you do decide to make the trip by car, make sure it has satellite radio as most of the highway staions play country music...and thats it.

Well, country music and ranting bible bashers. I never realised I was that sinful.

It's a hell of a long way to drive. If you want a bit of a desert experience you can always hire a car in Vegas and head out for a few hours.

Originally posted by preiffer
And to confirm, when VH say "transfers", they do indeed mean transportation to the hotel (csr hire or limo/bus included).

That would be another reason for hitting SFO last. If you stay in a hotel booked by VH on the last night you'll get a transfer to the airport, and in San Francisco that's done - or at least used to be done - using a stretch limo service. Though you may have to share, it's quite fun to be picked up by one and they'll often take a longish way round.

I believe the other reason for flying out of SFO is if you have clubhouse rights.

Paul

Originally posted by Scrooge
appeal wears off by the 3rd or 4th hour..trust me on this..if however you do decide to make the trip by car, make sure it has satellite radio as most of the highway staions play country music...and thats it.

Yeah, we realised that driving from Sandusky, OH to Chicago! God and Country that's all we could get!!!

I checked flight prices and it looks like you can get a one way ticket from LAS to SFO for £53UKP including taxes with United. Several different services throughout the day - the 11.44am looks good as it would not involve an early start and we would be into SF by mid afternoon.

I also looked into the prices for coach transport (well, I thought it might be fun) but that's not much cheaper (about 70 dollars) and takes over 13 hours with Greyhound!

TTFN

Paul

Originally posted by karnsculpture
I checked flight prices and it looks like you can get a one way ticket from LAS to SFO for £53UKP including taxes with United. Several different services throughout the day - the 11.44am looks good as it would not involve an early start and we would be into SF by mid afternoon.

Have you tried Southwest Airlines LAS to OAK should be near half that price.

I think I differ from other here just did SF LA and Vegas in that order and wouldn't have wanted to do in the otherway around. I found vegas the best bit of the holiday and prefer leaving the best bit to last.

As of August 26th this year Southwest will be flying LAS - SFO direct, no need to go into Oakland.

Also there is the US air option which will gain you miles.

I know many people would say that San Francisco is one of the greatest cities in the world. However I cannot imagine finding enough things to do for a week without going out to Napa Valley etc. I'd strongly recommend taking a bus trip out and staying in yosemite for a few nights.

I'd be tempted to do a good bit of research as there may be a company offering a one way tour from one to the other through yosemite and death valley etc.

True, but I was planning to do side trips from both Vegas and SF, so I wouldn't get bored in a week.

TTFN

Paul