New York, Miami .Key West and Orlando

Old Jun 11th, 2009, 02:13 PM
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New York, Miami .Key West and Orlando

I am visting the US for 3 weeks for my daughters 18th birthday. New York for 4/5 nights then on to Miami/Key West 2/3 nights.Then on to Orlando for the remainder of our trip.I would prefer not to fly from New York. I thought maybe use amtrak or a greyhound or would I be better with a car,but then I miss everything (too busy concebtrating on the road.) What is the best way to get to Key West from Miami? Is there a bus that goes there? Any idea on cost? Am I better booking before I leave the UK or just turn up and book when travelling.Is the public transport good in the US?Is it safe to travel on the greyhound ? Would I be better flying? Then I miss so much of US .I am trying to fit as much as possible in to these 3 weeks any other suggestions for places to stay on the way
Thanks for any responses
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Old Jun 12th, 2009, 06:21 AM
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I don't want to post too much all at once.

1. Pre-book as much as possible before leaving.

2. I prefer to fly from Newark, New Jersey to Key West, and I use Continental. Newark is closer to mid-town Manhatten and probably is cheaper to get to than any of the airpots in New York. When I do this I have to change in either West Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale, or Miami, FLA., but it doesn't matter so long as I leave approx 2 hours between flight for delays. I can get a flight at approx 8:00 a.m. and be in Key West by 2:00 in the afternoon.

3. Many people fly into an airport in Florida and drive to Key West which is supposed to be a wonderful drive with a lot to see on the way. If you do this you might want to stop overnight at one of the other Keys on the way - Islamorada or Big Pine Key. There is good snorkeling at Bahia Honda park.

4. But if you can get to Ft Myers in Florida, there is the Key West Express to Key West...

http://gokeywestexpress.com/?gclid=C...FQZlswod73czpg

5. I would not drive from New York to Florida.

Pjk
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Old Jun 12th, 2009, 07:03 AM
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The drive from Miami to Key West is absolutely beautiful, however, it is a very long drive and remember that you also have to drive back. What I'm trying to say is that driving one way is an experience but I think you will be less than thrilled with the drive back.

DO NOT drive from NYC to Miami, long and very boring.

I'm just curious, why are you planning to stay in Orlando for such a long time?
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Old Jun 12th, 2009, 03:49 PM
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I just want to say thank you first of all your replies.
I did not want to fly from New York as my husband is not a very good flyer so I decided on amtrak or a greyhound???
I would also like to see Miami and Key West.
This is a present for my daughters 18th birthday to New York so we decided to incorporate our yearly holiday hence the 3 weeks.This will be heaven. We went to Orlando 2 yrs ago and my husband and daughter wanted to go back there.I have a time share that can be used in Orlando so this will also save on cost. I said I would go on condition we introduced some other destinations.I have heard you can buy a 14 day hopper ticket from Amtrak.Thought there might be some places from New York to Miami that may be worth visiting???? Then the Amtrak 14 day hopper would be worth it.
Do you not like Orlando then debsnj lol
The post about the Key West Expres is useful thanks
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Old Jun 12th, 2009, 03:52 PM
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Oh I did mean 2/3 nights Miami and 2/3 nights in Key West this will only leave 9 days at most in Orlando if we travel on amtrak without stopping off antwhere else
Thanks again
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Old Jun 13th, 2009, 05:07 AM
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Travel from New York to Miami will take 2 full days of just driving. Greyhound probably takes longer. Even Amtrak may take a while. Check the schedule on their webpage. Where do you fly home from? Do you have to go back to NY?
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Old Jun 14th, 2009, 04:52 AM
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The reason I was wondering about Orlando is that I think there are so many more interesting places that you can go to. When I think of Orlando, I think Disney, Disney, Disney; which is all well and good if you are into that, especially since you are traveling with an 18 year old. I LIKE Disney I just don't LOVE it. I'm a beach person so I guess that's why I questioned you.
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Old Jun 14th, 2009, 07:49 AM
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Hey debsnj I wish my family didn'y love it. Would save a fortune lol. That's why I said they could go but I would like some time elsewhere.
Tchoiniere I have checked schedule for Amtrak it takes 24/25 hours I know this is a long time but was hoping to stop off some where on the way I am just looking for ideas at the moment of other places on the way
Thans
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Old Jun 15th, 2009, 06:55 AM
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You can certainly take the train to Miami; it's not that comfortable, and it's usually late; there are two trains daily. You leave either in late morning or afternoon from NYC and then arrive in the early evening in Miami (if on time). You will have to spend the night in Miami on arrival and then pick up a car to drive to Key West the next day. For this reason, it's almost always cheaper to fly.

If you drive, then it takes a minimum of 2 days and will be very expensive since you will have to drop the car off in Florida and pay a huge drop-off fee. I do not recommend Greyhound at all for this kind of long-distance trip. Amtrak is only marginally acceptable.

If you want, there is a shuttle service to Key West from the airport, so you could pick that up the next day after spending the night in an airport-area hotel.

Public transit in the U.S. is generally abysmal to non-existent. There are a few exceptions in large cities (such as the New York area and even the northeast, where you can get many places easily by bus or train).

You do not need a car in Key West if you are staying in the historic district, so it is a viable option to travel there and back by shuttle from Miami. Picking up the car in Miami to drive to Orlando.
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Old Jun 15th, 2009, 07:01 AM
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Ah ... if you want a stop-off, you could make it Charleston, SC. Not sure that's halfway, but it's an option and actually might make the trip more comfortable since the train that stops there leaves at night and arrives late morning. Plus, it's a lovely historic city. You'd still have to spend a night in Miami, though.

Now here's the caveat. The schedule for Miami requires you to leave Charleston at 5am, so I"m not sure that's a very attractive option. Not all the trains from New York to Miami stop in Charleston. I believe there are sleeping cars, but they are VERY expensive.
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Old Jun 15th, 2009, 08:51 AM
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Thankyou all for your words of wisdom
You have left me with a lot of answers to my questions
So glad I used this site.
Ever want any info on Liverpool or North West of England I hope to return the favour
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