New york and london

[elsmith1963]

I want to travel to New York this year for my 50th with my husband BUT we have now been invited to a 90th birthday party in London in November which my husband REALLY wants to attend. We can't really afford New York and London as separate trips in the one year. I am a bit afraid of travelling to both London and New York when its going to be so cold, especially as this is a once off trip. Anyway if we were to try and do both what are suggestions as to how to how to get there. I've been told that flying to Paris and then get the train across the Chunnel to London and then back to Paris after the party and then fly on to New York is a cheaper option. What are your opinions on travelling to these destinations at this time of the year. Are we better off postponing the New York trip until it can be done in better weather???? London timing isn't negotiable.

:?::?::?:

 

[cove]

Do both seeing both places are relatively close together. Dress for the cold weather and you will be ok. In London you have many coat choices and the prices are very reasonable and buy gloves.
Landing in Paris or Amsterdam lowers the landing fees and the train is an interesting journey if you have never done it.
Sometimes we go to Manchester and the train from there is 2 hours and 9 minutes to London.
Enjoy your 50th as you should!

 

[Edge]

not sure what it's like these days, but when I lived in London a few years ago you could regularly get LON-JFK-LON for 299 pounds on BA, even 249 on some of the other carriers. it's only 5-6 hours, definitely worth doing in the same trip. London and NY are both awesome in the lead-up to Christmas, only time I'd advise people not to go to London is January to early March when it gets depressing!

 

[Mal]

London in November isn't too cold usually.

 

[Blinky]

My wife and I went to London 5 years ago, and did a side trip to NYC. The airfares were pretty cheap (although I don't think I'll go Air India again) and the travel wasn't a major burden. We were in our mid 50s then. Just do it.

 

[elsmith1963]

Do both seeing both places are relatively close together. Dress for the cold weather and you will be ok. In London you have many coat choices and the prices are very reasonable and buy gloves.
Landing in Paris or Amsterdam lowers the landing fees and the train is an interesting journey if you have never done it.
Sometimes we go to Manchester and the train from there is 2 hours and 9 minutes to London.
Enjoy your 50th as you should!

Thanks for the feedback - I am feeling a lot more positive now. Stay posted though as I am sure there will be many more questions.

 

[elsmith1963]

My wife and I went to London 5 years ago, and did a side trip to NYC. The airfares were pretty cheap (although I don't think I'll go Air India again) and the travel wasn't a major burden. We were in our mid 50s then. Just do it.

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[elsmith1963]

Any suggestions as to the best route from Brisbane to Paris...

 

[smit0847]

Consider investing the time reading up on USDM on this site - you can travel to NYC via Europe and stopover somewhere like FRA.

 

[elsmith1963]

Thanks for positive response and Air India noted...

 

[elsmith1963]

Okay thanks shall do, now can you please let me know what USDM stands for - sorry I am a beginner here and its been a while since I travelled.

 

[casanovawa]

USDM stands for US Airways Dividened Miles program... You can go to www.usair.com to read up on it a bit more...

There is a dedicated thread on AFF on the actual program and another on successful redemptions to give you some ideas of intineraries that have been successfully booked and costs...

As long as you buy miles in the 100% bonus promotions that come up fairly regularly, for about $2200-2300 you should be able to get yourself a business class redemption flying to NYC first and then back to London (although as you say landing anywhere in Europe, with Frankfurt being one of the biggest Star Alliance hubs and then catching a train or plane to LHR is the cheapest way to go)... You'll be paying more than that just to fly economy, so definitely the way to go especially for your 50th and plenty of people to give advice and suggestions...

And from memory when I have been in London in November its coolish and grey rather than snowing and really cold, certainly not my favourite time to travel to the Northern Hemisphere as don't like the cold and the shorter days etc so choose the middle months of the year, but if you have to go then it should be ok... Plus we are all different...

 

[Blinky]

On the time of year, we originally planned to visit Europe in November last year, but decided on March this year (as we did last time). I'd go in November in a flash. The cooler weather is more than compensated for by the relative lack of tourists.

 

[elsmith1963]

Thanks for feedback - will check out sights suggested and get informed. Very helpful

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Landing in Paris or Amsterdam lowers the landing fees and the train is an interesting journey if you have never done it.
Sometimes we go to Manchester and the train from there is 2 hours and 9 minutes to London.
!

Unless things have changed, the extra cost is only if you fly out of England rather than into it , due to the green departure tax.