Useful travel information – Flights
- If traveling internationally allow 2-3 hours between landing in the USA or Canada and the connecting flight (for customs and immigration).
- If traveling internationally, it is highly recommended to book all flights (international and national) together. This way in case of missing the connecting flight – the airline will be accountable. In addition, this way you will usually not have to pay extra for carrying a suitcase in the national flights.
Useful travel information – Driving
- All driving times in the Route Generator do not include stops, traffic jams etc. – it is recommended to add at least 20% (and more for lunch breaks etc.).
- Families with 2 children or more are advised to rent a Mini Van.
- Traveling in seasons or areas in which there may be snow or ice on the road, are advised to rent a 4×4 vehicle. It is also recommended to purchase chains (for emergency – you will probably no use them. In some areas chains may be mandatory in certain seasons). Chains can be purchased in Walmart and in Auto Repair stores (such as Pep Boys or Les Schwab) for about 100$. You must know the make of the vehicle and the tires before making the purchase. Please note that vehicle rental agencies do not formally allow installing chains – but nevertheless it is still wise to carry them for emergency conditions.
- Car seats and boosters for children are mandatory in the USA and Canada until a relatively old age. The regulations change from state to state and from province to province.
- Unlike many European countries, In the USA and Canada it is usually allowed to turn right when the traffic light is red (after a full stop and unless posted otherwise). In addition, while turning left when the light is green – the right of way is usually for oncoming traffic. The USA and Canada also have a 4-Way Stop system in which the first car to arrive at the intersection has the right of way.
- While driving in the USA and Canada be sure to stop if you see a school bus with its red lights flashing (regardless of your driving direction, unless you are driving on the opposite side of a divided road). A detailed list of regulations can be found here.
- If you are pulled over by the police, do not exit the car after stopping. It is also recommended to place your hands on the steering wheel.
- Driving distances in the USA and Canada are long and gas stations may be limited in certain areas. Be sure to fuel up often.
Useful travel information – Hotels
- There isn’t usually a significant difference in price and in cancellation fees between booking a room directly through the hotels web site and booking through com, Hotels.com etc.
- It is highly recommended to reserve rooms that can be canceled (Prepaid or Presale rates for example are nonrefundable).
- Senior citizens (ages 62, 65 and sometimes even 50 – every chain has different policies) are entitled for discounts in most motel/hotel reservation systems (check for Senior Rate).
- Most motel/hotel chains provide a special member rate (and in addition being a member – you can gain points, which can be used for future stays). Membership is usually free.
- Width of motel/hotel beds is usually: King 1.8 m, Queen 1.5 m, Double/Full 1.35 m, Twin 0.9 m. Many hotels also have folding Rollaway beds that me be added to the room for an extra fee (usually these beds are non reservable).
- Rooms for large families (5-6 people) exist, but are usually limited. It is therefore recommended to reserve well in advance.
- Most motels/hotels provide a basic continental breakfast.
- vrbo.com is a great site for reserving apartments and houses in the USA and Canada. www.airbnb.com is also highly recommended.
Useful travel information – Border Crossing to Canada
- Renting a car in the USA and returning it in Canada or the opposite is usually not possible.
- Some border crossing stations do not allow transferring certain fruits/vegetables from one side of the border to the other.
- Some border stations are open 24/7 and some are open for limited hours or seasonally.
Useful travel information – General
- Local sport events, fairs, conventions etc. can sometimes cause closure of roads and can cause all motels/hotels in a specific city or town to be 100% booked many months in advance.
- For travelers intending to visit USA National Parks, Monuments, Historic Sites etc. – it is highly recommended to purchase a one year National Parks Pass (80$ per family). The pass can be purchased at the entry to the first park. In Canada it is usually worth purchasing a pass only for a stay of more than 1 week in the country’s National Parks.
- Senior citizens are entitled for discounts in many locations and attractions. In certain cases these discounts are limited to USA citizens/residents.
- Cellular reception in many areas in the USA and Canada may be limited. It is recommended to take this fact into consideration when planning to use cellphone applications for navigation.
- Travelers planning to stay in public campgrounds (in State or National Parks) should usually reserve a site well in advance. The booking window for most public campgrounds usually opens 4-6 months in advance (in the USA), and in Canada this window usually opens in January for the following year. Sites usually fill up very quickly.
Few recommendations for specific sites
- Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco requires paying a toll online up to 48 hours after driving on the bridge.
- San Francisco is cool during summer months – dress warm.
- Tickets to the cruise to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco should usually be booked well in advance.
- It is highly recommended to reserve parking in advance to Muir Woods National Monument (near San Francisco).
- Parking near Zion National Parks (Utah) main’s visitor center for boarding the shuttle to Zion Canyon) is limited. It is recommended to arrive early or park in the town of Springdale and take a shuttle from there to the visitor center.
- Tickets to the Antelope Canyon (Arizona) should be booked well in advance. During summer months It is recommended to pay attention to the time these tours start – usually according to the Pacific Time Zone, since Arizona (which is in the Mountain Time Zone) does not observe daylight saving hours (with the exception of the Navajo Nation that does observe daylight saving hours).
- Tickets to the Statue of Liberty (New York) should be booked well in advance.
- Travelers to Disney (land/California or world/Florida) that want to avoid the crowds should plan their itinerary in a way that visiting these parks will not be during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and will not be on public holidays (Disney does provides a Fast Pass but this pass will give you only a limited ability to skip the lines). Travelers to Universal (Florida or California) during crowded days should consider purchasing an express pass that will allow them to skip the lines.
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