Tag: getting around

Transportation: Getting around Waikiki and Oahu

GETTING AROUND WAIKIKI AND OAHU

Transportation to and from Waikiki and just about everywhere else on Oahu is very simple. Buses are plentiful. Trolleys run specifically for the convenience of visitors. Packaged tours provide your transportation to virtually all scheduled destinations. Rent-a-cars are available at dozens of locations. And you will find many destinations are within easy walking distance from your hotel.

The easiest way to get to where you want to go, however, may well be with a taxi. Taxis arrive almost immediately after being called, or will pick you up at the time you specify. You can name your destination and relax, not having to worry about whether you’re on the right bus or if the trolley you’ve taken will get you to the right place. You won’t have to transfer to another taxi as you may have to do via bus. Your driver – even if his English is limited – will answer your questions and, if you ask, will identify landmarks for you. Taxi drivers are “ambassadors of aloha.” They are proud of their island and enjoy pointing out landmarks and places of interest as they take you to your destination. You might even consider a taxi or Limo tour of the island’s highlights, based on the things that interest you most. Any taxi company will be

glad to give you a quote for that.

Honolulu is different from most of the world’s metropolitan areas. You cannot just go out and “hail a cab.” Traffic, parking and “stopping” regulations prohibit taxis from pulling over to pick up fares in many areas. (Hint: You almost always can find a taxi in front of the larger Waikiki hotels.) But it’s easy to call a taxi from wherever you are, and the taxi will come to you immediately. The concierge or doorman at your hotel will gladly call one for you, as will the desk clerk on duty at smaller hotels, the host or hostess at the restaurant where you dine, or the manager or a clerk at the retail establishment where you are shopping. (Those folks are pleased to accommodate you, and there is no charge for local calls so you are not inconveniencing them.)

Even if the address of a restaurant, shop or other destination is obscure, the driver will locate it easily and take you right to the door. You never have to worry about parking (an epic and expensive adventure in Waikiki), or where you left your car after you’ve found a spot and spent several hours away from it. The cost of taxis is reasonable, especially if you’re sharing the ride with others in your party. And, of course, the ride will be comfortable.

Shopping results in packages to carry. Sightseeing results in souvenirs and

paraphernalia. It may be hard to lug all that stuff onto a bus (and may be too much to allow you to board.)

Here are some approximate taxi fares, one way from most Waikiki hotels to some points of interest on the island: (Approximate rates shown do not include tips.)

DFS GALERIA $ 4

ALA MOANA CENTER $ 5

VICTORIA WARD

CENTERS $ 6

WAIKIKI AQUARIUM $ 7

DIAMOND HEAD CRATER $10

HANAUMA BAY $25

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN $11

ACADEMY OF ARTS $10

KAHALA MALL $32

MT. TANTALUS $18

PEARL HARBOR/

ARIZONA MEMORIAL $27

POLYNESIAN

CULTURAL CENTER $90

PUNCHBOWL

(NATIONAL CEMETERY

OF THE PACIFIC) $15

SEA LIFE PARK $34

# # #

Car Rental Companies in Bangalore

If you are travelling to Bangalore and hiring a car is what worrying you then you can be relaxed because this is one service that you will easily get in Bangalore and that too at very affordable and economic prices. Basically there are really good car rental companies in Bangalore available for renting the cars and you can either book in advance or go there and hire a car for yourself. Also, you have a wide range of options to choose from, so that makes your job even easier. And anyways be it a business trip or a vacation time is what you would anyhow like to save upon so that you can either cover more areas or make your work commitments a little bit faster so that you have some time for yourself to explore the place, so in all these situations it is kind of necessary that you opt for a vehicle for yourself and the Bangalore car rental services provides you with the best solutions.

Whatever be your budget you will find a vehicle suitable for that so in case if your budget is that of a car which should just fulfill the motto of you moving comfortably around the place, then economic class car is what will work the best for you and if you fall in the category where price has a little less emphasis but the style and luxury is your top priority then luxury class cars is what you should opt for and if you are looking for a vehicle that could accommodate a big group of people than hiring a coach will be the most suitable thing that you can do; and also there are many vehicles available in these certain class of vehicles which makes the things further simplified for you, so you can just go and select a car for yourself and then move around in comfort. In case if you wish to book in advance, then you can do the same by having a look at the sites of various Bangalore car rental companies and also have a look at the cars that they are providing and at the same time the prices are also displayed so you might go through that as well which will help you make up your mind as to which vehicle you want to hire for yourself and accordingly make the decision.

Also, you can either choose to drive for yourself if you hold a valid driving license or opt for a driver which would be charged to you additionally but all the services needed by you will be provided by the Bangalore car rental companies. The price is generally charged upon the Kms that you travel. So if you are going to Bangalore and you want to save upon your precious time and move around the place in comfort than you should and must hire a vehicle for yourself. So go on and enjoy your ride on the smooth roads of Bangalore.

Getting Around Madrid

Getting Around Madrid

The Spanish capital of Madrid is a tourist haven that offers its visitors the best sceneries, attractions and an unrivalled nightlife. Walking around the streets of Madrid is a testimony of its rich heritage and culture. If you want a taste of life in a vibrant city, Madrid should be at the top of your must-see list of travel destinations.

Travelling to Madrid

Flying to Madrid means having to go through, Barajas International Airport, which is fifteen to twenty minutes away from the city. From there, you can take the Metro line eight or a take a taxi to the city. Before leaving the airport, make sure to have your money changed to Euros, which is the country’s form of currency.

If you happen to be in Lisbon, Portugal or Paris, France, you can conveniently take a train to get to the Spanish capital.

Getting Around Madrid

Madrid makes it easy for its tourists to get around the city. Using the Metro de Madrid is your best bet, especially if you’re new to the city. But don’t count on them on a Friday or Saturday night. Take the EMT buses instead. If you plan to stay a whilst in the city, it’s best to get an Abono Turistico or a tourist pass, which are available in versions of one to seven days usage. These passes can be used on the Metro and on EMT buses.

Taxis are available everywhere in the city and are also convenient ways to go around Madrid.

The Sights of Madrid

Never leave Madrid without a visit to Museo del Prado or the Prado Museum which is known to have one of the world’s finest art collections and home to Madrid’s classical art collections. The museum boasts of paintings from Goya, El Greco and Caravaggio. The Prado Museum is located in Paseo del Prado.

After lunch, it’s best to spend the afternoon at El Retiro which is considered Madrid’s version of New York’s Central Park. The park has a boating lake here where you can hire a boat to go around. Or you can check out the Crystal Palace, which is a massive glass structure or the Forest of the Absent, which is a memorial for the 3/11 terrorist bombings. El Retiro is at the Plaza de Independencia.

Catch the sunset in Templo de Dobod, which is an Egyptian temple which served as a gift from Egypt when Spain played a part in saving one of Egypt’s important temples, Abu Simbel. The Templo de Dobod can be found in Paseo del Pintor Rosales.

The Sounds of Madrid

Madrid is famous for its dassling night life that starts late and ends until the early hours of the morning. When the weekends come, the time to start your round of copas (drinks) is around 11PM to 1AM. In fact, most clubs don’t open until those times.

Most tourists head to the Plaza de Santa Ana Huertas which is riddled with Irish pubs and the streets are lined with interesting bars. But for a much older crowd, there is La Latina near Casa Mayor and Cava Baja. For those who are into Punk or Rock, the Tribunal is the place to be. Check out Calle Malasana and La Via Lactea, where the vibe is always pumping.

Airport Car Parking Pre Book for the Best Deals

Airport parking may not be your top priority when it comes to organising your holiday, but pre-booking is the best way to get your space reserved at a great rate. Airport parking is the same at all car parks and all airports so you will pay more on the day than if you book in advance. Airport Parking fees are based on the actual time a vehicle is in the facility so you can easily budget what the cost will be before you leave for your holiday.

Airport

So in a time when we can expect cheap deals on our flights and accommodation you should be looking for a great deal on your airport parking as well. Some airport parking companies can save you up to 60%. A huge number of websites offer to book Airport Parking cheaply. Booking airport parking is no different from booking a hotel and there are many online aggregators on the web that will compare prices on a number of car parks without being partial towards a specific airport car parking company. Airport hotels with parking are often cheaper than parking alone so ensure you check every parking price to see what options are available.

Parking

With so many options for parking your car at airports it’s worth finding out which car park is the most convenient for your departure terminal. Parking at the airport is often just a few minutes walk from the terminal building so you can relax whilst getting to the airport and enjoy your trip. The turn-up-and-pay costs for airport parking can be extortionately high. Parking can represent 50% of non-aeronautical revenue for some regional airports. Many airports offer on and off site airport parking plus valet chauffeur services. If we take the same approach to airport parking as we do to other aspects of our travelling such as flights, hotels and car hire, we can reap the rewards by getting the same quality for less cost.

Hotels

Hotels often offer parking specials, so make use of the extra facility being offered by the hotel you plan to stay in. Parking can work out to be free with a Stay and Park Hotel packages. If you prefer to relax and enjoy your journey you can always book an overnight stay in one of the airport hotels so that you can rest overnight before your journey. Many airport hotels offer a package including airport parking that can cost less than parking alone, or not much more. Years ago, it seemed you could get almost unlimited free parking with a single overnight stay; these days, most properties limit you to seven days free parking, although a few give you 14 days, and the extra day rate at most of the hotels is usually very fair. There are some excellent airport parking & hotel packages available at great prices, check out airport hotels for a more relaxed, leisurely start to your trip.

Already, approximately 60% of leisure travellers book their airport parking in advance. If you want a hassle free start to your journey, join over 70,000 people who book their Airport Parking and Airport Hotels online each year. Airport parking is much cheaper if you book online but the only problem of cheaper price websites is availability. Getting a cheap price is a good thing but being able to make a booking and confirmation for your low cost airport parking is the main objective. Consequently it makes sense to open several windows at the same time to compare the deals offered by online airport parking providers.

Travel tips: Getting around in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is big and bustling – and let’s face it – sometimes it can be a chore to get around Sin City. Yet even if the big convention or championship boxing match is in town, savvy visitors can find their way. Here’s an insider’s guide to getting around Las Vegas.

If you arrive by plane, a taxi ride to a Strip hotel (where most of the major theme resorts are located) will cost $1020, and to a downtown hotel $2030, depending on the route taken and the time of day. Airport shuttle fares cost $8 to Strip hotels. They’re excellent value for money and can be found immediately on your right as you exit the baggage reclaim area. The ticket office is on your left. In addition, most major hotels run shuttles to and from the airport.

If you’re sticking to the main drag, the monorail will be the fastest bet. However, the bus service Citizens Area Transit (CAT) has a 24-hour service on the Strip and Downtown, plus 40 other routes that operate 5.30am1.30am daily. For information about routes and schedules, call 702-228 7433.

The Monorail – www.lvmonorail.com

Prices: Single ride ticket $5; 10-ride ticket $35 (one ride equals one trip of any distance); one-day ticket $15, valid for unlimited travel for any 24-hour period; three-day ticket $40, valid for 72 hours from first use. Automated ticket machines can be found at all the stops and some of the resorts.

Hours: 7am2am daily.

The $650 million monorail opened in 2004 and is a happy, if somewhat flawed, way to get around. In fact, most times it is by far the fastest way to travel from one part of the Strip to another. The monorail grew from an original transit venture between the MGM Grand and Bally’s Hotel in 1993. The Las Vegas Monorail Company, which owns the new transit service, was created in 2000 as a non-profit corporation and now owns the original monorail system.

Monorails come every six minutes and whisk you along to your destination, avoiding the horrid traffic of the Strip. There are two niggles about the monorail service. First, when it opened in 2004 a single fare was only $3, but this was raised in 2007 to $5, which makes it far less of a bargain than originally. Second, all the stops are poorly marked, often difficult to find, and they are also in the very back of each property. This means you must do a lot of walking through these massive resorts to get there, then another long walk to get to where you want.

It effectively runs on the east side of the Strip from the MGM Grand

Transport: Getting around South Africa

When travelling to South Africa the easiest and probably cheapest method of getting around is by hiring a car and driving yourself. Cities and towns are far apart and the public transport is not very efficient.

Currently there are no underground or speed/bullet trains in South Africa although a huge project is underway to build a bullet rain between Johannesburg and Pretoria that forms the economic centre of the country.

Other methods of transport include the infamous minibus taxi. These taxis are constantly overloaded and drive like maniacs. When watching them in action it seems like a good idea to stay out of them.

The railway system connects the main cities and their surrounding townships but is not well developed enough for transport inside the cities.

If you visit South Africa only for a day or two for business, the best method of transport is by pre-booking door to door shuttle services, this is the most convenient safest and cheapest form of transport in and around the major cities. These companies can easily arrange for a quick safari to some of the nearby wildlife reserves as well. The pre-booked shuttle services are significantly cheaper than taking a metered taxi cab.

Getting Around The Usa–When Is The Bus Your Best Option?

Visitors to the US have many options when it comes to getting around. In the land of (relatively) cheap gas and expensive trains, renting a car is often the most appealing option. On the other hand, for journeys between cities that are further than a few hours drive, flying quickly becomes a viable option. Still there are other times when the best option is taking the bus. How should you determine when this is your best option? Read on.

Bus travel in the US

Whether or not it is warranted, bus travel has a somewhat beleaguered reputation in the U.S. Many consider line run bus service to offer the most basic level of service. In truth there is a wide range of service offered, from luxury to budget, depending on the bus carrier. The bus industry in the United States is dominated by Greyhound, which is the only bus company with service nationwide. Several other companies such as Trailways and Coach USA are made up of independently owned bus companies that share marketing functions and branding. In addition there are several strong regional players in the bus industry, although they may share service with Greyhound on certain routes.

A newer development in the bus industry is the “Chinatown bus”. This is a term used to describe low priced bus companies that operate paired down service on selected routes and charge much less than traditional bus companies. Originally these carriers tended to operate in, and cater to, the Chinese immigrant community. Now the phenomenon appeals to a much wider group of customers. Another trend in the bus industry is luxury service that competes more directly with the airlines. These carriers offer first class amenities and luxury coaches. They tend to be most successful for destinations that are fewer than 6 hours apart.

So, how should you decide when the bus is your best option? Here are a few questions that might help you make your decision:

1. What is your budget?

If you are on a tight budget you won’t be able to beat the bus for price. It is by far the least expensive way to get between destinations in the U.S. This is particularly true on heavily traveled routes in the Northeast where there is a lot of competition.

2. Will you need a car once you get to your destination?

In many U.S. cities (ie. New York, Boston, Washington DC) a car is not only unnecessary, but will be a burden to drive and to park once you arrive.

3. How far are you going?

If you are traveling less than a five or six hours it is probably faster to take the bus than to fly when you factor in waiting time at the airport. Moreover, the bus will likely drop you off in the downtown core so you do not have to find your way into the city once you arrive.

4. Where are you going?

It is worth noting that for many more remote destinations in the US, the bus is really the only public transportation option. If you do not drive, taking the bus may be your only choice.

5. How much time do you have?

If your trip is not rushed, you might enjoy the more leisurely pace of bus travel. If you are under time pressure, the bus is probably not the best choice as it is subject to traffic delays and usually takes a little longer than other modes of transportation.

Overall, the bus is a great option for visitors to the US who are looking for transportation between major US cities and more remote destinations alike. As gas prices rise and train service sees more cuts, it will undoubtedly be an even more popular way to get around going forward.

Where to Find the Best Prestige Car Hire

Whether you want to make the right impression during a business trip or just want to treat your self to the height of luxury prestige car hire whilst you are on holiday a prestige hire car will do just these things. Prestige cars also referred to as super cars or luxury cars are available to hire from a number of different car hire companies.

If you are accustomed to travelling in a prestige car or just want to try it whilst you are holidaying you won’t be disappointed by this hire car option. A prestige car will give extraordinary comfort for you, your family, friends or business partners as you travel around.

The cost of hiring a prestige car is of course higher than standard cars. This is essentially because the cars cost a lot more to purchase and will cost the hire company more in insurance premiums. Searching the internet will probably be the easiest way of finding car hire companies which supply prestige car hire. However by far the best way to gather comprehensive, competitive prices is to use a comparison search engine. You simply enter your requirements and details once state that you wish to see quotes for prestige cars and the search engine will do the hard work. It compares prices, packages and different vehicles from over 25 different hire companies.

You will see clear results for the various prestige vehicles, the various models available, and the various rate for hiring. Thus you can then hire a prestige car confident in the knowledge that you are paying a reasonable rate. When you have the various quotes in front of you it is important to compare the finer details of a prestige car hire package. Often with cars of higher value there can be large deposits required or very large excesses for damage incurred.

There are some deals which include a zero excess meaning should anything happen to your prestige car you won’t have to pay. Look out for these offers often they are a little more expensive but provide a much better offer. When you hire a prestige car you should be very clear about the policies followed by the car hire company. Sometimes there will be some hidden charges like insurance etc, which you may not be aware of. So read all the policies of the car hire company carefully before you hire a car.

Luxury Vehicles such as the larger Mercedes fleet make a fantastic impression and allow you to transport a group in total comfort. Often with the highest specification your passengers will be kept comfortable by superior seating, climate control, more space and even items such as in car TV and games consoles. If you are going to be transporting adults long distances in the rear of a prestige car look out for certain models which have a long wheel base option, often referred to as limousine models Audi make a beautifully spacious long wheel base version of their A8 range.

If you get stuck in traffic en route passengers can even be kept content with in car DVDs. The choice is yours as to make model and type of vehicle you chose but just because yo want a prestige car you shouldn’t have to pay premium prices. Search hard and remember to book on line in the UK early as fleets usually contain just a handful of the top line cars.

Considerations For Car Hire Abroad

When you consider the option of car hire there are many things to look into, particularly if you are going to be travelling out of your normal area.

You must familiarise yourself with all your responsibilities towards the hire firm and be sure of their responsibilities towards you. A thorough check of the car before leaving the car hire company is essential to safeguard any claims they may try to make later on.

However, there is one thing that many people do not check and that is the driving laws of the county or country they will be travelling through. They assume that if they follow the standard laws of the road, and they are all careful drivers of course, then they will be ok.

This is not necessarily so as laws vary and many, even the antiquated ones, are still very much enforceable.

Many of the laws wouldn’t cross most people’s mind but you can never have too much knowledge. Not many drivers would consider driving blindfolded in Alabama, just as well as it is illegal. If you were driving near a place that sold cold drinks and food after 9pm in Arkansas and honked the horn of your hired car, you could very well be arrested.

When you use car hire to drive through California, be careful to never leave your vehicle unattended, as no vehicle without a driver is permitted to travel at speeds exceeding 60 mph. And it’s always useful to know that if you are driving through San Francisco and your car windshield becomes dirty, it is illegal to wipe any part of your car with used underwear.

That is, of course, if you have a windshield, because Luxembourg law does not insist you have a windshield but does insist you have windshield wipers.

If you intend to spit out of the window in Georgia, make sure you do it from a truck and not from a bus or car as this will get you a fine.

Some road traffic laws make good common sense that you hope nobody needs telling such as the law in Ohio that makes it illegal to travel on the roof of a taxi cab, Tennessee law that states you must not drive whilst asleep or in Denmark where you should check for small children beneath your car before you set off.

If you do decide on car hire through America and you happen to pass through Texas, steer well clear of all alcohol. It is illegal to drive within an arms length of alcohol – even that which may be in somebody else’s bloodstream.

One traffic law I wish was in place when my children were babies was the one set in Iowa where the ice cream man and his truck are banned.

Before cars where as popular as they are now, animals were used for transport. However, in Washington it is illegal to ride an ugly horse but who defines ugly? And if you choose an elephant instead of a car in Florida and tie it to a parking meter, you must still feed the meter as if it were a car.

Massachusetts law bans gorilla’s from travelling in the back seat of a car – makes you wonder how many times they have had to enforce this law. It must have been at least once for them to come up with that law in the first place.

If you chose car hire in Oklahoma it pays to know that the molestation of a vehicle is illegal.

Let’s hope you never find out if they still enforce this law but it is always wise to check on the laws of the country you are travelling to.

Personal advantages of taking public transportation

I have to agree that taking public transportation is more economical than driving. I visit Chicago several times a year and almost always take advantage of their public transportation, the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority), which includes the train and bus. You can get just about anywhere in the city using public transportation, and the price is very reasonable.

One of the biggest advantages of public transportation is convenience. You don’t have to worry about where you are going to park your car (parking garages and lots are very costly), you don’t have to worry about the cost of gas prices (which are considerably more in the city) because you won’t be driving your own vehicle, and you don’t have to deal with the traffic jams and packed streets (particularly if you are taking the train). Another advantage of public transportation is environmental reasons. The less vehicles on the road, the less pollution there will be.

The CTA has an excellent website where you can find maps, schedules and fares. They also have a trip planner: simply put in your starting and ending destination (using addresses or landmarks) and it will give you several different routes you can take using their public transportation to get where you want to go!

As mentioned, the cost of using CTA transportation is very reasonable. Using a transit card, which can be purchased at 144 CTA rail stations or at more than 600 sales outlets throughout the Chicagoland area, the cost to ride the bus is $1.75 and $2.00 for the train. Transfers are $.25 and allow two additional rides within two hours after the first boarding. If you are paying with cash, the cost is $2 per ride on bus and rail; exact fare only; no change returned. No transfers issued when paying with cash. They offer discounts for visitors to the city, and these cards can be purchased at many sales outlets throughout the area.

Using public transportation is extremely economical and protects our environment. Next time you visit Chicago and want to get around the city, consider using the CTA public transportation system. You can visit their website at: www.transitchicago.com.