New York, Philadelphia and Washington
Discussion
I am looking to do a trip to Cuba in March next year but I also have the option of going somewhere for say 7-10 days beforehand so I was gonna go to New York as never been.
I know a few people in NY so may be able to get free accommodation and base myself out of there
I want to go to Philadelphia to see the Rocky statue and Washington DC to see some of the Govt stuff.
I am just assuming one day on Philadelphia and maybe two in Washington
I see this very much as a trip to cram as much in as possible...I'll relax in Cuba. It is also probably unlikely I'll ever go back so just want to hit the main sites.
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions on how many days I should split?
I know a few people in NY so may be able to get free accommodation and base myself out of there
I want to go to Philadelphia to see the Rocky statue and Washington DC to see some of the Govt stuff.
I am just assuming one day on Philadelphia and maybe two in Washington
I see this very much as a trip to cram as much in as possible...I'll relax in Cuba. It is also probably unlikely I'll ever go back so just want to hit the main sites.
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions on how many days I should split?
A couple of questions. Are you planning on traveling directly from the US to Cuba? And what is the purpose of your visit to Cuba?
I'm sure you've done your research but it's not the easiest of destinations.
If you're basing yourself in New York you can fly to Havana. Take cash as when we were last there our bank cards weren't accepted, so you would need to check with your own bank.
It's a very interesting place.
I'm sure you've done your research but it's not the easiest of destinations.
If you're basing yourself in New York you can fly to Havana. Take cash as when we were last there our bank cards weren't accepted, so you would need to check with your own bank.
It's a very interesting place.
We've done this exact trip a few times as we have friends/family in each. Definitely helps to have somewhere to stay as hotel prices are crazy.
The train is very easy. 2 hours NYC - Philly and the same Philly to Washington. Book on Amtrak beforehand.
Probably about right with your split. So much to do and see in New York. Philly is great, but we spend more time with our friends than doing the touristy stuff. Very walkable and lots to see. In Washington we did a tour of the Capitol building which was really interesting. Lots of museums to visit and if it's not summer the weather will be pretty good. The subway there makes it easy to get around.
Edited to add - just on the Cuba thing, note that nowadays if you travel to Cuba it will mean you aren't eligible for an ESTA. If that is your route for US travel it will affect that in the future.
The train is very easy. 2 hours NYC - Philly and the same Philly to Washington. Book on Amtrak beforehand.
Probably about right with your split. So much to do and see in New York. Philly is great, but we spend more time with our friends than doing the touristy stuff. Very walkable and lots to see. In Washington we did a tour of the Capitol building which was really interesting. Lots of museums to visit and if it's not summer the weather will be pretty good. The subway there makes it easy to get around.
Edited to add - just on the Cuba thing, note that nowadays if you travel to Cuba it will mean you aren't eligible for an ESTA. If that is your route for US travel it will affect that in the future.
Edited by SaulGoodman on Monday 13th January 06:56
Mojooo said:
I assume, but need to look into it more, if I leave the USA to go to Cuba they can't have an issue with that?
May be an issue in the future I spose.
I did want to go to Cuba first but didn't for reasons mentioned.
Of course they can have an issue with it. There have been trade and travel restrictions since the 60's, and especially since Trump's first Presidency. May be an issue in the future I spose.
I did want to go to Cuba first but didn't for reasons mentioned.
That's why I asked the questions. You sure can travel from the US to Cuba. You can even travel back. However, you need to have the right reasons and visas. It may be trivial as a non-US citizen for all I know, but it needs consideration.
Rather than planning the time around the trip, I suggest making sure you can actually get to and from Cuba first if that was your intended primary destination.
Why take such a great risk?
You will clearly be flagged as a non-US citizen without a Visa arriving from Cuba.
Visiting Cuba is a valid reason for cancelling an ESTA. so they might cancel your ESTA on arrival and refuse admission.
https://www.usvisahelp.com/the-basics-of-esta#:~:t...
You will clearly be flagged as a non-US citizen without a Visa arriving from Cuba.
Visiting Cuba is a valid reason for cancelling an ESTA. so they might cancel your ESTA on arrival and refuse admission.
https://www.usvisahelp.com/the-basics-of-esta#:~:t...
Mojooo said:
What I am saying is if I have never been to Cuba or the USA... then the USA cannot have a problem/stop me travelling TO Cuba when I leave the USA can they?
Whether I go back to the USA again and need to get a different VISA is a separate issue.
They cannot prevent you from entering Cuba from a country other than the US.Whether I go back to the USA again and need to get a different VISA is a separate issue.
They can prohibit you from entering the US from any country once you have been to a country with trade and travel restrictions. So, just to be clear, you can have a visa/ESTA denied in future years.
I presume that would be a rare occurrence since there are many people who have visited Cuba, my family included.
Sorry I mis-read that as you traveling back to the USA within the period of your existing ESTA.
The issue with travelling to Cuba is as you stated that then you then need a full US Visa, which requires an appointment at the US Embassy and an interview and is not convenient.
A friend missed a family holiday as he had his ESTA rejected 2 months before travelling to the USA due to a prior visit to a non-approved country and he couldn't get an appointment before the holiday. He was also low risk as his wife is a US citizen and his kids are all joint US/UK, but he had to jump through the hoops and needed two interviews as they asked for more documentation at the first one.
The only upside is that a full Visa lasts 10 years.
The issue with travelling to Cuba is as you stated that then you then need a full US Visa, which requires an appointment at the US Embassy and an interview and is not convenient.
A friend missed a family holiday as he had his ESTA rejected 2 months before travelling to the USA due to a prior visit to a non-approved country and he couldn't get an appointment before the holiday. He was also low risk as his wife is a US citizen and his kids are all joint US/UK, but he had to jump through the hoops and needed two interviews as they asked for more documentation at the first one.
The only upside is that a full Visa lasts 10 years.
On the original USA question I visited all three cities in April last year, and NYC twice later on in the year.
NYC - loads to do, both free and to pay for. Stay somewhere where you can easily get on a subway or LIRR as we found these are the easiest way of getting into/out of and around the city. We did the Northern part of the city one day and the southern end the next day - and took in a Major League Basketball match and a Broadway show - the latter two not cheap. You also have Long Island that you can explore.
Philadelphia: The Rocky statue is 30 mins max. We were visiting a university, so that took up our time and can't comment about other stuff available. We did visit "the hood" by mistake though
Washington DC: There's a free tour of the Capitol that we did - must be pre-booked. There are also free tours of the Pentagon and the Whitehouse - but for the latter, non US citizens this needs to be organised through your embassy. The British Embassy couldn't be arsed to organise this when we were there - still can't looking at the gov.uk website. Again you can stay out of town (much cheaper) and use the mass transit.
If you don't have a car then rail is the best bet. I'd spend one night in Philadelphia, two nights in Washington DC and the rest in NYC. Or if you haven't been, a two night side trip to Niagara Falls might be good it you don't want to spend too many nights in NYC.
My daughter is at University in the USA so for the next 4 years I have to make sure that I don't visit anywhere on the restricted list - as I would also like to visit Cuba at some point and especially Somaliland (not Somalia)
NYC - loads to do, both free and to pay for. Stay somewhere where you can easily get on a subway or LIRR as we found these are the easiest way of getting into/out of and around the city. We did the Northern part of the city one day and the southern end the next day - and took in a Major League Basketball match and a Broadway show - the latter two not cheap. You also have Long Island that you can explore.
Philadelphia: The Rocky statue is 30 mins max. We were visiting a university, so that took up our time and can't comment about other stuff available. We did visit "the hood" by mistake though
Washington DC: There's a free tour of the Capitol that we did - must be pre-booked. There are also free tours of the Pentagon and the Whitehouse - but for the latter, non US citizens this needs to be organised through your embassy. The British Embassy couldn't be arsed to organise this when we were there - still can't looking at the gov.uk website. Again you can stay out of town (much cheaper) and use the mass transit.
If you don't have a car then rail is the best bet. I'd spend one night in Philadelphia, two nights in Washington DC and the rest in NYC. Or if you haven't been, a two night side trip to Niagara Falls might be good it you don't want to spend too many nights in NYC.
My daughter is at University in the USA so for the next 4 years I have to make sure that I don't visit anywhere on the restricted list - as I would also like to visit Cuba at some point and especially Somaliland (not Somalia)
RDMcG said:
Are there still flights from the US to Cuba?
Yes dailyIts been discussed online elsewhere...... But if you go to Cuba without going to or from USA beforehand how would they ever know?
In which case would it make life easier to go to Mexico or somewhere first - i.e USA > Mexico > Cuba > London
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