California

Getting there & away

Travel documents

Tickets

Everybody loves a bargain and timing is key when it comes to snapping up cheap airfares. You can generally save a bundle by booking early, traveling midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) or flying in the late evening or early morning. Some airlines offer lower fares if you stay over a Saturday.

Your best friend in ferreting out deals is the Internet. Start by checking fares at online travel agencies such as Expedia, Opodo or Zuji, then run the same flight request through metasearch engines such as SideStep (www.sidestep.com), Kayak (www.kayak.com), Mobissimo (www.mobissimo.com), Qixo (www.qixo.com) or Farechase (www.farechase.com). These so-called aggregators find the lowest fares by combing the websites of major airlines, online consolidators, online travel agencies and low-cost carriers.

Another interesting site is ITA Software (www.itasoftware.com), a search matrix that finds the cheapest fare on a particular day or within a 30-day period, sorts results by price and alerts you to potential downsides such as long layovers, tight connections or overnight travel.

If you’re flexible, you might be able to save a bundle through Priceline (www.priceline.com) and Hotwire (www.hotwire.com), where you set your own price and see if any airline bites. The downside is that the airline and departure times won’t be revealed until after you’ve bought the ticket.

Many airlines now guarantee that you’ll find the lowest fare on their own websites, so it may pay to check these out as well, especially to see if any promotional fares are available. One way to learn about late-breaking bargain fares is by signing on to free weekly email newsletters put out by the airlines. Even the old-fashioned newspaper can yield deals, especially in times of fare wars. And don’t forget about travel agents, who can be especially helpful when planning extensive trips or complicated routes.

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Land

Border crossings

San Ysidro on the US-Mexican border between San Diego and Tijuana is the world’s busiest border crossing. Travel into Mexico is usually not a problem but coming back into the USA almost always entails a long wait, especially if you’re driving. The US Department of Homeland Security maintains a very useful website at apps.cbp.gov/bwt showing the current border wait times. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, be sure to bring all of the necessary documents.

Bus

There are lots Mexican bus companies - including Autobuses ABC, Elite and Estrellas del Pacifico - with services to Tijuana or Mexicali, from where you can catch a Greyhound bus for onward travel to points within California. Within Canada, Greyhound Canada operates the largest bus route network. It’s affiliated with US-based Greyhound and you usually have to transfer to one of their buses at the border.

Car & motorcycle

If you’re driving into the USA from Canada or Mexico, bring your vehicle’s registration papers, liability insurance and driver’s license. Some car rental agencies allow their vehicles to be taken into Mexico for a hefty insurance surcharge (about $25 per day).

Train

Amtrak operates one daily service from Vancouver, Canada, to Seattle where you can catch the Coast Starlight to numerous destinations in the Golden State. There is no train service operating between California and Mexico.

Bus

Greyhound (800-231-2222; www.greyhound.com) has reduced its routes considerably but is the king of the bus world in the USA. Its nationwide route system serves about 2000 destinations, including dozens in California. See the following table for sample fares.

Route - Adult - Duration - Frequency Fare

Albuquerque- $72 - 12½-15½hr - 3 daily, change in Las Vegas, Flagstaff

Phoenix-LA - $39 - 6½-10hr - up to 8 buses daily

Portland- $59 - 13hr - up to 6 direct Sacramento, buses daily

Salt Lake City- $80 - 16hr - 3 direct buses daily San Francisco

Car & motorcycle

The main freeways connecting California with the rest of the country are the I-10 from points east such as Albuquerque and Phoenix, the I-15 from Las Vegas, the I-80 from Salt Lake City and the I-5 from Portland and Seattle. The quality of the roads is universally excellent.

Train

Amtrak (800-872-7245; www.amtrak.com) operates a fairly extensive rail system throughout the USA. The trains are comfortable, if a bit slow, and are equipped with dining and lounge cars on long-distance routes. California is served by four interstate Amtrak trains:

California Zephyr Daily service between Chicago and Emeryville, near San Francisco, via Omaha, Denver and Salt Lake City.

Coast Starlight Travels along the West Coast daily from Seattle to LA (from $126, 35 hours) via Portland, Sacramento and Oakland.

Southwest Chief Daily departures between Chicago and LA (from $191, 43 hours) via Kansas City, Albuquerque and Flagstaff.

Sunset Limited Thrice-weekly service between Orlando and LA (from $128, 68 hours) via Tucson, El Paso and New Orleans.

If California is part of a wider US itinerary, Amtrak’s North America Pass may be a ticket to savings. Overseas travelers may also want to look into the various USA Rail Pass options. Call, check the website or consult a travel agent to determine which one best suits your needs.

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Air

In the post-9/11 world, increased security measures at airports have become commonplace. Typical procedures now include having checked luggage subjected to high-level x-rays, taking off your shoes and turning on your laptop computer to show that it’s real. The government’s Transport Security Administration (TSA; www.tsa.gov/public) is constantly refining the list of what may and may not be taken on board. At the time of research, you’re free to lug tweezers, nail files and plastic knives in your carry-on luggage, but please stash your saber and ice axe in your checked suitcase.

Due to the rise of theft from baggage by airport employees, TSA has approved specific locks, which can be safely opened and locked again by screeners using special tools. For all the latest rules and requirements, consult the TSA’s website.

Airports & airlines

If you’re traveling to California from overseas, you’ll most likely first land on US soil at Los Angeles International Airport (code LAX; 310-646-5252; www.lawa.org), one of the world’s busiest, or at San Francisco International Airport (code SFO; 650-821-8211; www.flysfo.com). Both airports also handle domestic arrivals, although in some instances flying into one of the following regional airports may be cheaper and more convenient to your final destination.

Arcata/Eureka Airport (code ACV; 707-839-5401; www.co.humboldt.ca.us/aviation)

Bob Hope Airport (code BUR; 818-840-8840, 800-835-9287; www.burbankairport.com) In Burbank, Los Angeles County.

John Wayne Airport (code SNA; 949-252-5200; www.ocair.com) In Santa Ana, Orange County.

Long Beach Airport (code LGB; 562-570-2600; www.longbeach.gov/airport) In southern LA County.

McCarran International (code LAS; 702-261-5211; www.mccarran.com) In Las Vegas.

Monterey Peninsula Airport (code MRY; 831-648-7000; www.montereyairport.com)

Oakland International (code OAK; 510-563-3300; www.flyoakland.com) Near San Francisco.

Ontario International Airport (code ONT; 909-937-2700, 866-456-3900; www.lawa.org/ont) In Riverside County, east of LA.

Palm Springs International Airport (code PSP; 760-318-3800; www.palmspringsairport.com)

Redding (code RDD; 530-224-4321; www.ci.redding.ca.us/airports/rma/rma.htm)

Reno-Tahoe International (code RNO; 775-328-6870; www.renoairport.com)

Sacramento International Airport (code SMF; 916-929-5411; www.sacairports.org/int)

San Diego International Airport (code SAN; 619-231-2100; www.san.org)

San Jose International (code SJC; 408-277-4759; www.sjc.org)

San Luis Obispo County Airport (code SBP; 805-541-1038; www.sloairport.com)

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (code SBA; 805-967-7111; www.flysba.com)

US Airlines

AirTran (code FL; 800-247-8726; www.airtran.com; hub Atlanta)

Alaska Air/Horizon Air (codes AS & QX; 800-426-0333; www.alaskaair.com; hub Seattle)

America West (code HP; 800-235-9292; www.americawest.com; hub Phoenix)

American Airlines (code AA; 800-433-7300; www.aa.com; hub Dallas-Fort Worth)

Continental (code CO; 800-525-0280; www.continental.com; hub Houston)

Delta (code DL; 800-221-1212; www.delta.com; hub Atlanta)

Frontier Air (code F9; 800-432-1359; www.frontierairlines.com; hub Denver)

Jet Blue (code B6; 800-538-2583; www.jetblue.com; hub JFK, New York)

Midwest Airlines (code YX; 800-452-2022; www.midwestairlines.com; hub Milwaukee)

Northwest Airlines (code NW; 800-225-2525; www.nwa.com; hub Minneapolis-St Paul)

Southwest (code WN; 800-435-9792; www.southwest.com; hub Love Field, Dallas)

United Airlines (code UA; 800-241-6522, 800-538-2929; www.united.com; hub Chicago O’Hare)

US Airways (code US; 800-428-4322; www.usairways.com; hubs Charlotte, Philadelphia)

International airlines

Aer Lingus (code EI; 800-474 -7424; www.aerlingus.com; hub Dublin)

Aeromexico (code AM; 800-237-6639; www.aeromexico.com; hub Mexico City)

Air Canada (code AC; 888-247-2262; www.aircanada.com; hub Pearson, Toronto)

Air France (code AF; 800-237-2747; www.airfrance.com; hub Charles de Gaulle, Paris)

Air New Zealand (code NZ; 800-262-1234; www.airnewzealand.com; hub Auckland)

Alitalia (code AZ; 800-223-5730; www.alitalia.com; hubs Fiumicino, Rome; Malpensa, Milan)

ANA (code NH; 800-235-9262; www.fly-ana.com; hub Narita, Tokyo)

Asiana (code OZ; 800-227-4262; www.flyasiana.com; hub Incheon, Seoul)

ATA (code TZ; 800-435-9282; www.ata.com; hub Midway, Chicago)

British Airways (code BA; 800-247-9297; www.britishairways.com; hub Heathrow, London)

Cathay Pacific (code CX; 800-228-4297; www.cathaypacific.com; hub Hong Kong)

EVA Air (code BR; 800-695-1188; www.evaair.com; hub Chiang Kai-Shek, Taipei)

Iberia (code IB; 800-772-4642; www.iberia.com; hub Barajas, Madrid)

Japan Airlines (code JL; 800-525-3663; www.japanair.com; hub Narita, Tokyo)

KLM (code KL; 800-374-7747; www.klm.com; hub Schiphol, Amsterdam)

Lufthansa (code LH; 800-645-3880; www.lufthansa.com; hub Frankfurt)

Mexicana (code MX; 800-531-7921; www.mexicana.com; hub Mexico City)

Philippine Airlines (code PR; 800-435-9725; www.philippineair.com; hub Manila)

Qantas (code QF; 800-227-4500; www.qantas.com; hub Sydney)

Singapore Airlines (code SQ; 800-742-3333; www.singaporeair.com; hub Changi, Singapore)

Virgin Atlantic (code VS; 800-862-8621; www.virgin-atlantic.com; hubs Heathrow, London; Gatwick, London)

WestJet (code WS; 888-937-8538; www.westjet.com; hub Calgary)

Asia

Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok and Hong Kong are among the Asian cities that have good flight connections to Los Angeles (LA) and San Francisco (SF). Many flights go via Honolulu, but stopovers usually cost extra. Compare prices from the following agencies:

Asia Travel Mart (www.asiatravelmart.com)

Bezurk (www.bezurk.com)

Farenet (www.fare.net)

STA Travel Bangkok (02-236-0262; www.statravel.co.th); Hong Kong (2736-1618; www.statravel.com.hk); Singapore (6737-7188; www.statravel.com.sg); Tokyo (03-5391-2922; www.statravel.co.jp)

Zuji (www.zuji.com)

Australia & New Zealand

The dominant carriers from down under are Air New Zealand and Qantas, but United Airlines, US Airways and American Airlines also fly across the Pacific Ocean. Flights to San Francisco from New Zealand often go via Japan. Canvass the following agents for fares:

Flight Centre Australia (133-133; www.flightcentre.com.au); NZ (0800-243-544; www.flightcentre.co.nz)

STA Travel Australia (1300-733-035; www.statravel.com.au); NZ (0508-782-872; www.statravel.co.nz)

Travel.com Australia (1300-130-482; www.travel.com.au); NZ (0800-468-332; www.travel.co.nz)

Zuji (www.zuji.com)

Continental Europe

Many airlines, including Air France, Alitalia, Delta, Lufthansa, Iberia, United and US Airways have direct flights to LA and San Francisco from major European cities. Many other international and US airlines fly to a gateway city (usually Chicago or Miami), from where you can continue on domestic flights.

France

Anyway (0892-302-301; www.anyway.fr)

Easyvols (0899-700-207; www.easyvols.fr)

Lastminute (0899-78-5000; www.fr.lastminute.com)

Nouvelles Frontières (0825-000-747; www.nouvelles-frontieres.fr)

Opodo (www.opodo.fr)

OTU Voyages (www.otu.fr) Specializes in student and youth travelers.

Germany

Expedia (www.expedia.de)

Just Travel (089-747-3330; www.justtravel.de) English-language agency.

Lastminute (01805-777-257; www.de.lastminute.com)

Opodo (www.opodo.de)

STA Travel (069-7430-3292; www.statravel.de)

Italy

E-Viaggi (www.eviaggi.com)

CTS Viaggi (www.cts.it) Student and youth specialists.

Netherlands

Airfair (020-620-5121; www.airfair.nl)

Spain

Barcelo Viajes (902-116-226; www.barceloviajes.com)

Mexico

Aeromexico and Mexicana are among the airlines with frequent flights to Los Angeles from most major Mexican cities. Aeromexico has flights to Ontario and San Diego as well. San Francisco is primarily served by United Airlines and Mexicana. Also look into flights to Tijuana, just across the border from San Diego, which may actually be cheaper.

UK & Ireland

One of the busiest and most competitive air sectors in the world is between the UK and the USA. American Airlines, British Airways, Continental, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic all operate direct flights from London to Los Angeles. All but American also fly nonstop to San Francisco. Aer Lingus and American Airlines fly nonstop from Dublin to LA, although you’ll find more choices and probably cheaper fares by going via London.

Besides the travel agencies listed here, also look for special deals in the travel pages of the weekend broadsheet newspapers or in Time Out, the Evening Standard and the free magazine TNT.

Ebookers (www.ebookers.com)

Flight Centre (0870-499-0040; www.flightcentre.co.uk)

Last Minute (www.lastminute.com)

Opodo (www.opodo.co.uk)

Quest Travel (0870-442-3542; www.questtravel.com)

STA Travel (0870-1-600-599; www.statravel.co.uk)

Trailfinders (0845-058-5858; www.trailfinders.co.uk)

Travel Bag (0800-082-5000; www.travelbag.co.uk)

Elsewhere in the USA

Domestic airfares fluctuate hugely depending on the season, day of the week, length of stay and flexibility of the tickets for changes and refunds. Still, nothing determines fares more than demand, and when business is slow, airlines lower fares to fill seats. Discount carriers such as AirTran, America West, Frontier Air, Jet Blue and Southwest have been giving the big guys, including United Airlines, American Airlines and US Airways, a run for their money. Recommended online agencies:

Cheap Air(www.cheapair.com)

Cheap Tickets (www.cheaptickets.com)

Expedia (www.expedia.com)

Lowest Fare (www.lowestfare.com)

Orbitz (www.orbitz.com)

STA Travel (www.sta.com)

Student Universe (www.studentuniverse.com)

Travelocity (www.travelocity.com)

Travelzoo (www.travelzoo.com)

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