angela rose
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi everyone, I am booked on the Florida trip in November and would like to ask anyone who has been on this trip how much money they took, I really have no idea what to take as I have never been to the US before. I can't wait, am hoping and praying that it will go ahead despite the shutdown as I have been looking forward to it for 6 months. Thank you for reading this.x
Sussex Downs
(Member)
Hi Angel Rose and wherever go in the States you will love it. Been on two trips this year. Can certainly recommend the National Parks tour (if they are open!!) and San Francisco to Vancouver with Travelsphere (read my review). San Francisco is a must place to visit has it has everything.

As to money say $80 to $100 a day. A cooked English type breakfast about $15 which includes service charge and tip. Lunch will probably be a snack, say $5 to $10 and evening meal with a drink say $35. Then there’s an evening drink or two. Souvenirs are down to you.

Remember the price you see is not the price you pay. Add 8% sales tax is a norm (unless you are Oregon where there is none!) and a tip is about 15%.

I’m sure you will enjoy this tour as I am thinking of doing it next May. See Nixon review.

Regards

Malcolm

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Angela Rose,

I see on your Florida tour breakfast is included (it almost always is on JY hols) so I'd suggest around $50 a day, which should be fine for a light lunch and dinner. Budget for more if you have a hearty appetite or like to buy lots of souvenirs!

As Malcolm says, the sales tax is a pain as you don't know how much something will actually cost until it's rung up on the register but allow up to 10% on the advertised price.

Bring your visa debit card and/or credit cards with you and don't forget to tell your bank when you are going.

I'm sure the US govt shutdown will be sorted out over the next week or so and that it won't impact on your holiday at all.

Have a great time!

Bob

PS Don't forget to get your ESTA if you haven't asked JY to get it for you and get some TSA locks for your suitcase. The hotels might not have room safes and I put a second lock on my little rucksack (day bag) to keep things secure while I was at breakfast/dinner etc.

nixon
  • (Member)
(Member)
hello Angela



I went on the very 1st Florida Tour in May. I know the itinerary has changed for 2014 so not sure if you are doing the exact tour I did or in the new format.

We did not hit the shopping malls, just some very nice shops, I do not bring lots of stuff back so for me it really is just money for Food and drink etc lunch and tea time. I think I took £1000.00 but I came home with about £300. I think most of the hotel rooms had safes in the room or if not at reception I think there was only one hotel I didn't bother with as didn't have much money left by then..all hotels I think had ironing boards and irons and hair dryers. A couple had washing machine facility's.

Hope you have a great time..if I can help with anything else just ask.

Cindy

angela rose
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Thanks Malcolm, this is my first ever trip with JY and my first time to the USA so if I enjoy it I will be looking for more trips in the future. Regards Angela
'Sussex wrote:

Hi Angel Rose and wherever go in the States you will love it. Been on two trips this year. Can certainly recommend the National Parks tour (if they are open!!) and San Francisco to Vancouver with Travelsphere (read my review). San Francisco is a must place to visit has it has everything.

As to money say $80 to $100 a day. A cooked English type breakfast about $15 which includes service charge and tip. Lunch will probably be a snack, say $5 to $10 and evening meal with a drink say $35. Then there’s an evening drink or two. Souvenirs are down to you.

Remember the price you see is not the price you pay. Add 8% sales tax is a norm (unless you are Oregon where there is none!) and a tip is about 15%.

I’m sure you will enjoy this tour as I am thinking of doing it next May. See Nixon review.

Regards

Malcolm

angela rose
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Thanks Bob, JY are sorting out my ESTA, got my TSA locks, now have a better idea as to how much money to take, I don't tend to buy a lot of souvenirs so will just be money for meals mainly. Thanks for the good tips, people are very helpful on here, one of the reasons I found the courage to book it. All the best, Angela
'BGray' wrote:

Hi Angela Rose,

I see on your Florida tour breakfast is included (it almost always is on JY hols) so I'd suggest around $50 a day, which should be fine for a light lunch and dinner. Budget for more if you have a hearty appetite or like to buy lots of souvenirs!

As Malcolm says, the sales tax is a pain as you don't know how much something will actually cost until it's rung up on the register but allow up to 10% on the advertised price.

Bring your visa debit card and/or credit cards with you and don't forget to tell your bank when you are going.

I'm sure the US govt shutdown will be sorted out over the next week or so and that it won't impact on your holiday at all.

Have a great time!

Bob

PS Don't forget to get your ESTA if you haven't asked JY to get it for you and get some TSA locks for your suitcase. The hotels might not have room safes and I put a second lock on my little rucksack (day bag) to keep things secure while I was at breakfast/dinner etc.

angela rose
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Thanks Cindy, I was going to take about £400 in dollars but think I will take more as well as my cards. It's handy to know the hotels have hairdryers, I wont have to pack my own. I read your review on Florida, which was very useful. Thanks again, all the best Angela
'nixon' wrote:

hello Angela

I went on the very 1st Florida Tour in May. I know the itinerary has changed for 2014 so not sure if you are doing the exact tour I did or in the new format.

We did not hit the shopping malls, just some very nice shops, I do not bring lots of stuff back so for me it really is just money for Food and drink etc lunch and tea time. I think I took £1000.00 but I came home with about £300. I think most of the hotel rooms had safes in the room or if not at reception I think there was only one hotel I didn't bother with as didn't have much money left by then..all hotels I think had ironing boards and irons and hair dryers. A couple had washing machine facility's.

Hope you have a great time..if I can help with anything else just ask.

Cindy

Debbie Peters
(Member)
'angela wrote:

Hi everyone, I am booked on the Florida trip in November and would like to ask anyone who has been on this trip how much money they took, I really have no idea what to take as I have never been to the US before. I can't wait, am hoping and praying that it will go ahead despite the shutdown as I have been looking forward to it for 6 months. Thank you for reading this.x

Hi Angela ... I am going to Florida next month! I don't think the shutdown will affect us ... and it SHOULD all be resolved by then!! At least the dollar is moving in our favour because of the debacle! I am going to take £400, and my credit card. I do not shop on holiday (apart from the odd fridge magnet!) so I think the cash will be enough. I am travelling from Bristol ... leaving here at 04.45 eeekkk !!! ... How about you?

Debbie Peters
(Member)
Gosh ... $100 a day??! I took £500 when I went to California with JY last year and came back with money!!!
janib
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hello Angela,

I budgeted $100 a day when I was on a family holiday to Florida in April/May. This covered all food during the day and souvenirs. I had tickets for the main attractions in Orlando and baseball game at Tampa. Our only problem was Nasa in an horrendous rain storm and the building where they were going to put the shuttle Atlantis, it opened in June! Oh well, we are just having to go back again :P

The TSA lock is well worth it- I forgot and was missing a padlock when I returned and a note in my case to say it had been searched. Zips were left open a few inches-think it was all there.

Esta is easy to do and cost $14 online.

I rarely used my credit card and still came home with spare dollars and a lot of memories.

Jan.

angela rose
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi Debbie, I'm so pleased to hear from someone else going on this trip, It's my very first JY holiday and 1st time to the US so getting very excited now, also a little nervous but that's normal. I am staying in a little hotel the night before and getting a coach there so I don't have to worry about getting stuck in traffic in the morning or get up so early. Really looking forward to meeting you and our fellow travellers on the 14th, see you there. All the best Angela.
'Debbie wrote:

'angela wrote:

Hi everyone, I am booked on the Florida trip in November and would like to ask anyone who has been on this trip how much money they took, I really have no idea what to take as I have never been to the US before. I can't wait, am hoping and praying that it will go ahead despite the shutdown as I have been looking forward to it for 6 months. Thank you for reading this.x

Hi Angela ... I am going to Florida next month! I don't think the shutdown will affect us ... and it SHOULD all be resolved by then!! At least the dollar is moving in our favour because of the debacle! I am going to take £400, and my credit card. I do not shop on holiday (apart from the odd fridge magnet!) so I think the cash will be enough. I am travelling from Bristol ... leaving here at 04.45 eeekkk !!! ... How about you?

angela rose
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi Jan, thanks for your reply, I'm going to take £500 and my credit card, that will be enough for me. I hope you had a great time in Florida and you get to return to see the bits you missed. I heard about the rainstorms so am going to pack a rain mac, just like being at home hey! Not long now, only 3 weeks left at work......joy! Regards Angela.