Making plans for the USA! (part 9!)
It's yet again time for your favourite blog - reading about a random Dane planning a trip to the United States of America. This episode is all about what happens the first few hours after I land in Washington DC.The original plan was to be picked up by my friend, but work has gotten in the way of that, so I have been to Google Maps to see, how I can get to her place by myself, without having to deal with cabs. I found the PERFECT route, and since I am from a country where public transportation and metro is a huge thing, I will find it incredibly easy!
The route I have found takes me from Dulles to East Falls Church and then the bus further on to my destination. And yes, before you ask: I WILL be that annoying tourist with a itinerary on a piece of paper, with a confused look on my face.
So my day of traveling looks like this: Airport at 1 am at the latest. Flight to Frankfurt, Germany at 6:35 am. Layover for about 2 and a half hours. Boarding my flight to Washington at 10 am, flight departs at 10:30 am. 9 hours later: Touchdown in the USA! My first test awaits me: Clearing US customs.
From what I can gather online, and through friends and family, they ask a few questions: Where I am flying in from, what I do for a living and the famous "business or pleasure?". Note to self: Don't say Copenhagen when asked where I am flying in from. Frankfurt, is the correct answer.
Once I clear customs, I have to find my suitcase and then I am ready to start my holiday! I still need to figure out where the Silver metro train is located, but according to Google Maps, it's a short, 11 minute walk away. Next, I need to get one of those SmarTrip cards. I saw a video on YouTube where it clearly tells me where I can buy such a card. I just don't know how much to put on, since I have no idea how much I need. I might just put $20 on it, just to be safe. I don't want to run out of money.
So to sum up: I am in the air for a combined 10.5 hours, if everything is on time. The journey from the airport to where I am staying is another 1.5 hours, so that's 12 hours. Finally, there's the customs line, which can take about an hour. We're now up to 13 hours. Then I have to include the wait time at both Copenhagen and Frankfurt airports. 1 am to 6:35 am is 5 hours and 35 minutes, and the wait time in Frankfurt is 2 hours and 35 minutes, for a combined wait time of 8 hours and 10 minutes.
Add that to my flight and wait time at Dulles, and we're up to 20 hours and 10 minutes - almost a full DAY of traveling. When I arrive at my destination, I am SO going to sit down and relax!
Comments (7)
How about telling us about the airline you're flying with and the in-flight menu. Obviously, a gentleman of your status is flying 1st Class. We peasants need to know.
Staying with "your friend" huh?
How about telling us about the airline you're flying with and the in-flight menu. Obviously, a gentleman of your status is flying 1st Class. We peasants need to know.
Staying with "your friend" huh? Good luck with that too if you "met" her on here.
I am flying with Lufthansa in economy. At the moment, my finances doesn't allow me to buy a business class ticket, because that is VERY expensive. Even upgrading to business class is 18.554 kroner, which in US dollar is $2717.
I simply do not have that kind of money available. I bet 1st class would be even more expensive, but the plane I am flying with doesn't have 1st class available
I COULD ask at the airport if any upgrades are available.
DC's subway is not a 24 hour service so make sure it is running during the hours your plane lands and Customs begin. Try to time things so you are in daylight. Some of the areas around bus stops can be dangerous. If you have lots of money, just board a taxi at the airport. Somewhere in Falls Church should be less than $50 from Dulles.