[Closed] Getting to LA from Yorkshire - what is the best/least inconvenient way?

Train in to London, hop across to Heathrow Express at Paddington, then direct from LHR would be my tip.

Is Immigration as bad as it is sometimes portrayed in LA?

US Immigration Officers are a bunch of humourless so and sos....But, then again, they're only doing their job.

not done LAX but i was in the states last month working.
We flew into Philadelphia, it took about 30 minutes to get through security/immigration and get my carnet stamped up by customs. I thought we might be there days....!

might be worth looking at flying to a less popular airport and getting an internal flight from there.

Manchester-philly direct btw

Had to do a transfer at LA for Hawaii a few years ago... Immigration bloke no. 1 was a humourless sod and sent me to the back of the [long] queue for a typo and correction. The second chap was a lot better and actually wished me a pleasant stay. Then I got to Customs...

Apparently there was a problem with one of our passports. My ex-wife was Swiss, I had a clean UK passport, but there was a problem. We had two hours to get to the connecting flight, but had to leave the airport and check back in again to get to the connecting flight. Customs made sure that every minute of that time was taken up with going through our bags in minute detail. When I mentioned that we had to be getting on a flight very soon, it was 'hand on gun, "Just calm down sir"' time. It's ok mate, just my honeymoon you were mucking about with...

I hate LA.

I hate LA.

Basically my problems are two-fold - I want the least stressful flight option but I also want the easiest Immigration passage which is why

might be worth looking at flying to a less popular airport and getting an internal flight from there.

is an option I am considering - I had heard that Vegas has a much simpler Immigration clearance.

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4 hours? Not in my experience.

OK, so it's never exactly "fun", but usually clear US immigration within half an hour or so. Russia was way, way worse!

Quite a few work people have done small airport flights to the US, personally I'd always go down to Heathrow and leave from there rather than have to change flights, or have to use a small airline for a long haul flight - work colleagues used a Canadian budget airline to go to Vancouver from Manchester last year, and it sounded like a nightmare, 8 or so hours on the equivalent of Easyjet, without proper food, paying for drinks, cramped seats etc. Whatever you do, for the long haul bit of the flight, make sure it is on a big airline you've heard of.

Basically you have a choice of:
a)Hassle in the UK getting to Heathrow, then a single long flight.
b)Changing in Europe, meaning hassle in a foreign airport, plus two possible flight delays.
c)Changing in the US, again meaning hassle in a foreign airport when you are extremely jet lagged from a long flight, plus two possible flight delays.

Changing planes adds so much time that it is almost certainly worth getting train down / driving down to Heathrow time-wise. It also saves you from the depressing hell that is US airport departure lounges (I'm assuming you're not some fancy pants first class / frequent flier card type).

If you did do train down (with that selection of kids I'm guessing it wouldn't be easy!), you could do taxi from Kings Cross to Paddington and Heathrow Express. Or if you can brave the tube, Picadilly Line goes straight to Heathrow, is slightly slower, but cheaper and easier if you're going from Kings Cross.

I have an advantage in that I have a few relatives who live right near Heathrow - my preferred option is usually to stay over at someone's house the night before and then get a bus or taxi to Heathrow. I think splitting the journey that way makes the flight easier. I guess there are airport hotels if you don't have any friends down that way (possibly there might be good hotel & parking deals available if you look around).

Immigration at LA is a pain, in that you have to queue and be fingerprinted, but to be honest it is not that different from UK immigration - with a kid, the hard thing is the queueing, and you get that anywhere nowadays. They'll ask you stupid questions, but as long as you don't joke around with them, I've never had any hassle. Oh and make sure you fill in the landing card forms on the plane obviously.

Oooh the temptation you have to fight when some immigrations prick is giving you a hard time. 😡

You want to say something like "What? You think I want to come and live illegally in your shithole of a country like all those Mexicans that are having great lives here?" but instead, you have to be all yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir.

EDIT: Beware of spurious information from those who want to tell you all about their supposedly jet-set lifestyle.

IMO, transfers are a PITA and stressful, especially with kids. I'd rather risk the wait in LA than missing a connecting flight in Vegas/Chicago etc because there's a minor problem with the form you've filled out. At least if that happens in LA, you're already there.

I think you can fly direct to LA from Manchester - it's been a long time since I've done it, but I have flown with American Airlines twice direct MAN to LAX.

It is a long flight though and you may find breaking the journey up, say via NY, is a bit easier, although it will add three hours to your journey. I definitely wouldn't go via Schipol unless it was super cheap and you were really cost conscious.

I also wouldn't ever disuade you from long haul flights with kids (I've got a two year old also), but an 11 hour flight with 3.5 year old is going to be tough. The US airlines will be quite a bit cheaper, even flying direct, but they will also be quite a bit more basic. British Airways may be more expensive, but it might be worth the extra cost from the service and quality of plane perspective. For example, last time I flew a US airline, the video console didn't work the whole way there and they had run out of my preferred meal. It wasn't fun!

BTW the weather in LA in December will be lovely and you should definitely plan on going for a swim. I was in San Diego in January last year and it was shorts and t-shirt hot (although it was unsually warm even for S. California). Still, even at average temperatures it's warm enough to go in the sea. Oh and if you can take your bike then you really should. There is some amazing riding around there. I can hook you up with the guy that took me on a fabulous bike ride when I was there in Jan.

EDIT - Immigration in all the US airports I've been to (about a dozen or so) is the same. They are as everyone says desperately humourless but ultimately you're only talking to them for about five minutes.

If you've young children with you, and there's somebody decent controlling the queues they'll often prioritise you through immigration, or push you through in the US passport queue. Especially if you look harassed, smile wearily at the officers, and the kids are noisy/crying (a quick stomp on somebody's foot can do the trick). 😆

We visit quite regularly, and we normally got shunted through when the kids were younger.

I second Russia. Sherementaya airport in summer, however you spell it, 4hrs in a rugby scrum to get through customs and don't get me started on the time my bag went missing...!

If you fly via Dublin you can clear US immigration there, a much easier experience.

I'd do the Leeds-Schiphol-LA route

Phenergan for the kids, or adults.

Is December not going to be way out of season, so pretty quiet anyway? I know I've been in January and it was very very quick to get out (even last time I went which was June it was alright - only me, but I was out of the airport in under an hour).

I guess late December would mean Christmas which might make it busier.

Oh, and whilst I would book the flights now, because you've got kids and you'll want to know exactly what's going on / what the cost is, you might be able to get a better deal leaving it a little later, as flights often get cheaper closer to the date (and then get more expensive again, getting it right is the hard thing).

I'd drive to Heathrow, long stay carpark, and night flight to LA. Get an iPad or equivalent (with a headphone splitter and two sets of headphones* for sharing) - I'm sure someone on here will be along shortly to point out that video-drugging your kids is not educational, but (speaking from experience) an hour of Disney is a winner when you're stuck in a plane with a whiny kid 🙂

* Make sure they're over the ear/head type headphones, not in-ear.

I think any form of drugging for kids whether it be video/games/pharmaceutical is acceptable on an airplane, for the sanity of everybody on board, not just the parents. 🙂

LAX, in my experience, is hell (as is the city). I'd rather arrive anywhere else (SF, Vegas?) and make an adventure of it by taking a train or renting a car. Next time I visit the US (or my parents) I'm tempted by the Chicago-SF California Zephyr Amtrak across Rockies etc. 50 hours so probably not advisable with kids.

LAX, in my experience, is hell (as is the city).

There is a suggestion that we may fly to Whistler for a week skiing which would be more fun.

I think I need to start saving two years ago....

No chance of dumping your kids on someone else for the week? At that age they're not going to get much out of the experience, and you'd get a whole load more out of it without them...

Over 10 flights to US last year (including LAX) and the longest wait in security was an hour. It used to be a major pain (flying into Chicago a couple of years ago and getting into security just after a jumbo of chinese national - they gave them hell at the desks - 2.5hr wait).

It took me about half hour non of this 4 hours rubbish that was air france direct to LAX, don't go air france though it was not nice. I landed fairly late 11pm, bare in mind LA is MASSIVE it can take hours to drive across in rush hour, the public transport system is nothing like that of London, NY or Seoul.

LA has some nice coastal bits and some great bars if you know a local. I headed down to San Diego and Encinitas if you go via the Pacific highway you may get to see all the US airforce flying around in apache helicopters and fancy fighter jets, but do not like myself take a wrong turn into the airbase unless you want machine guns pointed at you!!

San Diego has the worlds biggest zoo and there are national parks within driving distance. I have heard you can snow board in the morning and surf in the afternoon.

There is a chap on here I think called repack or repackrider who is born and bread Cali and also was one of the earliest mountain bikers.

I did not head north of LA but I heard that is great.

No chance of dumping your kids on someone else for the week? At that age they're not going to get much out of the experience, and you'd get a whole load more out of it without them...

Plus the only people that could look after them (my mother/father in law or brother/sister in law) are going out there anyway.

If there's any way you can make more of a road trip of it, rather than an in/out of LAX, I'd recommend it. The West Coast is a fantastic place - redwoods, beaches - even in winter. Skiing's not a bad idea but there's plenty of great stuff closer to LA than Whistler (and prob cheaper).

bare in mind LA is MASSIVE

Anyone saying drive to Heathrow from Harrogate, then take a 12 hour flight never had young kids or sent them ahead by DHL.

Skiing's not a bad idea but there's plenty of great stuff closer to LA than Whistler (and prob cheaper).

Plus there is no snow there this year!!!! My brother in law has just got back and there was just blown snow :-0

There is a chap on here I think called repack or repackrider who is born and bread Cali and also was one of the earliest mountain bikers.

LOL er, yes, it's Charlie Kelly!

Skiing - What about Tahoe? Am hoping to be in SF in Feb, and planning to see if I can hook on a weekend's skiing up there on to the trip.

Fly direct to destination from nearest airport, end of.

And holiday starts the night before, so get someone else to drive to the airport (and back).

Skiing - What about Tahoe?

For skiiing, Big Bear is only an hours drive from LAX

Yeah it is another at 7k ft though (we had considered Mammoth) - too high for some of our group. 🙁

Just looked - Tahoe resort is 6,200ft too.

(Whistler is 2,200ft at the resort)

Whatever you do, don't go with these guys:

🙂 Love that - the only funny sketch they ever did.

I passed through LAX three times in December. First occasion being my first US port of entry coming from outside the US, then the other two being internal flights.

I also passed through SFO, SAN, DFW and LAS in the same month.

They're airports - busy, slightly stressful and full of people whose job it is to keep the place safe and to stop muppets from holding queues up by trying to pass through body scanner with a WWF wrestling belt on which they somehow forget to remove. It's never going to be pleasant, but LAX is pretty much the same as everywhere else.

Vancouver is one of my favourite airports, and also happens to be the one that always takes me the longest to pass through. DFW is a ****ing nightmare if you have a short connection. I've spent many a night at the Hyatt Regency thanks to missing connections there.

You can actually have a bit of a laugh with the immigration guys, they're not KGB, just answer the very simple questions and smile. One told me my nose looked straighter on my passport photo than in real life, I told him that I'd send him the details of the booth I used and it might be able to do something about his hair 🙂

I normally find that travelling in slacks and a blazer, and storming to the front of the queue, before saying in my best terry thomas voice

[i]I say my good man... see here, in my passport, it clearly states that Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State Requests and requires [b]in the Name of Her Majesty[/b] that all those whom it may concern allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance... without let or hindrance, do you hear? now, you rapscallion, make way [/i]

Works every time 8)

Unless cost is an overriding factor then do the flying part in one go without connections if possible. Breaking your journey, rushing between flights, or getting stuck in the wrong place when something's cancelled or you miss a connection is no fun on your own (if, sometimes, a natural consequence of flying...); doing it with family/children in tow would be a nightmare.

Cost is a factor but not the only one - I can't afford to be spending thousands per person but would rather pay hundreds more for the best/right ones.

Since it looks like you can't fly direct from a North-East / Manchester airport to LAX, you need to decide what you think the kids will deal with the best: a 3-5hr car or train journey to Heathrow (including the retun leg when jet-lagged) or connection through either a UK (LHR), European or US airport. I would note that at least connecting within the UK or Europe you don't have to go through immigration, whereas you do in the US (and because of this the airlines have no control over your connection). Whereas, for example BA or KLM are more likely to hold a plane for you when connecting through LHR or Schiphol because they know you are in the airport and getting through security (your boarding passes are scanned at each stage).

Also note that not all airlines are selling tickets for December yet and many have sales towards Easter, though it's up to you if you want to chance it. I use skyscanner and kayak to determine routes, cheap(er) dates of travel etc and then use sites like Expedia / Opodo to see if you can get discounted travel & hotel. For a big group of you, might also be worth looking at renting a home (e.g. vrbo) but might be very expensive especially if you are travelling around Thanksgiving. I would also recommend BA over carriers such as Delta / AA but thats just my opinion and your finances / ease of travel might be more appropriate considerations!

Good luck!

Also note that not all airlines are selling tickets for December yet

I'd recommend against driving to Heathrow if you can get a single booking with connections from Manchester or LBA unless you're prepared to go the night before as the drive itself has the potential to be very stressful with the need to build loads of contingency time in. The idea of taking the train and using the tube or transferring to Paddington/Heathrow Express is ludicrous on the basis that the shuttle from Manchester or LBA (or out to Schiphol) puts you in the airport where you need to be and not in the middle of a crowded city. Of course on a single ticket, if you miss the connection through delay it's the airline's responsibility. Try telling that to East Coast Trains.

It's a tough call as to whether a short + very long flight (i.e. LBA > AMS > LAX) or two medium/long flights are best (e.g. MAN > Chicago / New York / Washington > LAX) - it depends on the age and capability of the kids. I believe if you do enter the US elsewhere other than LAX then you won't be going through LAX immigration which as others have said can be a nightmare. I've personally never had any bother at Newark (but never as a transit passenger) and I've been through 5-6 times. Kayak.co.uk is your friend for assessing the costs and options.

Done transatlantic with small kids loads of times. I'd go for a non-stop every time, even if that means heading south to LHR or Gatwick. Most outbound flights are mornings, so that means an early check in. We usually book a single night hotel with fortnight carpark deal and head for the airport the night before. An on-airport hotel is a huge bonus as you can get up, dress, then go check in, then head back to the airport for breakfast, (swim?) and chill in your room rather than hanging round the departures lounge for hours. I think for LGW and LHR the Sofitel is the only hotel close enough, for MAN, the SAS is linked to the terminals. For long trips, Nintendo DS are your friends, together with books and puzzles. The rest is normal kids stuff. We've usually had no problem taking our own booster seats for the hire car to US, we just take a big holdall empty and shove them in at the airport, then check them in. US immigration is pot lock, just remember to not try to rush it,and have the kids go to the loo before joining the queue. Minivan with DVD player very handy in US. Have fun.

Many thanks for all the help - especially the last two replies that are full of really useful info 🙂

Google maps says get to China them swim 😉

My personal worst queue is about 90 minutes at LAX immigration - that was after they'd held our plane on the tarmac for over an hour before letting it get to the gate. Queue started well before we reached the "hall".

desks were staffed at about 50%, as they always seem to be

(best ever time (of about ten) through there would be maybe 30 minutes in the queue)

I hate LAX but it's pretty much the only US airport I've been to

Oh yeah, one other reason not to transfer in the USA, is that most internal flights, even if they are called BA or Virgin or whoever, are 'code shares' with various US airlines. I've had things like 7 hour coast to coast flights without food (or having to pay $10 for a sandwich), typically no entertainment system (a shared film if you're lucky), and almost always no alcohol.

connecting within the UK or Europe you don't have to go through immigration, whereas you do in the US (and because of this the airlines have no control over your connection).

Does that mean you get luggage booked through - that makes a massive difference to how much difference a connection makes - connecting in the US for me meant getting luggage out from the plane, security checking it, checking the luggage back in which was a right pain, whereas when I did NZ and Australian connecting flights my luggage just magically followed me without any intervention.

Better half been twice (family matters etc) to the states with the kids 2&4 in the last year - by herself. No probs. clearing customs - but then they all have yanky passports! Heathrow or Schipol is much of a muchness. But Schipol is a great deal less stressful than Heathrow.

connecting in the US for me meant getting luggage out from the plane, security checking it, checking the luggage back in which was a right pain

Good points on US transfers - I'm pretty sure you'll need to pass through immigrations, collect any checked baggage, pass through customs, recheck any checked baggage and then proceed to your terminal, going through security again before making your way to the new gate. I had to do this once when going to Auckland via LA, I wasn't even stopping in the US and the AirNZ planes were at adjacent gates - barmy.

So the best bet is probably Manchester > Heathrow > LA or Leeds > Schiphol > LA dependant on price etc or drive down to Heathrow the night before. Pretty much all flights to the US are daytime making a long day, and the returns are overnight which with a 12 hour flight gives plenty of time for the drugs to kick in.

Also got family south of LA so often visit with the wife and kids. Usually always fly direct but one Xmas we thought we spend a few days in Vegas on the way out, big mistake as an absolute shite hole imho and never again but the internal flight on to LAX was bloody awful.
Wouldn't even consider doing a non-direct flight no matter how much cheaper it may cost and immigration at LAX last time we went was a frigging nightmare.

US Internal flight changes can cause almsot as long security queues as international flights. They are getting better but they have been infrastructure for internal security provisions, with few Xray machines etc. I'd go for the transfer here in Europe and direct flight to LAX. Heathrow or Schipol are much nicer places to spend time than US airports.

Also I'd agree about US internal flights - think long haul Ryanair!

Well my wife has been on to Trailfinders and they have been very helpful. At the moment flying Air New Zealand from Heathrow is looking the best option - apparently they have a reading corner on their flights for kids where the cabin crew read them stories. And for a small upgrade fee you can get seats that fold out into one big bed.