Chicago -> Cedar Point -> Niagara Falls

[MG]

Hey guys,

Me and a friend are planning a trip from Chicago to Niagara Falls with the intention of stopping off in a little town called Sandusky along the way. The only problem being our ages. We're both only 18, that means no car hire, so we're limited to taxis and public transportation. Also, we're students so we're trying to keep costs to a minimum

Any ideas on how to do this with public transport? So far we've found Amtrak and Greyhound. Amtrak is the fastest but the trains are at truly bizarre times of day. Greyhound takes significantly longer. The first journey shouldn't be too much of a problem, it's the second part from Sandusky to Niagara as both Amtrak and Greyhound have long transfer stops at Buffalo.

[robbalvey]

The first thing you should note is that USA does *NOT* have amazing public transportation like Europe. It's downright terrible. I would tell you to find someone who IS over 25 and do the trip with them in a rental car, or be prepared for your transportation methods to be horrible and expensive. You'll also need to allow extra time on your trip to deal with Amtrak and Greyhound delays and random changes in their schedule. Also allow extra time you'll need at the police station when you need to be a witness for a murder on a greyhound bus.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!

Edited September 7, 2010 by robbalvey

[SharkTums]

^LOL. I was pretty much going to write something similar to that.

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

Perhaps try to find a more sketchy car rental company that will rent to 18 year olds? There are some out there I know.

[MG]

Well thanks for the replies Robb and Elissa and we were both looking forward to the trip. That was until I was told today that I'm not allowed to fly for a few weeks due to an operation which has been carried out on my nose. So I am very upset. As this thread is no longer relevant feel free to lock it. As a note to others who may be wondering how I was going to pick up a flight at such late notice to Chicago for next week it's because I have a relative who works in the airline industry. Makes it very cheap and flexible to fly.

Even worse, I've been told no Roller Coasters full stop for three weeks!

Anyway, thank you for replying.

[ParkTrips]

I know the thread isn't needed any more, but for future reference, New York allows rentals under 21, and I think Michigan does too. Use a corporate code, and you don't need to pay the u-25 fee! The key is to fly into JFK or DTW

 

They won't let you rent anything above an economy car, but hey, a tin box runs better than amtrack

[robbalvey]

Even worse, I've been told no Roller Coasters full stop for three weeks!

Well, it could be worse. How do you think Elissa felt going 9 months without coasters (realistically, more like 10 or 11.)

[MG]

Lol true, and they were probably far more important for Elissa than they are for me now!

It's just annoying because this was going to be one of the few times I could get to Sandusky because I have a bigger break this year since I left school in June and I am going to University in October. To be fair I get lots of holiday next year, thinking of that I should maybe just investigate going on a TPR trip instead, save me all the hastle of organising it myself.

[Der Der Dongt]

We used the Alamo under age summer special for our last 3 USA trips.

This year one of us had to be 21 to get the car (a nice suv) and the other two times non of us had to be 21.

19 years of age was enough.