unforum

[thebruce]

So, is possible at all to determine some relatively accepted form of transport from Portland to San Diego? I'm attempting to work on officializing transit and required costs...

Are we looking to car pooling? Train? Cheap flights? Is it everyone for themselves? Attempting to travel as a group?
I have no idea what the best options are

Others are discussing a carpool trip TO Argfest from Cali, but we've no discussion about the bunch of us hoping to get to San Diego after =)

[Pixiestix]

i've been thinking the same thing.

from what i've seen, it is only $200ish for a flight from portland to san diego - i would prefer flying over driving, mostly because i have driving issues {i would by far not be able to take a turn}... not to mention, if we are all in for a week long trip over all, lotsa luggage!

I am booking my flights from nj to portland, and san diego to nj, i'd love to be able to book my flight porland to S.D - but if anyone else is flying, i'd like to know we are flying same day.

ALSO, i would REALLY love if the travel day for us could be monday, i was very sad to have missed the dinner sunday night last year - sunday as a full day would be much better - then sleep and travel. woot woot.

just my thoughts...

ETA: also, hotel rooms, right now it doesn't look like there are a lot of us going, but the comiccon website has the hotel rooms going on sale on the 19th - i was going to just go ahead and book one myself, but suddenly worried that i'd be staying at a different hotel than everyone else. I am hoping that we all planned on staying together, but i know those rooms book up fast so... what are other's thoughts on this?

[PostLarval]

Having made the trip between both cities multiple times, multiple ways, here's my 2¢-

Fly. The drive down the 5 isn't all that scenic, and at 18 hours you'll be wasting a whole day. Southwest Airlines offers inexpensive direct flights- right now you can get one for about $140 incl. fees/taxes (I've gotten one for as low as $70 before).

Leave on Monday, check-in Monday night, and have Tuesday free to see a little bit of San Diego. And to rest, because the next few days will be insane.

Get a 4 day pass for Con and you'll be able to pick up your badge Wednesday afternoon, as well as attend Preview Night. When you see the lines of people wrapped out and around the building on Thursday, you'll be glad you did.

And get those 4 day passes SOON, if you haven't already. They're not far from selling out.

[RobMagus]

I'm going to check how much train from portland to san diego would cost and compare that to the cheapest flight I can find.

Will edit this post with info.

EDIT 1:

The Amtrak from Portland to San Diego costs $134
per person, and the route is thus: Portland to LA, leaving at 2:25 pm and arriving at 9 pm THE NEXT DAY - that's a 30 hour train ride! Then you wait at LA Union Station for an hour and catch the train to San Diego at 10:10 pm, arriving in SD at 12:50 am.

This is the route taken on July 20th or 21st.

Airline info coming as I find it.

EDIT 2:

For the EXACT SAME PRICE - $134 - you can catch a one-way non-stop 4 hour flight on United from Portland to San Diego. On other airlines you pay a few bucks more. Tack on another 50 bucks for fees, and it's still worth it to get rid of 30 hours of travel time.

Take the plane, friends! Take the plane.

- Rob

[thebruce]

Shorter travel time time potentially means another hotel day cost, though


Unless there's anyone/anypeople in the area who might be willing to put up a few travelers for a night or two between 'fest and 'con...?

[Pixiestix]

[PostLarval]

I can't promise any sleeping accommodations, since out of town friends are already laying claim, but I could probably shuttle a few folks back and forth to the airport. Would save taxi costs =) I'm literally 3-4 miles from both the airport and the convention center. I drive a two door shoebox though, so a big group might be difficult. Especially if you've got tons of luggage... but I'm open to working something out.

Speaking of luggage- another reason I recommend flying Southwest. They charge almost no extra fees. First 2 checked bags are free, no fuel surcharge, no curbside check-in fee, no window/aisle seat fee... you'd actually be paying about $140-$150 for a 4 hour nonstop flight.

Since I live here I've never had to stay in a hotel, so I don't have much advice to offer. Other than, if you can, get one downtown. Which may be easiest through Comic-Con booking, as they're allotted a certain amount. You have to be quick though, as they'll sell out a few hours after booking begins (March 19th).

And speaking of selling out... 4 day passes are GONE. Plenty of individual day passes left though, for all 4 days.

[thebruce]

Ok, well here's my tentative schedule at the moment (and I'm with Pixie on possibly staying in OR for Sunday night and flying out Monday)

Thu July 16th, arrival @ Portland (haven't decided yet whether to fly from Toronto or Buffalo =P), with 4 night hotel accom.

Mon July 20th, fly from Portland to SD, giving Mon/Tue overnight before ComicCon.

Wed July 22nd, checkin, preview day for CC. Wed-Sat (4 day) hotel accom.

Sun July 26th, fly out of SD to Toronto/Buffalo. (or is it better to fly out Monday and use Sunday to its fullest?)


So for hotel:
*ARGFest's a given.
*Mon/Tue in San Diego - either sticking with others and their hotel plans, or booked with the whole ComicCon package, or possibly at someone's house =/
*Wed-Sat - either part of the CC package, or sticking with others and their hotel plans.

Prepping for costs, that's 3 flights, and up to 10 hotel nights (4 ARGfest, 2 between, 4 ComicCon)


Suggestions for ComicCon accomodations? Book through the CC site (on the 19th), or book separately? Are we booking together, or every man for himself? I'd prefer to split a room and save on cost, given all the above...

[Pixiestix]

I'm going to book my flights tomorrow, which includes my monday flight to SD from portland {as i was looking at prices and saw booking all three flights together is cheaper than seperatly}. I'll post the info on here, so maybe you guys can book the same flight if you intend on flying.

Basically, i decided i'd be a huge PITA if i was on a 10+ hour train or car ride, and none of you need to deal with that! but a 2 1/2 hour plane ride, that's no big deal.

ETA:
Alaska Airlines 576 Economy | 2hr 27min | 920 miles
Depart: 10:15am Portland, OR Portland International (PDX)
Arrive: 12:42pm San Diego, CA San Diego Lindberg Fld S.Diego (SAN)
Seat: 23F |

[Varin]

I just saw a report on ABC News that claims airfare prices are going down and may decrease further over the next two weeks. They didn't really give a source for their info, so take it or leave it.

[Pixiestix]

FWIW

http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_hotel.shtml#list

[Pixiestix]

Okie dokie, Booked a room from the 20th - 27th @ the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Mission. This room is females only. Right now Celina & I will be in this one, but will be willing to have others stay {within reason}.

The cost is $174 per night before taxes, split into however many people are in the room that night {like, if you only stary three nights, you only pay for your share of those three nights}.

PM ME if you need to stay with us.

I know that thebruce booked a room at this hotel as well for males, i don't know if his room is all booked up yet though {you'd have to talk to him directly}

[thebruce]

Yep, wiki updated.

Comic-Con hotel same as pix above - triple room, Monday night (20th) through Sunday (6 nights), $184/night. So far housing me and AgentLex - definitely more are welcome (and encouraged! $1104 total for 6 nights )


We've also booked the Southwest flight from Portland to SD on Mon 20th. The $99 fare is the 6:05pm flight #3596, arriving in SD at 9:40pm.

[Agent Lex]

The flight information is all on the wiki page as well

[Pixiestix]

okay so, i've been informed that i am now roommateless for comic-con.... SO i have one spare bed, looking for at least 1 roomie....

No minors {just an issue i can't deal with, sorry!}
Male or females accepted, but if male i have to know you.... I mean NO offense in that, i'm just a careful girl.