What should I bring along with me?
Frequentlty Asked Questions

   Passport requirements:

Visitors traveling to the United States are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the United States. Citizens of the Visa Waiver Program countries are exempt the six-month rule and need only have a passport valid for their intended period of stay.

Travel under the Visa Waiver Program is restricted to travelers possessing passports with specified security features. Visa Waiver Program requirements are: - The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page - The passport must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. As of April 1, 2016, all travelers must have an e-passport to use the VWP. An e-Passport, denoted by the symbol , is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip. E-Passports are issued by the proper passport issuing authority and must meet international standards for securing and storing information corresponding to the passport and bearer.

More information can be found on CBP.gov.

Visa Waiver Program countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Malta, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom

   Visa  - Most nationals need only ESTA to enter the USA

   Drivers license  - international license is NOT required if your local driving license is printed with Roman Alphabet - so police and rental people can read it. Driving a Trike motorcycle: car driver's license is acceptable only if trike is rented out from California or Nevada, all other locations require heavy-weight motorcycle license.

Here are some examples of alternative licenses that we accept:
European Union:A1/A2 – Will allow you to rent scooters, A – Will allow you to rent motorcycles or scooters, B – Will allow you to rent three-wheeled vehicles (trikes) but rental is only possible in California.
Australia: R-Date – Will allow you to ride scooters, R – Will allow you to ride motorcycles or scooters.
Brazil: Category A - designation on your driver’s license to ride any motorcycle or scooters.

   Credit card  - will be required at all rentals

  Personal accident cover, medical insurance - Medical aid documentation

Clothing and Equipment?

  Luggage: A maximum of two standard suitcases per person (most international airlines allow 1 suitcase free to check-in) and a small rucksack or money belt to carry your wallet and small items needed while riding.

  Riding Kit: Helmets... not mandatory everywhere in the USA. See the helmet law here. Tinted visors are legal and can be worn. We choose to ride only during daylight. Helmets, Gloves, Protective jackets and at least jeans to be worn at all times while riding. Although we ride in fairly dry seasons we may encounter some rain so rain proof kit is advisable for your own personal comfort. We ride in light rain.

  Casual Wear: Most hotels require closed shoes and long trousers to be worn to the evening meal, ties are not required and not advised, neat casual will be adequate.

  Other: Swim suits, sandals, shorts, sun block will also be required. Most hotels offer complimentary WIFI and pool.

Personal Insurance?

We recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance, covering trip cancellation for medical reasons; trip delay; medical expenses; accidental death; lost baggage; medical evacuation etc. Can you afford air ambulance? 70% or more of all travel insurance claims occur before you walk out of the front door. 90% of those claims are due to an emergency illness, injury or worse to you, a family member, your travel companion or a travel companion's family member.

Use My Own Bike?

Yes you are welcome to use your own bike. Please ensure the shipping of your vehicle is done in a timely manner.

Some companies that can help you ship your bike from around the world:

http://www.shiply.com/

http://www.jamescargo.co.uk
Tel: +44(0)1753 687722
Fax: +44(0)1753 687723

Weather Conditions?

Ideally, choose your dates from mid April to late October.

During June/August the thermometer sits above 105°F (40°C) - with the exception of the highland regions of Arizona, New Mexico, and western California, which remain pleasant throughout the summer. The eastern route, especially the States of Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma, can be particularly wet. Make sure to bring rain gear, and during summer consider a cooling vest for more comfortable and safe riding. Also, bring a warm, light base layer – it can be quite cold in the desert in the morning and evenings. In the midwest, there’s always the risk of a tornado (especially in May) - a lot of surprises on The Mother Road!

Speed Limits?

Speed limits in the United States are set by each state. Speed limits vary primarily due to state laws, but also due to the type of road, land use, and more. In general the maximum speed limit is about 70-75 mph.

Drinking Alcohol?

During riding drinking is unacceptable.

What about Fuel?

Fuel or petrol is in good supply on the route. Fuel is for your account and still very cheap. Most of the times you need to use your credit card and pre-pay the fuel.

Abbreviations

Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is a fee that is charged to reduce your liability in case of loss or damage to the rental car. It covers the rental car. If the car is damaged or stolen you will only be liable for a set amount (i.e. $2,000) rather than the full value of the car.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is similar, but limited to collisions. Again, it reduces your liability from the full value of the car, to a set amount. In your case with our rental it is zero, you are not responsible in event of collision. In addition you also have Theft Protection (TP) in package. CDW + TP should be enough coverage, no need for LDW.

Theft Protection (TP) is a fee that is charged to reduce your liability in case of theft to the rental car. It covers the rental car. If the car is stolen you will only be liable for a set amount (i.e. $2,000) rather than the full value of the car.

Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) – provides coverage in the event of an accident causing bodily injury or property damage to someone other than the renter and passengers.

Underinsured Motorist Protection (UMP) - protects you in a crash where the at-fault driver doesn't have enough coverage to pay for your costs. You are covered up to $1 million from your own policy even if the other driver has no insurance at all.

Drivers Age

  The primary renter of the vehicle must be 25 years of age (car rental). $25-27 per day 'young driver' fee applies to drivers between 21 and 25 y.o.

  The primary renter of the vehicle must be 21 years of age (motorcycle rental).

How to book the motorcycle guided tour?

1. Complete Booking Form or send inquiry (scan of passports and driver's license will be required for bookings)

2. Confirmation

On receipt of your booking form we will acknowledge availability and confirm your provisional booking via return e-mail for the specific tour requested

3. Deposit

On provisional booking and availability being confirmed a deposit of $1,000 per booking will be requested (bank transfer to our corporate account). Full payment is due 45 days prior prior tour commences. Please ensure all bank charges are covered by sender party.

4. Secure Booking

On receipt of your deposit your booking will be secured and Panam Holidays will confirm your tour dates. A tour document will be e-mailed to you with specific details related to the particular tour you have booked.

How to book the package tour (vehicle rental + hotels)?

1. Complete Booking Form or send inquiry (we need primary dirver's name, age, mobile number, home address for bookings)

2. Confirmation

On receipt of your booking form we will acknowledge availability and confirm your provisional booking via return e-mail for the specific tour requested

3. Deposit

On provisional booking and availability being confirmed a deposit of 50% per booking will be requested (bank transfer to our corporate account). Full payment is due 45 days prior tour commences. Please ensure all bank charges are covered by sender party.

4. Secure Booking

On receipt of your deposit your booking will be secured and Panam Holidays will confirm your tour dates. A tour document will be e-mailed to you with specific details related to the particular tour you have booked.

How to book the helicopter flight?

Just send us all passengers' names and body weight. Booking in advance is strongly advised.

RENTAL / SELF-DRIVE CANCELLATION POLICY

• 31 days or greater cancellation notice: No charge, security deposit is (20%) non-refundable, but can be used as store credit.
• Cancelling between 30-21 out from your tour start date will have a 33% cancellation fee and the remainder will be put into store credit.
• Cancelling between 20-11 out from your tour start date will have a 66% cancellation fee and the remainder will be put into store credit.
• Cancelling inside of 10 days would forfeit everything as a cancellation fee.
• Refunds, if applicable, will be issued in a form of store credit that can be redeemed within 1 year from the date it was issued.
• Cancellation/Change Fees: Fees are based on Total Booking Amount (Daily rental rate + VIP/VIP Zero, Taxes & Fees).
• Payments: Deposits are non-refundable, some payments in the event of cancellation can be used as store credit.
• Any and all balances remaining after Cancellation Fees have been applied will be issued in the form of a Store Credit that may be redeemed within one year.

CAR RENTAL CANCELLATION

• 14 day or greater cancellation notice: no charge, fees are to be refunded
• 14 day or less cancellation notice: 100% of Total Booking Amount

GUIDED TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY

• A reservation may be cancelled up to 45 or more days prior to the pick-up date with no cancellation fee charge. You will receive your deposit back in the form of store credit.
• Cancelling between 44-31 out from your tour start date will have a 50% cancellation fee and the remainder will be put into store credit.
• Cancelling inside of 30 days would forfeit everything as a cancellation fee. Cancellations can be addressed on a case by case basis as well.
• Refunds, if applicable, will be issued in a form of store credit that can be redeemed within 1 year from the date it was issued. Store credit can be used for new tours or rental.
• Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
• Refunds: No refund policy. In the event of overpayment or customer claim request, all amounts will be issued in the form of a Store Credit.

MINIMUM TOUR PARTICIPANTS
• Our company reserves the right to cancel a tour up to 30 days prior to the departure date if an insufficient number of participants have booked and fully paid by that time.

TOUR CANCELLATION BY US
• In the case of a tour cancellation, the tour participants will be notified by us and will either be offered the tour as a Self- Drive Tour package (bike rental & hotel package) or will be offered the Guided Tour with an additional fee making up for the insufficient number of tour participants.
• If all tour participants do not agree to pay the additional charge, we will refund the payment in full, which will constitute the full settlement and we will be absolved of all liability associated with that booking.
• Our company is not liable for any additional costs or losses incurred by the tour participant due to a tour cancellation. This includes, but is not limited to, the cost of pre-paid airline tickets, hotel reservations or automobile rentals. Situations may arise which make it necessary for us to cancel, advance or postpone a scheduled tour, change itineraries or make substitutions regarding hotels, cities, tour guides and other travel arrangements. In that event, our company does not assume responsibility or liability for any resulting losses, expenses or inconvenience.

Because of the chance of illness, accident, airline inefficiency, company insolvency or other unforeseen situations that may cause a customer (you) to miss a tour, we suggests to purchase travel/medical/health/trip cancellation insurance. It is a little expense that gives you piece of mind, highly recommended!

MOTORCYCLE SUBSTITUTION

The rental company reserves the right to substitute the motorcycle confirmed to rental Client. Unfortunately, at times, certain unexpected and uncontrollable situations arise which may require the substitution of a motorcycle. This includes, but is not limited to, delay in manufacture fleet delivery, mechanical failure, collision damage and theft. Should rental company not be able to provide confirmed motorcycle, a similar or better model will be provided to the Client.
Substitution is provided within the same class:
Touring Class: HD Electra Glide, Street Glide, or Road Glide (Offered with Complimentary GPS Service)
Classic Class: HD Road King, Heritage Softail, or Low Rider
This constitutes the maximum liability of rental company.

Payments

• Bank transfer
• Personal check
• Credit card: subject to a 5% finance charge, which will be added to the total order/charge

PayPal and MoneyGram payments are not accepted

Accommodation on Route 66

All our hotels are carefully selected based on customer reviews and location. We work with several hotels and motels in each cities and offer superior/standard options for package bookers. Superior category means better hotels, better location, nicer rooms and larger room space. Here we list some examples of your Route 66 accommodation.

Size Guide

MEN'S SHIRTS / HOW TO MEASURE

To choose the correct size for you, measure your CHEST as follows: Measure around the fullest part, place the tape close under the arms and make sure the tape is flat across the back

MEN'S COATS & JACKETS / HOW TO MEASURE

WOMEN'S T-SHIRTS & TOPS / HOW TO MEASURE

WOMEN's COATS & JACKETS / HOW TO MEASURE

International single size conversion

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Please read/watch the following books/movies. Your journey will be much more fun as you will recognize places/sights or shooting scenes along the way as you travel!

Cars, 2006, movie
Lightning McQueen is living in the fast lane - until he hits a detour and gets stranded in Radiator Springs; a forgotten town on Route 66. There he meets a heap of hilarious characters who help him discover there's more to life than fame. Starring: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt. Runtime: 1 hour, 56 minutes.
Official trailer

Wild Hogs, 2007, movie
Four weekend-warrior friends decide to hit the road for a cross-country motorcycle adventure. But the perils of the open road turn out to be a lot more than they bargained for. Starring: Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence. Runtime: 1 hour, 39 minutes.
Official trailer

The Grapes of Wrath, book
First published in 1939, Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize winning epic of the Great Depression chronicles the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and tells the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads, driven from their homestead and forced to travel west on Route 66 to the promised land of California. Out of their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of an America divided into haves and have-nots evolves a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, elemental yet plainspoken, tragic but ultimately stirring in its human dignity.

The Grapes of Wrath, 1940, rent from Amazon

Easy Rider (1969), movie
Two hippie bikers set out to discover "the real America" and wind up taking the ultimate bad trip. Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson star in the landmark American film.
Official trailer

R.V. Runaway Vacation (2006), movie
In Columbia Pictures' family adventure-comedy RV an overworked executive, Bob Munro (Robin Williams), persuades his wife and children to give up their Hawaiian vacation for some "family bonding" on a cross-country RV trip. But it's all a ruse. Bob has other, more career-oriented reasons on his mind than sending quality time with his family in the Rocky Mountains.
Official trailer

Vacation 2015, movie
The next generation of Griswolds is at it again - and on the road for another ill-fated adventure. Following in his father's footsteps and hoping for some much-needed family bonding.
Official trailer

About Schmidt (2002), movie
Academy Award-winner Jack Nicholson ("The Bucket List") stars as Warren Schmidt, an embittered man who has just retired after 32 years as an insurance company actuary.
Official trailer

Due Date (2010), movie
Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) will be a dad for the first time when his wife gives birth in five days. He intends to catch a flight home from Atlanta so he can be there for the delivery, but a chance encounter with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) throws a monkey wrench into his plans. Desperate to reach his wife before their baby is born, Peter's sanity is tested when he must take a road trip cross-country with dog-toting Ethan.
Official trailer

Bagdad Café (1988), movie
Set in Mojave Desert, this bittersweet delightful comedy brings together a German tourist and a black motel owner. Initially wary of each other, the two become close friends and transform the rundown cafe/motel into the hottest magical nightspot this side of Las Vegas.
Official trailer

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
In this classic movie, starring funny man Chevy Chase, the Griswold clan drive from Chicago to Los Angeles to visit the theme park Wally World. Downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, and other Arizona highway locations were used in this comedy. Other locations close to Route 66 included Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, which the cast actually visited (unlike the cast of Thelma and Louise). This film was a box-office hit, earning more than $60 million, and increasing the popularity of the National Lampoon series.
Official trailer

No Country for Old Men
This picture, based on Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name, is a tension building cat and mouse drama which follows a Texas welder and a Vietnam veteran in the desert landscape of west Texas. Interestingly however, The Desert Sands Motel in the final scene, while depicted as El Paso, Texas, was actually filmed in the Route 66 town of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Critically acclaimed, this film took home four Academy Awards as well as numerous other prizes.
Official trailer

OTHER

Car license is accepted for trike rental in California or Nevada only.

Only heavy-weight motorcycle license is accepted for trike rental in Chicago.

There are two options for a GPS rental on motorcycle tours: a standard rental for $15.00 USD/day and a preprogrammed GPS for $25.00 USD/day.

We do not supply GO PRO cameras with rental - you can purchase one at our store.

The 2014 and later Electra Glide models have built-in GPS.

Unfortunately we do not offer the Night Train model for rental.

The co-pilot guide book for self-guide tours is sent to the pickup location, however, we can send a PDF copy 2-3 weeks prior to the tour start date.

A custom riding jacket is not provided with the Self Drive Tour - riders are welcome to purchase a jacket from our office as we carry a wide selection of brands/models.

Los Angeles office does not carry full rain suites, they will have some light rain gear for sale.

Chicago office does carry full rain suites, they are available for purchase in store.

Some other questions asked

What's route 66?

• U.S. Route 66

What's route 66 famous for?

• US Highway 66, popularly known as “Route 66,” is significant as the nation's first all-weather highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. When contrasted with transcontinental corridors such as the Lincoln Highway and US Highway 40, Route 66 does not stand out as America's oldest or longest road.

Where route 66 start?

• Chicago, IL