Getting Around USA
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use metros and buses in cities like New York and San Francisco. Rural: Rent a car for national parks and road trips. Coast: Amtrak or Greyhound for coastal routes. For convenience, book airport transfers from major hubs to your destination.
Train Travel
Amtrak National Rail
Extensive network connecting major cities across the US with scenic routes like the California Zephyr.
Cost: New York to Washington DC $50-150, journeys 3-5 hours between East Coast cities.
Tickets: Buy via Amtrak app, website, or station kiosks. Mobile tickets accepted nationwide.
Peak Times: Avoid 7-9 AM and 4-7 PM for lower prices and more availability.
Rail Passes
USA Rail Pass offers 15 days of unlimited travel for $499 (coach) or $799 (sleeper), ideal for cross-country trips.
Best For: Multi-city itineraries over 10+ days, saves on 4+ long-distance routes.
Where to Buy: Amtrak stations, website, or app with immediate digital activation.
High-Speed Options
Acela Express connects Northeast Corridor cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia at up to 150 mph.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 months ahead for discounts up to 50%, business class available.
Major Stations: Penn Station in New York, Union Station in Washington DC for key connections.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for road trips through national parks and rural states. Compare rental prices from $30-100/day at airports like LAX and major cities.
Requirements: Valid driver's license, credit card, minimum age 21-25 with possible young driver fee.
Insurance: Collision damage waiver recommended, verify state-specific coverage in rental agreement.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 25-40 mph urban, 55-70 mph highways, varies by state.
Tolls: East Coast and some bridges require E-ZPass ($5-20/trip), cash or app payments accepted.
Priority: Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, right-of-way rules differ by state signage.
Parking: Metered spots $2-5/hour in cities, free in suburbs; apps like SpotHero for reservations.
Fuel & Navigation
Gas stations abundant at $3-5/gallon for regular unleaded, higher in California and Hawaii.
Apps: Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic and offline maps across the country.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in LA, NYC, and Chicago during rush hours; plan for delays.
Urban Transport
Metro & Subways
Systems like NYC Subway or DC Metro cover major cities, single ride $2.50-3, weekly pass $30-34.
Validation: Use MetroCards or contactless payment, tap on entry; fines for non-payment are strict.
Apps: Citymapper or official transit apps for schedules, live tracking, and digital tickets.
Bike Rentals
Citi Bike in NYC, Divvy in Chicago, $4-15/day with docking stations in urban areas.
Routes: Bike lanes in cities like Portland and San Francisco, protected paths in parks.
Tours: E-bike rentals and guided tours in tourist spots, great for eco-friendly sightseeing.
Buses & Local Services
MTA in NYC, SEPTA in Philly operate extensive networks; intercity Greyhound from $20-50.
Tickets: $2-4 per ride, buy via app or onboard; express buses faster for suburbs.
Coastal Routes: Pacific Coast buses connect LA to San Francisco, scenic views for $30-60.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near transit hubs in cities for easy access, downtown NYC or near parks for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and major events like SXSW.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for road trip itineraries.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, parking inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 5G in urban areas, 4G/LTE covers 99% of population including highways.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before arrival, activate on landing, works across all states.
Local SIM Cards
AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile offer prepaid SIMs from $30-50 with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, Walmart, or carrier stores; ID may be required for activation.
Data Plans: 5GB for $25, 15GB for $40, unlimited for $50/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public libraries; hotspots in parks and transit stations.
Public Hotspots: Major airports and cities like San Francisco offer free municipal WiFi.
Speed: High-speed (50-500 Mbps) in urban areas, suitable for streaming and navigation.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Multiple zones: Eastern (UTC-5), Central (UTC-6), Mountain (UTC-7), Pacific (UTC-8); daylight saving March-November.
- Airport Transfers: JFK Airport 15 miles from NYC, AirTrain/subway $11 (45 min), taxi $70, or book private transfer for $60-100.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports and train stations ($10-20/day) and apps like Bounce in major cities.
- Accessibility: ADA-compliant trains and metros in most cities, national parks offer wheelchair paths.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on Amtrak (small free in carrier, large $25), check hotel pet fees before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on Amtrak for $10-20 off-peak, free on many local buses with racks.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to USA
Major hubs like JFK (NYC) and LAX (LA) serve international flights. Compare prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for best deals from worldwide cities.
Main Airports
John F. Kennedy (JFK): NYC's primary international gateway, 15 miles from Manhattan with AirTrain links.
Los Angeles (LAX): West Coast hub 18 miles from downtown, shuttle $10 (45 min) to city.
Chicago O'Hare (ORD): Central hub with domestic/international flights, convenient for Midwest travel.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for peak summer (June-Aug) to save 30-50% on international fares.
Flexible Dates: Mid-week flights (Tuesday-Thursday) often 20% cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Fly into secondary airports like Newark or Oakland for potential savings and shorter lines.
Budget Airlines
Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier offer domestic deals from $50-100 on short routes.
Important: Include baggage and seat fees in total cost comparisons, airports often far from centers.
Check-in: Online 24 hours prior required, arrive 2 hours early for domestic, 3 for international.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Ubiquitous, fees $2-5 per withdrawal; use your bank's network to minimize charges.
- Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and Amex accepted widely, even at gas stations and small shops.
- Contactless Payment: Apple Pay and Google Pay standard, tap-to-pay everywhere in cities.
- Cash: Useful for tips, markets, and rural spots; carry $50-100 in small bills.
- Tipping: 15-20% in restaurants, $1-5 for services like taxis or hotels.
- Currency Exchange: For international visitors, use Wise for best USD rates; avoid airport kiosks.