US United States: how to get around

In general, domestic flights in the U.S. often cost twice as much as flights to similar distances in Europe and Asia. This is due to the small number of airlines, relative to the size of the market, and a greater reliance on business travelers who are less price-sensitive than leisure travelers in the U.S. Flying to a city that is not an airline's "hub" can be very expensive.

The cost of chartering the smallest private jet begins at around $4000 per flight hour, with the cost substantially higher for larger, longer-range aircraft and cheaper for smaller propeller planes. While private flying is by no means inexpensive, a family of four or more can often fly together at a cost similar to or even favorable to buying first-class commercial airline tickets, especially to smaller airports where scheduled commercial flights are at their most expensive and private flying at its cheapest. General aviation is the most practical way to reach the outer boroughs of Alaska.

A jet card is a prepaid card offered by some private jet companies. Essentially, it allows you to purchase flight hours on private jets without the need to charter an entire aircraft. Jet cards typically offer a certain number of flight hours or credits that can be used to book flights on private jets within a specified time frame. You choose the type of aircraft, departure and arrival locations within the limits set by the jet card program.

The United States does not have a well-developed passenger rail network. Except for certain corridors, passenger trains are scarce, slow, unreliable and expensive. For long-distance travel, train travel is often more expensive than flying and slower than driving. The national rail system Amtrak ☏ +1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245) is usually fairly efficient for shorter journeys in urbanized areas, and along the Northeast Corridor. On longer routes and in rural areas, delays are common. The gangling shape of Amtrak's national network means that even major cities may be impractical to reach by train despite having Amtrak service. For long-distance travel, you must plan ahead to ensure trains are available and convenient. Nonetheless, for those with ample time, train travel in the U.S. is comfortable and can offer incredible views of the country. It can also be a cost-effective way to reach some smaller towns that have no cheap alternatives.

The Northeast Corridor runs between Boston and Washington, D.C., passing through New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. The Acela, the fastest train in North America at 160 mph (260 km/h), runs along this corridor, but as it shares tracks with slower trains, it only hits its top speed on limited sections. The Northeast Regional, which travels along the same route but stops at more stations, is usually much cheaper and does not take much longer.

Some of Amtrak's most scenic routes include its flagship California Zephyr that runs from Emeryville, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, to Chicago, and the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle or Portland. The Auto Train between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida is the only motorail service (i.e. taking your car on the train with you) in the United States.

Amtrak offers a 30-day USA Rail Pass which covers the entire country. Discounts of 15% are available for students and seniors. If you plan to buy a regular ticket within a week of traveling, it pays to check the website for sometimes significant "weekly specials". Around American holidays, long-distance trains (outside the Northeast) can sell out weeks or even months in advance, so it is advisable to book early. Booking early also often results in generally lower fares for all trains. Same-day reservations are usually easy, and depending on the rules of the fare you purchased, you can change travel plans on the day itself without fees.

Amtrak also operates some bus services to towns and cities not served by their trains. These can generally only be booked as part of combination rail and bus tickets.

Besides Amtrak, there are a few other operators that run long-distance passenger trains. Alaska (which is not served by Amtrak) is served by the state government-run Alaska Railroad between Seward and Fairbanks, while Florida is served by private operator Brightline between Miami and Orlando.

Many major cities offer reliable commuter trains that bring passengers in from the suburbs and the nearby cities. Some stations offer park-and-ride facilities, where you can park your car at the station and then ride the train into the city, avoiding traffic and parking hassles. Some trains only run during rush hour in the peak direction, and not at all on weekends and holidays, so be sure to check the train schedule ahead of time. It's best to buy tickets before you board the train, even if you're not required to do so, to get the best prices.

America has the largest system of inland waterways of any country in the world. It is entirely possible to navigate within the United States by boat. Your choices of watercraft range from self-propelled canoes and kayaks to elaborate houseboats and riverboat cruises.

Rivers and canals were key to developing the country, and traversing by boat gives you a unique perspective on the nation along with some beautiful scenery. Some examples of waterways open to recreational boating and/or scheduled cruises are:

• The New York State Canal System operates four canals (including the famous Erie Canal) comprising 524 mi (843 km) of waterway open for recreational and commercial use. See New York state for details.
• The St. Lawrence Seaway is now the primary port of entry for large ships into North America. Recreational boaters are welcome; however, the Seaway is designed for very large craft and a minimum boat length of 6 m (20 ft) applies. The Seaway starts in eastern Canada and goes to the Great Lakes.
• The Mississippi River affords north-south access through the interior of the U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico and connects with all major interior waterways, including the Missouri and Ohio Rivers.

Each year, many beginning boaters successfully navigate these waterways. Any kind of boating requires some preparation and planning. In general, the Coast Guard, Canal and Seaway authorities go out of their way to help recreational boaters. They will also at times give instructions which you are expected to obey immediately. For example, small craft may be asked to give way to larger craft on canals, and weather conditions may require you to stop or change your route.

Regular ferries exist to a variety of destinations along the coasts. In the northwest of the country, you can travel with the ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway System from Bellingham, Washington all the way along Alaska's southern coast to Dutch Harbor-Unalaska. As a bonus you get to enjoy beautiful mountain and archipelago scenery. Moreover, much of off-the-beaten-path-Alaska is only accessible by boat. Outside of cruise ships, there is no commercial passenger service between the continental U.S. and Hawaii, between the Hawaiian Islands, or between the continental U.S. and its Caribbean dependencies such as Puerto Rico (although there is ferry service within the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Some cities, such as Boston, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle have ferries as part of their public transportation network.

America's love affair with the automobile is legendary, so travelling the United States without a car can be difficult. Most American cities have developed with automobiles in mind, so renting or bringing your own car is usually a very good idea. There are only a few major cities where using public transportation is preferable to driving: New York City, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington. Other large cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami have limited public transportation options, and the options only get worse in smaller cities. Taxis and ride-hailing services are often available, but they can get expensive and taxis (especially) can be hard to find outside of airports (although most taxi companies will offer a service where you can call a phone number and have a cab come and pick you up ahead of time). While most Americans are happy to give driving directions, don't be surprised if many aren't familiar with the local public transportation options available.

The main Interstate Highway system generally links only the major towns of every state. If you want to actually explore the town, there is usually a "Business [Number]" that runs through the town and usually serves as a sort of "main street" for smaller rural towns. The U.S. highway and state routes can lead you to many interesting off-the-beaten-path sights, if you don't mind stopping at traffic lights and dealing with pedestrians. Most sections of the roads are free to use, but there are some which levy fees.

A romantic appeal is attached to the idea of long-distance car travel; many Americans will tell you that you can't see the "real" America except by car. Given the scarcity of public transportation in most American cities, the loss of time travelling between cities by car rather than flying can be made up by the convenience of driving around within cities once you arrive. In addition, many of the country's major natural attractions, such as Monument Valley, are almost impossible to get to without an automobile or on a bus tour. If you have the time, a classic American road trip with a rented car is very easy to achieve; most major rental car companies will allow a one-way rental. Pay attention to how many miles they allow you to put on the vehicle, since you probably want to make detours for sightseeing. Because of the distances, this kind of travel can mean many long days behind the wheel, so pay attention to the comfort of the car you use. A "coast-to-coast" trip with more than one driver and few stops will take at least 5 days (4½ if you have strong bladders).

Americans drive on the right in left-hand drive vehicles. Driving law is primarily a matter of state law and is enforced by state and local police. While there are some minor variations state-to-state, the rules of the road are fairly consistent across the country. Police departments may use automated cameras to enforce red traffic signals and speed limits, although speed cameras are much rarer in the U.S. than in much of Europe, and it is often expected in the U.S. for a driver to exceed the posted speed limit by 5–10 mph (8–16 km/hr) without being cited by the police. Unless otherwise noted at an intersection or at the city level by default, drivers may (and are expected to) turn right after stopping at a red light, if there is no cross traffic and no pedestrians or cyclists are present. See individual city articles for more details.

Drivers are expected to stop for pedestrians and to allow emergency vehicles, with their lights flashing, to pass. School buses, which are almost always yellow, have red lights that illuminate and stop signs that swing out on the driver's side when the driver stops to pick up or drop off a passenger. In some states, all vehicles in both directions must stop for a school bus, and penalties may be severe for drivers who violate this law. This does not apply to privately-operated buses or ordinary public buses.

Foreign visitors age 18 and older can usually drive on their foreign driver's license for up to a year, depending on state law. Licenses that are not in English must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified translation.

Drunk driving comes under fairly harsh scrutiny. If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you will almost certainly be arrested. See § Drink below. In states where it is legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is treated as equivalent to (if not more serious than) drunk driving. However, it is not illegal to be drunk/high in the passenger seats, so it's perfectly legal to have a friend drive you home if you're under the influence.

Intercity bus travel is widespread, but not available everywhere. Service between nearby major cities is frequent, and often connects many smaller towns with regional cities. It's commonly considered a "lower class" way to travel, but is generally dependable, safe and affordable. However, bus stations in some cities are located in rough neighborhoods (e.g. Los Angeles).

Greyhound Bus Lines (☏ +1-800-231-2222) have the predominant share of American bus travel in 45 states. Discounts are available to travellers who purchase their tickets 7–14 days in advance of their travel date. Greyhound buses typically run in 5-7 hour segments, at which time all passengers must get off the bus so it can be serviced, even if it's the middle of the night. Continuing passengers are boarded before those just getting on. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, except in some cities, where you can pay a $5 fee for priority seating. FlixBus acquired Greyhound Lines in 2021, and since 2023, allows customers to book both FlixBus and Greyhound routes on FlixBus's web site.

Megabus, Greyhound's biggest competitor, operates mainly in 30 states in the Midwestern and the eastern half of the country between the hub cities of Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans, New York, Washington DC and several other cities surrounding and between the hubs. It also offers connections to Montreal and Toronto in Canada. It also has a couple of routes in the west, which are not connected to those in the Midwest and the East Coast.

Chinatown buses are small independent companies that provide curb-side departures for a cheap standard cash fare. These lines operate mainly in the northeast between Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Baltimore. Some continue further out to destinations in the Midwest and the South from the northeast. Others operate between California, Nevada and Arizona. See the relevant city guides and GoToBus.com for more information.

Hispanic bus companies tend to have the most spacious buses in the country. Many are affiliate brands or subsidiaries of Mexican bus companies offering cross-border services beyond the border areas as far north as Chicago, as far east as Atlanta, and as far south as Mexico City. See Long-distance bus travel in the U.S.

Various smaller companies offer bus services throughout the country. A number of them are grouped under the Trailways brand, which you'll often find sharing space with Greyhound.

All but the smallest towns have some sort of local bus service, but it will often be limited compared to cities of a similar size in other countries. In general in the U.S., local buses don't stop at every stop. In some cities they'll stop if they see someone waiting at the bus stop, but in others you may have to give a little wave to let them know you want to get on. If you're on the bus and want to get off at the next stop, there's usually a button for you to push or a string to pull to signal the driver. To find a list of local transit agencies for each region, see the U.S. Local and State Transit Links page of American Public Transport Association.

Recreational vehicles – large, sometimes bus-sized vehicles that include sleeping and living quarters – are a distinctly American way to cruise the country. Some RVers love the convenience of being able to drive their home anywhere they like and enjoy the camaraderie that RV campgrounds offer. Other people dislike the hassles and maintenance issues that come with RVing. And don't even think about driving an RV into a huge metropolis such as New York. Still, if you want to drive extensively within the United States and are comfortable handling a big rig, renting an RV is an option you should consider.

The United States has a well-developed cycling culture, and many locals commute to work by bicycle in urban areas. For long-distance cycling, many disused railway lines have been converted to rail trails.

The thrill and exhilaration of cross country travel are magnified when you go by motorcycle. Harley-Davidson is the preeminent American motorcycle brand and Harley operates a motorcycle rental program for those licensed and capable of handling a full weight motorcycle. In some parts of the country, you can also rent other types of motorcycles, such as sportbikes, touring bikes, and dual-sport bikes. For those inexperienced with motorcycles, Harley and other dealerships offer classes for beginners. Wearing a helmet, although not required in all states, is always a good idea. The practice of riding between lanes of slower cars, also known as "lane-sharing" or "lane-splitting," is illegal, except in California where it is tolerated and widespread. Solo motorcyclists can legally use "high-occupancy vehicle" or "carpool" lanes during their hours of operation.

American enthusiasm towards motorcycles has led to a motorcycling subculture. Motorcycle clubs are exclusive clubs for members dedicated to riding a particular brand of motorcycle within a highly structured club hierarchy. Riding clubs may or may not be organized around a specific brand of bikes and offer open membership to anyone interested in riding. Motorcycle rallies, such as the famous one in Sturgis, South Dakota, are huge gatherings of motorcyclists from around the country. Many motorcyclists are not affiliated with any club and opt to ride independently or with friends. In general, motorcycling is seen as a hobby, as opposed to a practical means of transportation; this means, for example, that most American motorcyclists prefer not to ride in inclement weather. However you choose to ride, and whatever brand of bike you prefer, motorcycling can be a thrilling way to see the country.

Laws on hitchhiking vary from state to state, but in general, hitchhiking is legal throughout the majority of the country. You may not, however, hitchhike on Interstate highways or while standing in traffic lanes (usually marked by a solid white line at the shoulder of the road). If you plan to hitchhike, the best practice is to thumb rides at entrance ramps, or (better yet) highway rest areas.

Hitchhiking is not common, except for those with either a particularly strong sense of social adventure or extremely little money. Even many Americans themselves would only feel comfortable "thumbing a ride" if they had a good knowledge of the locale, and American drivers also practice caution for the same reasons.

Craigslist has a rideshare section that sometimes proves useful for arranging rides in advance. If you are open with your destination it's almost always possible to find a ride going somewhere in the country, with payment often being sharing the fuel costs.