Distances in the US are so great that it's essential to think carefully in advance about how you plan to get from place to place. Your choice of transportation will have a crucial impact on your trip. Amtrak provides a skeletal but often scenic rail service, and there are usually good bus links between the major cities - though Greyhound, the mainstay of the US bus network, has cut back on nonprofitable routes of late. Things may get difficult only in isolated rural areas. Even here, by adroit advance planning, you can usually reach the main points of interest without too much trouble by using local buses and charter services, as detailed state-by-state throughout this guide. In planning your public transportation timetable, keep enhanced concerns about security in mind.
Travel is almost always easier if you have a
car
. Many worthwhile and memorable US destinations are far removed from cities. Even if a bus or train can take you to the general vicinity of one of the great national parks, for example, it can be nearly impossible to explore the area without a vehicle. For that matter, the cities themselves can be so vast, and so heavily car-oriented, that the lack of a car can seriously impair your enjoyment.
By train
Traveling by
rail
is rarely the fastest way to get from A to B, though if you have the time it can be a pleasant and relaxing experience. The Amtrak system isn't at all comprehensive - such popular destinations as Nashville and Santa Fe, and...
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Pre-trip planning for overseas travelers
Amtrak USA Rail Passes
Overseas travelers have a choice of the following
USA Rail Passes
. The
Coastal Pass
permits unlimited train travel on the east and west coasts, but not between the two. The Northeast Pass is also...
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By bus
If you're traveling on your own and making a lot of stops,
buses
, by far the cheapest way to get around, make a lot of sense. The main long-distance operator,
Greyhound
, links all major cities and many towns. Out in the country,...
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By plane
Don't be misled by movie scenes in which characters stroll into large airports and casually buy cross-country tickets. That kind of plane travel is outrageously expensive - $1000 for a one-way flight is not unheard of. However, with planning,
air...
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By car
For many people, the concept of cruising down a highway, preferably in an open-top convertible with the radio blaring, is one of the main reasons to set out on a tour of the US. The romantic images of countless road movies, from
Bonnie and Clyde
...
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By bike
In general,
cycling
is a cheap and healthy way to get around all the big
cities
, some of which have cycle lanes and local buses equipped to carry bikes (strapped to the outside). For a $15 fee, Greyhound will take bikes (so long as...
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