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Travel Guide Updated April 2026

Getting Around the USA — Flights, Amtrak, Buses & Cars

The USA is the size of a continent — how you move between cities defines your trip. Here is when to fly, when to drive and when to take the train.

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InfoUnitedStates Editorial Team · Independent travel research ·

Quick Guide

DistanceBest OptionWhy
Under 100 milesDrive or rideshareFlights not worth it
100-300 milesAmtrak (Northeast), drive (elsewhere)Faster than airport hassle
300-800 milesFly or driveDepends on cost/scenery
800+ milesFlyDays of driving

Domestic Flights

The US domestic flight network is vast, cheap and frequent. Over 5,000 flights per day connect cities in every state. Main airlines:

  • Southwest — two free checked bags, no change fees, cheapest for most routes. Does not show up on Google Flights (book direct).
  • JetBlue — free entertainment, good snacks, East Coast focused.
  • Delta — premium, reliable, most expensive of the big 3.
  • American Airlines — biggest route network, middling experience.
  • United — global reach, decent domestic.
  • Frontier / Spirit / Allegiant — ultra-budget. Extra fees for everything.
✈️ Price tip: Book 4-8 weeks ahead for the best prices. Tuesday and Wednesday flights are cheapest. Check Southwest directly since it is excluded from most comparison sites.

Amtrak

Amtrak is America's national passenger rail. It is a mixed bag:

  • Northeast Corridor (Boston-NYC-DC): Excellent. Acela is fast (NYC-DC in 2h50), frequent, city-center to city-center. Cheaper and easier than flying.
  • Long-distance trains: Slow (LA-Chicago = 43 hours), expensive, but a genuinely unique way to see America. Sleeper cars are pricey.
  • California routes: Good for LA-Santa Barbara, Oakland-Sacramento. Patchy elsewhere.
  • Florida: Brightline (private) connects Miami to Orlando in 3.5 hours — excellent.

Book at amtrak.com. Advance booking is much cheaper. Trains are almost never sold out except around Thanksgiving. Children under 12 get 50% off with a paying adult.

Greyhound & FlixBus

Intercity buses are the cheapest way to cover long distances:

  • FlixBus — German company, now runs most US routes. Modern buses, Wi-Fi, power outlets. $10-40 for most routes.
  • Greyhound — the classic American bus. Same parent company as FlixBus now. Older fleet but extensive routes.
  • Megabus — budget competitor on Northeast and some Midwest routes.
  • Chinatown buses — Boston-NYC-DC routes run by independent operators from Chinatown. $15-25. Minimal amenities.

Buses are the slowest option — NYC to Boston is 4 hours by bus vs 1.5 hours by train — but cheapest. Stations are usually not in nice neighborhoods; take Uber to and from.

Rental Cars

Essential for national parks, road trips and most of the country outside the Northeast corridor. Key points:

  • Who can rent: 21+ (some companies 25+). Under-25 surcharge of $20-30/day.
  • License: A valid driving license from any country works; an International Driving Permit is a nice backup but rarely required.
  • Insurance: Credit card coverage is often sufficient — decline the rental company policies. Check your card benefits.
  • Best companies: Enterprise (best service), Alamo (budget), Hertz (widespread), Budget (cheap), Turo (car-sharing, often cheaper).
  • Automatic only: Manual transmissions are rare; just assume automatic.
  • Tolls: Rental cars handle tolls via transponders — you pay after the trip.

See our full rental car guide for tips on avoiding hidden fees.

City Transport

CityBest WayNotes
New YorkSubway24/7, $2.90 per ride, 7-day pass $34
Los AngelesRental carMetro exists but limited
San FranciscoMuni + Cable Cars$5 day pass, hilly
Washington DCMetroClean, efficient, SmarTrip card
ChicagoCTA (L train)$5 day pass, extensive
BostonT (subway)Compact, $2.40 per ride
MiamiRental carMetrorail is limited
Las VegasUber + walking StripMonorail $15 day pass

RV & Campervan

Renting an RV is a quintessential American road trip experience. Cruise America is the biggest operator. Expect $150-350/day plus gas (RVs get 8-12 mpg). Best for national parks where you can park in campgrounds for $25-50/night. Do not rent an RV just to drive through cities — they are awful in urban areas.

Ride Sharing

Uber and Lyft operate in every US city. Prices vary wildly:

  • NYC / SF / Boston / DC: Expensive — $15-30 for short trips
  • Midwest / South: Cheaper — $8-15 typical
  • Rural / small towns: May not work at all
  • Airport pickup: Always more expensive ($30-60)

Tipping 15-20% in-app is expected. See our tipping guide.

🚖 Taxi vs Uber: In NYC yellow cabs are often CHEAPER than Uber in Manhattan. Everywhere else, Uber/Lyft is cheaper and easier.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to drive or fly in the USA?

For trips over 500 miles, fly. For trips under 300 miles, drive. Between those, it depends on the route — Amtrak works well in the Northeast corridor.

How much does a US domestic flight cost?

$80-350 depending on distance and how early you book. Southwest, JetBlue and Frontier are usually cheapest. Book 4-8 weeks ahead.

Is Amtrak good?

Excellent in the Northeast corridor (Boston-NYC-DC). Slow and expensive elsewhere. Cross-country trains are a scenic experience, not a way to save time.