The United States offers incredible diversity from coast to coast, featuring world-class cities, stunning national parks, vibrant cultural scenes, and iconic landmarks. Experience everything from New York's skyline to California's beaches, from the Grand Canyon to tropical Hawaii.
- Public
- Public transit varies enormously by city. NYC's 24/7 subway is world-class; Washington DC's Metro is clean and efficient; Chicago's El train is excellent. Most other American cities are largely car-dependent with limited transit.
- Taxi
- Uber and Lyft have largely replaced traditional taxis in all US cities. Both apps work nationwide. Surge pricing applies during events and bad weather. Always safer and often cheaper than street taxis.
- Rental
- Car rental is essential for exploring beyond city centers, visiting national parks, and traveling in the South and Mountain West. US has the world's best road infrastructure. Gas is cheap by international standards ($3-4/gallon).
- Walking
- Major city downtowns are walkable: Manhattan, downtown Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington DC. Suburban areas and Sun Belt cities (Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Orlando) are not walkable and require cars.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- MARTA train to downtown $2.50 (30 min)
- Shuttle
- Taxi to downtown $30-40 (20-30 min)
- Bus
- Uber/Lyft $25-35
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive bus networks in all cities. Some cities rely primarily on buses (LA until recently). Coverage better than rail in most places.
- Costs
- $1.75-2.75 per ride; same passes work for bus and rail
- Tips
- Google Maps shows real-time bus arrivals. Buses slower but reach more destinations than rail
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bike_share, scooter_share
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Description
- Yellow cabs in NYC; various companies in other cities. Flag on street in major cities or call/app dispatch.
- Costs
- Base fare $2.50-4.00; $2-3 per mile; $0.50-1.00 per minute waiting
- Tips
- Tipping 15-20% expected. Credit cards accepted in most cities now
- Apps
- Uber, Lyft (both nationwide)
- App Names
- Uber, Lyft (both nationwide)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Extensive intercity bus network. Greyhound largest; Megabus, BoltBus, FlixBus offer cheap city-to-city service.
- Major operators
- Greyhound (nationwide), Megabus (major cities), BoltBus (Northeast/Northwest), FlixBus (expanding)
- Costs
- $10-80 depending on route and booking time; cheaper than train usually
- Booking
- Company websites; book early for $1-20 deals
- Tips
- Seats uncomfortable on long trips. WiFi available. NYC Port Authority can be sketchy at night
Flights
Flying often fastest and sometimes cheaper than train/bus for long distances. Budget airlines very competitive.
- Major carriers
- Southwest (no bag fees), JetBlue, Delta, United, American, Alaska, Spirit (ultra-low-cost), Frontier (ultra-low-cost)
- Costs
- $50-400 depending on route, booking time, season
- Booking
- Google Flights, Kayak, directly with airlines; Tuesday/Wednesday cheapest
- Tips
- Budget airlines charge for everything (bags, seat selection, water). Southwest allows 2 free checked bags. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for best prices
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
From centre: 16 km south of downtown Atlanta
Options: MARTA train to downtown $2.50 (30 min); Taxi to downtown $30-40 (20-30 min); Uber/Lyft $25-35; Rental car available on-site
Los Angeles International Airport
From centre: 27 km southwest of downtown LA
Options: FlyAway Bus to Union Station $9.75 (45 min); Taxi to downtown $50-70 (30-45 min); Uber/Lyft $35-60; Metro C Line (under construction); Rental car via shuttle to off-site lots
John F. Kennedy International Airport
From centre: 26 km southeast of Manhattan
Options: AirTrain + Subway to Manhattan $10.75 (60-75 min); Taxi flat rate to Manhattan $70 + tolls; Uber/Lyft $50-80; Express bus $19
O'Hare International Airport
From centre: 27 km northwest of downtown Chicago
Options: CTA Blue Line to downtown $5 (45 min); Taxi to downtown $40-50 (25-40 min); Uber/Lyft $30-50; GO Airport Express shuttle $32
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
From centre: 29 km from Dallas, 32 km from Fort Worth
Options: DART Orange Line to downtown Dallas $3 (60 min); Taxi to Dallas $55-75; Uber/Lyft $40-60; TEXRail to Fort Worth $2.50
Denver International Airport
From centre: 40 km northeast of downtown Denver
Options: RTD A Line train to downtown $10.50 (37 min); Taxi to downtown $65-85; Uber/Lyft $45-70; Rental car available
San Francisco International Airport
From centre: 21 km south of downtown SF
Options: BART train to downtown $10.15 (30 min); Taxi to downtown $50-65; Uber/Lyft $35-55; SamTrans bus $2.50
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
From centre: 23 km south of downtown Seattle
Options: Link Light Rail to downtown $3 (38 min); Taxi to downtown $50-65; Uber/Lyft $40-60; Shuttle Express $18
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Nationwide rideshare; most reliable for airport trips and suburban areas
Lyft
Uber competitor available in all US cities; compare prices with Uber for savings
Google Maps
Best navigation app for driving, walking, and transit directions in all US cities
Transit App
Real-time public transit tracking for buses and trains in 200+ US cities
Amtrak
Official app for booking and tracking Amtrak trains; mobile tickets and seat upgrades
GasBuddy
Find cheapest gas prices near you; essential for long road trips across the US
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download both Uber and Lyft apps and compare prices — one is often significantly cheaper depending on surge pricing
In NYC, the subway is almost always faster than a taxi or rideshare during daytime hours due to traffic
Book rental cars in advance — last-minute rental prices can be 2-3x higher, especially during summer and holidays
Get an E-ZPass transponder if driving in the Northeast — toll roads everywhere require it; paying cash adds 20-50% more
Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (Boston-NYC-DC) is excellent for city-to-city travel; elsewhere trains are slow and unreliable
Domestic flights book cheapest 6-8 weeks in advance on Tuesday or Wednesday; Google Flights tracks price history