🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around the USA
🛩 Flying to the USA
Main International Gateways
New York (JFK, Newark, LaGuardia) - East Coast hub. JFK handles most international flights. Newark (EWR) often cheaper. LaGuardia mainly domestic.
Los Angeles (LAX) - West Coast gateway. Pacific routes, Asia, Latin America. Large, busy airport.
Other Major Gateways:
- Miami (MIA) - Latin America, Caribbean gateway
- Chicago O'Hare (ORD) - Midwest hub, many European connections
- San Francisco (SFO) - Asia-Pacific, tech hub
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - American Airlines hub
💡 Insider Tip
Flying into a smaller airport (e.g. Oakland instead of SFO, Burbank instead of LAX) can save money. Compare all nearby airports when searching.
🚌 From Airport to City Center
New York (JFK)
AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then LIRR or subway to Manhattan. Around 60 min, $15-20. Taxi/Uber: 45-90 min, $60-80 (traffic varies).
Los Angeles (LAX)
LAX FlyAway bus to Union Station or Van Nuys. Uber/Lyft common. Metro rail expanding. Traffic is heavy—allow extra time.
San Francisco (SFO)
BART train to downtown SF. 30-40 min, around $10. Uber/Lyft 25-45 min depending on traffic.
⛴ Other Ways In
From Canada: Land borders at multiple points. Vancouver-Seattle, Toronto-Buffalo, Montreal-New York. Passport required.
From Mexico: Land crossings at Tijuana-San Diego, El Paso-Ciudad Juárez, and others. Check visa requirements.
Cruise: Major ports in Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York. Caribbean and Alaska cruises popular.
🛃 Visa & Entry Requirements
ESTA (Visa Waiver): Citizens of 40+ countries (UK, EU, Australia, Japan, etc.) can apply for ESTA for stays up to 90 days. Apply online before travel. Valid 2 years.
Other nationalities need a B-2 tourist visa. Apply at US embassy. Processing can take weeks. Check requirements for your passport.
Check visa requirements for USA →🚗 Getting Around the USA
Domestic Flights
Essential for long distances. New York to LA is 5+ hours flying. Southwest, United, American, Delta, JetBlue. Book in advance for best prices.
Amtrak (Trains)
Limited but scenic. Northeast Corridor (Boston-NYC-Washington) is efficient. Coast Starlight (LA-Seattle), California Zephyr (Chicago-SF) for scenery. Slower than flying but memorable. Book at amtrak.com
Buses
Greyhound nationwide. FlixBus, Megabus on popular routes. Cheap but slow. Good for budget travel between cities.
📅 Travel Pass Tip
Amtrak USA Rail Pass offers 10 segments over 30 days. Good value for multi-city trips. Book sleepers early—they sell out.
🚆 Local Transportation
Varies by city. New York has extensive subway. San Francisco has BART and Muni. Los Angeles is car-centric. Chicago has L. Most cities have Uber/Lyft.
City-Specific
- New York: MTA subway, buses. MetroCard or OMNY. Unlimited 7-day pass around $34
- San Francisco: BART, Muni, cable cars. Clipper card
- Chicago: CTA trains and buses. Ventra card
🚖 Renting a Car
Essential for national parks, road trips, and areas without public transport. The USA is built for driving.
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Minimum age usually 21 (25 for some companies)
- Credit card required for deposit
- Gas prices vary by state. Fill up before national parks
- Major rental companies at all airports
🚖 Compare Rental Cars in the USA
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Book flights early: Domestic fares often rise as departure approaches
- Use budget airlines: Southwest, Spirit, Frontier for domestic
- Amtrak deals: Sign up for emails, book 2+ weeks ahead
- Rent outside airports: City locations often cheaper than airport pickup
- Compare car rental sites: Prices vary significantly