Travel to & around USA

USA airports

Miami
Miami airport is located 14 km northwest of the city.  There is a metrobus that connects passengers to the tri-rail commuter train system.  Taxis are available and cost around USD$20 to downtown Miami.

John F. Kennedy Airport (New York)
JFK airport is located 24 km southeast of Manhattan.  The AirTrain links the airport with the regions rail transport network 24 hours 7 days a week.  Shuttles and public buses are available or you can get a cab for about USD$45.  The journey will take anywhere from half an hour to an hour depending on the route you take.  Be aware that you could have tolls to pay in addition to the metered fare.

San Francisco
San Francisco airport is located 22 km south of the city.  There is a very good rail system in place to get you from the airport to northern San Mateo Country, East Bay and Milbrae Station (where a shuttle service runs between San Francisco and San Jose).  Taxis are available at a cost of around USD$37 to downtown San Fran or jump on a bus – they operate 24 hours a day and connect the airport to San Mateo County, parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto.

Washington DC
The Washington Dulles airport is located 42 km west of Washington.  There is one cab company that exclusively services the Dulles International Airport, offering a 24-hour service.  You can take a bus to the metro station, providing access to downtown Washington and other destinations and a line to the airport is in the pipeline.  The other alternative is a shuttle service available on demand from outside the terminal building from USD$10 upward per ride (depending on destination and number of people).

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle Airport is located 19km south of Seattle.  Buses run 24 hours a day and you can get a shuttle which runs a door to door service.  Taxis are also available and will cost around USD$30.  The journey to the city takes around 30 minutes.

Los Angeles
LA airport is located 24 km southwest of the city.  Take a free shuttle service to connect you to the metro or get on a public bus taking you to various destinations from 75c.  Jump in a cab to downtown Los Angeles at a cost of around USD$30, it will only take half an hour.

How to get around

Air
From east to west the USA can be crossed in five hours and from north to south only two hours.  There are a bunch of airlines servicing the domestic market so you can usually bank on picking up a cheap airfare from one of them, especially if flying at night.  Be aware that the number and size as well as weight often determine the baggage allowance.  Ask your STA Travel Adviser for more details.

Rail
The rail network serves more than 500 communities in 45 states and can be a great way to get around.  In addition to trains of the usual speed there is a high-speed train, which travels up to 240 kph and shortens the journeys between Washington DC - New York by 30 minutes, and New York – Boston by 1 hour 30 minutes.  There are also scenic options onboard vintage trains that are great for getting off the beaten track.

Road
There are a few ways to get round by road but be aware that whatever the option you’re potentially going to be travelling enormous distances!  You can hire your own car if you’re over 25 (some places will allow younger drivers at a cost).  You can also easily get hold of an RV or ‘recreational vehicle’, which is like a motor home and gives you the bonus of transport and accommodation in one.  Remember to familiarise yourself with local driving laws before heading off.

Bus
If you’re not keen to drive, jump on the legendary Greyhound.  It is the main national coach carrier and covers the whole of the USA, with a couple of services to Canada and Mexico.  Greyhounds have all the comforts of air conditioning, toilets, and reclining seats onboard.

If you’re travelling alone, for the first time, or just fancy meeting some new and exciting people, then why not try an organised tour?  Check out some of our options for tours and treks in the USA.

*The small print
We’ve tried to make this destination guide as accurate as possible but please double check the essentials like visas, health and safety, airport information etc with the relevant authorities before you travel.  STA Travel takes no responsibility for loss, injury or inconvenience caused as a result of this guide.  All prices listed are in the currency of the destination, unless otherwise stated.