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Transport in USA

Etats-Unis - ENG

Transport

Going to the United States

The most obvious means of transportation to get to the United States from France is by plane. To do so, you should allow at least 9 hours of flight time, and an average return ticket of €700.

Comparing airline offers well in advance will allow you to find cheaper airline tickets.

In the United States, there are 13 international airports: Boston Logan International, Chicago O'Hare International, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark Liberty International, San Francisco, Seattle Seattle-Tacoma International and Washington Dulles International.

small tip: arrive well in advance at the airport as the controls are strict and lengthy at airports.

You can also travel by boat to the United States. Know that the port of Miami is the most important port in the world! Dozens of cruise ships arrive there every day.

The cheapest solution is to board a cargo ship. However, don't expect a cruise ship! From Le Havre, it takes 10 days of crossing for a cost of 1000€. You might as well say that the simplest way is by plane!

Getting around in the United States: inter-city transportation

Moving around the United States from city to city is relatively simple. The country is served by a wide range of transportation, offering a relatively large choice: plane, train, bus, car... This being said, it is recommended that you establish a transportation budget when you travel to the United States.

Plane

Given the immense surface area of this country, travelling by plane for long journeys is almost unavoidable! Note that traffic is heavy and delays are commonplace at US airports. Here again, security measures due to the attacks are numerous, so arriving at the airport well in advance is highly recommended.

There are hundreds of airports in the United States. Almost every city has one! Domestic flights are operated by several airlines, including : AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, American Airlines, Continental Airlines , Delta Air Lines , Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.

Bus

Buses serve almost the entire territory, with a small caveat for the parks in the American West, which are often not well served. Beware, bus trips can be very long, but it remains a not too expensive way to travel in the USA.

The bus nevertheless offers a certain comfort: air conditioning, toilets on board. The Greyhound network manages almost all bus transport in the United States. Buying your bus tickets in advance will save you money.

Good to know: drivers do not pay attention to the number of passengers during breaks and bus stops are not mentioned on the tickets.

Fares vary according to the length of the trip. But the easiest way is to take a pass that allows you to travel all over the country. Here is a range of prices for travel in the United States:

  • 7 days 239 $ (225€)
  • 15 days 339 $ (319€)
  • 30 days 439 $ (413€)
  • 60 days 539 $ (508€)

Train

To travel long distances in the United States, the most convenient way to travel in this immense country is by plane. A trip from New York to San Francisco usually takes 6 hours and 20 minutes by plane but more than three days by train. After all, nothing stops you from trying your hand at adventure and enjoying the scenery!

You will see small abandoned villages. So open your eyes wide, an unusual and unpublished journey is what awaits you if you travel by train in the United States!

As far as price is concerned, you should know that the train is more expensive than the bus. The simplest way is to buy a package. You can buy them in most travel agencies in France.

Amtrak is the company where you can get the tickets at a more advantageous price. They are valid in the West, Northeast and East of the United States. Enough to discover marvellous landscapes all over the territory! It is necessary to count between 400 and 800€ for an unlimited train ticket over a predetermined period.

Camping car (campervan)

Forget the French camper vans. The ones you'll see in the United States of America are totally oversized! But the cost is not the least... It costs more than 1000€ per week in a camper van. However, if you leave with 6/8 people, it can be a real bargain, so don't leave this option aside...!

The camper van is also an experience not to be missed on your student trip to the United States. A regular driver's license will suffice.

Car

Aside from arriving in major American cities, traveling by car in the United States is a dream! Who doesn't want to go on a little road trip with their friends as seen in American movies?

What's more, there are very few tolls in the United States and gas is much cheaper than here.

Stop

Do you want to hitch-hike or hitchhike in the United States ? ... Why not ! But the Americans who almost all have a car or even several will not understand why you park in the middle of the road, so you might have to wait a little while before you are offered to get in. May luck be with you !

Be aware that hitchhiking can be very dangerous and is done at your own risk. So be very careful. Avoid, except in cases of force majeure, hitchhiking at night. If the driver seems "suspicious" to you, refuse politely.

Car Rental

You won't have any trouble at all finding a car to rent. Car rental companies offer advantageous solutions with interesting options. Remember to compare rates before you make your choice.

Here are a few rules that may be helpful when traveling by car in the United States:

  • Large companies rarely rent their cars to people under 25. For the smaller ones, if you are at least 21 years old, you should have no worries.
  • It is imperative to have an international payment card.
  • To rent a car in the United States, your French license is sufficient. However, the international license is obtained free of charge in your prefecture, we advise you to take it with you.
  • Think that the big companies offer the possibility to return your car in another agency, convenient for road trips!

Are you ready for your american dream road trip ?!

Getting around in the United States : means of intra-city transportation

Urban transport is only present in the major tourist cities of the United States. Moving by subway is highly recommended when the city has subway lines. You will reach your destination much faster, that's for sure!

But who hasn't dreamt of raising their arms and getting into a yellow taxi! Do it for the fun of it. It's a little cheaper than at home, but a 10% tip is mandatory.

Little tip: if you're traveling to the United States on Thanksgiving day, travel by foot! Transportation and roads in the cities are overcrowded and it's simply unbearable!

Here are some links that might be useful to you:

  • www.transitchicago.com
  • mta.info
  • www.mbta.com

Driving in the United States

There are different rules regarding conduct in the United States. Again, each state has its own laws. If you would like more information on a particular state, please refer to our city page and then to our "Transport" theme.

Nevertheless, the system is still stricter than at home. In addition to complying with the rules of conduct in the United States, don't hesitate to opt for insurance!

Here are some general rules that you may find useful when traveling by car in the United States:

  • Speed limit: between 90 and 120 km/h on main roads
  • As soon as a pedestrian enters a crosswalk, he or she has priority.
  • The blood alcohol level tolerated while driving is similar to that found in our European countries.
  • If you are stopped by an officer, stop as soon as possible but do not get out of the car and follow the recommendations given to you.

Here is a table of costs that could be interesting to prepare your student trip (may differ depending on the state you are in):

1 monthly pass

75€

1L of gasoline

0.56€

Car rental price/day

30€

Price for a domestic flight (New-York>Miami)

From 40€

Price of a taxi ride (by km)

1.29€

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