Alternatives to Driving — Trains, Buses, Rideshare & More

Getting Around Without a Car

America is built for driving — but it's not the only option. Trains, buses, rideshare, ferries, and even autonomous vehicles can supplement or replace a hire car for parts of your trip. Here's what works, what doesn't, and when to consider alternatives.

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Amtrak — America's Railway

Amtrak operates the national passenger rail network. It's not the Tube — journeys are long, often delayed, and cover limited routes — but certain Amtrak routes are among the most scenic journeys in the world.

Best Scenic Routes

Practical Notes

• Book early. Roomettes and bedrooms sell out weeks ahead on popular routes
• Coach seating is spacious (far bigger than UK train seats) and reasonably comfortable for day journeys
• Delays are common. Amtrak shares tracks with freight trains, which get priority. Build buffer days around rail journeys
• The observation car has floor-to-ceiling windows and is the entire point. Spend your time there, not in your seat
• Wifi is unreliable to non-existent on long-distance routes. Bring books, downloaded content, and a phone charger
• Food: Long-distance trains have dining cars (included with sleeper tickets, paid for coach passengers). Quality varies — bring snacks

Rail Passes

• USA Rail Pass: 10 segments over 30 days ($499) or 15 segments ($699). Good value if you're covering multiple routes
• Segments = individual journeys, not days. A Chicago–Denver connection counts as one segment

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Long-Distance Buses

Greyhound

America's bus network. Cheap but basic.

• Pros: Extensive network, very affordable ($20–80 for long routes), wifi on most buses
• Cons: Slow, bus stations can be in rough areas, few amenities
• Best for: Budget travellers connecting major cities where trains don't run

FlixBus

The European operator now covers many US routes.

• Pros: Modern buses, cheap fares (often $10–30), USB charging, wifi
• Cons: Limited network compared to Greyhound
• Best for: City-to-city hops on the West Coast, Texas, and Northeast corridor

Megabus

Budget service in the Northeast and parts of the South and Midwest.

• Fares from $1 if booked early (realistically $10–25)
• Good for: New York–Washington, New York–Boston, and similar corridors

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Rideshare Apps

Uber and Lyft

Available in virtually every US city and many towns.

• Urban trips: $8–25 for typical city rides
• Airport transfers: Often cheaper than taxis ($20–50 from major airports to city centres)
• Pricing: Surge pricing applies during peak hours, events, and bad weather. Check both apps and take the cheaper one
• Payment: All done via the app. No cash needed. Tips are appreciated (15–20% for good service, added in-app)

When Rideshare Works

• City days: Park the hire car and use Uber/Lyft in cities with difficult parking (San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago)
• Airport pick-up/drop-off: Avoid the car hire queue for your first/last day if you're spending it in a walkable city
• Designated driver: Wine tasting in Napa, brewery hopping in Portland, honky-tonk night in Nashville

When It Doesn't

• Rural areas and National Parks: Coverage drops to zero outside cities
• Small towns: You may wait 20–30 minutes or find no drivers at all
• Multi-stop days: A hire car is always more practical for road-trip days

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Autonomous Vehicles

The US is the global testbed for self-driving ride services. As of 2025, you can ride in a fully autonomous vehicle (no safety driver) in several cities:

Waymo (by Google/Alphabet)

• Available in: San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin (expanding)
• How it works: Book via the Waymo One app (like Uber). A Jaguar I-PACE or Zeekr arrives with no one in the driver's seat
• Price: Comparable to Uber/Lyft. Slight premium in some areas
• Experience: Smooth, cautious driving. The car obeys every traffic law. Interior screens show what the sensors "see"
• Waitlist: Waymo may have a waitlist for new users. Download the app and register before your trip

Cruise (by GM) — Currently Paused

• Status: Operations suspended as of late 2023 following an incident. May resume — check current status before travel

What to Expect

• Autonomous rides are fascinating and slightly surreal. The car handles intersections, lane changes, and pedestrians without human input
• You can request a ride to/from major airports in covered cities
• Tip: If you're visiting San Francisco, Phoenix, or Los Angeles, book a Waymo ride for the novelty alone. It's a story worth telling

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Ferries

Ferries fill important gaps, especially on coastal routes:

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City Public Transport

Some US cities have genuinely useful public transport. Most don't. Here's an honest assessment:

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When to Skip the Car

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Hybrid Approach

The smartest strategy for most British visitors combines:

1. Hire car for the road trip portion — essential for national parks, scenic drives, and rural areas
2. Return the car for city days — parking in San Francisco, New York, or Boston costs $30–60/day and causes stress
3. Rideshare for city transport — cheaper and easier than driving in congested cities
4. One spectacular train journey — the California Zephyr or Coast Starlight, not as transport but as an experience
5. Autonomous vehicle ride — if you're in a covered city, try it. It's the future arriving today

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