Public Transport in America

GuruOnAMountain
GuruOnAMountain Posts: 489 Member
edited November 8 in Chit-Chat
My boyfriend and I are toying with visiting America if we can afford it but I've heard a lot of people saying that in America it is really hard to get around without a car and neither of us drive. Admittedly, most of the people who say this have only ever been to Florida and I would imagine that Florida is maybe a bit of an exception to the rule since all the amusement parks would need to be in more out of the way locations due to their size.

I'm guessing New York would be easy enough to get around but he's already been there, so I don't think that would be an option for us.

I really fancy Washington DC but all the hotels that seem to be available on all the cheapest flights+hotel deals are quite out the way eg. next to Quantico. I don't mind having to travel on public transport into the city every day but I'd hate to book it, get there and then realise public transport wasn't very frequent or reliable and that without a car, we were stranded.

The other option, at some point, would be to visit Florida. We're both total space geeks so would want to visit the Kennedy Space Centre if we ever went and I'd love to visit DisneyWorld and Universal Studios (not sure he'd be so keen on them, though!). I know a lot of the hotels do shuttle buses to and from the parks so I guess we could probably get to them OK but would the Space centre be an option if we were relying on public transport?

Anyway, I know a lot of you guys are from the states so I thought I'd throw it out there and get your advice.
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Replies

  • Bahet
    Bahet Posts: 1,254 Member
    America sucks for public transport. In places with subways/commuter trains you'll be fine. Not sure if DC is good for that or not but I'd think so. FL isn't. Taking a bus that isn't during commuter times will have you riding with the dregs of society. (Disclaimer: No, not EVERYONE who rides a bus as a mode of transport is part of that whole "dregs of society" bit but most of them are.)
  • mommared53
    mommared53 Posts: 9,543 Member
    I don't know about the rest of the country, but years ago when I lived in Kansas City, Missouri, I took the bus everywhere. I currently live in the Seattle area and don't drive. There are plenty of buses and the Sounder train here for transportation.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    Public transportation in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco. Los Angeles all have wonderful public transportation systems. If you go to Florida and you're interested in Orlando area, you'll have no problem with public transportation either. Public transportation in cities in Texas are horrible, though.
  • melonsss
    melonsss Posts: 144 Member
    Years ago İ travelled around New England and Upstate New york and managed on the Greyhound. İ stayed in Hotel overnight. The public transport system around Boston was very good.
  • VonRockette
    VonRockette Posts: 159 Member
    America is the worst place I have ever been to for public transport. NYC is super easy and effective to get around LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.

    But girl , you will not find a cheap way to get from Quantico to Washington. No buses ever, anywhere it seems. VA is so parched for accessible public transportation it HURTS my head and actually makes me quite aggravated. You will be able to metro to DC, but good luck GETTING to a metro station. Nothing will be as frustrating to you as trying to drive through NOVA or the web of DC if you rent a car.

    Your best bet is to stay IN DC. Staying in big cities are pretty easy to get around as they have established public transportation for the most part. But if you stray from that you are poop out of luck unless you have cash for rentals or cabs. The money you save staying near Quantio will easily be squandered away on your fight to get transport into DC.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    If you stay within one metro area, it shouldn't be terrible. If you're trying to travel in between cities, good luck!

    Minneapolis has a wonderful transit system, but it degrades after one tier of suburbs. Stops completely after two or three.
  • VonRockette
    VonRockette Posts: 159 Member
    travelling between cities can get wary and expensive. Amtrack and Greyhounds.
  • jennilovesryan
    jennilovesryan Posts: 124
    florida seriously does suck in the public transportation department. unless you decide to live close or in a big city, you'll be hard pressed to find anything worth while in the states.
  • chefkev
    chefkev Posts: 155 Member
    Public transportation in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco. Los Angeles all have wonderful public transportation systems. If you go to Florida and you're interested in Orlando area, you'll have no problem with public transportation either. Public transportation in cities in Texas are horrible, though.

    100% true. My favorite city is Chicago. Great transport system, trains go everywhere, so much to see and do! I go there a couple times a year!
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    I live in Orlando and yeah, unless you rent a car you're not going to be able to get around. We DO have a bus system but it's not great at all.

    NYC does have an excellent public transit system, I've been there several times. You can get wherever you need to go for very cheap and pretty quickly. I've heard DC's transport system is similarly awesome, though I haven't personally been there.

    My vote would be for DC! Florida is overrated... then again I've lived here my whole life :P
  • eddyca
    eddyca Posts: 153 Member
    Chicago has very reliable public transportation and I know plenty of people manage to get around without a car. There is the CTA for heart of the city and nearby suburbs, the Metra Rail system which will take you waayy out into the suburbs, and also PACE a suburban bus system--which is the most unreliable because the busses don't come frequent enough.
    The city is also becoming more and more bike friendly. Lake Shore Drive has a bike path that is over 10 km long and there are many streets with a bike lane.
  • bert16
    bert16 Posts: 726 Member
    I live in the Washington, DC area and there are plenty of really easy and useful public transportation options. DC itself, as well as nearby suburbs of Virginia (VA) and Maryland (MD) all have access to the Metro, which is a subway system (www.wmata.com). If you stay anywhere on/near the Metro system, you're all set; there is also an accompanying bus system run by WMATA, so you should be able to get information on the same site.

    If you need to stay further away due to cost, there are also commuter trains - VA has the VRE (www.vre.org) and MD has MARC (http://mta.maryland.gov/marc-train). My friends commute in on these every single day; they run on predictable (if not extensive) schedules and will get you right into the heart of the city.

    Hope this helps!
  • FitDC
    FitDC Posts: 63
    Welcome to the USA!! It depends on the time of year and what you would like to see. I love the Southern charm and accents. Savannah, Georgia -Charleston, South Carolina - Myrtle Beach, SC - Key West, Florida - Ashville, NC - Kerrville, TX - Palm Beach, FL - Atlantic Beach, NC - Branson, MO - All offer reasonable lodging, southern hospitality, great dining - art, landscaping, line dancing, architecture, parks, and lots of walking tours -- Have a wonderful time!!
  • TrekkerCynthia
    TrekkerCynthia Posts: 155 Member
    You should be able to find bus and train schedules online Then you can see if they will make reasonable options. Obviously NYC is great, and I had no problem getting around Philadelphia and Boston. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, are all great options.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Teacher Teacher Pick ME!!!!!

    If you are adults and go to a Florida theme park then you don't need a car. Universal Studios is MUCH better than Disney. Stay at Universal it is awesome(you can skip the lines if you stay at the park). I assume there are day bus tours to Cape Kennedy from Orlando.

    You can also go to Key West and need nothing more than a pair of sandals to get around.

    If you stay on the strip in Vegas you don't need a car.
    Of course if you go to NYC(my hometown), then you don't need a car.

    I love love love Palm Beach County Florida for several reasons. My opinion it is the best beaches and food is cheap cheap cheap, however a car is a good idea.
  • Tennessee2019
    Tennessee2019 Posts: 676 Member
    I have traveled the United States twice & can't think of a city that doesn't have some form of public transportation that you could use. When you start planning your trip, talk with a travel agent & see what options there are for the places you are going to be visiting.
  • sunkisses
    sunkisses Posts: 2,365 Member
    Unless you're going to Miami, Florida or maybe St. Augustine, we are the absolute WORST in public transportation.

    Oops how could I forget about Key West. LOVE!
  • lindasain
    lindasain Posts: 163 Member
    Florida if you are going to Miami the public transport is great.. i won't ever drive in that city for its easy by bus, metro and tri rail but if you go to ft lauderdale it horrid .. so if you stay in miami you are fine.:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    Forget public transportation outside of most cities.
    Americans like to drive - not be driven.
    In Philly we have this
    http://www.septa.org/

    Have fun, but don't stay out past dark unless you know where you are.
    We'll mug you.

    Welcome to America.:tongue:
  • lor007
    lor007 Posts: 884 Member
    I have lived in America my whole life and have never used any form public transportation because it is nonexistent in my area.

    I kind of doubt you plan on visiting farm country, though.
  • jlj9287
    jlj9287 Posts: 51 Member
    If you're looking for transportation between major cities, take Megabus into consideration. The trips are usually pretty reasonable and I've never had a problem with them.

    I also used to live in Boston and I loved the MBTA, but the worst part is that it stops running so early (midnight or so).
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    Here in Minneapolis, there is a lot of public transit but I think it's confusing!
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    100% true. My favorite city is Chicago. Great transport system, trains go everywhere, so much to see and do! I go there a couple times a year!
    I love Chicago! My oldest son went to college there and ended up accepting a job up there. He's too far from home for me, but at least he's in a great city to visit!
  • GuruOnAMountain
    GuruOnAMountain Posts: 489 Member

    Have fun, but don't stay out past dark unless you know where you are.
    We'll mug you.

    Welcome to America.:tongue:

    Ahh, I live in Glasgow....knife crime capital of Europe...so I might mug you guys first :p Haha.

    Thanks for the help guys. Now I just need to convince the fella that a long flight is worth it even thought he's scared of flying! Lol.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    It is important to note that AMTRACK, (the passenger rail system between states) does not have priority use of its tracks. Freight trains have priority use. Even 30 years ago, when we trained from NY to Orlando, there were hours where the train just stopped and waited for other traffic to go by.
  • EuroReady
    EuroReady Posts: 199 Member
    The American public transportation system is really horrible. If you are looking to do some widespread traveling, Amtrak (the railroad) is limited and expensive. I have heard the best thing to do is use Greyhound Buses. They connect most major cities.
  • simplymily
    simplymily Posts: 62
    If you plan to stay in DC then public transportation is great I live 20 minutes by car and I usually take metro and walk in DC... Hope you guys have a great trip if you end up going. Wait until spring or until it gets warmer DC is better when it's not cold
  • EuroReady
    EuroReady Posts: 199 Member
    Also, Mega Bus (as someone said) and Bolt buses are good options. Generally the bigger cities have some sort of metros or bus networks. The real problem really is getting from one city to the next, just because there are not many options. And in europe, you can plan a whole trip on raileurope.com where here it isn't that easy. And we don't have many hostels.
  • GuruOnAMountain
    GuruOnAMountain Posts: 489 Member
    It is important to note that AMTRACK, (the passenger rail system between states) does not have priority use of its tracks. Freight trains have priority use. Even 30 years ago, when we trained from NY to Orlando, there were hours where the train just stopped and waited for other traffic to go by.

    Woah! Remind me never to complain about the British rail system ever again! Lol.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Here in Minneapolis, there is a lot of public transit but I think it's confusing!

    MetroTransit.org
    The trip planner is the best thing ever. Maps and schedules galore!

    I also use Google maps sometimes, their transit directions mirror the MT planner with a better map.
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