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I am thinking of one day (perhaps next year) traveling from coast to coast in the USA by public transport. Anyone done it? Are Greyhound buses still around, are they cheap are they full of nutters? what about amtrak trains are they much more expensive?

So what is the public transport like in the USA is it as bad as it is here in the uk? Can you hitch?

I got a three-month Greyhound pass a few years back and it was definitely the cheapest option. Some journeys were fine, whereas others were decidedly dodgy. You should be okay on the bus, so long as you ignore the occasional psychos and hustlers but be careful at the stations as they are full of them. Most Greyhound stations are in remote spots in the worst part of town and are a magnet for desperados of every description. Not a problem if you stay alert, but no falling asleep waiting for a bus.

Coast to coast can be done in a week, so I'd recommend having a look at both the Greyhound and Amtrack options before making a decision. I got as far as San Francisco and stayed there for six months so it might have been cheaper and more comfortable to travel by Amtrack. Look at the places that you'd like to visit and include them when looking at the timetables for both.

One last piece of advice, if you go via Greyhound, do not change buses at El Paso. Without a doubt, this was the most dangerous and depressing place I had too spend a few hours in. It had the menace of many border towns but it was very in your face constantly. You can't even get a proper Mexican meal - it was all Taco Bells.

Ah yes! but how are you going to get to the US without flying?

Nev

swim?

I expect he will row!

Hitch a ride on a cargo boat?

Sail? Solar powered engine? Combination of all the suggestions?

There's a chap taking an amphibious tracked Land Rover across Russia, the Bering Strait and finally Alaska, fairly soon. Andy could always hitch a ride and take the long way around with him...

You know what, that sounds like a pretty good idea. But yep cargo ship would probally be the best idea. contadina - some good solid sound advice there thanks very much for that.

I personally would steer entirely clear of Greyhound. It's been a while since I used it, but even a few years ago I'd call it more than dodgy. Amtrak is fairly reasonable and has sleepers if you're so-inclined. You can get completely across the US using the train, from NYC to Oakland, California (don't think the Amtrak line goes across the bay, but you're just a few miles from San Francisco at that stage). I think the train does it in just 3 days.

Cheers
Andrea
NZ
(used to live in the US)

Reasonably cheap, its really cheap to travel by Amtrak I just looked up a ticket from san fran to new york and it only costs $184 less than £100 to get across the states pretty good.

I was in L.A. at the end of last year and found the public transport to have good and bad sides:

GOOD:
Buses were large with lots of space
Fairs round the city were reasonably cheep
All busses had bike racks on the front
Their tube was cheep, clean and on time
Met some very friendly helpful people

BAD:
This is only an impression but public transport seemed to be used by people who were too young, poor, disabled or confused to drive
Buses were erratic and no timetables were displayed
Busses had televisions on them!
I didn't always feel as safe as I might do using public transport in another major city, I might just be prejudiced though

If you're going any where near LA and intend to use public transport please take a Latin American Spanish phrase book, you'll find it invaluble. Oh, one general tip, when you're in a major city, pop into large hotels and ask their consiege (can't spell, the bloke who organises tours and directions) for public transport timetables and maps. They usually have a stash.

Cheers QB