Page 2 | What US states are doable without a car?

VirgosNeedGoals · 2025-04-13T18:08:18+00:00

Already done NYC, planning Chicago and Boston. Any others? Absolutely love America... but hate driving. I know it's expensive and everyone hates Trump. I still want to go!

TheHerboriste · 13/04/2025 22:48

mindutopia · 13/04/2025 19:24

Many American cities are doable without a car. You’ll be hard pressed to see much outside them though. You could easily do San Diego, LA, and San Francisco by flying, taking a bus, or Amtrak between them. You can get coach tours from, say, SF to Napa or Yosemite. You will miss out on the small towns and rural areas though.

This, though I would dispute San Diego.

But basically you need a car everywhere in the United States, unless you are on chartered coach tours.

TheHerboriste · 13/04/2025 22:48

mindutopia · 13/04/2025 19:24

Many American cities are doable without a car. You’ll be hard pressed to see much outside them though. You could easily do San Diego, LA, and San Francisco by flying, taking a bus, or Amtrak between them. You can get coach tours from, say, SF to Napa or Yosemite. You will miss out on the small towns and rural areas though.

This, though I would dispute San Diego.

But basically you need a car everywhere in the United States, unless you are on chartered coach tours.

TheHerboriste · 13/04/2025 22:48

mindutopia · 13/04/2025 19:24

Many American cities are doable without a car. You’ll be hard pressed to see much outside them though. You could easily do San Diego, LA, and San Francisco by flying, taking a bus, or Amtrak between them. You can get coach tours from, say, SF to Napa or Yosemite. You will miss out on the small towns and rural areas though.

This, though I would dispute San Diego.

But basically you need a car everywhere in the United States, unless you are on chartered coach tours.

TheHerboriste · 13/04/2025 22:48

mindutopia · 13/04/2025 19:24

Many American cities are doable without a car. You’ll be hard pressed to see much outside them though. You could easily do San Diego, LA, and San Francisco by flying, taking a bus, or Amtrak between them. You can get coach tours from, say, SF to Napa or Yosemite. You will miss out on the small towns and rural areas though.

This, though I would dispute San Diego.

But basically you need a car everywhere in the United States, unless you are on chartered coach tours.

minnienono · 13/04/2025 22:51

Only the cities not states BUT I did Alaska by public transport, long time ago so no idea on current costs but you can take the greyhound from downtown Seattle to the Alaskan state ferry at Bellingham, take the state ferry up to Juneau (then at least) ferry to Seward though I think they have altered this, train to anchorage then train up to Denali national park then train to Fairbanks, flew back

minnienono · 13/04/2025 22:54

I found public transport safe but then I thought the subway felt very safe. I’m pretty confident most places, the USA really doesn’t worry me, even getting lost in the la suburbs in a car I asked for directions, didn’t have a compatible smartphone or sat nav then

drspouse · 13/04/2025 23:04

I did Disney by public transport with my DD. Train to Anaheim and Uber to our motel then bus or walking (we stayed in a small motel which was nearer to the fireworks than the entrance was so we didn't bother going back in the evening!
The coasts are doable, though you can be limited in where you go (some lovely cities are missed out by train but some odd places are served).
I really think it's worth trying to drive there. I find a manual ok on the RHS because I owned a manual in a RH drive country but DH prefers an automatic. Maybe do a city with public transport and then rent a car out of town - driving from the airport is never nice.

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 13/04/2025 23:13

I’m currently in Boston. We got the Amtrak train from NYC. It took about 3 and a half hours. Frequent local trains and subway.

Next trip we are going to take the train to Washington DC from NYC.

dreamingbohemian · 13/04/2025 23:46

VirgosNeedGoals · 13/04/2025 22:38

Is Amtrak safe for a solo female? I personally felt the subway in NYC was dodgy so I'm a little wary... also how's Greyhound? I would assume buses are safer than trains!

Yes it's safe, nothing like the subway.

Personally I'd rate Amtrak safer than buses, the conductors keep an eye on things

I'm from NYC, taken Amtrak a million times no problem.