Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
poobah of passes, which includes Canada's not-much-better VIA Rail system; it
costs between $709 and $999 (the higher price is for travel between May and
October and over the December holidays). Given how you'd have to keep mov-
ing to get the most value out of your pass, it isn't the most economical bet.
For bus travel,
Greyhound
(
%
800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com)
covers the
United States, and the company's prices, both for individual trips and for the passes,
are equivalent to what you'll find at Amtrak. The conditions aboard these buses are
bottom-of-the-barrel—cramped conditions, smelly bathrooms, and frequent traffic
delays—making this a less pleasant option.
Trailways
(www.trailways.com)
is a col-
lection of privately owned bus systems across the country and its rates are usually
similar to Greyhound's. If faced with a choice between bus and train, choose the
train, because at least on the rails you'll be able to stand up and move around as you
plod across the enormity of the U.S.
Another option that bears mentioning, and is doable for Americans as well as
foreign visitors, are the low-cost shuttles that zip around California. They're
intended for backpackers and students, but anyone may take them.
Green
Tortoise
(
%
800/867-6647; www.greentortoies.com),
the popular backpackers
hostel and adventure travel company, runs shuttles to Vegas and L.A. from June
through October for $39 (L.A.) and $59 (Sin City) each way. The buses are like
traveling common rooms, with bunks for resting, lounges for socializing, and
entertainment systems for passing the time. Reservations are only accepted a week
ahead. For similar prices ($39-$43 with a 7-day advance purchase),
Greyhound
operates express buses to Los Angeles, as well as to Las Vegas. But the Greyhound
station is in a truly unsavory part of town, and many people don't feel comfort-
able going there or taking the bus with people who do.
Another newish option is
Megabus
(
%
877/462-6342; www.megabus.com).
The appeal of Megabus, which takes the 8-hour trip to Los Angeles four times
daily using comfortable luxury coaches, is that, if you're among the first few peo-
ple to book a seat, tariffs are just $1 each way; they top out at $36 for last-minute
bookers. A rate of $15 to $20 is most likely. A marginally more expensive option
is
California Shuttle Bus
(
%
800/387-3319 or 626/336-0027; www.cashuttle
bus.com;
$
45 each way),
which departs daily at 1pm from near Union Square.
HOW TO GET TO & FROM THE AIRPORT
The region's subway system, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is mostly designed
for commuter use, but a few years ago it finally hooked up with the city's main
airport, making it a cinch for tourists to use upon arrival and departure. Catching
BART from SFO airport to the city is easy enough. The station is attached to the
International Terminal, so if you fly into a different terminal, just take the free
AirTrain elevated tram to the right place. Once there, you stick a credit card or
cash into the machines and pull out a ticket that you'll keep using until the cash
you've put on it has been depleted. You can keep using the same ticket to get
around on BART during your visit. The default charge is usually $20, which,
unless you plan to ride BART a lot (you probably won't), is too much, so make
sure to tap the button that brings the charge down by a few dollars, because
machines don't give more than $4.95 in change. Riding the train to Powell (for
Union Square) or Embarcadero will cost $5.15 each way and take about 30 min-
utes. (If you plan to visit the Mission from Union Square during your stay, budget
