Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bus
Most cities and larger towns have dependable local bus systems, though they are often
designed for commuters and provide limited service in the evening and on weekends.
Costs range from free to between $1 and $3 per ride.
Subway & Train
The largest systems are in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC,
and Chicago. Other cities may have small, one- or two-line rail systems that mainly serve
downtown.
Taxi
Taxis are metered, with flagfall charges of around $2.50, plus $2 to $3 per mile. They
charge extra for waiting and handling baggage, and drivers expect a 10% to 15% tip. Tax-
is cruise the busiest areas in large cities; otherwise, it's easiest to phone and order one.
Tours
Hundreds of companies offer all kinds of organized tours of the USA; most focus on either
cities or regions.
Reputable tour companies:
Backroads
( 800-462-2848, 510-527-1555;
www.backroads.com
) Designs a range of
active, multisport and outdoor-oriented trips for all abilities and budgets.
Contiki
( 866-266-8454;
www.contiki.com
)
Party-hardy sightseeing tour-bus vacations
for 18- to 35-year-olds.
Gray Line
( 800-966-8125;
www.grayline.com
) For those short on time, Gray Line of-
fers a comprehensive range of standard sightseeing tours across the country.
Green Tortoise
( 800-867-8647, 415-956-7500;
www.greentortoise.com
) Offering
budget adventures for independent travelers, Green Tortoise is famous for its sleeping-
bunk buses. Most trips leave from San Francisco, traipsing through the West and nation-
wide.
Road Scholar
( 800-454-5768;
www.roadscholar.org
) For those aged 55 and older,
this venerable nonprofit offers 'learning adventures' in all 50 states.
Trek America
( in North America 800-873-5872, in the UK 0844-576-1400;
www.trekamerica.com
)
For active outdoor adventures; group sizes are kept small.
