USA: Pre-trip planning for overseas travelers
Amtrak USA Rail PassesOverseas travelers have a choice of the following USA Rail Passes . The Coastal Pass permits unlimited train travel on the east and west coasts, but not between the two. The Northeast Pass is also available as a 5-day offer, for $149.
| 15-day | 15-day | 30-day | 30-day | |
| (June-Aug) | (Sept-May) | (June-Aug) | (Sept-May) | |
| East | $260 | $210 | $320 | $265 |
| Far West | $245 | $190 | $320 | $250 |
| Northeast | $205 | $185 | $240 | $225 |
| West | $325 | $200 | $405 | $270 |
| Coastal | - | - | $285 | $235 |
| National | $440 | $295 | $550 | $385 |
On production of a passport issued outside the US or Canada, the passes can be bought at Amtrak stations in the US. The Amtrak website lists several places you can buy them internationally.
Greyhound Discovery Passes
Foreign visitors, especially those inclined to venture beyond the major meccas, can - before leaving home - buy a Greyhound Discovery Pass. It offers unlimited travel within a set time limit. Most travel agents sell them. In the UK, they cost £92 (4-day), £113 (5-day), £146 (7-day), £174 (10-day), £205 (15-day), £235 (30-day), £256 (45-day) or £311 (60-day). No daily extensions are available.
On first use, the ticket clerk will date your pass (this is the commencement date of the ticket). Your destination is written on a page that the driver will tear out and keep as you board the bus. Repeat this procedure for every subsequent journey.
Where to buy Amtrak and Greyhound passes abroad
STA UK tel 0870/160 0599, ; Australia tel 1300/360 960, ; New Zealand tel 0800/874 773,
Trailfinders UK tel 020/7628 7628, ; Ireland tel 01/677 7888, ; Australia tel 02/9247 6556,
USIT UK tel 0870/240 1010; Ireland tel 01/602 1600, ; Australia tel 02/9232 8444; New Zealand tel 09/379 4224.
Walshes World Australia tel 02/9232 7499 or 1800/227 122; New Zealand tel 09/379 3708.
Air passes
The main American airlines (and British Airways in conjunction with various carriers) offer air passes for visitors who plan to fly a lot within the US. These must be bought in advance. In the UK they are usually sold with the proviso that you cross the Atlantic with the relevant airline. All the deals involve the purchase of between three and ten coupons; United, for instance, charges British travelers £292 for three Visit USA coupons and £479 to £499 for ten depending on the season. Each coupon is valid for a flight of any duration in the 48 contiguous US states - you purchase additional coupons for flights to Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico at varying rates. American Airlines charge $429, Northwest $399 and Continental $269 for comparable itineraries. The situation is similar for Australasian visitors.
Other plans entitle foreign travelers to discounts on regular US domestic fares, again with the proviso that you buy the ticket before you leave home. However you do it, flying within the US is only a wise choice for travel in regions where fares are low anyway; flights within Florida, for example, are very expensive
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