By Plane -- Some large airlines (for example, Northwest and Delta) offer travelers on their transatlantic or transpacific flights special discount tickets under the name Visit USA, allowing mostly one-way travel from one U.S. destination to another at low prices. These discount tickets are not on sale in the United States and must be purchased abroad in conjunction with your international ticket. This system is the best, easiest, and fastest way to see the United States at a low cost. You should obtain information well in advance from your travel agent or the office of the airline concerned since the conditions attached to these discount tickets can be changed without advance notice.
By Train -- Long-distance trains in the United States are operated by Amtrak (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com), the national passenger rail corporation, which has a number of stations in Virginia.
International visitors (excluding Canada) can buy a USA Rail Pass, good for 15 or 30 days of unlimited travel on Amtrak. The pass is available through many overseas travel agents. Recent prices for a 15-day pass were $295 off-peak, $440 peak; a 30-day pass costs $385 off-peak, $550 peak. With a foreign passport, you can also buy passes at some Amtrak offices in the United States, including locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Miami, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Reservations are generally required and should be made for each part of your trip as early as possible. Regional rail passes are also available.
By Bus -- Although bus travel is often the most economical form of public transit for short hops between U.S. cities, it can also be slow and uncomfortable -- certainly not an option for everyone (particularly when Amtrak, which is far more luxurious, offers similar rates). Greyhound/Trailways (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com), the sole nationwide bus line, offers an International Ameripass that must be purchased before coming to the United States or by phone through the Greyhound International Office at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City (tel. 212/971-0492). The pass can be obtained from foreign travel agents or through Greyhound's website (order at least 21 days before your departure to the U.S.) and costs less than the domestic version. Recent prices were: $179 (4 days), $239 (7 days), $289 (10 days), $349 (15 days), $419 (21 days), $479 (30 days), $529 (45 days), or $639 (60 days), but these are likely to be higher in light of skyrocketing fuel prices. You can get more info at the website or by calling tel. 402/330-8552. In addition, special rates are available for seniors and students.
By Car -- Unless you plan to spend the bulk of your vacation time in a city such as New York or Washington, D.C., where walking or taking subways are the best and easiest ways to get around, the most cost-effective, convenient, and comfortable way to travel around the United States is by car. This is especially true in Virginia. The interstate highway system connects cities and towns all over the country; in addition to these high-speed, limited-access roadways, there's an extensive network of federal, state, and local highways and roads. Some of the national car-rental companies include Alamo (tel. 800/462-5266; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel. 800/230-4898; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel. 800/800-3665; www.dollar.com), Enterprise (tel. 800/261-7331; www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; www.hertz.com), National (tel. 800/227-7368; www.nationalcar.com), and Thrifty (tel. 800/847-4389; www.thrifty.com).
If you plan to rent a car in the United States, you probably won't need the services of an additional automobile organization. If you're planning to buy or borrow a car, automobile-association membership is recommended. AAA, the American Automobile Association (tel. 800/222-4357; www.aaa.com), is the country's largest auto club and supplies its members with maps, insurance, and, most important, emergency road service. The cost of joining runs from about $63 for singles to $87 for two members, but if you're a member of a foreign auto club with reciprocal arrangements, you can enjoy free AAA service in America.
The Right Side Is the "Right" Side -- In the U.S., we drive on the right-hand side of the road as in Europe, not on the left-hand side as in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
