Travel to United States of America
Flying to United States of America
The United States is one of the world's most accessible destinations by air, with hundreds of international flights arriving daily from all corners of the globe. Most long-haul travellers arrive through major gateway airports, many of which are among the busiest in the world.
Key international hubs include John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Other significant entry points include Miami International Airport (MIA), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
Travellers from Asia, Australia, Europe, the UK and beyond will find no shortage of direct flights to the USA, operated by major carriers such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta, and United, among others. Flights typically land at airports close to major cities, where onward travel by domestic flight, train, or car hire is straightforward.
Flight times
London to New York: 8 hours.
London to San Francisco: 11 hours.
Travelling to United States of America by Rail
It is possible to travel by rail into the United States from Canada, with a small number of cross-border routes operated by Amtrak, the national rail provider.
The most popular service is the Adirondack line, which runs daily between Montreal and New York City, offering scenic views of the Hudson Valley. Other key routes include the Maple Leaf (Toronto to New York City via Niagara Falls) and the Amtrak Cascades (Vancouver to Seattle and Portland).
There is no passenger rail service from Mexico into the United States.
Rail passes
Amtrak offers a few rail passes, including one that allows visitors to hop on/off across 500 destinations. The site is www.amtrak.com/multi-ride-rail-passes.
Driving to United States of America
Travelling to the United States by road is possible from its neighbouring countries (Canada and Mexico), with numerous border crossings open to private vehicles, coaches, and pedestrians.
From Canada, well-maintained highways connect major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal to their U.S. counterparts. Popular crossings include the Peace Bridge (Buffalo, New York), the Ambassador Bridge (Detroit, Michigan), and the Blaine Crossing (near Seattle, Washington). Cross-border coach services such as Greyhound and Megabus also operate regular routes.
From Mexico, road travel into the USA is common through busy border points like Tijuana–San Diego, Juárez–El Paso, and Nuevo Laredo–Laredo.
While many crossings are efficient, wait times can vary significantly depending on the time of day and security checks. You can visit https://bwt.cbp.gov for a full list of land border crossings, their operating hours, and estimated wait times.
Driving note
All travellers must carry the appropriate documents, including a valid passport and, where applicable, a visa or ESTA authorisation. Additional checks, such as vehicle inspections and customs declarations, may be required at land borders, so it's wise to allow extra time.
Getting to United States of America by boat
There are ferries between Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) and Washington State. In addition, the seasonal CAT Ferry connects Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, with Bar Harbor, Maine, offering a scenic four-hour journey across the Gulf of Maine.
Cruise ships
The United States is a major hub for cruise travel, with numerous international cruise lines offering itineraries that include stops or departures from American ports. Some of the busiest and most popular cruise ports in the USA include:
• PortMiami (Florida).
• Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida).
• Port Canaveral (Florida).
• Los Angeles (San Pedro) and Long Beach (California).
• New York City (Manhattan and Brooklyn terminals).
• Seattle and Vancouver (Canada).
• Galveston (Texas).
