Flying isn’t always the answer. For trips under 500 miles, the “cheap flight” often isn’t cheap once you add baggage fees, airport parking, and the three hours of airport overhead — and it’s certainly not fast door-to-door. If you’re asking what the best way to travel between US cities cheaply is, the answer depends on distance, but America’s intercity options are better than most people realize — if you know where to look beyond the airline apps.
I’ve traveled between US cities by plane, train, bus, and car more times than I can count. Here’s the honest breakdown of what each option really costs — in money, time, and sanity.
What Is the Best Way to Travel Between US Cities Cheaply? Match the Mode to the Distance
The rule of thumb: under 200 miles, driving or bus usually wins. 200-500 miles is the competitive zone where trains, buses, and budget flights battle it out. Over 500 miles, flying usually wins on both cost and time — but not always. Always compare door-to-door: the $49 flight with $60 in extras and 5 hours of overhead isn’t cheaper than the $39 bus that drops you downtown.
Buses: The Budget King
- Megabus / FlixBus: The famous $1-15 fares are real on popular routes booked early — compare all carriers on Wanderu (NYC-DC, LA-Vegas, Chicago-Detroit). Even regular fares ($25-45) undercut everything else. Book early for the best prices; they rise as the bus fills.
- Greyhound: The most extensive network — reaches places nothing else does. Less glamorous, but often the only option for smaller cities. Book online in advance for 30-50% savings over walk-up fares.
- Regional carriers: Don’t overlook them — companies like Jefferson Lines, Concord Coach, and various Chinatown buses serve specific corridors cheaply and well.
- The reality: Buses are slower and less comfortable than trains, but for budget travel they’re unbeatable. Bring entertainment, snacks, and a neck pillow. Overnight buses save a hotel night — the ultimate budget hack.
Trains: Comfortable and Often Competitive
- Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor: The Northeast Regional (not the Acela) between DC, Philly, NYC, and Boston is often price-competitive with flying when you count airport time — and infinitely more comfortable. Book 2+ weeks ahead for the best fares; prices rise closer to departure.
- Other corridors: California (LA-San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner is a steal), Chicago-Milwaukee (Hiawatha), Seattle-Portland (Cascades) — these regional routes are affordable and scenic.
- Long-distance trains: Generally not cheap or fast vs. flying — but they’re an experience (the Coast Starlight, the Empire Builder). Book coach for the experience; sleepers are pricey.
- USA Rail Pass: Amtrak’s pass ($499 for 10 segments in 30 days) can be excellent value for multi-city trips. Do the math on your itinerary — it often wins.
- Our scenic trains guide: America’s best scenic train rides covers the routes worth taking for the journey itself.
Budget Flights: When Flying Wins
For 500+ miles, flying usually wins — but fly smart:
- Check Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier separately — they don’t always appear on aggregators and run the cheapest fares.
- Compare total cost: fare + bags + seat selection + airport transport. Our airport-to-downtown guide helps with the last piece.
- Book in the sweet spot: our flight timing guide covers the windows.
- Consider nearby airports — flying into the secondary airport is often $50-100 cheaper.
Driving: The Math Most People Get Wrong
Driving “feels” free if you own the car, but calculate honestly: IRS mileage rate (~$0.70/mile) × distance = true cost including wear, or at minimum gas + tolls. For one person, driving rarely beats the bus. For 3-4 people, driving usually wins — split gas and it’s $20-30/person for trips the bus charges $40 for. Plus you have a car at the destination (rental savings!). The breakeven: roughly 2+ people for trips under 400 miles.
Rideshares and Alternatives
- Carpooling apps: Limited in the US compared to Europe, but worth checking for popular corridors.
- One-way car rentals: Sometimes surprisingly cheap (especially with Costco Travel or Autoslash) — and you get a car at the destination. Compare against all other options.
- Combination trips: Bus one direction, train back. Fly there, rent a car back as a mini road trip. Mixing modes often beats round-tripping one mode.
Quick Comparison: NYC to DC (225 miles)
- Megabus: $15-35, 4.5 hours, downtown to downtown
- Amtrak Northeast Regional: $30-120 (booked early), 3.5 hours, downtown to downtown
- Driving: ~$40-60 (gas + tolls), 4-5 hours, plus parking in DC ($$$)
- Flying: $100-200 + airport time (3+ hours door-to-door anyway)
- Winner: Bus for budget, Amtrak for comfort-speed balance. Flying is the worst option here.
The split-ticket trick
For trains and some buses, splitting your ticket can beat the through-fare: booking A-to-B and B-to-C separately sometimes costs less than A-to-C direct, especially on Amtrak where pricing is segment-based and quirky. Similarly, positioning flights — a cheap separate ticket to a major hub, then the deal fare from there — can undercut through-tickets significantly. Always price both ways before booking. The trade-off: separate tickets mean separate reservations (no protection if the first is delayed), so build in generous buffers. For the flexible traveler, split ticketing is an advanced move that routinely saves 20-40%. Check, compare, and let the math decide.
Finally, consider the journey-as-destination mindset for trips where time allows. An overnight bus or a scenic train segment can turn transportation into part of the adventure rather than just a cost to minimize. The cheapest option and the most memorable option are sometimes the same thing — watching the sun rise over the desert from a train window beats a cramped budget flight every time. Price the options, then ask which trip you’d actually remember. Sometimes the “inefficient” choice is the best one.
Your Practical Takeaway
For your next intercity trip: check the bus fare first (it’s the price floor), compare Amtrak if a corridor exists, price flights with all fees included, and do the driving math honestly for your group size. The cheapest option is rarely the obvious one — and the best value often isn’t the absolute cheapest, but the one balancing cost, time, and comfort for your specific trip. Five minutes of comparison routinely saves $50-100.