By air: When time is tight, book a flight. The domestic air system is extensive and reliable, with dozens of competing airlines, hundreds of airports and thousands of flights daily. Flying is usually more expensive than traveling by bus, train or car, but it’s the way to go when your destination is the destination.

By rail: Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) has an extensive rail system throughout the USA, with Amtrak Thruway buses providing convenient connections to and from the rail network to some smaller centers and national parks. Compared with other modes of travel, trains are rarely the quickest, cheapest or most convenient option, but they can be close on all counts, and they turn the journey into a relaxing, social and scenic experience.

Amtrak has several long-distance lines traversing the nation east to west, and even more running from north to south, and in total these connect all of America’s biggest cities and many of its smaller ones. Long-distance services (on named trains) run daily on most routes, but some run only three to five days per week

By road: Traffic drives on the left. In comparison to most of the Western world, the United States relies much more heavily on its roads both for commercial and personal transit. Car ownership is nearly universal except in few of the largest cities where extensive mass transit systems have been built

Buses: To save money, travel by bus, particularly between major towns and cities. Gotta-go middle-class Americans prefer to fly or drive, but buses let you see the countryside and meet folks along the way. As a rule, buses are reliable, clean and comfortable, with air-conditioning, reclining seats, onboard lavatories and no smoking permitted

Car-hire: Car rental is a very competitive business in the USA. Most rental companies require that you have a major credit card, that you be at least 25 years old and that you have a valid driver’s license (your home license will do). Alamo, Thrifty, Enterprise and Rent-A-Wreck may rent to drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 for an additional charge. Those under 21 are usually not permitted to rent at all.

Public Transport - subway: Some cities have underground subways or elevated metropolitan rail systems, which provide the best local transport. The largest systems are in New York, Washington, DC, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area. Other cities have small, one- or two-line rail systems that mainly serve downtown.

Some recommended dishes:

• Chicago Hot Dogs
• Gumbo (a hearty broth of seafood or smoked meats)
• Bagels
• Steak
• Clam Chowder

• Mustard Museum
• Niagra Falls
• Grand Canyon
• Times Square
• Las Vegas
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace
• San Antonio Riverwalk
• Temple Square, Salt Lake city
• Universal Studios, Hollywood
• Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

• American embassy
• Tourist guide
• Lonely Planet United States of America