What's better plane, car or bus ride from San Francisco to Vegas/LA/Alabama?
By nat1_ong
@nat1_ong (150)
Guam
December 25, 2012 7:13pm CST
I'm planning a trip to US for the next 2 years. 2014. I just want to have an idea if how many hours by land drive from SFO to Vegas, SFO to Los Angeles? If by plane what airline from SFO to Vegas? Thank you. And more, how about from SFO to Alabama? What Airline is the cheapest? Thanks!
2 responses
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
26 Dec 12
As the previous responder told you, be wary of taking a Greyhound Bus but there may be other bus lines. There is also a possibility that Greyhound offers their deluxe bus service on the west coast. You need to do some research. Consider Amtrak train. It is a beautiful ride between Los Angeles and San Francisco. You will ride along the coast. The train trip between San Francisco and Reno is really beautiful. You will go through the Sierra Nevada mountains. I recommend against renting an automobile. It can be dangerous for drivers not familiar with the terrain or the country.
Airplanes will get you from Point A to Point B faster but you will be missing some beautiful country. It is impossible to recommend an airline because routes change and so do prices.
Do some research. There are bus and train passes for visitors living outside of the United States.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
27 Dec 12
I like traveling by Amtrak but our rail system is outdated. It is not always easy to get to your destination. Amtrak is not as fast nor as efficient as rail systems in Europe and other parts of the world. But it is a good way to see the United States and the cost is reasonable, sometimes. Meals are expensive. If you can afford a sleeper, that is the best way to take Amtrak. You will get three meals a day with your sleeper cost.
Planes can also be a big hassle. Buses, too. It is not always easy to travel around the Unites States but it is a huge and beautiful country. There is so much to see but you have to be patient.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
28 Dec 12
Whoa, according to Mapquest, San Fransisco is 9 1/2 hours by car to Las Vegas, NV and that is not including traffic. Are you bent on staying in San Fransisco? Los Angeles is also a coastal, big city in California, right on the ocean - maybe you want to consider going there instead? I think it also has those "Hollywood" attractions too, if that is something you are interested in, because L.A. is only about 4 hours from Vegas. I have never been to California, even as someone from the states, so I couldn't tell you which city is more exciting or worth seeing. Las Vegas is definitely interesting though! I just went there a few years ago. It is a huge sight to see. I suggest if you go to Vegas, you stay on the strip - but meander to "downtown" Vegas, it's a more historic strip and has a cool lights show on Fremont street - and lots of drinking and gambling of course. I enjoyed Las Vegas, although I went there in July and it was over 100 degrees - VERY HOT! Possibly a tad bit overrated...
It would be nice to DRIVE in California and rent a car to stop everywhere you want - apparently there are several very cool sights to see in between. I have always thought that the desert looks very very cool, too, by the way. But taking a bus might be a better option price-wise as I am sure that would be A LOT cheaper than paying for a rental car, gas, etc. Not only that, but there is VERY limited parking on the Strip in Vegas, unless you are staying off the Strip. Traffic is terrible in Vegas. To check out flight prices, you could go to a site like Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity or Priceline.com - they will all give you the options for different times and airlines.
Best of luck to you ! I hope the trip is great!
