Getting Around the US: Uber, Lyft and Public Transport Guide for Dutch Travelers

Yes, you can get around the US without renting a car. In most American cities you combine Uber and Lyft rides with subways, buses and Amtrak trains. Public transport quality varies enormously by city: New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco have real metro systems, while cities like Los Angeles, Miami and Houston are built for driving. This guide explains every option, what it costs and how to use it as a Dutch traveler.

Can You Get Around the US Without a Car?

Yes, but it depends on where you go. The US has no national train network like Europe, and many cities were designed around the car. A trip from Amsterdam to New York is easy without a car; a road trip through Texas or the Mountain West almost always requires one. The good news: rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft work in every major city, so you always have a fallback even where public transport is weak.

Plan your transport per city rather than per country. Check whether your destination has a metro, how walkable the downtown is, and whether you will need rideshares for the last few kilometers. That one decision determines most of your transport budget.

Uber and Lyft in the US: How They Work

Uber and Lyft are the two dominant rideshare apps in the US. They work the same as in the Netherlands: you order a car in the app, see the driver, price and license plate, and pay automatically. Both apps work with a Dutch phone number and Dutch credit or debit card, and both show prices in dollars.

Requirements to Use Uber or Lyft

• A smartphone with the Uber or Lyft app installed (download before you fly)
• A Dutch phone number that can receive SMS verification codes
• A credit card, debit card or PayPal account linked to the app
• You must be 18 or older (21 in some cities for certain vehicle types)
• A data connection — buy a US eSIM before departure so the app works at the airport

Set up both apps and link your payment method before leaving the Netherlands. Doing it at the airport with a fresh SIM card and jet lag is exactly when things go wrong. If you do not have mobile data yet, read our US mobile data and eSIM guide first.

Uber vs Lyft: Which Should You Use?

There is no clear winner — in most cities both apps have similar prices and wait times. Lyft is sometimes a few cents cheaper per ride, Uber often has more drivers at airports and late at night. The smart move is to install both and compare the price for each trip before you order. Both apps let you tip the driver, which is expected in the US (see our tipping guide).

What Does an Uber or Lyft Ride Cost?

Rideshare prices in the US are lower than in the Netherlands, but they move with demand. A typical 10-minute city ride costs $12-20. During surge pricing — rush hour, bad weather, airport arrivals, New Year's Eve — the same ride can cost two to three times more. The app always shows the exact price before you confirm, so you are never surprised.

Rides from airports cost more because of airport fees (usually $3-8 added to the fare). A ride from JFK to Midtown Manhattan, for example, typically runs $60-90 with tolls and tips, while the AirTrain plus subway costs about $11. For airport routes, always compare rideshare with public transport — see the US airports guide for arrival tips.

Rideshare Safety Tips

• Check the license plate and driver name in the app before getting in
• Sit in the back — standard practice in the US, even alone
• Share your trip with a friend or family member from the app
• Wear your seatbelt — it is the law in every US state
• Never pay cash; all payments go through the app

Taxis in the US

Taxis still exist in US cities, especially New York (yellow cabs), Chicago and Las Vegas. They are usually more expensive than rideshares, but at airports you often find a taxi queue while rideshare pickup is a 10-minute walk away. Taxis accept credit cards everywhere. Tip the driver 15-20%, just like a rideshare. Flagging down a cab on the street works in New York and Chicago; in most other cities you need to call or use an app like Curb or Arro.

Public Transport in the US

US public transport is a patchwork. A handful of cities have excellent metro systems; most mid-sized cities have a bus network that is slow but cheap. Here is what you will find in the cities Dutch travelers visit most.

Subways and Metro Systems

• New York — the MTA subway runs 24/7 and covers all five boroughs; the best transport value in the US at $2.90 per ride
• Washington DC — the Metro is clean, safe and reaches both airports
• Boston — the 'T' is compact and easy for tourists
• Chicago — the 'L' loops around downtown and reaches O'Hare airport
• San Francisco — BART connects the city, the East Bay and both airports
• Philadelphia, Seattle and Los Angeles — smaller but usable metro and light-rail systems

New York's subway deserves special attention because it is the one US system that truly competes with European metros. Our New York City travel guide explains how to use it, including the OMNY contactless payment system.

City Buses

Every US city has buses, and they are cheap ($1.75-2.75 per ride), but they are slower than metros and schedules can be unreliable outside rush hour. Use a transit app like Google Maps or Citymapper to plan bus trips; most US transit agencies now accept contactless credit cards or mobile wallets, so you rarely need a paper ticket.

Amtrak Trains

Amtrak is the US national passenger rail service. It is not high-speed like European trains — the journey from New York to Washington DC takes about 3 hours, and New York to Boston about 3.5 — but it beats flying once you count airport security and transfers. Amtrak is most useful on the Northeast Corridor (Boston-New York-Philadelphia-Baltimore-Washington DC). Book tickets in advance on amtrak.com for the best prices; the same route can cost $30 booked early or $150 bought on the day.

For long distances (New York to Chicago, or a coast-to-coast trip), Amtrak is an experience rather than a practical choice — expect 18-30 hours on board. If you plan a road trip instead, see our driving in the US guide and the international driving permit guide to check whether you need an IDP.

How to Pay for US Public Transport

• New York OMNY — tap your contactless card, phone or watch at the turnstile; $2.90 per ride, free after 12 rides in a week
• Washington DC SmarTrip — contactless cards and mobile wallets accepted
• Chicago Ventra — contactless cards accepted on the L and buses
• Boston CharlieCard — tap the card at fare gates
• San Francisco Clipper — tap your phone or card on BART and Muni
• Almost all US transit now accepts Visa, Mastercard and Amex contactless — your Dutch bank card usually works

In practice, this means you can ride most US metros with the same contactless card you already carry. Before you leave, check with your Dutch bank that contactless payments are enabled for US transactions. See our money in the US guide for card and payment tips.

Which US Cities Are Easiest Without a Car?

• New York City — the only US city where most residents do not own a car
• Washington DC — compact downtown, excellent Metro, very walkable
• Boston — small, dense, walkable with a good subway
• Chicago — the L covers downtown and the popular neighborhoods
• San Francisco — BART, Muni and walkable districts, though hills are tough
• Seattle — light rail from the airport plus buses and a monorail

Harder without a car: Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas (except the Strip), Orlando and virtually all of the South and Midwest. In those places you will rely on Uber and Lyft for everything, which adds up fast. If you plan to visit national parks or do a multi-city road trip, a rental car usually wins on both cost and convenience. Driving in the US: Complete Guide compares rental costs and rules.

Getting From the Airport to the City

Airport connections vary wildly. The best in the US: JFK (AirTrain + subway, about $11), Newark (AirTrain + PATH, about $13), Washington Dulles (Metro direct), Chicago O'Hare (Blue Line direct), San Francisco (BART direct) and Seattle (light rail direct). At airports without rail connections — Los Angeles LAX, Miami, Orlando, Las Vegas — you take an Uber, Lyft or shared shuttle, and the rideshare will cost $30-60 into the city.

Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you inside the terminal. Always use the official rideshare pickup zone or a licensed taxi stand. If you are on a tight connection and have US entry questions, review the first-time US travel guide before you land.

Transport Costs Compared (Per Person)

• Subway or bus ride: $2.25-3.00
• City bus: $1.75-2.75
• Amtrak short hop (e.g. NYC-DC booked ahead): $30-80
• Uber/Lyft 10-minute city ride: $12-20
• Uber/Lyft airport ride: $30-90 depending on city
• Taxi from the airport: $40-100
• Rental car per day (economy): $40-80 plus gas and parking

A car-free day in New York or Washington costs about $10-15 per person if you use public transport. The same day in Los Angeles costs $40-60 in rideshares. Budget accordingly when you plan your itinerary. How to handle money in the US has more on daily budgets.

7 Practical Tips for Getting Around the US

1. Download Uber, Lyft and Google Maps before you fly, and link your payment method
2. Buy a US eSIM so transport apps work from the moment you land
3. Compare Uber and Lyft prices per trip — they differ by the minute
4. Use public transport in New York, DC, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco
5. Book Amtrak tickets early on the Northeast Corridor to save 50%+
6. Expect to tip rideshare and taxi drivers 15-20%
7. Check if your destination needs a rental car before you book hotels far from transit

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Uber and Lyft work with a Dutch phone number?

Yes. Both apps accept a Dutch (+31) phone number for account setup and SMS verification. The app and payment work the same as in Europe. Just make sure you have mobile data in the US so you can order rides.

Can I pay for Uber or Lyft with a Dutch bank card?

Yes. Uber and Lyft accept international Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards, and both support PayPal. Your Dutch debit card (Maestro) may not work everywhere — link a credit card or PayPal to be safe. See our money guide for card tips.

Is the New York subway safe for tourists?

Yes. The MTA subway is safe during the day and generally fine in the evening in tourist areas, and it runs 24/7. Keep your phone in your pocket near platform edges, and use common sense late at night just as you would in Amsterdam.

Do I need an IDP to drive in the US?

Dutch travelers do not need an International Driving Permit for most US states — your Dutch driver's license is valid for up to 3 months in most states. Some states (e.g. California) officially require an IDP. Check our international driving permit guide for the details before you rent a car.

Is Amtrak worth it compared to flying?

On the Northeast Corridor, yes — Amtrak from New York to Washington or Boston is competitive with flying once you count security and airport travel time, and it drops you in the city center. For longer routes, flying is usually faster and often cheaper.

How much should I budget for transport per day in the US?

In cities with good metros (New York, DC, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco): $10-15 per day with public transport. In car-centric cities (LA, Miami, Orlando): $40-60 per day in rideshares. A rental car costs $40-80 per day before gas and parking.

The Bottom Line

Getting around the US without a car is completely doable in the country's big East Coast and West Coast cities, where metros, buses and Amtrak cover most of what tourists need. Uber and Lyft are your reliable backup everywhere else. Install the apps before you fly, buy a US eSIM, and check your destination's transit options before you book hotels. If you do plan to rent a car, make sure your ESTA or visa is sorted first — then read the driving in the US guide before you hit the road.

Planning a US trip? Check your ESTA or visa requirements before you book anything, and get travel insurance that covers medical costs in the US.