How to get to the USA from Europe: plane, train, bus and car
A direct flight from Frankfurt to New York takes about ten hours. The trip to Los Angeles with a layover in Istanbul takes fifteen to twenty hours. On long-haul routes, the difference between options is measured in vacation days, so you should choose your mode of travel before buying a ticket.
You can get to the USA by plane, by train through Canada, by bus, or by car. Below we break down each option: how long it takes, what documents you need, and where you can save money.
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Comparing ways to get to the USA
💡 In short:
- Compare time and price: flying saves days, ground transport saves money.
- Apply for ESTA or a visa in advance: without entry authorization, you will not even be allowed to board.
- Visa and ESTA: 09/2026, verified on the official website
The method is chosen based on budget and trip length. With a week of vacation, only flying makes sense. Overland routes are practical for those already in Canada or Mexico or who want to see the country along the way.
Method | Travel time | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
Plane | about ten hours direct | short vacation, business trip |
Plane and train through Canada | from one day, depends on connections | those who want to see a second country |
Bus | several days | budget trip, only via a land border |
Car | several days | trip with a flexible route, requires a license and insurance |
1. Plane: direct flights and layovers
Direct flights to the USA depart from German airports. Frankfurt and Munich are connected by direct flights to New York and Chicago. The flight takes about ten hours, and it is the fastest way into the country.
© Steffen Wurzel · CC BY-SAPhoto: Steffen Wurzel, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsA direct flight costs more, but it saves you a whole day. If budget matters more, take an option with one layover: Istanbul, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Paris, or London. Turkish Airlines often offers low fares on long-haul routes, Finnair is convenient for connecting in Helsinki, and KLM and Air France gather passengers at their hubs.
Travel time depends on the number of connections. The layover is what decides everything here. You can reach New York or Chicago in one day. Direct flights from Europe to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or Miami are not available every day, so you will most likely have to change planes. Each layover adds three to eight hours to the journey, and an overnight connection stretches the trip to a full day.
Long-haul tickets get cheaper in the low season and with early booking. Compare not only the price but also the connection time: finding tickets on Kiwi.com is convenient because the service shows flight combinations from different airlines in a single search.
2. Combined route through Canada
The combined route looks like this: fly to Canada, then take a train or bus across the border. A ticket to Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver is usually cheaper than a ticket to New York or Seattle, and the journey itself becomes part of the trip.
Rail service is operated by Amtrak. From Montreal, the train goes to New York; from Toronto, the train also goes to New York; and from Vancouver to Seattle. At the border, the train is stopped, and passport control is done right in the car or at the station. Schedules and seat availability change, so check the Amtrak website before purchasing (as of 09/2026, Amtrak).
The weak point of this route is the paperwork. Canada requires a separate electronic travel authorization, an eTA, and you go through border control twice. On the plus side, you see two countries in one trip, and there is no premium for a direct flight here.
3. Bus: tickets for a specific date
Buses connect major cities on both sides of the border, and a bus ticket costs less than a train ticket. Tickets are sold for a specific date and time, so check the schedule with the carrier (as of 09/2026, Greyhound).
© 4300streetcar · CC BYPhoto: 4300streetcar, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsFrom the bus station to the city center you can get there by local transit or taxi. At the border itself, the bus is stopped and passengers go through document checks.
4. Car and the border
A car gives you freedom, but it requires preparation. There are dozens of border crossings between the US and Canada, and at each one they check the vehicle, documents, and purpose of the trip. The list of crossings and crossing rules are published on the CBP border agency website (as of 09/2026, CBP).
If you are starting from Mexico, you go through checks at the southern crossings. There you can also cross the border on foot.
© dherrera_96 derivative work: Blueiculous ( talk ) · CC BYPhoto: dherrera_96 derivative work: Blueiculous ( talk ), CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsRent a car from a major company: not all of them allow crossing the border, and this condition is written into the contract. Compare car rental prices in advance so you do not have to look for a replacement at the airport later.
What to arrange in advance: ESTA and the border
Before buying a ticket, get your entry authorization. Citizens of Germany, Austria, and most EU countries do not need a visa for a short trip: they travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Instead of a visa, they fill out ESTA.
Submit the application only on the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov: intermediaries charge extra for the same form. The authorization is valid for two years, and a single trip under it can last up to three months. Fill out the form in advance, not at the airport: without a valid ESTA you will not be allowed to board.
For land entry, you need a record in the I-94 system, which is done on the CBP website (as of 09/2026, cbp.gov).
How to get from the airport to the city
After landing, the last mile remains, and here cities differ from one another. In New York, shuttles and the subway run from the airports; in Chicago, the subway line goes right to the terminal; in San Francisco, a commuter train takes you downtown. Tickets are bought on site at a machine or through an app.
At night or with a lot of luggage, a transfer saves you from looking for a car in the arrivals hall: the driver waits for the passenger with a sign.
Tours and tickets in New York
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A transfer costs more than public transit, but you do not hunt for a ticket machine in an unfamiliar terminal and do not argue with a taxi driver about the price.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Do German citizens need a visa for the US?
For a short trip, no visa is needed: Germany is part of the Visa Waiver Program, and ESTA is enough. The authorization is done online on the official website and is valid for two years. For study, work, or a trip longer than three months, you need a visa, and you apply for it at the consulate in advance.
How long does a flight from Europe to the US take?
A direct flight from Frankfurt to New York takes about ten hours. Direct flights to Miami or Los Angeles do not operate every day, so a connection at a European or Turkish hub is more often needed. With one stopover, the journey takes from fifteen to twenty hours including waiting in the terminal.
Can you get to the US by car?
Yes, through vehicle border crossings on the border with Canada or Mexico, where they check documents, the vehicle, and the I-94 record. Shipping your own car across the ocean is expensive and slow, so such a route starts with a flight to Canada or Mexico.
Do trains run from Canada to the US?
Yes, Amtrak connects Montreal and Toronto with New York, and Vancouver with Seattle. Border control takes place on the train or at the station, so keep your documents handy. Seats on these routes sell out quickly, so buy your ticket in advance.
What is cheaper: a plane or an overland route?
The overland leg itself is cheaper than a flight, but you still need a flight to Canada or Mexico, and the price is made up of two tickets. The overland route wins when you are already in North America or want to see the country along the way. For a short vacation, take a direct flight and do not spend days on the road.
In short: what is worth booking
If you have a short vacation: take a direct flight from Frankfurt to New York or Chicago.
Want to see two countries: fly to Montreal or Vancouver and continue by train.
Need a car on site: compare prices in advance and check the condition about crossing the border.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.