New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles: How to Travel Between Them

Short answer: fly between New York and the West Coast, and treat the trip as three separate stops rather than one road trip. Between San Francisco and Los Angeles you have a real choice: a short flight, a long drive, or a slow train or coach. For most visitors the simplest plan is an open-jaw ticket, flying into one end and out of the other, with San Francisco in the middle (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or the reverse).

Who this is for

This guide suits first-time visitors linking the three cities in one trip, usually over a week or two. It is about moving between cities, not a full itinerary for each. It also assumes you would rather spend your time looking around than sitting in transit.

New York to the West Coast: fly

Flying from New York to San Francisco or Los Angeles takes most of a day once you add airport time, and nonstop flights are widely available. Major carriers usually use JFK or Newark, so check which airport your fare actually departs from, because getting to each is a different journey from Manhattan.

The time difference is three hours. Heading west you gain hours and the day feels long; heading east, overnight flights arrive early and tiring. Do not plan anything demanding for the first morning after a red-eye.

Driving is a multi-day undertaking of roughly 2,800 miles, and the train means changing in Chicago and spending days aboard. Both are journeys in themselves, not transport. Skip them unless the journey is the point.

San Francisco to Los Angeles: three honest options

• Fly: about an hour and a half in the air, but allow for airport security and getting to and from the airports. San Francisco fog can delay morning flights. Oakland and Burbank are worth comparing with SFO and LAX.
• Drive: the inland route is the fastest, around six hours without stops, and it is flat and unremarkable. The coastal route via Highway 1 and Big Sur is far slower and better as a one- or two-night trip. Sections of the coast road can close after slides, so check road conditions before committing.
• Train and coach: Amtrak's Coast Starlight is a long, scenic day and can run behind schedule. Its stop on the San Francisco side is across the bay, with a connecting coach from the city. Coaches are slower still but simple.

California's high-speed rail is still under construction, so do not plan around it.

Using your time in each city

New York. Our Manhattan landmarks walk is a three-hour route through Times Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal and Rockefeller Center. Times Square is crowded at any hour, and the walk's value is in the quieter stops between. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island trip runs about five hours from Battery Park to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. It is a half-day commitment, so do not schedule a flight on the same afternoon.

San Francisco. The Muir Woods redwoods day trip takes about six hours. It leaves San Francisco, crosses the Golden Gate, walks among the redwoods at Muir Woods and finishes on the Sausalito waterfront. Both New York trips and this one run as a shared small group of up to 12 guests, or as a private tour for your own party. Admission and transport are not included unless confirmed in your quote.

Los Angeles. The trips above do not start in Los Angeles, and they cover only the places described here. If you want a guide based in Los Angeles, send us an enquiry with your dates, group size and interests, and we will tell you what we can arrange.

Season matters on the ground as well as in the air. For weather and crowds, see our guides to New York in October and San Francisco in October.

What to verify on official sites before you book

• Entry rules: visa or ESTA requirements for your nationality, on the official US government sites.
• ID for domestic flights: current TSA identification requirements.
• Flight and train timetables: check the airline and Amtrak directly, as schedules change by season.
• Road conditions: Caltrans for Highway 1 closures.
• Site access: ferry and park rules, and whether Muir Woods needs advance reservations for parking or shuttles.

FAQ

Can I drive from New York to Los Angeles?

You can, but it takes several days of long driving. Unless the road trip is the point, flying is far more practical.

What is the best order for the three cities?

Because San Francisco sits between the other two, an open-jaw ticket works best: fly into New York, move west to San Francisco, then end in Los Angeles. Reverse it if the flight deals suit you better.

Is it worth taking the train from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Only if you want a long scenic day and have time to spare. Flying is much quicker, and driving gives you more flexibility.

Does Helios run tours in Los Angeles?

The tours featured here start in New York and San Francisco. If you would like a guide based in Los Angeles, send an enquiry and our team will check what is possible.