Transportation in America美国交通

Air航空

The American domestic air system is extensive and reliable, with dozens of competing airlines, hundreds of airports and thousands of flights daily. Main "hub" airports in the USA include all international gateways plus many other large cities. Most cities and towns have a local or county airport, but you usually have to travel via a hub airport to reach them.

美国国内的航空系统覆盖面很广而且很可靠，有几十家相互竞争的航空公司，几百个机场和每日几千条的航线。主要的航空枢纽和其他大城市都有国际航空口岸。大多数城市和镇都有当地或本县机场，但是通常需要通过枢纽机场到达那里。

Air Passes航空套票

Air Passes are normally available only to non-North American citizens, and they must be purchased in conjunction with an international ticket. Conditions and cost structures can be complicated, but all passes include a certain number of domestic flights (from 2 to 10) that typically must be used within a 60-day period. Often you must plan your itinerary in advance, but sometimes dates (and even destinations) can be left open. Two of the biggest airline networks offering air passes are Star Alliance and One World.

美国航空套票通常只售给非北美居民，而且必须连同一张国际机票一起购买。购票条件和成本结构十分复杂，但所有的套票都包括国内航线的一个特定数字（从2到10），而且要在60天之内使用。人们通常必须提前安排自己的旅行，但有时候日期，甚至目的地都不能提前确定。提供航空套票的两个最大的航空网络是星空联盟和寰宇一家。

Boat乘船

There is no river or canal public transportation system in the USA, but there are many smaller, often state-run, coastal ferry services, which provide efficient, scenic links to the many islands off both coasts. Most larger ferries will transport private cars, motorcycles and bicycles.

美国没有河流、运河的公共交通系统，但是有很多小型的州立沿海渡轮服务，沿途风景优美，而渡轮服务十分高效，连接着许多岛屿和海岸。大多数的渡轮都会运输私家车、摩托车和自行车。

Bus公共大巴车

To save money, travel by bus, particularly between major towns and cities. Buses let you see the countryside and meet people along the way. As a rule, buses are reliable, cleanish and comfortable, with air-conditioning, barely reclining seats, on-board lavatories and no smoking on board.

为节约开支起见，可以选择乘坐公共大巴车，尤其是在大的城市和镇之间。大巴车可以让你欣赏沿途乡村风光，相遇有缘人。一般来说，公共大巴车可靠、干净、舒适，有空调，基本没有可躺的座位，有厕所，不能在车上吸烟。

Greyhound is the major long-distance bus company, with routes throughout the USA and Canada.

灰狗是主要的长途大巴车公司，拥有贯穿美国和加拿大的长途路线。

Competing with Greyhound are the 75-plus franchises of Trailways. Trailways may not be as useful as Greyhound for long trips, but fares can be competitive. Upstart long-distance bus lines that may offer cheaper fares include Megabus, primarily operating routes in the Northeast and Midwest.

可以与灰狗相提并论的，是旅途的75-plus特许专营权。在长途旅行中，旅途可能不能像灰狗一样那么行之有效，但它的票价非常具有竞争力。新贵长途大巴线可以提供便宜的票价包括超级巴士，主要运行在美国的东北部和中西部。

Many bus stations are clean and safe, but some are in dodgy areas; if you arrive in the evening, it's worth spending the money on a taxi. Some towns have just a flag stop. If you are boarding at one of these, pay the driver with exact change.

许多大巴车站干净安全，但有些设在较危险的地方；如果是晚上到的话，建议你打的，花这样的钱是值得的。有些镇只设有招呼站（旗站）。如果在这些站上车的话，就要付给司机正好的零钱。

Tickets for some Trailways and other buses can only be purchased immediately prior to departure. Greyhound bus tickets can be bought over the phone or online. You can print tickets at home or pick them up at the terminal using "Will Call"service. Seating is normally first-come, first-served. Greyhound recommends arriving an hour before departure to get a seat.

旅途中的有些票和其他的大巴车票只能在开车前买到。灰狗大巴车票可以通过手机或网上在线购买。你可以在家里打印好车票或者在终端机上使用“预订零售”部服务提取车票。座位的分配是先到先得。灰狗建议，发车时间前一小时到达，可以排到座位。

Car & Motorcycle汽车&摩托车

Foreign visitors can legally drive a car in the USA for up to 12 months using their home driver's licence. However, an IDP will have more credibility with U.S. traffic police, especially if your home licence doesn't have a photo or isn't in English. Your automobile association at home can issue an IDP, valid for one year, for a small fee. Always carry your home licence together with the IDP. To drive a motorcycle in the USA, you will need either a valid U.S. state motorcycle licence or an IDP specially endorsed for motorcycles.

外国游客可以使用自己本国的驾照在美国开车达一年的时间。但是，拥有一个IDP(入侵侦测防御系统)就会在美国交警那里享有更高的信誉，尤其如果本国的驾照上没有照片或者非英文驾照。可以向本国的汽车协会办理一个IDP，有效期一年，支付很少的费用即可。要随身携带本国的驾照和IDP。要是在美国骑摩托车、你需要一个美国颁发的有效摩托车驾驶证或特意为摩托车签发的IDP。

Insurance保险

Don't put the key into the ignition if you don't have insurance, which is legally required, otherwise you risk financial ruin and legal consequences if there's an accident. If you already have auto insurance, or if you buy travel insurance that covers car rentals, make sure your policy has adequate liability coverage for where you will be driving; it probably does, but beware that states specify different minimum levels of coverage.

如果没有购买法律规定的汽车保险，就不要开车，否则如果出了事故会让自己遭受财产损失，承担得不到法律赔偿的风险。如果已经买了汽车保险，或者购买了包括租车在内的旅游保险，就要确保保险范围能覆盖到你将要开车前往的地方；一般情况可能都能覆盖到，但是要清楚每个州的最低保险额度不同。

Rental-car companies will provide liability insurance, but most charge extra. Rental companies almost never include collision damage insurance for the vehicle. Instead, they offer an optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), usually with an initial deductible cost of $100 to$500. For an extra premium, you can usually get this deductible covered as well.

汽车租赁公司会提供可靠的保险，但多数都是另收费的。租车公司几乎不会为汽车购买撞车损失险。相反，他们会提供可选择的项目CDW（碰撞险）和LDW（损失险），通常免赔额度在100美元到500美元。缴纳额外的保费，可以把这一部分免赔额覆盖掉。

Paying extra for some or all of this insurance increases the cost of a rental car by as much as $30 a day. Many credit cards offer free collision damage coverage for rental cars if you rent for 15 days or less and charge the total rental to your card. This is a good way to avoid paying extra fees to the rental company, but note that if there's an accident, sometimes you must pay the rental car company first and then seek reimbursement from the credit-card company. There may be exceptions that are not covered, too, such as "exotic" rentals (e.g. 4WD Jeeps, convertibles). Check your credit-card policy.

付部分或全部这样的险种，会使租车成本每天增加高达30美元。如果租车达15天，许多信用卡提供撞车险，如果少于15天，只要使用这张卡支付所有的租车费用，也可以享有此项优惠。这是一个避免向租车公司支付额外费用的好办法，但是注意，如果发生了事故，有时候需要自己先向租车公司赔付，再找信用卡公司进行赔付。不过也有例外的情况不予赔付，例如外来车型（比如4WD吉普，敞篷车）。还要核对好自己的信用卡保险单。

Car Rental租车

Most rental companies require that you have a major credit card, be at least 25 years old and have a valid driver's license. Some major national companies may rent to drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 for an additional charge of around $25 per day. Those under 21 are usually not permitted to rent at all.

大多数的租车公司都要求有一个主要的信用卡，年龄至少25岁，并且有有效期内的驾照。一些大的跨国公司可能也租给21岁到24岁之间的人，但每天要加收25美元。那些21岁以下的人通常是不能租车的。

Car-rental prices vary wildly. Airport locations may have cheaper rates but higher fees; city-centre offices may do pick-ups and drop-offs. Adjusting the days of your rental even slightly can completely change the rate; weekend and weekly rates are usually cheaper.

汽车租赁的价格差异比较大。机场租车可能租车费率低但租车费更高；市中心的租车公司可能可以随地取车和还车。稍微调整一下租车时间可能会完全改变租车费率；周末或者按周计算的费率要便宜些。

Most national agencies make "unlimited mileage" standard on all cars, but independents might charge extra for this. Tax on car rentals varies by state and agency location; always ask for the total cost, including all taxes and fees. Most agencies charge more if you pick the car up in one place and drop it off in another.

大多数全国性的代理商对所有的车不限英里数，但是独立经营的就需要另收费。租车税在不同的州和地区不一样；收费经常是总额，包括租车税和租车费。如果取车和还车不在同一个地方，大多数代理商会多加收一些费用。

Automobile Associations汽车协会

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has reciprocal membership agreements with several international auto clubs. The Better World Club donates 1% of revenue to assist environmental clean-up, offers ecologically sensitive choices for every service, and it provides and advocates politically for environmental causes. In either organization, the primary member benefit is 24-hour emergency roadside assistance anywhere in the USA. Both also offer trip planning, free travel maps, travel agency services, car insurance and a range of travel discounts.

美国汽车协会（简称AAA）与几个国际性汽车俱乐部之间签订了互为会员协议。其中“世界更美好俱乐部”贡献出年收入的1%来协助净化环境，在其提供的每项服务中都有生态友好型的选择，并且因环境因素进行政治倡导。无论在这两个组织的哪一个，主要会员在美国境内任何一个地方都会享受24小时的紧急道路援助。两个组织都提供旅游计划、免费的旅行地图、旅游代理服务、汽车保险和一系列的旅游折扣。

Road Rules道路规则

Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road. The use of seat belts and child safety seats is required in every state. Most car rental agencies rent child safety seats for around $12 per day, but you must reserve them when booking. In some states, motorcyclists are required to wear helmets.

汽车靠马路右侧行驶。每个州都要求系安全带，并且要有儿童安全座椅。大多数的租车代理商都出租儿童安全座椅，12美元一天，但必须在订车的时候提前预订。在有些州，驾驶摩托车必须戴头盔。

On interstate highways, the speed limit is sometimes raised to 75mph. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is generally 55mph or 65mph on highways, 25mph to 35mph in cities and towns and as low as 15mph in school zones (strictly enforced during school hours). It's forbidden to pass a school bus when its lights are flashing. Unless signs prohibit it, you may turn right at a red light after first coming to a full stop — note that turning on right on red is illegal in NYC. At four-way stop signs, cars should proceed in order of arrival; when two cars arrive simultaneously, the one on the right has the right of way. When in doubt, just politely wave the other driver ahead. When emergency vehicles (i.e. police, fire or ambulance) approach from either direction, pull over safely and get out of the way.

州际高速公路的限速有时候高达75英里每小时。除非有指示牌显示，否则一般限速高速公路为55英里或65英里每小时，城市和小镇25英里到35英里每小时，有学校的地方低至15英里每小时（在上下学时间严格强制执行）。当校车的灯闪烁时，禁止超车。除非有指示灯显示，可以在看到红灯停车后再向右转弯——注意在纽约市（NYC）在红灯处右转是违法的。在四向停车标志处，车可以继续向前行驶；两辆车同时，到达在右侧的车拥有使用道路的权力。如果不确定时，就礼貌地招呼其他车主先走。当紧急车辆（警车、消防车或救护车）无论从哪一个方向开过来，都要安全地停靠一旁或让开道路。

Most states have laws against (and hefty fines for) littering along the highway. In an increasing number of states, it is illegal to talk on a hand-held cell (mobile) phone while driving; use a hands-free device instead.

大多数州都有法律禁止（还有很高的罚金）在高速公路上乱扔垃圾。越来越多的州也将开车时接打手持电话视为违法行为；可以使用非手拿的工具代替。

The maximum legal blood-alcohol concentration for drivers is 0.08%. Penalties are very severe for DUI - driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Police can give roadside sobriety checks to assess if you've been drinking or using drugs. If you fail, they'll require you take a breath test, urine test or blood test to determine the level of alcohol or drugs in your body. Refusing to be tested is treated the same as if you'd taken the test and failed. In some states it is illegal to carry "open containers" of alcohol in a vehicle, even if they are empty.

法律规定，司机血液酒精浓度最大是0.08%。酒后驾车（DUI）会受到非常严重的惩罚。交警可以使用道路清醒检测来评估司机是否饮酒或使用毒品。如果不达标，他们会要求你做呼吸测试，尿验或者验血来确定体内的酒精或药物含量水平。拒绝检测被视为测验没有通过。在有些州，车上携带已开盖的盛酒容器，即使是空的也被视为违法。

Road Conditions & Hazards路况&危险

America's highways are legendary ribbons of unblemished asphalt, but not always. Road hazards include potholes, city commuter traffic, wandering wildlife and, of course, cell-phone-wielding, child-distracted and enraged drivers. In places where winter driving is an issue, many cars are fitted with steel-studded snow tires; snow chains can sometimes be required in mountain areas. Driving off-road, or on dirt roads, is often forbidden by rental-car companies, and it can be very dangerous in wet weather.

美国的高速公路是很传奇的、带状无瑕的柏油路，但不是所有的道路都是这样。道路杀手包括凹坑、市际通勤大卡车、到处乱窜的野生动物，当然还有接打手机、被孩子分心或者愤怒的司机。有些地方冬季开车是个问题，有些车配有钢筋镶嵌的雪地轮胎；有时候在山区会需要防滑轮胎。租车公司一般不允许开车越野或者在泥泞的道路上行驶，这样在下雨天是十分危险的。

Hitch-hiking搭便车旅行

Hitch-hiking is potentially dangerous and definitely not recommended. Indeed, drivers have heard so many lurid reports, they tend to be just as afraid of those with their thumbs out. Hitch-hiking on freeways is prohibited. You'll see more people hitch-hiking in rural areas and in Alaska and Hawaii, but these places aren't safer than anywhere else, and with sparse traffic, you may well get stranded.

搭便车有潜在的危险，我们绝不推荐。确实，司机听到过那么多可怕的报道，他们似乎害怕仅仅伸出大拇指的人。在高速公路上免费搭便车是禁止的。在农村地区、阿拉斯加州和夏威夷会见到很多人搭便车，但这些地方并不比其他任何地方更安全，而且由于车少很可能会等很久。