Visiting a U.S. City? Go Transit

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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If your spring and summer travel plans include a big city, presumably you don’t need or even want a rented car, and you probably don’t want to pay for taxis everywhere you go. So check the transit options. Fortunately, transit systems in many big cities offer a variety of all-day and multiday transit passes that allow you to use buses, light rail, subway, and even suburban railroads without having to pony up a separate fare every time you want a ride. Many cities offer senior deals, although you may have to obtain special senior ID. Here’s a rundown of the options available in 10 of the top domestic destination cities. In most cases, the qualifying age for seniors is 65; a Medicare card is accepted as senior ID for fare payment or senior ID card.

Chicago: Chicago Transit Authority; Metra

Subway base fare is $2.25 per ride and $5 from O’Hare; bus is $2 per ride. Unlimited subway and bus pass is $10 for one day, $20 for three days, and $28 for seven days. The one-day pass pays off only after five rides; the three-day pass is a better bet. Senior fares are approximately half off; register for the RTA reduced-fare permit at around 200 centers in the area. The subway serves O’Hare and Midway.

Metra suburban rail fares are based on distance; unlimited weekend pass is $7 (no weekend service on some routes). Senior fares about half off; RTA permit required.

Las Vegas: RTC; Las Vegas Monorail

Bus base fare (on “residential routes”) is $2 and $5 for a 24-hour pass. Half price for seniors; apply at transit office for the special ID card. Bus along the Strip is $6 for two hours, $8 for 24 hours, and $20 for three days (no discounts).

Monorail base fare is $5. Unlimited pass is $12 for 24 hours, $22 for two days, $28 for three days, $36 for four days, $43 for five days, and $56 for seven days; no discounts. Monorail is more fun but less convenient than the Strip bus.

Los Angeles: Metro

Subway, light rail, and bus base fare is $1.50. Unlimited day pass is $5. For senior travelers 62 and over, day pass is $1.80 and single ride is 25 cents during off-peak times; requires Senior TAP card available in advance by mail (forms online).

New Orleans: RTA

Streetcar and bus base fare is $1.25 (40 cents for seniors). Unlimited one-day pass is $3, $9 for three days.

New York City: MTA

Subway and bus base fare is $2.50; senior fare is $1.25. Unlimited seven-day pass is $30.

Long Island and Metro North Regional rail base fares are based on distance; seniors pay 50 percent of peak fares (about 33 percent of off-peak fares). People-mover plus Long Island or subway serves JFK, people-mover plus heavy rail serves Newark.

Portland: TriMet

Light rail and bus base fare is $2.50, $1 for seniors. Unlimited one-day pass is $5 ($2 for seniors); $26 for seven days ($7 for seniors). Light rail serves airport.

San Diego: SANDAG

Light rail and bus base fare is $2.50 for rail, $2.25 for bus; half price for seniors 60 and over. Unlimited one-day pass is $5, $9 for two days, $12 for three days, $15 for four days; one-day pass including heavy rail is $12.

San Francisco: SFMTA; BART; Caltrain

Light rail and bus base fare is $2, 75 cents for seniors. Cable car is $6. Unlimited pass including cable car is $15 for one day, $2 for three days, $29 for seven days.

BART fares are based on distance; seniors get 62.5 percent off. Caltrain fares are based on distance, with day passes double one-way fares; seniors pay half price. BART serves the airport.

Seattle: SoundTransit

Light rail and bus base fares are $2 to $2.80, depending on distance. Fare for seniors is 75 cents; requires ID issued in advance or online. Day passes cost twice one-way fares. Light rail serves airport.

Washington: WMATA

Regular subway fares are $1.70 to $5.75 per ride, based on distance and peak/off-peak times; $1 extra per ride without preissued SmarTrip card. Bus base fare is $1.60 with SmarTrip and $1.80 without. Senior discounts are roughly 50 percent off and require Senior SmarTrip card, issued on arrival at Metro Center station. Subway serves Reagan/National airport.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, seniors travel free on subway, light rail, and bus and for $1 per ride on regional rail within Pennsylvania.

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