World Cup 2026 Travel Routes

From Vancouver to Miami, Guadalajara to Boston – master the logistics of North America's 16 host cities with expert transport strategies, exact costs, travel times, and proven multi-match itineraries

The 2026 World Cup spans 4,375 kilometers (2,718 miles) from Vancouver to Miami, crosses three countries, four time zones, and involves 16 cities with vastly different transport infrastructure. This geographic scale creates both opportunity and challenge: you can witness diverse cultures and stadiums across North America, but only if you master the logistics.

This comprehensive guide solves the transport puzzle. We break down every viable route between host cities, compare transport modes (flights vs trains vs buses vs rental cars), provide exact costs and journey times, identify the easiest and hardest connections, and present 10 proven multi-match itineraries with complete logistics. Whether you're planning a weekend trip to two nearby cities or a month-long continental odyssey, this guide ensures you spend time watching football, not stuck in airports.

The key insight: North America isn't Europe. Distances are massive, trains are limited, and flying is often mandatory. But with smart route planning, you can see 4-6 matches across multiple cities without excessive travel time or cost.

Understanding North American geography: the transport reality

The distance challenge

Route	Distance	Flight time	Driving time	Reality check
Vancouver to Miami	4,375 km / 2,718 mi	6 hours	42 hours	Furthest apart - flying mandatory
Seattle to Miami	4,300 km / 2,672 mi	6 hours	41 hours	West Coast to East Coast - no alternatives
LA to Boston	4,180 km / 2,597 mi	5.5 hours	44 hours	Cross-country, multiple stops needed
NYC to LA	3,936 km / 2,446 mi	5.5 hours	41 hours	Classic coast-to-coast
Dallas to Houston	362 km / 225 mi	1 hour	3.5 hours	Shortest distance - driving viable

For context: London to Istanbul = 2,500km. Vancouver to Miami = nearly twice that distance. You cannot casually bounce between North American cities like European capitals.

Regional clusters: the smart approach

Instead of crisscrossing the continent, successful multi-match trips focus on regional clusters:

• East Coast cluster: NYC/NJ, Philadelphia, Boston (train network, compact)
• West Coast cluster: LA, San Francisco, Seattle (flights necessary but short)
• Mexico triangle: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey (domestic flights cheap)
• Texas hub: Dallas, Houston, Kansas City (driving or short flights)
• Canada pair: Toronto, Vancouver (3,350km apart - fly only)
• Southeast: Atlanta, Miami (flight or drive)

Golden rule: Plan trips within ONE cluster, or accept you'll spend significant time/money on inter-cluster flights.

Transport modes compared

Mode	Best for	Cost range	Pros	Cons
Flights	500+ km distances, cross-country	£80-£250	Fast, frequent, only option for long routes	Airport time adds 3hrs, expensive for short routes
Amtrak trains	East Coast (NYC-Boston-Philly-DC)	£40-£120	Comfortable, scenic, city center to center, WiFi	Limited routes, often slower than driving
Rental cars	Texas, short routes, rural areas	£30-£60/day + fuel	Flexibility, luggage space, see countryside	Driving fatigue, parking costs, insurance needed
Buses (Greyhound/Megabus)	Budget travel, short-medium routes	£15-£50	Cheapest option, frequent departures	Slow, uncomfortable, unreliable schedules
Uber/Lyft	Within cities, stadium transport	£10-£40/trip	Door-to-door, convenient, no parking	Expensive for long distances, surge pricing

Regional breakdown: best transport strategies

East Coast cluster: train paradise (NYC, Philadelphia, Boston)

The cities

• New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium) - 8 matches
• Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field) - 6 matches
• Boston (Gillette Stadium) - 6 matches

Transport options

NYC to Philadelphia:

• Amtrak Acela: 1h 10min, £80-£120 (premium high-speed)
• Amtrak Northeast Regional: 1h 30min, £40-£70 (standard service)
• Megabus/Greyhound: 2h, £10-£25 (budget option)
• Drive: 2h (154 km), but NYC-Philly traffic brutal
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Amtrak Northeast Regional (£50 sweet spot)

NYC to Boston:

• Amtrak Acela: 3h 30min, £100-£150 (fastest)
• Amtrak Northeast Regional: 4h 30min, £50-£90 (most popular)
• Bus: 4-5h, £15-£40 (cheapest but uncomfortable)
• Flight: 1h 15min flight + 3h airport time = 4h 15min total, £100-£180 (rarely worth it)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Amtrak Northeast Regional (£70 average, relaxing)

Philadelphia to Boston:

• Amtrak: 5-6h, £60-£110 (direct or via NYC)
• Flight: 1h 20min + airport time = 4h 30min total, £90-£150
• Bus: 6-7h, £25-£50
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Amtrak if time permits, flight if rushing

Why East Coast is easiest

• No car needed: Excellent public transit all three cities (NYC subway, SEPTA Philly, MBTA Boston)
• Train comfort: WiFi, power outlets, walk around, city center arrivals
• Frequency: Trains every hour NYC-Philly, every 2h NYC-Boston
• Compact: NYC-Boston = 346km (London to Paris = 450km, for comparison)
• Cultural variety: Three distinct American cities in short distance

Sample East Coast itinerary

7 days, 4 matches, zero flights needed:

• Day 1-2: Arrive NYC, explore Manhattan
• Day 3: Brazil vs Morocco at MetLife Stadium
• Day 4: Amtrak to Philadelphia (1h 30min, £50), explore Old City
• Day 5: Match at Lincoln Financial Field
• Day 6: Amtrak to Boston (5h, £70), explore Freedom Trail
• Day 7: Scotland vs Morocco at Gillette Stadium
• Day 8: Fly home from Boston (direct to London)

Total inter-city transport cost: £120 (two trains)

---

West Coast cluster: flying required (LA, San Francisco, Seattle)

The cities

• Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) - 7 matches
• San Francisco Bay (Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara) - 5 matches
• Seattle (Lumen Field) - 6 matches

Transport options

LA to San Francisco:

• Flight: 1h 20min, £80-£150 (Alaska, United, Southwest frequent)
• Drive: 6-7h (615 km via I-5 or scenic PCH 8-10h)
• Bus: 7-8h, £30-£60 (Greyhound/Megabus)
• Amtrak Coast Starlight: 12h, £60-£100 (scenic but SLOW)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight (saves 5+ hours vs driving, worth £100)

San Francisco to Seattle:

• Flight: 2h, £100-£180 (Alaska, United direct)
• Drive: 12-13h (1,300 km via I-5)
• Bus: 15-18h, £50-£90 (exhausting)
• Amtrak Coast Starlight: 23h, £80-£140 (overnight scenic but slow)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight (only realistic option)

LA to Seattle:

• Flight: 2h 45min, £120-£200 (Alaska, United, Delta frequent)
• Drive: 17-18h (1,900 km)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight (driving is multi-day commitment)

Why West Coast requires planning

• Massive distances: LA-Seattle = 1,900km (London to Rome = 1,400km)
• No viable trains: Amtrak exists but 23h LA-Seattle is absurd
• Car challenges: 12+ hour drives exhausting, petrol £100+, multiple hotel nights needed
• Flight dependency: Budget £250-£400 total for 2-3 internal flights
• Traffic nightmares: LA traffic adds 1-2 hours to any drive

Sample West Coast itinerary

9 days, 4 matches, 3 flights needed:

• Day 1-2: Arrive LA, explore Hollywood/beaches
• Day 3: USA vs Paraguay at SoFi Stadium
• Day 4: Flight to San Francisco (1h 20min, £100)
• Day 5-6: Explore SF (Golden Gate, Alcatraz, tech scene)
• Day 7: Match at Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, 1h train from SF)
• Day 8: Flight to Seattle (2h, £120)
• Day 9: Belgium vs Egypt at Lumen Field
• Day 10: Fly home from Seattle (direct to London)

Total inter-city transport cost: £220 (two internal flights)

---

Mexico triangle: domestic flights cheap (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey)

The cities

• Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) - 5 matches including opening
• Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) - 4 matches including Spain vs Uruguay
• Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) - 4 matches

Transport options

Mexico City to Guadalajara:

• Flight: 1h 15min, £60-£120 (Volaris, Viva Aerobus, Aeromexico frequent)
• Bus (Primera Plus/ETN): 7-8h, £25-£40 (comfortable luxury buses)
• Drive: 6-7h (540 km via toll roads)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight if time matters (£80 saves 6 hours), bus if budget priority

Mexico City to Monterrey:

• Flight: 1h 30min, £70-£140 (Volaris, Aeromexico)
• Bus: 12h overnight, £35-£60 (luxury sleeper buses available)
• Drive: 10h (900 km)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight (£100 saves full day vs bus)

Guadalajara to Monterrey:

• Flight: 1h 30min, £80-£150
• Bus: 9-10h, £40-£70
• Drive: 8h (650 km)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight (direct routes available)

Why Mexico is unique

• Cheap domestic flights: Volaris/Viva Aerobus budget carriers = £60-£100 fares
• Excellent bus network: First-class buses rival airlines (WiFi, meals, reclining seats)
• Overnight buses smart: Sleep while traveling, save hotel night (£50 bus = transport + accommodation)
• Altitude factor: Mexico City 7,200ft, Guadalajara 5,100ft, Monterrey 1,765ft - acclimatization needed
• Security considerations: Stick to major routes, avoid driving at night, use official taxis/Uber

Sample Mexico itinerary

8 days, 3 matches, budget-friendly:

• Day 1-2: Arrive Mexico City, acclimatize to altitude, explore historic center
• Day 3: Opening match at Estadio Azteca
• Day 4: Flight to Guadalajara (1h 15min, £80) OR overnight bus (7h, £30)
• Day 5-6: Explore Guadalajara (Tequila region, Chapala Lake)
• Day 7: Spain vs Uruguay at Estadio Akron
• Day 8: Return to Mexico City (flight £80 or bus £30), fly home

Total inter-city transport cost: £160 (flights) or £60 (buses) - your choice!

---

Texas hub: driving viable (Dallas, Houston, Kansas City)

The cities

• Dallas (AT&T Stadium, Arlington) - 6 matches
• Houston (NRG Stadium) - 6 matches
• Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium) - 5 matches

Transport options

Dallas to Houston:

• Drive: 3h 30min (362 km via I-45) - EASIEST route in entire tournament
• Flight: 1h + airport time = 3h 30min total, £70-£130 (not worth it)
• Bus: 4-5h, £20-£40 (Megabus, Greyhound)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Drive (rental car £35/day, split fuel = £60 total)

Dallas to Kansas City:

• Drive: 8h (870 km via I-35) - long but doable
• Flight: 1h 30min, £90-£160 (Southwest, American frequent)
• Bus: 10-12h, £40-£70
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight (saves 6+ hours) unless road trip desired

Houston to Kansas City:

• Drive: 11h (1,150 km)
• Flight: 2h, £100-£180
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight (11h drive exhausting)

Why Texas works for drivers

• Shortest distance: Dallas-Houston = 362km, only 3.5 hours
• Excellent highways: I-45 Dallas-Houston is straight, well-maintained, easy drive
• Car freedom: Texas cities sprawl, car useful within cities too (Uber expensive)
• BBQ pilgrimage: Stop at Lockhart, Luling for legendary Texas BBQ en route
• No traffic surprise: Unlike LA/NYC, Texas traffic manageable outside rush hours
• Budget winner: Rental car £35/day + £40 fuel = £75 vs £130 flight

Sample Texas road trip

6 days, 3 matches, rental car adventure:

• Day 1: Arrive Dallas, pick up rental car, explore downtown
• Day 2: England vs Croatia at AT&T Stadium
• Day 3: Drive to Houston (3.5h), stop at Buc-ee's (Texas mega gas station), arrive afternoon
• Day 4: Explore Houston (NASA Space Center, Museum District)
• Day 5: Match at NRG Stadium
• Day 6: Drive back to Dallas (3.5h), fly home

Total inter-city transport cost: £140 (car rental 4 days + fuel)

---

Canada pair: opposite ends (Toronto, Vancouver)

The cities

• Toronto (BMO Field) - 5 matches
• Vancouver (BC Place) - 5 matches

Transport reality

Toronto to Vancouver:

• Flight: 4h 30min, £180-£350 (Air Canada, WestJet direct)
• Drive: 42h (4,400 km across entire country) - ABSURD
• Train: 4 days (Via Rail Canadian) - scenic but slow/expensive
• ✅ ONLY CHOICE: Flight (no realistic alternative)

Canada strategy

• Pick one city: Toronto OR Vancouver, not both (unless doing full North America tour)
• Toronto advantages: Closer to East Coast US cities (NYC 1h flight), better match variety
• Vancouver advantages: West Coast access, stunning natural beauty, combine with Seattle (45min flight)
• Cross-Canada unrealistic: 3,350km Toronto-Vancouver = farther than London to Cairo

Vancouver + Seattle combination

Vancouver to Seattle:

• Flight: 1h, £80-£140 (Alaska, Air Canada frequent)
• Drive: 2h 30min - 3h (230 km, easy border crossing with proper docs)
• Bus (Quick Shuttle): 3-4h, £30-£50 (border delays possible)
• Amtrak Cascades: 4h, £35-£60 (scenic, but border inspection slow)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Drive if have car, flight if not (border crossing straightforward)

Why Vancouver-Seattle works:

• Closest international border crossing in tournament (230km)
• Both stunning Pacific Northwest cities
• Similar climates, cultures (both very livable)
• Can see matches in two countries without massive travel

---

Southeast pair: driving possible (Atlanta, Miami)

The cities

• Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) - 6 matches
• Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) - 7 matches

Transport options

Atlanta to Miami:

• Flight: 2h, £100-£180 (Delta, Spirit, Southwest frequent)
• Drive: 10h (1,050 km via I-75) - long single day or split two days
• Bus: 12-14h, £40-£80 (overnight Greyhound)
• ✅ BEST CHOICE: Flight (saves full day) unless road trip with stops (Savannah, Jacksonville)

Why Atlanta-Miami unique

• Southern culture: Both warm, humid, different vibe than North/West
• Flight frequency: 20+ flights daily (easy to find deals)
• Road trip potential: 10h drive, but can stop in Savannah (historic), Jacksonville (beaches)
• Climate: June-July = hot, humid, thunderstorms possible (plan accordingly)

---

Cross-country connections: when you must fly

East Coast to West Coast

Route	Flight time	Cost	Frequency	Notes
NYC to LA	5h 30min	£150-£300	50+ flights daily	Most competitive route, shop around
Boston to Seattle	6h	£180-£320	10-15 flights daily	Often 1 stop (cheaper than direct)
Philadelphia to SF	5h 45min	£200-£350	5-10 direct flights daily	Limited directs, book early

Time zone warning: East Coast to West Coast = 3-hour time difference. Red-eye flights common (depart 11pm, arrive 2am local) = arrive exhausted.

USA to Mexico

Route	Flight time	Cost	Notes
LA to Mexico City	3h 45min	£150-£280	Many directs (Aeromexico, United, Volaris)
Dallas to Monterrey	1h 30min	£120-£220	Shortest US-Mexico World Cup route
Houston to Mexico City	2h 30min	£140-£260	United, Aeromexico frequent
NYC to Guadalajara	5h (1 stop)	£200-£350	Usually via Mexico City or Houston

Customs note: Flying US→Mexico→US requires clearing customs twice. Budget extra 1-2 hours for immigration at Mexico City/Guadalajara airports (lines long during World Cup).

USA to Canada

Route	Flight time	Cost	Alternative
NYC to Toronto	1h 30min	£120-£220	Can drive (8h) via Niagara Falls
Boston to Toronto	1h 45min	£130-£240	Drive 9h via Montreal possible
Seattle to Vancouver	1h	£80-£140	Drive 2.5-3h (easiest cross-border option)
LA to Vancouver	2h 45min	£150-£280	Drive 19h (West Coast road trip)

Border crossing tip: US-Canada border efficient for air travelers (Global Entry/Nexus speeds this). Driving requires proper docs (passport, car rental agreement, proof of insurance).

---

10 proven multi-match itineraries

Itinerary 1: East Coast express (3 cities, 4 matches, 8 days)

Route: NYC → Philadelphia → Boston → Home

Transport: 2 Amtrak trains (no flights needed)

Cost: £3,800 total (£650 flights UK, £800 tickets, £1,200 hotels, £450 food, £120 trains, £580 misc)

Schedule:

• Day 1-2: Arrive NYC, explore (Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park)
• Day 3: Brazil vs Morocco at MetLife (evening)
• Day 4: Morning Amtrak to Philadelphia (1h 30min, £50), afternoon explore (Liberty Bell, Independence Hall)
• Day 5: Match at Lincoln Financial Field
• Day 6: Amtrak to Boston (5h, £70), evening North End Italian food
• Day 7: Scotland vs Morocco at Gillette Stadium
• Day 8: Freedom Trail morning, fly home afternoon

Why it works: Zero flights within North America, comfortable trains, three world-class cities, compact geography.

---

Itinerary 2: West Coast loop (3 cities, 4 matches, 10 days)

Route: LA → San Francisco → Seattle → Home

Transport: 2 flights (LA-SF, SF-Seattle)

Cost: £5,200 total (£700 flights UK, £900 tickets, £1,800 hotels, £600 food, £220 internal flights, £980 misc)

Schedule:

• Day 1-2: Arrive LA, recover jet lag (beach, Hollywood)
• Day 3: USA vs Paraguay at SoFi Stadium
• Day 4: Flight to San Francisco (1h 20min, £100), arrive lunch
• Day 5-6: Explore SF (Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, tech scene)
• Day 7: Match at Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, take Caltrain from SF 1h)
• Day 8: Flight to Seattle (2h, £120), arrive afternoon
• Day 9: Explore Seattle (Pike Place, Space Needle, coffee culture)
• Day 10: Belgium vs Egypt at Lumen Field, fly home evening

Why it works: West Coast diversity (beach culture LA, tech SF, Pacific Northwest Seattle), manageable flights, iconic cities.

---

Itinerary 3: Mexico immersion (3 cities, 4 matches, 9 days)

Route: Mexico City → Guadalajara → Monterrey → Home

Transport: 2 flights (or 2 overnight buses if budget priority)

Cost: £3,200 total (£550 flights UK, £700 tickets, £720 hotels, £360 food, £160 internal flights, £710 misc)

Schedule:

• Day 1-2: Arrive Mexico City 2 days early (altitude acclimatization essential at 7,200ft), explore Zócalo, Teotihuacan pyramids
• Day 3: Opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca
• Day 4: Flight to Guadalajara (1h 15min, £80), explore Tequila region
• Day 5-6: Guadalajara sightseeing (historic center, Tlaquepaque artisan village)
• Day 7: Spain vs Uruguay at Estadio Akron
• Day 8: Flight to Monterrey (1h 30min, £80), evening Barrio Antiguo
• Day 9: Match at Estadio BBVA, fly home evening

Why it works: Three distinct Mexican cities, opening ceremony included, best group stage match (Spain-Uruguay), 50% cheaper than equivalent US trip.

---

Itinerary 4: Texas road trip (2 cities, 3 matches, 6 days)

Route: Dallas → Houston → Dallas

Transport: Rental car (round trip)

Cost: £2,800 total (£500 flights UK, £600 tickets, £600 hotels, £300 food, £140 car+fuel, £660 misc)

Schedule:

• Day 1: Arrive Dallas, pick up rental car, explore (Dealey Plaza, Arts District)
• Day 2: England vs Croatia at AT&T Stadium
• Day 3: Drive to Houston (3.5h), stop Buc-ee's, arrive afternoon
• Day 4: Houston sightseeing (NASA Space Center must-visit)
• Day 5: Match at NRG Stadium, drive back to Dallas evening (3.5h)
• Day 6: Dallas morning, return car, fly home

Why it works: Easiest driving route in tournament (3.5h each way), freedom to explore Texas BBQ stops, rental car useful in sprawling cities.

---

Itinerary 5: Opening to final odyssey (6 cities, 10 matches, 25 days)

Route: Mexico City → Guadalajara → LA → Dallas → Miami → NYC

Transport: 5 flights (inter-city), business class UK flights

Cost: £18,000 total (£4,200 business class, £5,500 tickets Cat 1-2, £4,500 5-star hotels, £1,500 food, £1,000 internal flights, £1,300 misc)

Matches (luxury selection):

• June 11: Opening ceremony Mexico City
• June 13: Brazil vs Morocco NYC
• June 17: England vs Croatia Dallas
• June 26: Spain vs Uruguay Guadalajara
• June 27: Colombia vs Portugal Miami
• June 30: Round of 32 NYC
• July 5: Round of 16 LA
• July 9: Quarter-final Dallas
• July 14: Semi-final NYC
• July 19: Final at MetLife Stadium

Why it works: Complete tournament experience (opening through final), every major city, Category 1 seats throughout, business class comfort, once-in-lifetime.

---

Itinerary 6: Budget backpacker (2 cities, 2 matches, 5 days)

Route: Houston → Dallas (one-way)

Transport: Megabus (£20)

Cost: £1,650 total (£450 flights, £220 tickets Cat 4, £200 hostels, £125 food, £20 bus, £635 misc)

Schedule:

• Day 1: Arrive Houston, hostel check-in, explore downtown
• Day 2: NASA Space Center (£20), match at NRG Stadium evening
• Day 3: Megabus to Dallas (4h, £20), arrive afternoon
• Day 4: Explore Dallas (free museums), match at AT&T Stadium
• Day 5: Fly home from Dallas

Why it works: Absolute minimum budget, two matches, two cities, proves World Cup affordable for students/backpackers.

---

Itinerary 7: Canada + Seattle (2 cities, 3 matches, 7 days)

Route: Vancouver → Seattle → Home

Transport: Drive (rent in Vancouver, drop in Seattle) or flight

Cost: £4,200 total (£700 flights UK, £750 tickets, £1,400 hotels, £420 food, £120 car/fuel, £810 misc)

Schedule:

• Day 1-2: Arrive Vancouver, explore (Stanley Park, Granville Island, mountains)
• Day 3: Switzerland vs Canada at BC Place
• Day 4: Drive to Seattle (2.5-3h including border) OR flight (1h, £100)
• Day 5: Seattle sightseeing (Pike Place, Space Needle, coffee)
• Day 6: Match at Lumen Field
• Day 7: Fly home from Seattle

Why it works: Pacific Northwest beauty, two stunning cities, easiest international border crossing, can drive (scenic) or fly (fast).

---

Itinerary 8: Following England (4 cities, 5 matches, 16 days)

Route: Varies based on England's group stage cities + knockout path

Transport: 3-4 flights (following team)

Cost: £7,500 total (£800 flights UK, £1,800 tickets, £2,400 hotels, £960 food, £500 internal flights, £1,040 misc)

Example schedule (if England in Group L):

• June 17: England vs Croatia (Dallas)
• June 22: England vs Colombia (Kansas City)
• June 26: England vs Ghana (Philadelphia)
• July 1: Round of 32 (location TBD based on Group L placement)
• July 6: Round of 16 (if England wins R32)

Why it works: Follow your team through entire journey, ultimate emotional investment, flexible knockout bookings based on results.

Risk: England eliminated early = wasted bookings. Mitigation: Book refundable hotels, only buy knockout tickets AFTER group stage confirms qualification.

---

Itinerary 9: Group stage completionist (5 cities, 8 matches, 18 days)

Route: Mexico City → Guadalajara → Dallas → Boston → NYC

Transport: 4 flights

Cost: £9,500 total (£1,000 flights UK, £2,400 tickets, £2,700 hotels, £1,080 food, £600 internal flights, £1,720 misc)

Matches (diverse selection):

• June 11: Opening ceremony Mexico City
• June 14: Germany vs Curaçao (Houston - fly from Mexico City)
• June 17: England vs Croatia (Dallas)
• June 22: Argentina vs Austria (Dallas)
• June 24: Scotland vs Brazil (Boston - fly from Dallas)
• June 26: Spain vs Uruguay (Guadalajara - fly from Boston)
• June 26: France vs Norway (Boston - return same day or next)
• June 27: Colombia vs Portugal (NYC - fly from Boston)

Why it works: Maximum group stage variety, see opening ceremony + best match (Spain-Uruguay) + multiple blockbusters, avoid knockout prices.

---

Itinerary 10: Southeast double (2 cities, 3 matches, 8 days)

Route: Atlanta → Miami → Home

Transport: Flight (ATL-MIA 2h)

Cost: £4,500 total (£650 flights UK, £850 tickets, £1,200 hotels, £480 food, £120 internal flight, £1,200 misc)

Schedule:

• Day 1-2: Arrive Atlanta, explore (World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, MLK historic site)
• Day 3: Match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Day 4: Flight to Miami (2h, £120), arrive lunch, beach afternoon
• Day 5-6: Miami relaxation (South Beach, Art Deco, Wynwood Walls)
• Day 7: Colombia vs Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium
• Day 8: Beach morning, fly home afternoon

Why it works: Southern USA culture, combines football with beach vacation, warm weather guaranteed June-July, diverse cities.

---

Practical transport tips

Booking flights: strategy & timing

• UK to North America: Book 9-12 months ahead (saves 30-40% vs last-minute, summer 2026 = peak season)
• Internal flights: Book 2-6 months ahead (domestic fares fluctuate, set Google Flights alerts)
• Open-jaw ticketing: Fly London→City A, return City B→London (avoids backtracking, often same price)
• One-stop cheaper: NYC-Seattle direct £250 vs 1-stop £150 (worth it if 2+ hours layover)
• Southwest advantage: No change fees (flexibility if match schedule changes), but not on Google Flights (check southwest.com directly)
• Budget carriers: Spirit, Frontier ultra-low fares ($40) BUT nickle-and-dime (carry-on £40, seat selection £20, total equals regular airlines)

Train travel: Amtrak essentials

• Acela vs Regional: Acela 30min faster, double price - rarely worth it unless business traveler
• Book direct: Amtrak.com has best fares (third-party sites markup 10-20%)
• Saver fares: Non-refundable but 25% cheaper (book if dates certain)
• Arrive early: Amtrak boards 15 minutes before departure (unlike European trains boarding 2 minutes before)
• Cafe car: Food mediocre/expensive, bring your own snacks
• WiFi reality: Advertised but often unreliable (download entertainment beforehand)

Rental cars: when worth it

Rent a car if:

• Traveling Texas (Dallas-Houston easy drive)
• Group of 4+ (split costs = cheaper than flights)
• Want flexibility (explore between cities at your pace)
• Hate flying (road trip mentality)

Skip rental car if:

• Staying East Coast (trains better)
• Long distances (10+ hours driving exhausting)
• Solo traveler (can't split costs)
• Cities with good public transit (NYC, Boston, Toronto - car liability not asset)

Rental tips:

• Book 3-6 months ahead (tournament demand spikes prices)
• Decline insurance if your credit card covers it (check before trip)
• Prepay fuel (avoid £3/gallon vs £2/gallon at stations)
• One-way drop-off fees: £100-£200 (worth it vs backtracking)
• Under-25 surcharge: £25/day extra if under 25 (budget accordingly)

Border crossings: USA-Mexico-Canada

USA to Mexico (by air):

• Passport required (6 months validity)
• No visa for UK citizens (tourist card free at immigration)
• Customs declaration (under £400 goods = nothing to declare)
• Budget 45-60min immigration lines at Mexico City/Guadalajara during World Cup

USA to Canada (by air):

• Passport required
• eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) required for UK citizens - apply online, £5, instant approval usually
• Customs smooth (Canada-US border efficient)

Driving USA-Canada:

• Peace Arch border (Seattle-Vancouver) busiest but efficient
• Have rental agreement + insurance proof ready
• Declare any goods over £60 value
• Peak wait times: 1-2 hours (budget accordingly)
• Nexus/Global Entry: Pre-approval programs skip lines (worth it if frequent traveler)

Luggage strategy for multi-city trips

• Carry-on only: If 7-10 days, pack light (saves baggage fees £40/flight, faster airport exit)
• Checked bag: If 2+ weeks or visiting multiple climates (Mexico heat → Seattle rain)
• Hotel luggage storage: Check out early, store bags at hotel front desk free while exploring city before flight
• Laundry strategy: Hotel sink wash socks/underwear (saves packing extras), or use laundromat (£8 wash+dry)

---

Common transport mistakes to avoid

Mistake 1: Underestimating distances

❌ Thinking: "I'll see matches in LA and Miami in same weekend" (4,300km apart)

✅ Reality: LA-Miami = 6-hour flight, full day lost to travel

Solution: Use regional clustering, accept you cannot see entire continent in one trip

Mistake 2: Last-minute flight bookings

❌ Thinking: "I'll book flights after I know which matches I'm attending"

✅ Reality: June-July 2026 flights booked months in advance, last-minute = triple prices

Solution: Book refundable flights NOW, finalize route later

Mistake 3: Ignoring airport locations

❌ Thinking: "Flight lands 3 hours before kickoff, plenty of time"

✅ Reality: Immigration 45min + baggage 15min + transport to city 45min + stadium travel 30min = missed kickoff

Solution: Arrive day before match, not same day (eliminates stress)

Mistake 4: Rental car for NYC-Boston

❌ Thinking: "I'll rent car for flexibility NYC-Boston"

✅ Reality: NYC parking £40/day + gas + tolls + stress = train cheaper and easier

Solution: Use Amtrak East Coast, rental car only for Texas/rural areas

Mistake 5: Checking bags on short connections

❌ Thinking: "I'll check bag for LA-SF-Seattle trip" (2 flights, 3 cities)

✅ Reality: Baggage claim adds 30min each stop, risk of lost luggage = disaster mid-trip

Solution: Carry-on only for multi-city trips under 2 weeks

---

Conclusion: master the logistics, maximize the experience

North America's scale transforms World Cup 2026 from "attend a few matches" into "plan a continental expedition." The 4,375 kilometers from Vancouver to Miami, three countries, four time zones, and 16 cities create complexity unmatched in World Cup history.

But with smart route planning, this complexity becomes opportunity. The East Coast cluster delivers three world-class cities via comfortable trains in under 8 hours total travel. The West Coast offers California beaches to Pacific Northwest mountains with short flights. Mexico provides authentic atmosphere at half the cost of US cities. Texas makes driving viable with just 3.5 hours between Dallas and Houston.

The key insights: embrace regional clustering over continent-hopping, fly when distances exceed 800km, use Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, rent cars only for Texas or small groups, and book international flights 9-12 months ahead with internal flights 2-6 months ahead.

Whether you're attempting the £1,650 budget backpacker route (Houston-Dallas), the £3,800 East Coast express (NYC-Philly-Boston), or the £18,000 opening-to-final odyssey (six cities, 10 matches), success depends on respecting the distances, choosing the right transport modes, and planning routes that maximize football while minimizing travel.

North America is massive. But it's navigable. Master these routes, and you'll spend your time in stadiums watching Spain battle Uruguay, not in airports watching departure boards.

Ready to plan your World Cup 2026 journey? Browse our complete selection of World Cup 2026 tickets across all 16 cities. Start with opening ceremony tickets at Estadio Azteca, add Spain vs Uruguay in Guadalajara, include Brazil vs Morocco at MetLife, and finish with the final in New York. Use this transport guide to build your perfect multi-match itinerary – whether East Coast trains, West Coast flights, Mexico domestic hops, or Texas road trips. Book tickets now, plan routes smart, and turn World Cup 2026 into the journey of a lifetime.