Transportation at the 2026 World Cup: flights, trains, Uber — how to get around between 16 cities

3 countries, 16 cities — how do you get around at World Cup 2026?

World Cup 2026 will be spread across 3 countries (the USA, Canada, Mexico) and 16 cities. Transportation between and within cities is one of the biggest challenges for fans — especially for Israelis used to short distances. Here's a complete guide to help you plan your route, cut costs and avoid mistakes.

Domestic flights — the fast way

The USA is a huge country. The distance between New York and Los Angeles is 4,500 km — a 5.5-hour flight. Between Dallas and Miami: 2,000 km. Between Seattle and Atlanta: 3,500 km.

Important tip: Book domestic flights as early as possible. During the World Cup, prices will rise dramatically. Budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier and Southwest offer good prices if you book months in advance.

For flights within Mexico, Volaris and VivaAerobus are cheap options. Between Canada and the USA, also check regional flights from Porter Airlines.

Train — a limited but worthwhile option

The USA doesn't have high-speed rail like Europe. Amtrak is the national rail company, but the routes are slow and relatively expensive. Still, there are cases where it's worth it:

• New York — Philadelphia — Washington: Acela Express, one hour from NY to Philly, 3 hours to DC. Excellent!
• Within Mexico City: The metro is excellent — cheap (5 pesos a ride) and covers the city
• Within Toronto: The TTC (metro + buses) covers the city well

Between American cities not on the same corridor — flying beats the train.

Renting a car — pros and cons

Renting a car in the USA is very popular and allows flexibility. But there are pitfalls:

• Pros: Freedom of movement, the ability to travel between matches, relatively cheap if booked in advance
• Cons: Parking near stadiums will be a nightmare — road closures, full parking lots, inflated prices
• Tip: Rent a car for travel between cities, but use public transit or Uber on match day

Uber and Lyft — the match-day solution

In America, ride-hailing apps are a part of life. Uber and Lyft operate in all 16 host cities. But on match day:

• Prices for surge pricing (dynamic pricing) — expect double and even triple prices before and after a match
• Tip: Book your ride there two hours before the match, and wait 30-45 minutes after the final whistle before booking the ride back
• In Mexico: Uber operates, but also DiDi (a Chinese app) is popular and cheaper

Public transit — by city

• New York/New Jersey: The best subway in the USA. MetLife Stadium is accessible by NJ Transit train from Penn Station
• Los Angeles: A new metro, but coverage is limited. SoFi Stadium is accessible on the C Line (Crenshaw) — but most people will drive
• Miami: Metrorail + Metrobus. Hard Rock Stadium — you need a shuttle bus or a car
• Dallas: DART (light rail). AT&T Stadium — a dedicated shuttle on match day
• Mexico City: Excellent metro! Estadio Azteca — Tasqueña station + Metrobús
• Toronto: TTC. BMO Field — accessible on foot from Exhibition station
• Vancouver: SkyTrain. BC Place — Stadium–Chinatown station, right nearby

Distances between host cities (by air)

• New York — Miami: 3 hours
• New York — Dallas: 3.5 hours
• New York — Los Angeles: 5.5 hours
• Dallas — Mexico City: 2.5 hours
• Los Angeles — San Francisco: 1.5 hours
• Toronto — New York: 1.5 hours

General transportation tips

• Book domestic flights now — June-July prices will spike
• Google Maps works great in the USA, Canada and Mexico — including real-time public transit
• Leave a day between matches in different cities — flight delays and jet lag are real
• Plan parking in advance — SpotHero and ParkWhiz allow booking parking
• FIFA is expected to run shuttle buses from Fan Zones to the stadiums — follow FIFA.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What's the best way to get around between host cities?
Domestic flights. The US is too big to drive between most cities. Book early with budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier or Southwest.

How do you get to the stadium on match day?
Depends on the city. New York — NJ Transit train. Mexico City — the metro. Los Angeles — Metro C Line or Uber. Either way, arrive 2 hours early.

Is it worth renting a car?
Yes, for traveling between cities and sightseeing. No, on match day — parking near stadiums will be expensive and crowded. Use public transportation or Uber.

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