Is it possible to travel within the US without an ID?
On the one hand, I'm aware that at least 5 million people in the US do not have a valid government ID. On the other hand, traveling within the US requires you to show a piece of ID wherever you go - even when taking a Greyhound.
So let's say you're an American who has a large number of cash in their pocket but no ID whatsoever. Would you be able to get from New York to San Francisco or from Seattle to Miami? If so, what are your options? Even though I do have plenty of identification documents, I find it enjoyable to be able to travel anonymously.
Best Answer
If you have enough cash, you could buy a burner phone, load Uber on it, buy a prepaid MasterCard and then just Uber across the nation.
Amtrak doesn’t check Id very often so you could use Amtrak. If you get kicked off by a conductor, try the next train. Dress nicely and you may be rarely asked.
Greyhound and Bolt bus amongst other long distance bus companies don’t check ids.
Buy a bicycle and bike across.
Hitchhiking doesn’t require an ID except it’s handy to have one when your dead body lands up in a cornfield in Idaho.
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Can you travel in the states without an ID?
Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. Beginning May 3, 2023, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., make sure it is REAL ID compliant.Can you travel in U.S. without ID or passport?
In short, you can fly to all 50 U.S. states and territories without a passport. Just make sure to carry either your driver's license or a state-issued ID. To avoid frustrations in the future, ensure your driver's license and other ID are REAL-ID compliant before May 2023.Can you fly within the U.S. without passport?
The good news is that American citizens do not need a passport to fly domestically. You will always need a passport to fly internationally though. Read on for more info about the types of ID you can use while traveling domestically, upcoming changes to ID that will affect all US travelers, and how to get a passport.Traveling Safely in the US Without Papers
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Answer 2
Greyhound used to ask for ID but only at boarding if you used a print-at-home ticket. This was more of a credit card fraud prevention measure than anything else, and I'm not sure if they even do that anymore. They don't ask for ID if you used a paper ticket obtained from the ticket counter or kiosk, or if you buy the ticket through their mobile app. (I seem to recall there is some exception for departures from Washington DC where everyone gets asked for ID, but I don't have the info on this handy.)
You can fly in the USA without ID, but you get the blue glove treatment from TSA if you do. You go through an identity verification process that involves answering some personal questions about your finances and credit that are obtained from a third party. My experience with these questions is that they are usually kind of ridiculous. They ask things like what model of car you owned in 2005. Then you go through secondary screening. It can take an extra 20-30 minutes on top of the security wait.
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