How to Get There

Transportation is an important part of your trip. Fortunately, unless you’re traveling to a remote destination, you can usually choose from many different modes of transportation. This means that you can select your means of transport based on your travel budget and personal preferences.

If you’re not sure how you’d like to get from your home to your destination, here are some options for you to consider:

Your personal vehicle is often the least expensive transportation option, particularly if you own an economy car in good repair. Driving is a great way to visit small towns and explore the countryside. You always have the freedom to stop if you’re hungry or tired, and you can change your travel plans whenever you like.

However, driving between large cities or across great distances can be time-consuming. Particularly in periods of rising fuel prices, driving can be just as expensive as taking a train or bus – perhaps even costlier, if you’re traveling solo. An accident or breakdown can sideline you for days, eating up valuable travel time and adding unexpected repair expenses and motel bills to your trip costs. You also run the risk of petty vandalism or break-ins.

While it costs more to rent a car than to drive your own, you know you’ll get a new, reliable vehicle. If you do break down, the rental car company will bring you a new car; you won’t have to search for a garage or sleep in a roadside motel. You’ll still have the freedom to explore inviting roads or stop at an antiques mall. You can go everywhere you’d like to go and stay as long as you like.

The downside to renting cars is, of course, the cost. Particularly if you pick up your rental car at an airport, the taxes and facility charges can add as much as 25% to your rental car bill. You may not be able to rent a car everywhere if you’re over 70; some rental car companies have maximum age limits. Navigating the maze of insurance options, such as the Collision Damage Waiver, can also be confusing. Be sure to consult your car insurance provider to find out if your policy covers rental car use.

Train travel can be both convenient and interesting. Many countries offer train service not only between major cities but also between small towns. If you’re in a foreign country and don’t want to hassle with rental cars, high gasoline prices or car manuals written in a language you can’t read, train travel can be a great alternative. You avoid the problem of finding secure parking in big cities. In many cases, train tickets for one or two passengers are roughly equivalent to the cost of renting a car. In the U.S., where Amtrak service is the only rail travel alternative, you can journey between large cities quite comfortably by train.

Amtrak’s limited schedule can be problematic if your destination lies far away from the rail lines. (This isn’t as much of a problem in countries such as Germany or Italy, where rail travel is a well-used alternative to driving.) You may arrive at your destination at a very inconvenient time, such as 4:00 A.M., and have to wait until your hotel desk is staffed before you can rest your weary head.

Regardless of your itinerary, if you travel overnight you will need to use a money belt or pouch to safeguard your passport and credit cards. You won’t be able to shower on the train unless you can reserve a compartment with private bath, which isn’t possible in many countries, and bathroom cleanliness may not be all that you desire.

While American trains are wheelchair accessible, this isn’t the case in many other countries. Even the famed Orient Express cannot accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. If you plan to travel by train and use a wheelchair or scooter, you will need to do a lot of research up front to ensure that your trip will proceed smoothly.

Air travel is the fastest way to reach your destination if you plan to travel far from home. You don’t have to spend your precious travel time driving or watching the scenery through a bus or train window; instead, you can begin your sightseeing in a matter of hours. Unless you’re traveling on a European budget airline, you won’t have to carry your suitcases through your connecting airports. Many airlines also offer travel packages that include hotels and rental cars.

Time is money, however, and air travel is quite expensive. You’ll still have to get from the airport to your hotel, cruise ship or vacation cottage, by taxi, rental car or public transportation. Jet lag can set you back a day or two, depending on how far you’ve traveled from home.

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