[adapted from https://www.mappingmegan.com/choosing-different-modes-transport-traveling/]
Choosing between different modes of transport when traveling
Walking
It may not be the quickest way to travel, but you definitely can’t beat the price. The best thing about walking to places is that there are no tickets to purchase and no timetables to adhere to. You can walk anywhere, at any time of day or night.
Many cities are pedestrian-friendly, and so long as you set yourself up in an accommodation near the city center, you can usually reach most nearby top attractions quite comfortably. Most popular cities also offer up organized walking tours which are free.
Cycling
One of the most eco-friendly ways to travel on wheels is via bicycle. It’s also quite economical since bike rentals are far cheaper than car rentals and there are no additional fuel expenses. Additionally, in many cities, it is actually quicker and easier to ride bicycles places than to drive.
The great thing about biking is that it’s suitable for most ages so long as you’re relatively fit, and you can easily ride with small children and even pets in tow.
Driving
It’s safe to say most travelers rely on vehicles for at least a portion of every trip. Whether you’re hailing a cab, scheduling an Uber, or renting your own vehicle, this has become the most widely used mode of transportation for travelers worldwide.
There are a few cons of hiring a vehicle such as it being expensive, especially when you consider the added insurance, fuel, and parking costs. You may have to quickly get used to driving on the opposite side of the road and decipher road signs written in another language and you may need to book a rental far in advance for popular destinations during peak season.
Renting a vehicle is, however, one of the most comfortable ways to travel in terms of privacy and allowing you the freedom to travel at your own pace without restrictive timetables. There is no rubbing shoulders with strangers and it’s much easier to carry shopping back to your hotel.
Planes
Yes, planes may have tight security regulations, long waiting times, baggage restrictions, and a number of other inconveniences, but air travel still reigns supreme over car, train and bus travel in most cases. But let’s face it, flying is by far the quickest and most practical way to travel in most cases. It’s often the only real way to reach international destinations without having to endure lengthy travel times on trains or ships.
Flying may be one of the most expensive ways to travel, but in many cases it’s actually not that bad and if you consider your time as money. Comfort is usually pretty good on most airlines, and Business/First-Class seats and service can be downright amazing.
Plane travel is also extremely safe, with crashes and other accidents being extremely rare thanks to meticulous checks before flights. You are far more likely to get injured or die on the roadways.
Buses
Buses are one of the most cost-effective ways to travel, but you’ll likely end up paying for it dearly when it comes to forgoing comfort. While there are nice buses out there, there are far more that are pretty dull or downright depressing in some locations.
They can often be jam-packed and may be lacking air conditioning and bathrooms, even on long haul routes. Short bus journeys around town on public buses may be bearable and hop-on-hop-off buses can be fun at times, but overnight sleeper buses can sometimes be brutal despite being able to recline and saving on paying for a night’s accommodation.
Trains
Trains are a great way to experience places which many people don’t get to see or may be too dangerous or grueling to drive through. Aside from plane travel, trains are also usually the next fastest way to travel thanks to not having to wait in traffic or being held up by road construction. However, train routes often do cover quite a lot of ground with few stops, so it may not be great if you don’t like being cooped up for long periods.
Of course, train travel comforts and overall experiences can vary greatly depending on where you’re traveling and which class ticket you have. You may be rewarded with exceptional scenery from a luxurious rail carriage complete with fine dining, or may be stuck sleeping on an uncomfortable seat that doesn’t recline eating a bag of chips you packed yourself.
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