When you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, you're probably dreaming of tropical beaches, gourmet meals, and taking in the highlights of your destination. What’s probably not on your mind? The humdrum details of transportation.
But as dull as it sounds, your transportation while traveling can really make or break a trip. After all, if you’re expecting a driver in a Mercedes to meet you at the airport but you end up having to take the subway...it can really put a damper on your experience.
As always, working with a travel advisor is the best way to ensure a smooth trip from start to finish, but as you’re planning your next adventure, and how you’ll be getting around, keep the following points in mind:
Time
Are you in a hurry to get to your destination or are you planning to enjoy the ride as you go? If time is not on your side, hiring a private car and driver or rental car may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you have a little more time to spare, exploring the sights of the city by bus, tram, or subway can be a great way to get in touch with the local vibe, while also saving money.
Comfort
Are you the kind of person who can sleep anywhere? If so, you’ll probably be just fine with run-of-the-mill transportation like economy air, basic bus fares, or standard rail. With standard travel, you’ll still enjoy a decent amount of legroom and the convenience of a tray table and adjustable seat - plus basic amenities like drinks and snacks. But if you prefer things to be a bit more on the plush side, paying a premium for first-class air or rail might be a good move. You’ll usually enjoy extra amenities like more space, premium drinks and food, and higher quality service. If you choose to travel with a private car and driver, you won’t have the headache of navigating traffic or of getting from place to place. For some travelers, the price of this service is well worth it to remain stress-free while traveling. Are you traveling a fairly long distance? Although trains, buses, and cars are readily available in most destinations, sometimes going by air is the best option. If you’re flying economy, it’s true that you may be temporarily uncomfortable, but when you consider the amount of time you’ll save in transit, the temporary loss of comfort can be worth it.
Storage
If you’re traveling by private car or rental car, you’ll need to consider details like how much space is available for luggage, whether or not your hotel has parking available, and if there’s any sort of parking fee. In some destinations like New York, for example, parking a car might be so stressful that it’s just not worth the hassle. On the other hand, hiring a private car means you’ll be able to drive up directly to a hotel’s entrance, so you won’t have to worry about hauling your luggage around an unfamiliar city.
A train will have ample storage for luggage, but depending on how far the station is from your destination, you may end up having to schlep your luggage farther than you'd like.
Most airlines limit the amount of luggage you can carry and some even charge for the first bag unless you have their credit card or a particular status. You might want to pack only the necessary items when boarding the plane or if you plan on shopping, you will have to limit it to the essentials alone, if not, you will have to pay the overweight charges or upcharge for extra bags.
Number of People
The number of people you’re traveling with is also something to consider when looking for the right means of transportation. If you’re traveling with your family of 5, you might want to consider hiring a rental car or a driver. If you’re traveling with a larger group, you may want to choose a minibus or even a standard tour bus to travel to your destination.
Freedom
If you desire a lot of freedom and privacy to go where you want at any time you like, using a private car can be a huge plus. However, with independent services such as Uber in most cities, you may still enjoy all that without too much hassle.
Cost
The cost of transportation depends on what you value. If you want to travel as stress-free as possible, hiring someone else to handle the headache of getting around makes sense. But if you’re okay with a bit of a challenge, going it alone can be a fun adventure!
If you’re not sure of the best option for you, talk to your trusted travel advisor about your options. They’ll be able to guide you toward the best choice for your unique situation!
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