Planes, Trains, And Automobiles: Travel Tips For Smoother Transit
- Updated: 07/11/2024
Part five of our ten-series “Amazeballs Guide To Better Family Travel.”
Before I go all-in on a travel destination, I take time to make sure the costs of getting to the place I want to go won’t blow my budget.
There are few things more disappointing than starting to plan a dream vacation, then realizing round-trip plane tickets are running an out-of-reach $1,500 or more.
There are few things more disappointing than starting to plan a dream vacation, then realizing round-trip plane tickets are running an out-of-reach $1,500 or more each during high season. For a family of four, this adds up quickly. Expensive tickets often make me rethink my plans altogether.
When Fares Are Too High, Stay Flexible
Sometimes I will do an about-face and drop existing plans to jump on a great fare to a more exotic location. Like when I saw round-trip tickets to Rome cost only $50 more than the plane fare to Salt Lake City, where we were planning to fly into for a spring break, and I booked the tickets to Rome instead.
Other times, I skip flying altogether and drive instead to save money and have a more relaxed trip. I find the slower pace of car travel less stressful with no rigid timelines or packing requirements. Plus, I’m a geography-geek. If I’m not driving, I like to navigate, following along the map as we make our way.
I view long car trips as an American rite of passage that help ensure my kids don't take plane travel for granted.
I also view long car trips as an American rite of passage that help ensure my kids don’t take plane travel for granted. After a summer driving trip from Chicago to South Carolina – which included an excellent en route stay at Great Smoky Mountains National Park – I no longer hear complaints from the kids about the length of any driving vacation. One massive car trip and the rest of them pale in comparison.
Travel Transportation: Money Vs. Time
At various times in my travel life – saving the maximum amount of money on transportation was key and dictated my travel decisions. I would fly at inconvenient times, take an overnight bus, or change my travel dates without a second thought to save more money.
However, now I am older with a family, I have less time, reduced flexibility, and a bigger travel budget. These days, convenience and ease play a determining factor in making my transportation decisions. I’ve learned the hard way – after being the recipient of repeated and vocal objections – that the rest of my family does not think waking up at 3 AM to catch a more affordably priced flight is a good idea.
So, I opt to avoid repeat mistakes, and whenever necessary, adjust my trip plans and budgets to accommodate reasonable and easy transportation. Even if it costs a bit more, keeping everyone less grumpy is priceless.
I’ve broken down my top learnings into four transportation articles displayed below, covering planes, trains, and automobiles. Happy travels!
Transportation Breakdown: Four Articles In This Series
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Welcome to Gather and Go Travel, a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, a world traveler to 50+ countries, a travel writer/blogger, and a book lover. Learn more about me, read our story, and how to work with me. Get my latest updates, how-tos, and trip ideas in my monthly Discovery Newsletter.
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