Just 200 years ago, it was possible to reach the destination by horse or ship. However, thanks to technological progress, the modern transport infrastructure has changed radically. Now travelers have to choose exactly how they want to get to their destination. But is the most obvious way always the most profitable? Let's figure it out!
Travel by train
Trains have long been the main mode of travel. Relatively fast, comfortable enough and quite cheap. However, the decline in airfare has severely shaken the position of rail transport.
Advantages
The train has a row plusesthat no plane can boast of:
- train stations usually located in the city center, while airports are on the outskirts or far beyond;
- to get on the train enough ticket and passport... No baggage drop-off counters, passport and customs control;
- You can take with you up to 50 kg of luggage. Although in reality no one ever weighs suitcases at all;
- no one will take away a bottle of water or an appetizing, freshly baked chicken in foil from you - in the car, everyone does nothing but are eating;
- on the train you can stretch your legs, relax, sleep or read. Children at this time are not tied to chairs, but jump from the upper shelf to the lower one.
The most important thing is that the train is a place where you can think, read a book, find an interlocutor, see cities, plan a walk route if you decide to visit the city as an excursion march. Lovers of romance will understand us.
Disadvantages
But if you are going to a rendezvous by rail, be prepared for unexpected surprises:
- 36 hours versus 2.5. The difference is palpable especially with children;
- dangerous and unpleasant neighbors... Everything on the plane is in plain sight. And if there is a misunderstanding, a stewardess will come to the rescue. And if your neighbor in the compartment got drunk on the way, then these are most likely your problems;
- noise and smell... Let's go back to food and chicken. Meals on the plane are regulated, so it smells like a hot lunch for 15-20 minutes. On the train, people eat for days, and they also noisily play cards and talk.
Who is it for?
A train ride is suitable for those who love station romance, carry a lot of luggage, and are not ready to sacrifice comfort for the sake of speed.
Advantageous flight by plane
Airliners today are the primary way people and goods move. In 2019, the number of travelers using the plane surpassed a record high of 4 billion.
Advantages
The plane has its own pros:
- this is quickly... The plane flies at a speed of 925 km / h. And the longest flight ever made by man lasted only 19 hours and 16 minutes;
- this is economically... Now the prices for the plane are quite comparable to the prices for the train. And sometimes much lower than them. For example, in the Metrip.ru service, you can compare tickets for dozens of airlines - the search engine will offer the cheapest option found;
- this is safely... The flight attendant is responsible for everything that happens on board. Even for your drunken neighbor in the row;
- plane can fly therewhere no train can reach;
- modern airports today can be compared to huge entertainment malls, while train stations rarely boast a developed infrastructure.
Disadvantages
But even in flights, you can find a lot negative:
- aircraft delays... Modern airports are overloaded, so flights are being postponed or postponed every now and then. In winter, the natural factor is added to the human factor;
- loss of luggage... Once your suitcase has left on the transport belt, the responsibility for keeping it safe and arriving at its destination rests with the airport staff. Unfortunately, even with a modern system, mistakes are common. Sometimes modern suitcases travel more than their owners;
- limitation weights... 23 kg of luggage and about 10 kg of hand luggage. If you plan to take an elephant or a motor boat with you, you will either have to pay extra for the overweight, or come up with something else;
- physical the discomfort... The seats in the planes are small, the distances between them are narrow, during takeoff and landing, ears get covered, and at altitude there may be heart problems;
- restrictions... Air travel is not recommended for pregnant women over 36 weeks. And children do not like to sit for a long time and motionless when they are awake.
And yet, if you plan your vacation correctly, you can easily find an air ticket with savings of up to 40% of the average cost of the destination. It is enough to start planning your trip in advance, 2-3 months before the season.
Who is it for?
Air travel is suitable for people who are planning a global flight; those who value their time, do not like to carry luggage with them and are indifferent to the station romance.
Drive yourself by car
What could be more comfortable than traveling in your own car? Going on the road, you get five advantages at once as a bonus.
Dignity
How will please auto tourists?
- own route... Nobody will tell you where to go. And if on the way to Paris you stop for the Oktoberfest in Germany, then so be it;
- benefit... If you have a large family, then the prices of the plane can ruin you. And on the train you simply won't fit into one compartment;
- scenic landscapes... Auto allows you to stop where you want and take a couple of pictures;
- overnight... No one will force you to wake up and go at 3 am, simply because the flight was unsuccessfully postponed. There are no long connections. Just you, the road and the hostels on the sidelines;
- unlimited baggage;
- Fear of heights. If you are afraid of flying, then the car can be a great help.
Disadvantages
But also disadvantages and there are a lot of cars too:
- to cross the border in a private car you will need a whole package of documentsthat will have to be formalized at home. And sometimes it takes a very long time to pass the border due to the large accumulation of trucks;
- fuel price... Gasoline in Europe and America is expensive, and there are also toll roads and parking;
- if you are traveling with children, they will quickly get tired of sitting still and admiring the views;
- cars break down... And while you wait for the necessary part from the car service, some expensive hotel "on the road" will eat the lion's share of the vacation pay from your card.
Who is it for?
A trip by car for those who like adventures and for those who are not afraid of difficulties.
Again, if the car is in good technical condition, then feel free to choose any direction. In any case, the third way of transportation will give you a maximum of positive impressions.
And in conclusion, to paraphrase Mayakovsky, all modes of transportation are good - choose your taste. When planning a trip, really assess your capabilities and preferences, book tickets, hotels and restaurants in advance.
