The age old question of which is better, train or plane, often leaves travelers wondering what the better way of travel is. Sure, are some advantages to using one versus the other, but which is better? Here’s how to decide which one to choose based on your travel needs.
Where Are You Going?
For shorter trips between cities such as Wilmington to Philadelphia it may make much more sense to take a train versus an airplane. However, for cross country trips your total travel time can literally be days longer if you take a train instead of a plane. Before choosing a train or a plane, look at the travel time for both to determine which is a better choice as far as travel time goes.
Baggage Allowance
With the the rising cost of checked bags on a plane, many travelers are turning to trains. Some airlines charge as much at $100 for a checked bag versus Amtrak that allows travelers to bring two free checked bags plus two carry-ons. For those travelers that will be taking a lot of luggage with them, traveling by train may save them hundreds of dollars in checked bag fees. Security restrictions are also very different. Certain prohibited items on a plane are allowed on trains.
Comfort Of The Ride
Unless you pay for first class (which is pricey!) on a plane, you probably won’t have the most comfortable ride. Cabins are often cramped and it can be difficult to relax. On many trains the seats recline, there’s plenty of legroom and even electrical outlets are available to plug in your devices.
The Cost
When comparing prices of trains and planes, travelers are often surprised at how much a comparable train ride costs. In some cases train tickets can be hundreds of dollars more than they are for a plane ticket. Between the length of the trip and the high ticket prices, these two factors make many travelers opt to travel by plane instead.
The Scenery
Which scenery is better will depend on what you prefer. There really is nothing like getting a bird’s eye view of the world down below. However, when you are on a train you can see some amazing scenery too. Lakes, forests and even wildlife are just part of what you will get to see while you are traveling to your destination when you are onboard a train.
Train travel has its own romance, but air travel requires strategic planning. Our advisors’ guide to TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR makes flying as efficient as possible so you can focus on the journey.
