350 miles Airplane, Train, or Bus

[pcslookout]

I am not going that far but don't want to drive. What method of transportation should I use in your opinion ?

Looked at planes, which are most expensive but not by a whole lot, Trains being second most expensive and Bus being cheapest.

I know time is money. Just don't like flying.

 

[IronWing]

Need more info. How much time does each mode take? Include airport time.

 

[pcslookout]

Need more info. How much time does each mode take? Include airport time.

Sure.

Airplane - 2 to 3 hours

Train - 9 to 10 hours

Bus - 7 to 8 hours

 

[freeskier93]

If train is an option I'd probably do that. By the time you factor in pre/post flying bullshit the train might not be any slower.

 

[IronWing]

Fly, unless the train route is through really pretty country.

 

[pcslookout]

Fly, unless the train route is through really pretty country.

Do most airplanes have power plugs now ? Not that it is important.

 

[pcslookout]

Here another comparison.

Airplane - $170 (around)

Train - $86

Bus - $51

 

[purbeast0]

Bus

 

[IronWing]

With those prices, fly. I haven't flown enough recently to gauge the pervasiveness of power plugs.

 

[pcslookout]

Bus

Megabus or Greyhound Express ?

 

[IronWing]

Megabus or Greyhound Express ?

Cyclops

 

[pcslookout]

Cyclops

I figured someone would do that lol if I could like I would!

 

[Rumpltzer]

If your area has an active Craigslist, you might consider a shared ride if it (time/date/destination) works out for you. I did this a few times when I was in grad school (I offered a ride) driving from Illinois to Michigan. Completely on a whim, I did it again recently driving from the Bay Area to Los Angeles Westside ($30 ride in my 2015 luxury SUV!).

Everyone (including me) showed up expecting the worst, and it all turned out normal/fine/not murdery.

YMMV

 

[pcslookout]

If your area has an active Craigslist, you might consider a shared ride if it (time/date/destination) works out for you. I did this a few times when I was in grad school (I offered a ride) driving from Illinois to Michigan. Completely on a whim, I did it again recently driving from the Bay Area to Los Angeles Westside ($30 ride in my 2015 luxury SUV!).

Everyone (including me) showed up expected the worst, and it all turned out normal/fine/not murdery.

YMMV

I could do that with my nephew and give him gas money.

 

[freeskier93]

Sure.

Airplane - 2 to 3 hours

Train - 9 to 10 hours

Bus - 7 to 8 hours

I would have pegged the train as faster then that.

That fly time is probably optimistic, no matter how short the in air time expect to lose half a day.

 

[pcslookout]

Thanks on another topic can anyone else get this site to work ? https://www.fromatob.com/

I am trying to compare all travel methods and it always say no search results or something else where train tickets are not available that far in advanced.

 

[pcslookout]

Thanks everyone. I think I will fly unless I can get a really good deal with a train or bus.

 

[Exterous]

I'd say it also depends on what airline, airports and train routes are involved. Some airlines I avoid like the plague (Spirit) and some airports are known for constant delays. Quite a few train routes have absurdly terrible on-time ratings (as low as 21% on time). In general though I would fly

 

[pcslookout]

I'd say it also depends on what airline, airports and train routes are involved. Some airlines I avoid like the plague (Spirit) and some airports are known for constant delays. Quite a few train routes have absurdly terrible on-time ratings (as low as 21% on time). In general though I would fly

Ok what are some of the best airlines ?

 

[Carson Dyle]

I could do that with my nephew and give him gas money.

700 miles round trip, say 35 mpg at $3/gallon = $60, throw in lunch at Wendy's on the way ($8) and a case of beer ($25) for his trouble (the kid works cheap - that's at least 9 or 10 hours of driving). Total $93. For being privately chauffeured to your destination. Hard to beat that.

 

[pcslookout]

700 miles round trip, say 35 mpg at $3/gallon = $60, throw in lunch at Wendy's on the way ($8) and a case of beer ($25) for his trouble (the kid works cheap - that's at least 9 or 10 hours of driving). Total $93. For being privately chauffeured to your destination. Hard to beat that.

My nephew is not old enough to drink and his dad died of alcoholism at 44.

 

[twinrider1]

Depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing when I get there. Big city? Probably fly. Anything else, I'd probably drive.

 

[Exterous]

Ok what are some of the best airlines ?

Thats a pretty subjective question and the answer might change based on how you rank the following: On time performance, frequent flier program, airplane types and age, interline agreements (for when things go oh so wrong on your trip), partner airlines, route network. For example Delta is great at getting you to where you need to go on time even though they have major hubs in snowy areas but they fly older planes and have a terrible frequent flier program. I've also not has as good of luck with Delta finding cheap airfare sales

Domestically I won't fly Spirit: no interline agreements, terrible on time performance, limited route network redundancy (related to the previous), above average lost bags and by far, the most complaints. I'd have to think long and hard about Frontier (Whose current CEO was in charge of Spirit for a long time) and Allegiant but I've never been in a position where I didn't have decent alternatives as I'll fly anyone else.

If you want to get really complicated you can also look at seat configuration of the planes on the route. If I fly with my wife I'll look for flights with a 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 seat configuration over a 3-3-3

 

[Carson Dyle]

My nephew is not old enough to drink and his dad died of alcoholism at 44.

You know, what you buy him to thank him for his trouble is highly flexible. The case of beer wasn't a vital part of the plan. You realize that, right?

 

[purbeast0]

Thats a pretty subjective question and the answer might change based on how you rank the following: On time performance, frequent flier program, airplane types and age, interline agreements (for when things go oh so wrong on your trip), partner airlines, route network. For example Delta is great at getting you to where you need to go on time even though they have major hubs in snowy areas but they fly older planes and have a terrible frequent flier program. I've also not has as good of luck with Delta finding cheap airfare sales

Domestically I won't fly Spirit: no interline agreements, terrible on time performance, limited route network redundancy (related to the previous), above average lost bags and by far, the most complaints. I'd have to think long and hard about Frontier (Whose current CEO was in charge of Spirit for a long time) and Allegiant but I've never been in a position where I didn't have decent alternatives as I'll fly anyone else.

If you want to get really complicated you can also look at seat configuration of the planes on the route. If I fly with my wife I'll look for flights with a 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 seat configuration over a 3-3-3

Considering 4 out of my 4 flights on my trip to Europe were all Delta, and 4 out of 4 flights were delayed, I could in no way recommend someone use Delta.

Domestic I'd personally recommend Southwest, even after the incident I had with them, because I've flown with them 30+ times before and never once had an issue.

I've also never had an issue with Jet Blue, American, or United.