Train, plane or automobile??

@Ravenladyj (22904)
United States
February 19, 2007 6:50am CST
I'm planning a trip out to California in hopefully April to visit my gf in N.Hollywood but I'm having a hard time deciding HOW to travel....I have a bit of an issue with large airports even when I'm with my husband so having to deal with it alone could be a potentially bad bad scene for me but I might be able to pull it off...I'm used to long bus trips even though the bus is seriously UNCOMFORTABLE and other than relatively short trips on a train (a few hours at most and in Ontario) I'm not familiar with it....So taking those things into consideration and the fact tht I cant be forking out mass money for travel...what would you suggest? I'm seriously leaning towards taking the train because I htink it would be kinda fun and it would definately be more comfortable as far as seating goes but I'm concerned with whether or not transfering in Chicago will be confusing for me LOL...the train and the bus are both 2 day trips but the train is actually cheaper oddly enough and both are cheaper than air.... any thoughts, suggestions or advice?
4 people like this
31 responses
19 Feb 07
The bottom line is that you should do what suits you and what makes you most comfortable. Flying is obviously the fastest option but by the sound of it, it would mean that you have to face up to and conquer a fear, and that would lead to the question just how much do you want to confront the fear? Sometimes facing a fear and getting through it is the best way to cure it, it's far worse to keep thinking what something is like because you build it up in your mind to be worse than it actually is. To me there is little difference between train and plane in terms of numbers of people, train terminus and airports can be busy, and in both cases you are putting your life in the hands of others. Car is slower, but you can do the trip at your own pace, maybe you could add some additional stops along the way and make the trip into more of a holiday. Personally I think the plane sounds like the best option.
1 person likes this
@subhadeep (205)
• India
20 Feb 07
Well a train journey makes u feel at home if u have got good fellow passengers but a automobile espacially if the roadsd are not in good shape will tear u apart. As far as planes are concerned its not a economic option
@moneymind (10510)
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
Yeah might be but if he can afford it then why not take on the plane since it will be much faster in that way and more comfortable to travel on planes comapred to trains and cars.
@inked4life (4224)
• United States
20 Feb 07
A;thoug flying is the fastest way to go it is not necessarily the best in my opinion. Given the choice, I would take the train every time. There is something very romantic about train travel that I can't really explain. Growing up in Scotland I pretty much went everywhere by train which is where I probably got my love of train travel.
• China
20 Feb 07
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@unishwetabh (1031)
• India
20 Feb 07
Off course the plane is much more faster than the trains or any other means of transport. But nothing can give one a great view than train. The country view is what I won't like to miss if I have to go somewhere. So I think that take a train instead of the plane. You will enjoy it.
• India
20 Feb 07
Train is the best i guess. especially in developed countries, the track facilities are great, so are the facilities. Plane is expensive, but quick. but still i preffer train journey, being filled with all the excitement and sight seeing in the course.
• Nigeria
20 Feb 07
Plane if you don't mind being cramped, train if you don't mind spending hours upon hours waiting to arrive at your destination, or automobile if it doesn't bother you paying $3.10 for a gallon of gas. How about this, ride a bike or walk??
@candygurl24 (1880)
• Canada
20 Feb 07
For me it would be by plane for sure. I don't mind taking the bus either, but if I had other options, the train or plane for sure. As for the train, it's the amount of time travelling that I don't like. The plane is so quick and so easy. I know how you feel about airports, even in small ones I think that I will get confused, but it's so easy to find your way around, and as for any other problems, they could happen anywhere, so don't think about it and just go see your friend and have a blast!
@clod0327 (817)
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
It would be fast and more comfortable if you travel by plane. The first time I travelled, I was really scared and it's the first time for me to go out of the country. But inspite of all my fears, I was able to have a successful trip. The people in the airport are really helpful and you can always ask them for help. But if you're on a budget, I would choose to travel by train. It's more comfortable compared to a bus, considering that it's a 2 day trip.
• United States
20 Feb 07
i would take a plane, but i am impatient and would not want to travel alone in a train without anyone to share the expericen with.
• Indonesia
20 Feb 07
Go by train guys!
@monet0077 (156)
• United States
20 Feb 07
I personally would take a plane, but it sounds like you would maybe prefer a train. Travel should be a joy and if airports bother you, then you should avoid them as long as there is an alternative you think is acceptable. Besides, you will see alot by train, and even if it takes longer you will arrive more relaxed.
• Ukraine
20 Feb 07
It seems that in your case plane won't do and you are to consider only two options - train or automobile, though plane is fast and more comfortable. From my experience, I like both trains and cars. Trains are better when you wish to relax and just get to your point of destination, besides, it's cheaper and you save both nerves and money. However, automobile is good because you can stop and see some places. You control your way, your time and your trip. I'd prefer a car, especially seeing your concerns about wheather and transferring. :)
@ramcse (6)
• India
20 Feb 07
plan is better than other two
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
20 Feb 07
I think going by train would be more suitable for you, I do not know how long this would take you in the train but you could get a sleeper if it was going to be a long trip, that is what I would do as I have travelled this way before not i America but in Australia and I found it very suitable, and if you went by car it would cost too much and you would be travelling by yourself and when you got off the train surely there is a conductor or someone there where you can ask about the train to go to California.
• United States
20 Feb 07
If you have the time, I would recommend going on a train. The last time I traveled on a train was from Canada back to Washington, and it was beautiful and fun! When I travel on plane, and I hate it when your hearing goes "pop!". Which is why I would always choose another transportation if I have the chance.
• India
20 Feb 07
Plane is best for you.
• India
20 Feb 07
All right, first of all remove from mind the threat u have and be comfortable. As airways is faster than land ways(i.e train,bus)as train is faster than the bus. If u have enough time then i also prefer u train or bus but remember always "Time is Money". So Airways is a better option to california. And if u r uncomfortable with all three then do one thing travel by all three media periodically means first of all travel by aeroplane then by train and at last in abroad by buses beco'z their roads are beautiful than others country roads. If economical & financial problems are their then travel by train it will be more comfortable by bus,airways and cheaper by bus or aeroplane.
• India
20 Feb 07
it is better to prefer a train since its a most comfortable safe and fast travl medium. if you have any problems due to age then its a best medium
• United States
20 Feb 07
Plane! Cmon now... I love airports. Plus, the faster you get there, the more time you can spend with this person.