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Alternatives to Flying: Other Ways to Get From Here to There

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With the advent of budget airlines offering unbelievably low airfares and our maniacal desire to get from A to B as quickly as possible, flying is usually the only option we consider when traveling. But there are alternatives to flying — ways to get from here to there that might actually save you time and money.

Flying Myths

Perhaps flying is your go-to travel option because you assume that it's the best way to travel. Let's tackle some of these flying myths.

Myth #1: Flying Is Faster

Although your actual flight time might be a few measly hours, how long does it take you to get to and from the airports on either side? How far in advance of your flight do you have to arrive to navigate the long check-in and security lineups? And how long do you wait for your luggage to arrive on the conveyor belt (accompanied by profuse sweating and a series of please lord, let my bags have made it on the plane with me mantras)?

The last time I flew, my three-hour flight was actually a ten-hour exercise from door to door . And everything went smoothly; imagine how much longer it would have been if there were delays or complications (as there so often are).

Myth #2: Flying Is Cheaper

Boy, you can’t beat those budget airline prices. Or can you? Keep clicking through the check-out screens online, and soon enough you’ll have doubled or tripled (or more) the initially quoted price after you add in various airport taxes and fuel surcharges, additional costs to check your luggage, and the price of any food or drinks you purchase on-board (or before). Budget airlines make their money on these incidentals, and — worse yet — catching you with luggage that’s slightly over the weight restrictions then levying steep penalties.

Next, you must factor in the cost of getting to and from the airport which either involves the cost of gas and parking, or the airport bus or train. None of which is cheap.

Myth #3: Flying Is Healthier

Okay, I don’t think anybody could argue that flying is a healthy way to travel. You’re filed into a carpeted tube with dozens (nay, hundreds) of other people breathing recycled air. If one person is ill, chances are you will be subjected to their germs.

Even if you can stave off illness, you’re at risk for cramping and circulation problems from sitting in such a small space for long periods of time, and I don’t believe that transporting between time zones with no way for the body to adjust is particularly healthy. Jet lag is a perfect example of how hard flying can be on our bodies.

Alternatives to Flying

Having said all this, sometimes flying is unavoidable. It’s still the most logical and effective way to navigate really long-haul travel over oceans and between countries over long distances (and if you’re smart and do it with frequent flyer mile strategies , it doesn’t have to break the bank). But if it isn’t entirely necessary for you to fly, check out some of these alternatives.

An obvious option is to hop in your car or get a rental car , travel at your own pace, and have wheels to get around at your destination. But be aware: in addition to the obvious costs of driving (gas, insurance, and rental charges if applicable), other expenses of taking the car (like wear and tear,repairs, and parking) can throw your travel budget off-line.

Let’s explore some alternatives to flying (and driving) that are a little easier on the wallet – and the environment .

People have been car pooling to work for ages now, so why not expand on the concept? With various car pooling (also known as ride sharing) networks and websites, you can find somebody going your way with whom you share the driving, cost of gas, wear and tear, etc. You even have built-in company for the ride, and possibly a new friend or two out of the deal. You have less freedom in making stops along the way than if you drive yourself, but more freedom than you would with public transportation.

It pays to do a little due diligence in finding a ride, such as planning to meet in a public place before you hop in the car destined for horizons unknown, and letting a friend or family member know where you are headed. As an additional security measure, in using some of the larger car pooling services like eRideShare , you can correspond with your potential ride without giving out your personal information.

Long distance bus travel is far from luxurious, but with more and more bus services providing free wifi on-board and more comfortable seats, it’s not a terrible way to go.

Most bus stations are centrally located in town (hence, no need to hoof it out to a remote airport), and you can arrive half an hour in advance of your departure and still get a good seat. You can pack as much into your luggage as you wish (within reason), and rest assured that it’s along for the ride.

Buses also make regular rest stops for you to stretch your legs and grab a snack if you wish. And if you’re on a budget, you can’t argue the price of taking the bus.

If there’s a big body of water between you and your destination, your only option other than flying is to take a boat. Short hauls (journeys up to about 24 hours) can be easily navigated by ferry, and are often both reasonably priced and comfortable.

Longer journeys such as overseas travel can be accomplished by taking an ocean-liner cruise (which is super expensive, but luxurious), or freighter. Although you might think that hitching a ride on a cargo ship would be inexpensive, it doesn’t measure up in comparison to flying. At $90-130 per day — and most overseas trips lasting between two weeks and two months — it’s not cheap, but the journey is an experience in and of itself, especially if you like being on the high seas.

Here’s a website with a few freighter travel resources to get you started.

Train travel is my favorite way of getting from here to there, hands down. Having grown up taking the train 400 miles from Toronto to Albany NY every summer to visit my grandparents, the long journeys have embedded themselves fondly in my memory.

Similar to bus travel, you’ll find train stations centrally located, and rarely do you encounter luggage restrictions or complications. The price quoted is the price quoted, and depending on the route you can sometimes get wifi access on-board.

Trains have a few additional advantages over buses; more often than not there’s ample leg-room and comfortable seating, you can get up and walk around, and there are usually power-points available to charge and operate any electronics you have with you. These perks create a more luxurious and relaxed pace to the journey, which to me is well worth any extra cost over taking the bus.

Not only that, but because of the relaxed and generally comfortable style of travel that the train offers, you tend to meet and engage with interesting people enroute. Take my recent 11,000km journey across Australia and back as an example.

Your Overland Travel Resource

One of my favourite sites and an excellent resource for overland travel is The Man from Seat 61 . In an effort to reduce his own reliance on air travel and illustrate the alternatives, this Londoner created a website demonstrating how to get from London to anywhere and everywhere — overland. His preference is for trains, but wherever there aren’t train routes, he shows how accomplish the travel task via bus and boat.

Since its humble beginnings over 10 years ago, Seat61 has turned into an award-winning worldwide resource with valuable information on trains, buses, and ferries. You can find out exactly what to expect from each “class” of travel, what the prices and schedules are, and how to get a good deal if there’s one to be had.

Whenever I travel (and for me, that’s a lot ), Seat61 is my first point of attack in researching my options. Even if I can’t save time on the journey, I’m happy to take the train anyway; as opposed to flying, with the train I arrive relaxed, with a full immune system, and so many stories to tell .

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I too love the train. I have tried to convince friends who must travel from Buffalo to NYC that they are spending aproximately that same amount of time (8 hours) dealing with the airports for thier "1 hour" flight. Especially since the train takes you to the middle of Manhattan. No shuttle or limo from JFK or Newark. They just don't seem to get the idea, they are fighting tooth and nail that the train takes forever.

I, like you, maintain that the trip is about the same amount of time and much more relaxed. Also, it's hard to get any work done standing in line for security.

Thank you for this helpful resource! I have always traveled by air but I'm now ready to stop the madness/pollution and can't wait to try these other options.

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Could you give up flying? Meet the no-plane pioneers

Growing numbers of travellers are abandoning air travel to help save the planet – even if it means spending 14 days on a train

I t has taken Roger Tyers four days to reach Moscow by train from Kiev. His destination is Beijing: a trip that will take 14 days, with a couple of overnight stops along the way. Tyers, an environmental sociologist at the University of Southampton, is on his way to China to research attitudes to the environment, the climate emergency and personal responsibility. “Given that, I thought it would be somewhat hypocritical of me to fly,” he says over Skype from his hostel room.

It has been months in the planning – he had to convince his bosses to give him a month off to travel to and from China. Has it been a pain? “It definitely has. It’s a matter of getting your train schedule in line with your visa requirements. I didn’t realise I needed a visa to travel through Mongolia, even though I’m not stopping there. There have been moments when I’ve been close to giving up and either cancelling the whole trip or just booking a flight.” But he is glad he has stuck with it, he says. “I have to prove it is possible.”

The no-fly movement is a small but growing community of people who are drastically reducing the number of flights they take, or giving up air travel altogether. Many campaigners say they feel flying is about to receive the same attention as shunning plastic or eating less meat because of its 2% contribution to global carbon emissions, predicted to grow to as much as 16% by 2050. In Sweden, where the movement has taken off, a new term has emerged: flygskam , meaning “flight shame”. Siân Berry, the co-leader of the Green party, has called on people to take no more than one flight a year and suggested a tax should be imposed on further journeys. Berry hasn’t flown since 2005.

The climate activist Greta Thunberg hasn’t flown since 2015; she did her European tour last month by train . In January, she attended the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland, travelling 32 hours each way by rail, while a record number of private jets – about 1,500 – brought the rich and powerful attendees.

It is becoming harder to defend alleged hypocrisy, however well-meaning. The actor Emma Thompson was criticised for flying from Los Angeles to support the Extinction Rebellion protest in London , not only by the usual naysayers eager to point out double standards, but also by environmental campaigners. “She could just as easily have paid for a billboard poster in Piccadilly and got her message across there,” said Kevin Anderson, a climate scientist who hasn’t flown since 2004, on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. The issue has been significant among environmental scientists for years; the Flying Less campaign , aimed at academia, has been running since 2015.

Paul Chatterton, a professor of urban futures at the University of Leeds, also hasn’t flown since 2004. “I think every academic has to justify why they are flying to that particular ‘must-go’ conference. If we have something really important to say, say it in a different way.” He travels to European conferences by train. “One of the privileges of being a middle-income professional – and this is a direct plea to other middle-income professionals – is that you can negotiate with your boss and you have a bit more money to get the train. I’m not talking about people who can’t afford to do that, because I know trains are more expensive.”

As for Chatterton’s no-fly family holidays, the best ones have been taking the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam and cycling around the Netherlands. “You travel light, you make it an adventure with your kids,” he says. “Who wants to sit in a departure lounge? You get the excitement of travelling through places, figuring out what the next journey is. I think we have to get back into the idea that travelling is special; it’s a privilege.”

Most flying is carried out by a small proportion of the population. Aled Jones, the director of the Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University, says we have become used to the low-cost weekend flight abroad in a short space of time. “When I was growing up, and certainly for the generation before, flying on holiday was not something you expected to do,” he says. “By radically cutting down, we’re not going back to the dark ages; we’re going back to when people holidayed in the UK. It will be less of a sacrifice for a lot of people than we expect.” He admits that addressing “love miles” – flying to see family who live abroad – is “a very different challenge”.

Maja Rosén, who lives in Sweden and gave up flying in 2008, had always kept quiet when friends talked about flying abroad on holidays – until last year. “I thought: ‘How is it possible I’m more scared of destroying the mood than climate collapse?’ I decided that my new year resolution last year would be to start asking some inconvenient questions. I realised that most people weren’t aware of the impact from flying and how huge it is.”

She and a friend started a campaign, Flight-free 2019 (now Flight-free 2020), to encourage people to pledge not to fly. By the end of 2018, 15,000 Swedes had signed; by the end of this year, she thinks it will be 100,000. It has changed the conversation around flying in the country: passenger numbers dropped at Swedish airports in 2018 , while a record number of people in the country took the train.

“People don’t realise that what they do as an individual is so important because it affects those around them,” says Rosén. “If you keep flying, all your friends will as well. You contribute to the norm. But if you decide to give up flying or take a flight-free year, that makes others reflect. Change can happen fast as soon as enough people start acting. Before, people saw flying as an experience or something you do, it wasn’t in the category of consumption, but I think now people are starting to realise that by taking a flight they are a heavy consumer of fossil fuel.”

There is now a British arm of the campaign , run by the writer Anna Hughes, who last took a flight eight years ago. More than 1,000 people have pledged to have a flight-free year. Hughes likens it to the Veganuary campaign , by which people give up animal products for January to raise awareness of veganism and change behaviour. She has travelled to Ireland, Denmark and other European countries – and seen a lot of the UK. “There is nowhere I can think of that I want to go that I can’t get to by bike, train or boat. If I was going to go further, I would just take a long time to do it.”

The author Nicola Davies is taking long-haul flights for a couple of upcoming commitments, but after that she will radically rethink her flight consumption, she says. There will almost certainly be no more European flights; she has already travelled to the Balearic Islands in Spain by car. “We did the journey down to Barcelona in two days, then the ferry crossing is eight hours,” she says, adding that it requires a bit more planning than travelling by plane. “It’s much more exciting, much closer to the real skin of the planet than the feeling you get from going to an airport, popping into a metal tube and then popping out at some other point on the planet with no real grasp of the distance, habitat, people and cultures you’ve passed over on the way.

“I think this shift to no, or fewer, flights is an opportunity to redraft what travel truly means, rather than a sort of consumerist ticking of boxes. If we give up the idea of the weekend break in Budapest or the three days in Miami for a stag do, I think that’s probably helpful – for us as human beings, as well as for the planet.”

There are people who are reminding us that it is possible to travel overland with young children. “We’ve gone to Italy by train, Spain, different parts of France,” says Linda Thomas, a fashion designer. For the first couple of years, giving up flying felt like a loss, she says, but the train-travel website seat61.com has enabled them to plan more adventurous journeys. “We’ve had some really incredible wildlife experiences. There would be a feeling of guilt otherwise – that you’re seeing something, but also contributing to its demise at the same time, when you’ve taken a long-haul flight to get somewhere. It doesn’t feel like a loss; it feels like we’ve gained new experiences.”

Wendy and her husband have cut down on flying in recent years and decided to stop altogether at the beginning of 2019. “We couldn’t really justify it any more. Something that was purely for fun didn’t feel enjoyable any more; it didn’t feel right.” They have had fantastic family holidays by train, starting with a trip to Chamonix in the French Alps with their six-month-old daughter, but Wendy says it has been hard not seeing her husband’s family, who live in Malaysia.

Cath Heinemeyer, a researcher and community artist who hasn’t flown for 19 years, says visiting family has been a challenge. “My family live in Northern Ireland, my husband’s family live in Germany and we live in York. We do see them, but we see them less frequently, for a longer time.” She admits they haven’t faced family commitments that would be simplified by flying. “Our parents are in reasonable health. Maybe it will get challenging if we’re suddenly called to support them in their later years. We would have to decide that on a case-by-case basis.”

It can be more expensive – “You need to get a bit savvy about booking” – and it requires research, she says. “We have had mishaps, where we’ve had tiny children and missed a train connection and had to find last-minute accommodation in some city.” Heinemeyer felt a twinge of regret at missing her high school reunion in Canada, but otherwise not flying hasn’t felt like a sacrifice, she says. “I like the children to realise how far they’ve travelled and see how the landscape changes. It’s just a thing we’ve always worked around. Your journey becomes part of your holiday.”

Lewis McNeil, a project manager for the charity the Orchard Project , proved the viability of long-haul overland travel after he gave up flying in 2006. There was “a ‘letting go’ period akin to the end of a relationship, but things got exciting when I realised that one can still travel, and travel far, while creating a fraction of the emissions that air travel is responsible for”, he says.

He has gone by coach to many European destinations, finding the train too expensive if booked last-minute, but his most intrepid no-fly holiday was a nine-day cargo-ship journey from France to Trinidad in the Caribbean, booked through a specialist company, then on to Venezuela by boat. “The idea behind this is that you’re piggybacking on emissions that are already going to be emitted – that cargo ship, as unsustainable as it is with our crazy trade system, is going anyway. With flying, flights depend on demand.” The journey was magical. “Watching dolphins and whales, seeing incredible starlit skies in the middle of the Atlantic, swimming in the little plunge pool, swotting up on Spanish, making friends with the Filipino crew and sharing music. It was pretty expensive, at €90 (£79) per person a day, but that included food and a lovely en suite room complete with a porthole and a writing desk.” He returned from Colombia to the Netherlands.

The key to flight-free travel, he says, is “seeing the journey as part of the adventure” – although travel pillows, eye masks, earplugs, snacks, books and a tablet with films downloaded all help.

After Moscow, Tyers will get the Trans-Siberian railway to Irkutsk, then on to Beijing. “Not everybody can do it, I understand that,” he says. “Not everybody has the time, or bosses who are willing to let people take longer to get places. But for those who can – and I think a lot more people can than realise – flying less is good; it’s enriching.” He is pessimistic that people will change voluntarily to the degree needed. “But we’ll see. Often the cultural change comes first, then political change – and I do think there’s something in the air.”

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Flying Semi-Private Could Seriously Save Your Sanity (Without Breaking the Bank)

Semi-private flights offer a more affordable alternative to private jet travel, with better service and fewer passengers than commercial carriers. could this be the perfect way to fly.

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Semi-private air travel is just. so. civilized.

Courtesy of JSX

The past year hasn’t exactly been a glowing advertisement for flying commercial. Fliers have faced a surge in delayed and canceled flights , security line bottlenecks at the country’s airports, and a lost luggage epidemic as the airlines have struggled to meet the pent-up demand for travel.

What’s worse, travelers are paying more for this subpar experience. Domestic and international airfares keep ticking upward due to a combination of increased demand, inflation, rising fuel costs, aircraft delivery delays, and ongoing staffing shortages. And the high cost of commercial air travel doesn’t appear to be coming down anytime soon.

There has got be a better way, right? Turns out, there kind of is.

What it’s like to fly semi-private

With the chaos at the country’s airports having intensified my craving for a calmer and less crowded flying journey, in March, I decided to experience a very, very different kind of air travel. I took a short, one-hour flight from Northern California down to Orange County, in Southern California, with semi-private air carrier JSX together with my four-year-old daughter.

Compared to some of our recent commercial air travel journeys (let’s see, there was the Chicago layover that was inexplicably added to our “nonstop” flight between San Francisco and Raleigh, plus the Thanksgiving day security line that ran the entire length of the terminal), the experience was night and day. It was, dare I say, even downright peaceful and relaxing?

We flew out of the JSX terminal in Concord, a tiny airport about 45 minutes east of San Francisco that also happens to be in the same city where I live (so of course I’m a bit biased about this amazing location). I picked my daughter up from preschool literally 45 minutes before our flight. After a quick check-in (which also served as a security and I.D. check) with no one ahead of us, we dropped off our checked bags and made ourselves at home in the temporary waiting area. (The Concord airport is in the midst of being renovated so the JSX “terminal” is currently a mobile unit.)

We waited in the simple but pleasant lounge area that was outfitted with a smattering of sleek couches, coffee tables, communal work tables, and armchairs with access to complimentary coffee, tea, and water. There were about two dozen fellow passengers sitting quietly, reading or working. There were no constant loud announcements over the P.A. system, and no lines or crowds of any kind. It was so quiet. So civilized.

JSX lounges are typically outfitted with a small refreshment area where coffee, tea, and water are available.

Photo by Michelle Baran

Once it was time to board, we walked straight through the security scanners without removing a thing (part of the carrier’s unique, TSA-approved security process ), and out onto the airfield. We then climbed the steps onto the smaller aircraft feeling briefly like the movie stars we imagine ourselves to be.

The 30-passenger plane (in a two-one seat configuration) didn’t have seatback screens, but we came prepared with headphones and an iPad loaded with some favorite TV shows (for the four year old) and a book (for her mom).

JSX is currently equipping its entire fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi. While my daughter and I just narrowly missed out on trying the new Wi-Fi (it hadn’t been installed on our specific aircraft yet), AFAR contributor Chris Dong experienced the Starlink connectivity on a recent JSX flight and was very impressed. “The Wi-Fi worked incredibly well, with almost no lag or latency. JSX even allows those on board to take Zoom calls, for better or worse. I tried out the video calling feature and it was just as fast as if I was on the ground,” says Dong.

JSX flights now feature Starlink Wi-Fi on board.

Our short flight included gourmet snacks and drinks (sparkling rosé wine and trail mix among them). Once we landed, we grabbed our luggage right outside the aircraft and were on our way.

Our return flight from Orange County was just as seamless. Again, check-in was a breeze, the small lounge area was quiet and uncrowded, and we boarded and disembarked without incident.

It was, honestly, kind of a game changer, especially considering that some JSX flights are similar in price or just slightly more than the same flights on commercial carriers. (One-way flights from Concord to Orange County, California, start at $209.) Interested? Here’s everything you need to know about flying semi-private, including the pros, cons, and some of the companies that offer this unique air travel experience.

What is semi-private air travel?

Private jets are sleek, smaller aircraft that offer ultimate privacy and exclusivity in the skies—for a steep price . Private jets typically range from smaller 4-person aircraft to slightly larger 20-passenger planes; it costs between $1,300 and $3,000 per flying hour to charter a 4-to-6-passenger private jet and goes up from there. But there is actually something between that extreme level of air travel luxury and flying with the masses on 100- to 300-passenger commercial aircraft. Enter: the semi-private jet experience. Semi-private air travel is typically offered on smaller 15- to 30-person planes (or even helicopters) flying domestic routes—though some fly international routes as well. Airlines that offer this service typically sell individual seats on these smaller aircraft that can be booked online, just as you would book with a major carrier.

How much does semi-private air travel cost?

Because passengers are not chartering the entire aircraft the way they would when booking a private jet, pricing ranges from something that would be comparable to commercial air travel (JSX flights, for instance, start at $209 each way for interstate flights, and from $669 each way for longer flights from New York to Florida) to something more in line with business- or first-class pricing (Aero flights from Los Angeles to Los Cabos start at $1,800 one way).

Can kids and pets fly semi-private?

In short, yes. I was a little apprehensive about traveling with my four-year-old daughter on JSX not least because the whole experience is so quiet and calm and small kids can be chaos. But there was another young boy on our first flight and a baby on our return flight, so we were not the only traveling family on board. Kids under two can typically travel as a lap child, and those over two years of age will need their own seat.

As for pets, check with each carrier for its specific pet policy, but typically small or medium-size pets are allowed to travel in the cabin free of charge.

Companies that offer semi-private flights

Launched in 2020, Aero flies to snow- and sun-filled destinations.

Courtesy of Aero

Launched in 2020, the semi-private, luxury airline Aero offers a slightly more elevated product than JSX, at more elevated prices. One-way flights from Dallas to Aspen start at $1,000, one-way flights from L.A. to Los Cabos start at $1,800, and one-way flights from London to Nice start at $1,600. Prices include one checked luggage and one carry-on, and drinks and snacks on board. Kids (including infants) and small pets are welcome.

Aero flies from Aspen, Colorado; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Los Cabos, Mexico; San Francisco; and Sun Valley, Idaho. It also flies between some European hubs, including London; Nice, France; and Ibiza, Spain.

Blade , a helicopter and semi-private flight service, predominantly operates flights from New York City to Palm Beach and Miami, Florida, and also offers helicopter service from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark International Airport. One-way flights to to Palm Beach start at $1,250.

JSX flies 30-passenger Embraer E135 aircraft.

Formerly JetSuiteX, JSX launched in 2016. Current JSX routes connect several California hubs, including Burbank, Concord, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange County, Oakland, and San Diego. The airline also flies to Austin, Dallas, Denver, Gunnison/Crested Butte (Colorado), Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, Reno-Tahoe, Taos (New Mexico), and Westchester County in New York.

JSX is by far one of the most affordable options for semi-private travel, with one-way fares starting as low as $209 on 30-seat planes, which includes up to two checked bags as well as snacks and drinks on board. Kids (including infants) and pets are welcome to fly.

The carrier recommends arriving 30 minutes before your flight is scheduled to take off. The waiting lounges, which are typically in their own terminal apart from the main airport, are Wi-Fi equipped and have coffee, tea, water, and restrooms available for passengers. (If you want something more substantial to eat, you’ll need to bring your own food or eat before or after travel.)

JSX predominantly flies the Embraer E135 aircraft, a shorter version of the more common Embraer E145 aircraft operated by many U.S. regional airlines. The planes are outfitted with cushy leather seats and tray tables and now all have Starlink Wi-Fi service.

Surf Air is a jet membership service that incudes both scheduled semi-private flights (such as JSX flights) and on-demand jet service. The semi-private scheduled flights operate from Truckee, San Carlos, Santa Barbara, and Hawthorne in California, and the on-demand flights can be booked to and from hundreds of hubs all across the United States. Memberships range from $199 per month to access the inventory then pay per flight to $2,500 per month to unlock an unlimited flight plan.

Tradewind Aviation

Semi-private travel is not a new concept, at least not according to the 20-year-old Tradewind Aviation . The Oxford, Connecticut–based company operates on-demand and scheduled flights throughout the United States and Caribbean.

Scheduled service includes flights to and from Westchester County in New York; Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts; and Newport, Rhode Island. Tradewind also flies between the Caribbean destinations of Anguilla, Antigua, San Juan, St. Bart’s, and St. Thomas.

Flights run anywhere from $300 to hop between Caribbean islands to an opening rate of $395 to fly to Nantucket from Westchester. The aircraft fly out of private air terminals and flights include on-board refreshments.

The benefits of flying semi-private

No crowds or long security lines. There are few things more disheartening than arriving at the airport—even with plenty of time before your flight—only to see a line of people snaking through security. With a limited number of routes on smaller aircraft, the crowds and lines are basically non-existent when flying semi-private.

No need to arrive at the airport two hours early. As a lifetime member of #teamearly when it comes airport arrival , this was difficult for me to take to heart. But you actually can show up 30 minutes before your flight, as per the carrier’s recommendation, because the security process is so much quicker—and there are fewer people and lines to contend with.

Great customer service. With fewer fliers and a higher price point, semi-private airlines offer higher-touch service. From a seamless check-in process to valet parking and concierge services, the customer approach is more personalized, attentive, and well above what you would expect on many commercial flights.

The (potential) drawbacks of flying semi-private

The cost. While there are actually some pretty great deals to be found in the semi-private flight space, the flights will typically cost more than the commercial counterpart. However, there is a lot to be said for what these flights can save you in terms of time and frustration. Also, be sure to do all the math regarding any additional fees you might pay on a commercial flight (e.g., for baggage) to see how a semi-private flight stacks up.

No shops or restaurants. Since the flights take off and land at independent terminals, you won’t have access to the shops and restaurants you find in the main terminals. The lounge might offer some drinks or snacks, but that’s it. So be prepared with your own provisions and your own way to pass the time (reading, working, scrolling, etc.).

Limited flight schedule. Probably the biggest drawback is the limited availability of these services. These flights typically serve very specific leisure travel destinations. For many travelers, they might not be an option because they simply don’t fly to or from where you need to go.

Parking. This can actually be a pro or con depending on the airport or terminal you are flying into or out of. In some cases, if the semi-private carrier is flying out of a smaller, less crowded airport or terminal, parking might be easy compared to a larger airport. But, for instance, JSX only offers valet parking at some of its terminals, which means that parking can get very expensive. In those cases you might be better off taking a car service.

This story was originally published in January 2022 and was updated on April 20, 2023, to include current information.

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• PLANET POSSIBLE

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Electric engines, alternative fuels, and better navigation could reduce emissions—and mitigate the impacts of a global return to the skies.

The sky over Cologne, Germany, is crisscrossed by condensation trails from airplanes. Because the pollutants in these so-called “contrails” contribute to climate change, researchers are studying ways to eliminate them—one of several ongoing efforts to make flying more sustainable.

Here’s a word you may have overlooked in 2020: flygskam, a Swedish term for the feeling of being ashamed to fly. In a year that saw a 66 percent decrease in flights, compared to 2019, you might think that flygskam has flown the coop.

But with a recent uptick in air traffic—and the anticipation of travel’s rebound thanks to COVID-19 vaccines —flygskam is taking flight again. The term originated in 2017 as part of a campaign to change how we fly, from the frequency of our flights to the technology of our aircraft. The goal: to mitigate the carbon dioxide emissions that experts think may triple by 2050 .

Aviation accounts for a relatively small portion of global emissions—2.5 percent. While bigger culprits, such as electricity and agriculture, account for greater emissions, they also benefit billions of people. Airline emissions, in contrast, come mostly from rich travelers in the richest countries: business class passengers produce six times as much carbon as those in economy class, and one percent of the most frequent fliers are responsible for half of all aviation’s carbon emissions.

Will the pandemic -caused travel slowdown be enough to shake up aviation and produce lasting benefits for the environment? In 2020, the drop in air traffic likely reduced carbon emissions by several hundred million tons . Some are calling to make those reductions permanent by eliminating contrails, using new fuels, improving navigation, and more. With climate change reaching a point of no return as early as 2035 , action will need to happen quickly.

( Wondering what you can do? Here are 12 ways to travel sustainably in the new year .)

Of course, flying less would have an even bigger impact, and there are calls for travelers to fly only once a year , give up flying for a year , and attend conferences virtually . Still, air travel is here to stay, so the cleaner the better. Here are some of the ways flying could clean up its act in the years to come.

Curtailing the contrails

Aviation emits more than carbon dioxide; it also produces water vapor, aerosols, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants absorb more incoming energy than what is radiated back to space, causing Earth’s atmosphere to warm. This means aviation’s impact on warming might be an even bigger share than its carbon footprint.

The turbine engines of commercial aircraft, like this one at a maintenance facility in Singapore, rely on kerosene-based propellants. Companies are experimenting with biofuels and synthetic fuels that can reduce carbon dioxide emmissions.

An Airbus A300-600R makes its final approach before landing. The company plans to have a hydrogen-fueled plane in service by 2035.

The worst of the non-carbon impacts are from contrails, short for condensation trails: the line-shaped clouds that form from a plane’s engine exhaust. A small number of flights are responsible for most contrails. This is because contrails form only in narrow atmospheric bands where the weather is cold and humid enough.

Avoiding those zones could make a big difference in limiting aviation’s non-carbon pollution. One research paper modeling Japan’s airspace found that modifying a small number of flight routes to skip these areas could reduce contrails’ effects on the climate by 59 percent. The change would be as little as 2,000 feet above or below these regions. While flying a plane higher or lower can reduce its efficiency and require more jet fuel, the paper found that limiting contrails would still offset any additional carbon emissions.

“There is a growing realization that the impact of contrails is a really significant component of aviation’s climate impact,” says Marc Stettler, one of the paper’s authors and a lecturer on transport and the environment at Imperial College London .

The spots where contrails can form change from day to day, so airlines need accurate, multi-day weather forecasts to avoid them. In the future, pilots could report contrails, much like they now do with turbulence, so other planes could adjust their flight paths.

The EU’s aviation authority, EUROCONTROL, starting preparing last year to conduct trials on a contrail avoidance project . Stettler and his colleagues plan to continue research on how to go about implementing changes that could reduce contrails.

“This is the faster way that aviation can reduce its climate impact,” he says.

Related: Stunning views from an airplane window

Harnessing alternative fuels

Commercial airplanes rely on kerosene-based propellant, but companies are experimenting with turning biomasses, such as vegetable oil and even used diapers , into jet fuels. Some research suggests these biofuels could cut carbon pollution from airplanes by upwards of 60 percent . But all biofuels are not created equal.

Those that could be processed into food are unsustainable because of the planet’s growing population, which needs crops for calories. Used cooking oil and pulp leftover from agriculture or logging are expensive and not produced at a scale large enough to make a meaningful difference. But this doesn’t mean that other sustainable aviation fuels won’t be developed.

( How clean is the air on planes? Cleaner than you may think .)

“You hear that aviation is a hard sector to decarbonize,” says Andrew Murphy, the aviation director at Transport and Environment , a European nongovernmental organization. “That is only half the story. The other half is we haven’t tried.”

More-promising areas include e-fuels, or “synthetic fuels,” which don’t require engines to be reengineered. To make e-fuels, electricity—hopefully renewable—is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is then combined with carbon dioxide to make jet fuel. KLM recently conducted its first flight powered by synthetic fuel.

Another effort entails pulling carbon out of the atmosphere and using it as an ingredient in fuel. Although this technology is still in early stages, that doesn’t mean it has to be far off.

“The pandemic has shown us new technology can be sped up if we want it to,” Murphy says.

Going electric or hybrid

Cars aren’t the only conveyance undergoing electric innovation: one count found a hundred electric-powered aircraft projects in the works.

The first electric flights will be in small planes with a range limited to a few hundred miles. Norway , a country with numerous islands and mountainous terrain calling for puddle jumpers, has promised that all of its short-haul flights will be on electric aircraft by 2040 . Underserved areas could one day get new routes flown exclusively by electric planes.

“A huge fleet of these could radically change local transportation systems,” says Ron Steenblik, former director of the International Institute for Sustainable Development ’s Global Subsidies Initiative.

An airplane descends as the sun rises on Mexico City. Artificial intelligence is being used in efforts to improve flight navigation and lessen delays that cause planes to sit on the tarmac or circle the airport.

Going farther or flying bigger planes with electrification isn’t on the near-term horizon. But some companies are exploring a hybrid of electricity and hydrogen, which could extend ranges. Boeing and others are also looking at hydrogen as a means of propulsion even without electrification. Airbus recently revealed three different hydrogen planes with plans to have one or something like it in service by 2035.

“We don’t want to just make it technically feasible,” says Glenn Llewellyn, vice president of Airbus’s Zero-Emission Aircraft project. “We want to make it economically viable.”

The Hindenburg disaster in 1937 ended the first hydrogen era. The aviation industry tried and dropped a hydrogen effort again in 2010 after finding it too expensive. But Llewellyn points out that hydrogen has been improved by other industries, such as automobile and space, proving its safety, innovating on its uses, and bringing down its costs.

“The ecosystem is evolving in a much different way than 10 years ago,” Llewellyn says. “We have a better starting point.”

Giving navigation an upgrade

Airlines have used computers to help optimize routing and planning for decades, but they’re now putting artificial intelligence (AI) to work in finding new ways to reduce jet fuel needs.

Air France, Norwegian, and Malaysia Airlines are already using technology called Sky Breathe that relies on big data and AI to analyze billions of records from flights in an effort to find ways to save fuel. The company behind Sky Breathe says it has saved its customers more than $150 million in 2019 and reduced CO2 emissions by 590,000 tons.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is midway through a multiyear upgrade called NextGen , which will be a series of interconnected systems to improve how air traffic control sees, navigates, and communicates. The FAA says the technology will make it possible to schedule tighter landings and takeoffs and decrease delays that leave planes sitting on the tarmac or circling the airport.

“AI is really good at looking at patterns,” says Ashish Kapoor, an AI researcher at Microsoft who works on aviation projects. “We have years of experience of flying planes, so we have a lot of data out there.”

There will be more data as planes get kitted out in sensors, which will produce additional insights into improvements. All that data means that the next stage of aviation could look different. Algorithms could develop new plane designs and come up with flight plans, taking into account speed, comfort, and emissions.

“We don’t have to evolve like aviation has done the last hundred years,” Kapoor says.

But for this to happen, more than technology has to evolve; countries will need to change legislation, and airlines will need to fund expensive research. It will take incentives to encourage the aviation industry to become sustainable. Janice Lao-Noche, an environmental scientist and development economist, says it’s going to take a lot of flygskam and maybe the pain of climate change disrupting more flights for all the innovations to take off.

“I don’t think it’s futile,” Lao-Noche says. “[But] this is going to be, no pun intended, a bumpy ride for the aviation industry.”

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• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

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Going Jet-free: Alternatives to Flying

I’ve got a full bladder and a thread-thin polyester blanket stretched around me. I can’t reach the valve for the cold flow of air pouring over my seat and I can’t get up to use the bathroom because there’s a half-eaten microwaved meal on a tray table locking me in place.

Each time I take this flight between France and the United States I wonder how it is I paid (in my freelance world) the equivalent of one or two months’ salary for these conditions. The misery isn’t even rewarded with a rich tale to recount or reflect on later. It’s just a sterile, uncomfortable and really damned expensive experience. Add to that the massive environmental costs of the flight and the fact that if this plane goes down the likely-hood of survivors is, well, unlikely, and voila , you see the inspiration behind this article.

Though I haven’t found an alternative to the flexibility of ocean-crossing flights, I have found some general flying alternatives that make me feel more comfortable about the possibility of these being my last moments. So what could be better than cramming myself on a jet in the final hour? How about cleating the halyards of a sailing vessel headed toward somewhere far, or resting under a blanket of stars so thick I think I can see tomorrow.

If you share my sentiments, maybe you’ll appreciate some of the alternative ways I’ve found to travel.

Table of Contents

A good option if you have time and a flexible budget . Contrary to popular belief, traveling by freighter is not cheaper than flying. Freighters generally cost around 100 € a day. From where I live in France to an eastern port in the United States I can pretty much count on 10 days. So for about 1,000 €, I can get home one way. My last round-trip flight from Barcelona, Spain to Cincinnati, Ohio cost around 600 €, a big difference from the 2000 € a round trip freighter passage would have cost me.

But if I chose to go by freighter I’d be paying for ten days at sea with meals and room included. In essence, a cruise of sorts, with the added bonus of getting me where I want to go. A friend married to the captain of a working ship recently took her first voyage with him. She wrote me saying:

I had the most relaxing and pleasant three months perhaps of my life – sleeping, eating, reading, walking on deck and seeing the beautiful ocean, seas, gulfs, clouds, sunsets and sunrises as a regular part of my daily life. I also enjoyed watching the ship’s activities as we traveled through the Suez Canal and around the Middle East in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.

Most people who travel by ship do it as a cheap way to get away for extended periods. A few books with such accounts are:

Travel by Cargo Ship by H. Verlomme Running Away to Sea: Round the World on a Tramp Freighter by George Fetherling, Around the World by Freighter by Bob Hartley Bureaucrat to Tramp: A Freighter Cruise Adventure by Kenneth M. Peterson

But if you’re interested in booking a ship in place of a direct flight to a destination of choice, you’ll have to be prepared to pay more, plan more and relax more. Bookings need to be made at least six months in advance and even then, your departure could be delayed as ships change schedule according to unanticipated need.

So for my once a year trip back to the United States I would need to pick a date well in advance and then be prepared to spend 20 days at sea (round trip) with about a week’s wiggle room on either side to account for delayed departures. As difficult as this may sound, it’s entirely possible. The managing director at The Cruise People Ltd [Trans-Atlantic Passenger Ship Service] recently wrote me, “By the way we have a few regular clients in France and we have regular commuters by ship, one of whom does so to/from Australia and another to/from Singapore.” Sounds like I need to get my spontaneous life in order and join the ranks of responsible folks committed to an air-free lifestyle.

Two of the most helpful booking companies in my efforts toward this direction have been: http://www.cruisepeople.co.uk/ http://www.freightercruises.com/

You can also book passages directly with ships. The friend I mentioned above told me, “I read that French Container Carrier CMA CGM of Marseilles is offering voyages around the world (or parts thereof) on six of their medium-sized container ships.” Going to your nearest port might also prove fruitful.

Another helpful site i s http://wikitravel.org/en/Freighter_travel

Sailing/Crewing

One of the most energy efficient ways to travel is with the wind. Better known as hitchhiking across oceans, travelers wanting to crew on sailing vessels have to work to find the ride.

Berths can be found on charter boats, boat deliveries, cruising sailboats and on boats making ocean crossings, circumnavigations or year-long voyages. The most important thing a would-be crew member has to offer is free time as few people can just take off and leave a job or family for weeks of sailing.

The largest marina in Europe is in La Rochelle, France

Crew posts out of New England, Scandinavia and England can be found in sailing magazines and local yachting newspapers. But the best place to look for positions are at the ports where sailors often set out for ocean crossings or where they stop to re-provision. The key is being there at the right time.

The best ports and seasons are:

• Gibraltar from October to December for Atlantic crossings, April to June for heading into the Mediterranean (also Malta, Rhodes, and Piraeus have similar seasons)
• Canary Islands from October to January to cross to South America and the Caribbean
• La Rochelle in France is home to the largest marina in Europe, could be a good place to find rides to the Canaries or Gibraltar
• Antigua, Barbados, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico from October to November
• Panama any time of year, May for west-bound boats
• Tahiti around July 14
• Singapore and Honolulu, months depending on direction desired
• Miami, San Francisco, Long Beach and San Diego for charter boat posts
• Beaufort, NC is a famous jumping off spot for sailors headed into the Caribbean
• Floyd’s Hostel and Crew House in Fort Lauderdale, FL is good for jobs and crew posts
• Fort Pierce, FL boasts the cheapest marina fees on the east coast of Florida, a good place to find sailors doing work to their boats preparing for long winter cruises

Expect to spend two or three weeks at each port searching for a crew position. One way to lessen the cost of hanging around a port is working on a yacht in the harbor. You can get paid for varnishing or painting while gaining a good reference for a would-be skipper looking to take you on as crew.

Things to consider before signing on to crew:

• Do you have enough extra cash for airfare home should you find yourself in a bad situation (Most major airlines give a 25 percent discount on one-way fares to seamen/women repatriating? You’ll need proof that you’ve been removed from a vessel’s crew list at a foreign port).
• Can you get along with a crew 24 hours a day for weeks on end?
• Why is there a vacancy on the vessel?
• Will you be charged for food and fuel, if so what is your share?
• What will your duties be?
• Is there a written contract for the exchange?
• If you’re the only woman on board, have you made a few short trips with the crew before taking off for a long voyage?
• What experience does the captain have?
• What shape is the boat in?
• Are you traveling light, with only one bag or backpack?

For more advice get a copy of Lin and Larry Pardey’s Self Sufficient Sailor. The chapter Hitchhiking across Oceans is very detailed and full of personal experiences.

For island hopping voyages, a great way to see local life is to travel by mail boat. They’re slow going, but the price is right and the vantage point about as real as you can get. A good place to try this traveling style is in the Bahamas where mailboats reach the most remote out-islands in the chain. http://www.bahamas-travel.info/mailboat.htm

Over Land Travel

It’s really hard to resist dirt cheap deals through European airlines like Ryan Air and Easy Jet or US companies like Jet Blue. I know, I could fly to Morocco for 50 € tomorrow if I wanted. It takes a genuine commitment to traveling with a conscience to decline such offers. Just consider the gigantic carbon footprint left by jets and the insulated poor quality of experience you get from them. Remind yourself why you’re traveling in the first place and you’ll easily bid adieu to jets for good.

Though expensive, nothing beats the comfort or adventure of traveling by train, especially superfast trains like the TGV in France. And if you do your research, buses can often be quite economical. In my department in France I can take the bus anywhere I want to go for 1€. Though not necessarily the fastest mode of travel, the experience is almost never dull.

If you simply can’t afford mass transportation prices, ride-shares are economical and gaining in popularity. Unlike hitchhiking, where timing and benevolence are chance, ride-sharing is a planned carpool with everyone sharing gas expenses. Sites like Craig’s List in the United States, Allostop i n France and Mitfahrgelgenheit in Germany are good places to start. Often times independent local bookstores, coffee shops and natural food stores will post ride shares on bulletin boards.

But if time is no consequence, the richest traveling experiences are always on your own power. When you know your traveling lifestyle is sustainable for budget and planet the choice is easy.

Get inspired to pedal

http://www.adventurecycling.org/ http://www.pedouins.org/history.html http://www.sheldonbrown.com/euhansen.html#rollyourown http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?

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Don’t Want to Fly? 5 Great Alternatives to Travelling Abroad Without Flying

• Posted on 25 November 2018 14 March 2021
• 5 minute read

Alternatives to Travelling Abroad Without Flying

Nowadays flying seriously stresses me out. The waiting around, the stress of almost missing the flight, the airport commute, the luggage restrictions. Over the past few years, I’ve explored different avenues of travel, in hope that I can see things in a different way.

On that note, here are 5 alternatives to travelling abroad without actually flying.

1. Don’t Want to Fly? Go by Coach

I used to absolutely detest coach trips and if someone told me that I’d be on them reasonably often, then I wouldn’t have believed them for a second.

One thing I’ve learnt from coach trips is that it gets better with practice. I’m so used to it now, that long journeys no longer phase me and in fact, the journey goes really quickly. Taking a pillow, a selection of downloaded films and a book makes the time pass.

Coach trips are by far one of the cheapest ways to travel, it’s actually mad how far you can go for only the price of a takeaway. I once went from South Holland to Copenhagen for €18 euros for a return trip. When I first came to Holland, I travelled from London and it only cost me £1.50 one way!

Admittedly going by coach takes a lot of time, but you can travel overnight and with prices like that, how could you say no!?

2. Don’t Want to Fly? Go by Car

I’ve already tried to convince people why travelling by car is completely underrated in my previous article . Travelling by car actually gives you a ton of freedom over many other forms of transport. You can go exactly where you want, exactly when you want and for as long as you want.

I live in South Holland and have gone as far as Budapest, Croatia and Sicily by car, stopping everywhere on the way. Next time I am planning on going much further than that even.

Travelling by car gives you the opportunity to stop literally everywhere. You can also go out in the middle of nowhere and explore hidden beauty spots. One of my favourite things to do is take a beautiful route in a mountainous country like Switzerland. Last time I took the Gotthard Pass route and it was absolutely breathtaking.

3. Don’t Want to Fly? Go by Train

It’s no secret that travelling by train is an epic way of travelling from country to country. Interrailing is a popular way for (especially) youngsters to travel abroad without setting foot on a plane.

The truth is though, that interrailing is an expensive way to travel by train. If you look at how much day tickets cost from country to country, you’ll be able to see that buying those tickets individually will likely work out much cheaper.

Trains are by far one of the most comfortable ways to travel. You can get up, walk around, you aren’t strapped in, you can (usually) get access to charging ports (depending on where you are in the world), you have access to food and toilet facilities and it’s generally not unpleasant.

4. Don’t Want to Fly? Go by Boat

I pretty regularly go by boat when I’m travelling. Again, it’s a comfortable way to travel. You aren’t strapped in, you can walk around (and walk quite far depending on the boat), you have good access to food and toilet facilities. Sometimes you have your own room and can just sleep the journey away (I’ve done this so many times – best sleep ever).

If you’re on a cruise, you’ll usually have actual restaurants, bars, spa, gym and pool facilities. In some cases, it can be a luxury way to travel.

Sometimes you have the option of getting on a boat as a passenger, or with a bike or a car, so you can explore further afield. Travelling by boat can give you the most incredible views that you wouldn’t have ever had any other way.

5. Don’t Want to Fly? Go by Bike

There are two ways of looking at this: motorbikes and bicycles.

In terms of motorbikes, I’ve known many different people to travel from country to country on their motorbikes… and they loved it! Especially if you get great sea views or mountain routes. If you love to be on your motorbike, then this really can be one way to travel. There’s actually a British documentary series called  Long Way Round , all about a couple of guys who travelled literally all the way around the world on their motorbikes.

In terms of bicycles, this is still completely possible, yet very restrictive of course. I’ve known many people who have travelled from country to country this way.

It’s popular in the UK to take the London – Paris or London – Brussels route. Sometimes it’s for charity, sometimes it’s for fun and sometimes it’s for both. I personally have only biked within the same country, but I did travel 350km in only a few short days stopping along the way and riding along both the German and Belgian border. It definitely was an experience and I loved it.

Of course, this is only an alternative form of transport if you like bikes and don’t mind the sore bum. 😉

So there you have it, 5 alternatives to flying. If you’re looking for a new way to adventure, then this is it! Drop a comment below about your experiences travelling without setting foot on a plane. 

Like it? Don’t forget to like my  Facebook page  for more content. Or hit the subscribe button on the top of the page. I’ll love you forever – honestly. 

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Great post. Traveling by boat would be my favorite.

Thanks so much for reading! Same, going by boat is one of my favourites too.

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Getting to Europe Without Flying – 5 Sustainable Ways (2023)

Are you looking for a unique and adventurous way to explore Europe? Consider traveling to this diverse continent without flying. In recent years, the trend of ditching planes in favor of alternative modes of transportation has gained popularity, and for good reason. Getting to Europe without flying offers a refreshing and offbeat approach to travel. Not only does it allow you to slow down and appreciate the journey, but it also presents numerous advantages over traditional flying. By opting for alternative modes of transportation, you can enjoy scenic views, immerse yourself in local cultures, reduce your carbon footprint, and discover hidden gems along the way.

Table of Contents

Overcoming the distance barrier.

The first step to planning a trip to Europe without flying is to determine the most suitable route from your location. Whether you’re based in North America, Asia, or elsewhere, it’s essential to research and choose a route that aligns with your preferences and time constraints. Consider factors such as available transportation options, budget, and desired destinations to create a comprehensive itinerary.

Crossing the Ocean: Ferries and Cruises

If you’re traveling to Europe from North America or other distant locations, crossing the Atlantic or Mediterranean by ferry or cruise ship can be a fascinating option. Several companies offer comfortable and well-equipped vessels that allow you to embark on a leisurely journey across the ocean. Whether you choose a luxury cruise liner or a no-frills ferry, this experience adds an element of adventure to your trip, as you witness breathtaking sunsets and enjoy onboard amenities.

Train Travel: An Efficient and Scenic Option

Europe boasts an extensive and efficient rail network, making train travel an excellent choice for exploring the continent. From high-speed trains that connect major cities to picturesque routes that traverse charming landscapes, train travel in Europe offers both convenience and scenic beauty. Whether you’re zipping through the countryside or meandering along coastal routes, trains provide a comfortable and efficient mode of transportation. With well-connected rail systems, you can easily hop from one city to another, immersing yourself in the local culture and enjoying breathtaking views along the way.

Exploring Europe by Road: Driving and Buses

For those who prefer the freedom to chart their own course, renting a car and embarking on a road trip is an enticing option. Europe’s well-maintained roads and comprehensive infrastructure make it ideal for self-drive adventures. You can customize your itinerary, explore lesser-known destinations, and stumble upon hidden treasures off the beaten path. Driving also offers the flexibility to stop whenever and wherever you please, allowing you to soak in the stunning landscapes and indulge in spontaneous detours.

Alternatively, long-distance buses provide a budget-friendly and convenient mode of travel across Europe. With numerous bus companies offering comfortable coaches and extensive networks, you can easily navigate between cities and countries. It’s a popular choice for travelers on a tight budget or those who prefer a hassle-free journey without the responsibility of driving.

Embracing the Slow Travel Movement: Cycling and Walking

For eco-conscious and adventure-seeking travelers, cycling and walking tours offer a unique way to experience Europe. With dedicated cycling routes and bike-friendly cities, you can pedal through picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and historic sites. Cycling allows you to immerse yourself in nature, engage with locals, and savor the journey at a leisurely pace.

Similarly, walking tours and hiking trails provide an intimate and immersive experience of Europe’s diverse regions. Whether you opt for a self-guided walking tour or join a group excursion, you can explore hidden alleys, discover ancient ruins, and connect with the local culture on foot. Walking also allows you to appreciate the finer details of each destination, from the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in a quaint café to the intricate architecture of centuries-old buildings.

Getting to Europe Without Flying: Practical Considerations

When planning a trip to Europe without flying, it’s essential to consider practicalities such as visa requirements and travel documents. Depending on your nationality and the countries you plan to visit, you may need to obtain visas in advance or ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your trip. Research the specific entry requirements and allow ample time for the application process, if necessary.

Packing efficiently is crucial when traveling without flying. Opt for lightweight and versatile clothing items that can be layered for varying weather conditions. Pack essential items such as comfortable shoes, a universal power adapter, a reusable water bottle, and a travel first-aid kit. Consider the baggage restrictions and storage space available on the mode of transportation you choose, as this can impact the size and weight of your luggage.

Discovering Hidden Gems and Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations

One of the advantages of traveling to Europe without flying is the opportunity to explore lesser-known cities and towns. While popular tourist destinations have their charm, venturing off the beaten path allows you to discover hidden gems and experience a more authentic side of Europe. From vibrant art scenes in lesser-known capitals to quaint coastal villages, there are countless destinations waiting to be explored.

Immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting local markets, sampling regional cuisine, and engaging with the community. Embrace the slower pace of life, and you’ll be rewarded with unique experiences and genuine interactions that go beyond the surface-level tourist attractions.

The Environmental Impact of Flying and Alternative Travel

According to  (Abouzeid et al.,  2020)  flying has a significant impact on the environment due to its carbon emissions. By choosing alternative modes of transportation, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable travel practices. Train travel, for instance, emits fewer greenhouse gases per passenger compared to flying, making it a more environmentally friendly choice. Additionally, traveling by ferry, bus, or cycling/walking produces even lower carbon emissions, further reducing your environmental impact.

Opting for alternative travel methods also allows you to support local economies and communities. By staying in locally owned accommodations, dining at local restaurants, and participating in community-based tourism initiatives, you contribute directly to the livelihoods of the people who call these destinations home. This sustainable approach to travel ensures that your visit has a positive impact on the local economy and helps preserve the cultural heritage of the region.

Traveling to Europe without flying opens up a world of possibilities and enriching experiences. From the thrill of crossing the ocean by ferry or cruise ship to scenic train rides, self-drive road trips, and immersive cycling or walking tours, there are numerous ways to explore the continent. By embracing alternative modes of transportation, you can enjoy the journey as much as the destination, connecting with local cultures, discovering hidden gems, and reducing your environmental footprint.

So why not embark on an adventure that goes beyond the typical tourist routes? Plan your trip, pack your bags, and get ready to create lifelong memories as you traverse the diverse landscapes and vibrant cities of Europe.

Is traveling to Europe without flying more expensive?

The cost of traveling without flying depends on various factors such as the mode of transportation, distance, and accommodations. While some alternatives like budget airlines may offer competitive prices, others like ferry crossings or luxury train journeys may be more expensive. However, with careful planning and budgeting, it is possible to find cost-effective options.

How long does it take to travel to Europe without flying?

The duration of travel depends on the starting point, chosen route, and transportation method. For example, a transatlantic ferry crossing can take several days, while a high-speed train journey between major European cities can be completed in a matter of hours. It is important to consider travel times when planning your itinerary.

Are there any safety concerns when traveling without flying?

As with any form of travel, it is important to take necessary precautions and stay informed about safety guidelines. Research and adhere to local laws and regulations, be aware of your surroundings and follow travel advisories issued by your home country and the countries you plan to visit.

Can I bring my car on a ferry to Europe?

Many ferry operators allow passengers to bring their cars onboard for a fee. It’s recommended to check with the specific ferry company for their policies, requirements, and any additional charges.

Are there any specific challenges for travelers with disabilities?

While Europe has made significant progress in terms of accessibility, challenges may still exist in certain areas. It’s advisable to research accessibility options, contact local tourism offices, and consult specialized travel resources to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip for travelers with disabilities.

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• Destinations

The best alternatives to air travel – How to travel Europe on a budget without flying?

Cutting down unnecessary flying might sound easier than it is. Especially in Europe, with such a well-developed railway system. However, when it comes to an alternative to air travel, it is not as easy to go by train. Flying in Europe is still so much cheaper and faster. But you can try, right?

This blog post gives you insight into how to cut down your air miles in Europe and travel by train, coach, or other alternatives. Inspired by my own travel experiences in Europe, I give you valuable insights and tips for affordable traveling on the ground.

Table of Contents

Is train-traveling in Europe an alternative to air travel?

Train traveling might be the most environmentally friendly way to travel, a great alternative to air travel. It is very comfortable, as you can stretch your legs at any time without blocking a whole corridor. It also lets you see more of the country you are visiting, as you pass by its landscape. However, one major downside is that it is time-consuming. The new technologies of the Hyperloop are not yet in use. One of the environmental concerns is the use of diesel locomotives since they have higher emissions . For most of Europe, not such a huge worry since 80 % of the traffic is using the electric drive , according to the European Rail industry.

Another advantage to train travel in Europe is that the trains are well-established. Most of the trains are equipped with a boarded restaurant, some might have free Wi-Fi, and of course, you find restrooms on every train.

Here is a list of things that can be from benefit if you travel by train: 

• headphones 
• crescent-shaped cushion 
• snacks (depending on the length of the journey)
• water bottle with enough water (water in the restrooms of trains is not drinkable, you would need to buy a bottle, which is not so cheap on the train) 
• downloaded movies 
• book(s) or notebook
• e-reader or books
• comfy clothing 
• light blanket or scarf (you never know how strong or weak the A/C or heater is) 

For your overnight journey:

• earplugs 
• sleep mask 

Here are some additional guides for train traveling:  Save a train and Seat61 .

For an overnight train journey, keep in mind, to keep your passport and wallet next to you. Bring a light sleeping bag or inflatable cushion, for extra comfort. If you have booked a lying or sleeping cabin, it proves you with a blanket and cushion. For some overnight train tickets, breakfast is also offered. Sleeping on the train is not very comfortable. If you pass a border with checkpoints, they will wake you up and check your passport. For your bigger luggage, you can use a lock, but don’t worry too much, usually European trains are safe. For female travelers: you can book a female-only cabin.

Travel airplane free through Europe – How to get the best alternative deals

Travel in less popular seasons guarantees you get the best and cheapest deals. As well as no overcrowded trains. The high season in Europe is in summer, June-August. Anytime outside of this timeframe is better. The low season is around January and February (depending on where you go). Obviously, in skiing regions, it is not a low season, but for most European cities, it is. Nevertheless, the low season is also changing a bit as more and more people look for a calmer time period to travel.

Taking the train at night is a great option to save money and a wonderful alternative to air travel. You can either book a ticket for a seat or a sleeping cabin. First, you save money on accommodation, and second most of the time those are the cheaper connections.

For instance, a train connection from Salzburg to Budapest at 4 am in different seasons: In February, the train was almost empty, and I could lie down on three seats for the whole journey until an older lady woke me up shortly before arriving in Budapest. Whereas the same train connection in summer was incredibly crowded and delayed, helped by a festival in Budapest. A very inconvenient time to travel. So, it certainly depends on the season.

Regional differences

Keep also regional differences in mind. While West Europe is more digitalized than Eastern Europe, you might be able to find suitable connections offline in the latter area. So, do not research your fingers sore. Some examples: On my Balkan trip, I saw bus connections in different directions, from Shkoder, Albania to Vienna, Budapest, and Prague, with distances of over 1.000 km. Those bus tickets can be booked easily via the reception desk at the hostel.

On the other hand, if you travel to Central Europe, countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, you need to book your ticket many weeks or even months before the trip in order to get a good price.

In Sweden, for instance, you can get a youth ticket if you are under 25 years. This means a 15 % discount. My sister didn’t know that and was buying the normal tickets for most of the trip. So, there are many regional differences in discounts and options for cheaper train prices.

To know things like this requires a lot of research. If you do not have the time for that make, it easier and ask the locals or travelers who have been there. Some platforms that you can use are Couchsurfing, Facebook groups, and TripAdvisor Forum.

Plan your trip ahead

Are months of planning ahead required? In some instances, yes. Planning time highly depends on the season in some instances, also on the region.

However, sometimes it can be still quite early, and prices are already high. As I booked the tickets for an overnight train trip from Linz, Austria to Hamburg, the price for a normal seat was 60 Euros, whereas the price for the lying wagon was 120 Euros. I couldn’t believe that it was the double amount. I booked the tickets in April for the journey in July. Just to showcase to you how high the demand is in summer. The train was full. And also, the connecting trains to Gothenburg were packed.

If you want to do your travels without an airplane in central Europe during summer. Plan as early as you can. Train tickets in Germany and Austria can be insanely high. The discount tickets, in German Sparschiene , are usually nonrefundable and binding on a certain train connection. This does not leave much space for being flexible. Make sure you have travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip.

How can you make your fly-less trip through Europe easier?

You can buy an Eurorail or Interrail ticket that covers more countries and lets you travel flexibly. Also, if you just want to explore one country. Anyhow, it might be cheaper if you pay for every single trip, you make and book the ticket in advance. The Eurorail tickets just give you full flexibility. You can hop over to the European railway travel expert to get more information.

Don’t become too stressed about the long hours of traveling on the train. Make the trip the journey, enjoy every bit of it. And bring some tools that you can use for pastime. For instance, a book, a notebook to write, knitwear, snacks, or some card games (for you and your travel companions).

Alternatives to train and plane travel

There are some alternatives if you don’t want to travel by train or if you want to get the cheapest deal. BlaBlacar is a private carpooling network. The disadvantage is that you can’t plan much in advance and never know if there is a car going the route you want to take. Sometimes you can find rides a week prior sometimes a few days before departure.

Traveling by coach is another option. In Europe the cheapest operator is Flixbus, operating in most of Europe’s countries. In the UK the cheaper option is Megabus.

The long-distance buses are equipped with comfortable seats and on-board toilets, some sell drinks and have limited Wi-Fi. If you travel during the night, or very early morning hours make sure you take a crescent-shaped cushion, a small blanket, and an eye mask. Just the same items I have mentioned for the train trip. Make sure you wear comfy clothes, to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

Less flying in Europe – For the adventurers

Hitchhiking might only be an option for the fearless. For those not sure about it: take a friend with you. Hitchhiking as a pair seems less scary. Use Hitchwiki to get information about where is a good waiting point, etc. Also, very important is to listen to your intuition. If you have a bad feeling about getting in someone’s car, don’t.  Another adventurous option to discover Europe is on the water, on sailing or on a motorboat. And don’t only think about the Mediterranean Sea, you can travel by boat also at the north, to the following countries the Netherlands, Denmark, or Sweden. In her blog , Paulina is telling her experience with boat hitchhiking across the Atlantic. Besides a well-established railway network, Europe also has well-established cycling paths. Another alternative to air travel is a much slower alternative, traveling by bicycle.

Carbon offsetting as an alternative to travel more environmentally conscious

Traveling on the ground is often time-consuming. That’s true to a certain extent. The infrastructure in Europe is improving in many ways to make train journeys faster and more convenient. For example, a train connection between Munich and Berlin is a high-speed train that connects the two cities in less than 4 hours.

Sometimes flying is just cheaper, faster and the only option for a certain trip. For that, you offset your carbon. Carbon offsetting is about compensating your negative impact by contributing to aid projects, such as planting trees or other environmental initiatives. It is certainly not making your CO2 emissions disappear, but it is an option to compensate it. Some might argue that it is a tool to feel less guilty.

However, if you are conscious about the way, you travel and the impact it has on the environment, then you are already one step further to making a great decision on which mode of transport you use. And may influence others on your path to an environmentally conscious traveler.

It is not all black and white 

Aviation provides jobs, contributes to globalization and results in economic growth. We need aviation. However, in recent years, cheap airline companies pooped out the ground like daisies.

Additionally, the income levels of society rose, and everyone could afford to travel by air, thus raising carbon emissions. We need to change our approach to it. To take the consequences of our actions into account and be more conscious about our decisions.  No one is perfect. If everyone contributes a little, it can have an impact.

I hope this article was helpful to you and inspired you to travel by any of the mentioned alternatives to air travel more often.

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Flights are one of the most obvious ways to travel between cities in the United States, but that doesn’t mean that they’re the most affordable, comfortable, or even the most memorable. In fact, there are many other methods of transportation for making your way across the USA which you may find more appealing. American cities with the best public transportation.

Whether you’re not a fan of flights, or want to take in some of America’s world class scenery along your way, the following are alternative ways to get around when exploring the States. Best way to get across the USA.

The US was made for iconic roadtrips . Whether you’re aiming for the Pacific Coast Highway , or from Florida to Washington DC, anyone with a car can go anywhere, and the nice thing about this mode of transportation is that the journey is the destination in itself – a road trip is an adventure!

No other mode of transportation allows for the convenience and freedom that your own car does. Self drives offer 100% flexibility. You don’t have to stick to timetables or schedules, and you can change your plans as you go along. Spontaneous detours make for the most memorable parts!

Train Travel

Flying between cities means you’ll see nothing of America. You’re at 35,000 feet. However riding the train means taking in America’s picturesque backdrop along the way. Best way to travel America on a budget. Travel America without flying.

Depending on your route, your window seat view may include towering mountain peaks, desert vistas, spiral tunnels, and unnervingly steep grades. With everything from bustling metropolises to rolling prairies and plains, and expansive national parks along many railway lines, this is the best way to maximize your sightseeing. Train travel in America. United States train travel.

Those considering train travel in the US have the choice between train vacations, or utilizing public transportation to get from point A to point B. Whether you’re catching the train from nashville to chicago or aiming for an iconic long distance train, with more than 1000 routes and journeys, there’s sure to be something to suit you. Can you get across USA by train?

Pro Tip: Some trains allow you to travel with your motorcycle or car. You sit in a typical passenger car, while your vehicle rides in an enclosed car carrier at the end of the train.

As with air travel, you should be prepared to deal with cancellations and delays. Consider booking a sleeper car if traveling overnight, and make sure these reservations are made well in advance (traveling with earplugs will ensure a good nights sleep). You should dress comfortably, and avoid close connections. Never leave your luggage unattended on the train or in the station. If traveling overnight, secure our luggage to the rack with a lock.

Bus travel throughout the US is a fabulous mode of transport. It’s eco-conscious, tech-friendly, and very inexpensive. Some serve drinks. Some sell tickets for as cheap as a dollar. The best part is that you’re accompanied by music, internet, movies, the occasional snack bar, and best of all, a very competent driver. What are buses like in the USA?

Regional buses will ferry you throughout each State, and fantastic networks operate long distance routes. Also, “buses take certain routes to cities that are difficult to get to by train. Not every type of landscape is ideal for railway tracks and not every small village has a train station, so choosing the bus can take you to local areas and unique countrysides. “   America long distance buses.

When making your booking, consider if the ticket is refundable, how long the layover is between connections, and if you need to print your ticket. It’s advisable to be at the bus station an hour in advance, and you should make sure you’re traveling with a valid ID.

Take a Bike Tour

If flying isn’t for you, perhaps a two-wheeled, man-powered road trip that involves riding, camping, and slowly following whatever path you decide to lay out before you is more your speed. Ride a bike across America.

A long-distance bike ride is a great option for exploring the States for those who aren’t restricted by time. Depending on your route, this could lasts anywhere from a few weeks to couple of months. And the great thing is that anyone can do it. Cheapest way to travel across America with no money.

Among other things, bike touring will restore your faith in humanity (you will meet many amazing people and be blown away by their kindness), and will force you to travel slowly, immersing you in regions, towns, and people that simply aren’t possible through other forms of travel.

Related:  Top 5 Reasons You Should Go on a Bike Tour

Hitch-hiking

If you’re willing to forget what your mother told you about jumping in cars with strangers , hitch-hiking can be another way to make your way across the United States. Is it safe to hitchhike across America?

Hitchhiking is about trusting strangers in a world where we’re taught to fear the unknown.  While it is essential to have your wits about you and to be assertive , hitchhiking doesn’t always have to be a dangerous game. It is the way to connect with communities from around the world, and to see places you would never see from the seat of a plane. Hitchhiking in the USA.

Keep in mind that hitchhiking on freeways is prohibited. Hitchhiking in rural areas and in Alaska and Hawaii is more common, though keep in mind that with sparse traffic it’s easy to get stranded. It’s very common to hitch a ride in and around national parks to get to and from trailheads. If you’re not keen on this idea, you can always check ride-share boards at hostels, park visitor centers and wilderness information stations.

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Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook , Twitter ,  YouTube , Pinterest and Instagram .

46 Comments

Cool article! My girlfriend and I did 8,000 miles around the US in our truck, it was an incredible experience. Next I’d like to take the train across Canada.

Thanks Jim! Wow that does sound like an incredible experience! Train across Canada is a great idea … we recently published a guest post about what it’s like to explore the Canadian Rockies by train if you’re interested :) http://www.mappingmegan.com/trans-canadian-adventure/

Done 13000 miles on US road trips in the past two years. Going on another starting next week. Can’t wait. There’s just too much to see in North America.

Nice one Tom! Sounds epic!! Where are you headed this week? We’ve done a couple of 3 month roadtrips throughout the US and just absolutely loved it. Our most recent was the drive from San Diego to Alaska – you’re so right … so much to see!

Great ideas here – a road trip appeals to me most.

Thanks Rhonda – yes, the roadtrip is my method of choice … nothing better than an iconic American roadtrip!

I would love to go on a long road trip! We drive from Arizona to Oregon almost every Christmas and i think that is the farthest I have done. I want to plan a really big road trip some day. A few Summer ago we did fly to DC then took a train to Philly and NY. That was a pretty fun trip.

Sounds fantastic Tanya! I imagine the roads would get pretty snowy past Oregon around Christmas time, but if you have the chance in the summer, I can highly recommend continuing North towards Canada and up into Alaska. We did San Diego to Alaska last summer and it was one of the most memorable trips of my life … loved every second of it!

For a road trip in a car it can be hard to find a better country to do it in than USA. But for long distance public transport (trains/coaches) it can be quite a bit of hassle (a lot more than, for example, travelling across europe)

Absolutely – I think America is one of the best countries in the world for a roadtrip such a huge country to work with and one which offers a lot of diversity.

Europe as definitely managed to perfect long distance transport down to a fine art – it was such a smooth process traveling throughout Europe by train when we were there last. I think America has pretty good systems in place too though :)

When I was in the US I flew and took the bus (Megabus is extremely cheap and I had awesome deals) but my dream is actually to do a road trip – classical Road 66 :) Never considered a train though….

We did parts of Route 66 and it was a really memorable trip! Had a blast! I hope you have the chance to organize a trip soon … you should look into one way car rentals if you’re looking for some smart ways to save. Often car rental companies will need to get a car back from one location to another, so they’ll offer travelers a free rental and give them a specific timeframe to get it back to location (A). Saves them money on having to transport the car and hire a driver :)

I love roadtrips! Would love to do a roadtrip in the US someday, I alwo want to see the famouse route 66 someday! Thanks for sharing thism

Aren’t they the best!! We did parts of route 66 last year and loved it … public transport throughout the States is great, but a roadtrip gives you the flexibility to stop and take it at your own pace. And especially since there are so many road side attractions in the US, it’s better to travel with your own car :)

I’ve done many road trips in the U.S. and love the towns and places you see that would otherwise be missed on a plane! I’ve actually driven through all 48 continental states and loved it! I wish the U.S. had better train options, though. They can take longer than a car and be quite expensive. I’d opt for bus instead.

Absolutely Jackie! And wow, you’ve really covered the States with your car! I think as time goes on options for trains will start to increase and will become more competitive and efficient. Buses are already there so are a pretty great option when you don’t have access to your own vehicle :)

The US is such an easy place to travel around. Although the distance between places is quite vast, roads are really good. I’ve did a roadtrip with my family years ago and drove from California all the way to Canada. Since then, every time i go to the US, I have taken buses, trains, and gone on many roadtrips since.

I agree – the roads throughout the US are wonderful – granted, there’s a lot of road work construction all over the country at the moment, but we’ve realized this is a worldwide thing and you can’t really escape it. I saw a documentary recently which said that the rate at which we’re suing the roads can’t keep up with our ability to maintain them!

Probably my favorite way of traveling is by train but recently, I’ve been really enjoying my road trips. I traveled through France, Belgium, Spain and the U.K. with my family by driving and I imagine it would be fantastic to drive through the U.S.A. There’s also a beauty traveling by train so we don’t have to worry about parking or traffic, just sit back and relax.

I really enjoy traveling by train too, though I do love my roadtrips! Love that some of the trains in the US will transport your car too, you can combine them both :D

I use public transportation as often as possible, but my intercity travel is typically limited to airplanes and trains. Have you to ride on a Greyhound or Megabus.

Planes and trains are definitely a great option for the fastest route somewhere – have taken a lot of buses in my day too though where those haven’t been an option. I can sleep really well on buses for some reason :)

I love taking different modes of transport, one of my favourite experiences has to be taking the Glacier Express in Switzerland. The large windows made it so enjoyable, no better way to catch their majestic mountains!

Wow, the Glacier Express in Switzerland sounds like it would be amazing Mar! I can imagine especially during winter, the views would be incredible!

Great suggestions and I know you are a pro at traveling so I value those opinions. I am so excited to add train travel to my repertoire in 2017. My husband and I will take a train trip across Canada to celebrate our 25th Anniversary!! I want to sample the local buses here in Florida, too. They are around $33 and you get free WIFI and it goes all through the state as well as toward New Orleans or Atlanta.

You’ll have a fabulous time training it through Canada Melody – one of the best countries for your first trip … happy anniversary in advance!

And I love that public transport is now including WiFi for passengers … massive bonus over flying :D

I would most definitely opt for train travel. This would probably be the best paced and best spaced for me. I usually have trouble not being able to stretch my legs and I have a hard time finding a comfortable position in long bus rides. I’ve taken almost every mode of transportation possible and scenic train rides are what I still enjoy the most. Thanks for the tip, Meg! Been really looking to explore more of the USA soon!

Some great long distance train journeys available in the US Trisha, one of my favorites is the Alaskan Railway, so if you’re a fan of scenic train rides, that’s definitely one you should aim for :)

Traveling by air may be faster, but roadtrips are a great way to see so many different landscapes and areas. Thanks for sharing!

Absolutely Mary – spontaneous detours make for the most memorable parts!

My favorite way of traveling in the US is definitely by car, even though it takes more time. There is so much to see and do, I’d never want to skip all of that by planes. And yes, the detours are usually the most surprising, especially when you don’t expect it and try to be a bit more adventurous… I am hoping to head back to the USA next year for another roadtrip!

Absolutely – you hit more of the real country when you travel by car – able to take in small little regions and tows you would otherwise miss when flying. And there are so many quirky and cool roadside attractions dotted throughout the States that to fly and miss them would be a shame!

Hope you have the chance to get back to the States soon :)

Thanks for sharing this! My boyfriend and I are travelling to the USA later this year, neither of us can drive and we don’t want to take flights due to carbon emissions. Buses and trains will be out top choices I think, and like you said, we’ll get to see some great landscape…can’t wait!

Hi Helen, glad you found the post helpful :) Buses and trains do have their perks for sure – you’ll get to see some of the most amazing scenery along the way which you would have missed from the window seat of a plane :)

Happy travels!

Great post, Megan :) I love road trips. They offer a lot of freedom. I also love it when someone else drives! I came across a great resource for finding, comparing and booking bus and train travel. I’ve used it sevetal times and got great low fares. Highly recommend! Check it out: bit.ly/2zbA6TT

Thanks Amy! Yes, roadtrips are the best when it comes to freedom :) Thanks for the heads up on Wanderu – will check it out too!

I’m doing it!

Awesome! Hope you’re having a fab trip!

I haven’t started, yet. I’m sure it will be much better with your tutorial! Lol. I should have said “soon”.

In that case have a great trip :D

I did 3 weeks or so from Oklahoma to Highway 1 a couple of years ago. Nothing but backroads. Awesome!

Sounds incredible! I love traveling the backroads – always unexpected surprises and attractions which don’t make the guidebooks waiting for you to stumble upon :)

Exploring the States on a Bike is the best idea. Agree with the point that bike touring will restore your faith in humanity & you got a chance to explore in detail.

Glad you enjoyed the post Berry, bike tours are the best!

Roadtrip has always been one of my favorite way of traveling. A road trip is unmatchable when it comes to traveling.

My favorite too :D Happy travels!

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I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!

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4 safer travel ideas based on expert advice — public charters over commercial flights, private home rentals over crowded resorts, and much more

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

• As states continue reopening, Americans are tentatively returning to travel, even as the pandemic continues. 
• To prioritize safety, travelers are likely to choose regional domestic destinations, ground transportation, and private lodging options like home vacation rentals over far-flung international hotel trips.
• For inspiration, we've provided ideas for safer alternatives to fall travel, including transportation, lodging, activities, and more.
• Read more: Is travel safe? We interviewed experts on risks associated with flying, booking hotels or Airbnbs, renting cars, and more, plus ideas on safe vacations during COVID-19

As states continue phased reopenings, many travelers are eager to salvage some form of vacation despite the ongoing pandemic, and many are asking, ' Is it safe to travel now ?'

The answer largely depends on your plans. But even those who might generally be inclined to choose far-flung international destinations are opting instead to stay closer to home in large numbers. In fact, travel agents and advisors have noted a strong uptick in regional travel , and data from Airbnb suggests US travelers prefer to book regional domestic destinations accessed by ground transportation and stay in private lodging where they'll encounter as few people as possible.

And indeed this is logical, according to many of the experts we interviewed through the course of our far-ranging travel-safety reporting . That's because the virus is most typically transmitted by way of respiratory droplets directly through person-to-person contact. Hotels and airports are examples of places that present a higher risk because of a higher number of encounters with other people, whereas rental cars and private homes booked via vacation rental platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo present less risk because of fewer likely interactions.

If you plan to head out this fall, consider adapting your vacation plans in ways that provide safer alternatives that can help can reduce your risk of virus exposure while away from home. And remember, without a vaccine, there is no firm guarantee on safety, and it's crucial to follow guidelines from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, and wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain social distancing.

And, because information about the pandemic situation is constantly evolving, it's also wise to read up on hotel and vacation rental cancellation policies and choose options with flexible policies if you can.

To come up with a list of safer approaches to air travel, ground travel, lodging, activities, and more, we culled the advice from our interviews with experts — including medical, sanitization, and travel industry professionals. Do note, however, that many public health and medical professionals (including some of those we talked to) still advise limiting nonessential travel in the pandemic, as it poses inherent risks.

Instead of booking a commercial flight … try a public charter.

Given we know that the novel coronavirus is generally transmitted directly between people , commercial air travel comes with risks, according to medical professionals we consulted for our investigation into whether or not it's safe to fly right now .

While the air on the plane is well filtered and circulated, you can't avoid other passengers entirely, even with some airlines committing to blocking seats for social distancing. And certainly, you will encounter other people in the airport as part of the process.

So, have you considered chartering a jet? Hear us out. Of course, private jet travel is far from accessible for most people, but there are affordable in-between options in public charter services, like JSX (formerly JetSuiteX), founded in 2016. These flights allow you to mitigate some of the risks of commercial air travel in various incremental ways. 

The carrier flies out of fixed base operators (FBOs) adjacent to many major airports. Like commercial carriers, they are open to the public for business and leisure travel. But unlike major commercial carriers, JSX is similar to private carriers in that it caps flights at a significantly lower number (for JSX, flight capacity is 30 passengers). 

You'll skip out on the traditional airport experience altogether by traveling through a private hangar — without the notorious TSA lines and bins. But you can still feel secure. JSX uses TSA Secure Flight, the same TSA-provided background check processes that major airlines use. Valet parking is available to avoid rental car shuttles, which allows you to arrive at the airport just 20 minutes before your flight where you'll spend a few minutes in a sanitized lounge. 

The regional airline flies between major cities and destinations in the west, including Burbank (Los Angeles); Concord (East Bay/Napa); Las Vegas; Oakland; Orange County; and Phoenix, with seasonal flights to Mammoth.

Limited options exist in similar categories to JSX elsewhere around the country. There are other private jet-like flight options such as SurfAir , however, it requires a membership to be able to book.

You may book JSX tickets as you normally would any commercial ticket through the airline's website, or through its new booking and mobile boarding app . 

And if this all sounds expensive, you might be surprised. JSX typically offers advanced-purchase deals that reasonably compare with no-frills commercial carriers like Southwest. For instance, fly for as low as $89 between Burbank and Las Vegas, compared with Southwest's $129 Wanna Getaway fare on the same route.

Additionally, as the travel world works hard to court customers, you can book a round-trip flight on JSX between the Los Angeles area and Las Vegas, including an upgrade at the Wynn and dining credit, for $216 making this private charter option an appealing choice for leisure or business travelers to these markets.

I've flown JSX from Burbank to Las Vegas, and Burbank to wine country — long before the pandemic. Even then I easily noted how time-saving and elite-feeling it was to bypass most of the crowds usually involved with air travel. I'd always choose it compared to a commercial flight on the same route if the price was competitive.

Instead of booking a hotel … try renting a private home. 

It bears repeating that the virus is primarily transmitted via respiratory droplets by way of encounters between people. That means that the fewer encounters you experience on your travels, the more you are able to protect your safety.

For that reason, hotels do come with risks given their very nature as places where hundreds of people gather, and where many staff members are on hand to meet their needs. By the same logic, medical professionals generally consider private homes safer , since you are often booking an entire home that is protected from interaction with any others.

Plus, platforms like Airbnb have rolled out new Enhanced Clean protocols that include rigorous upgraded cleaning standards include a standardized 5-step cleaning process, a room by room checklist, and more. Keep in mind, though, that not all hosts are necessarily part of the new program.

Home-sharing platforms include options like Airbnb , which features a huge range of properties including unique options like tree houses , yurts , and castles; Vrbo , which means "vacation rental by owner," and allows homeowners to advertise directly; TurnKey, which verifies properties adhere to its quality and cleanliness standards; and even options like onefinstay , which is owned by the Accor hotel group and features a collection of luxury homes and villas that come with professional housekeeping staff and tailored amenities.

Additionally, online travel booking sites such as Booking.com , which is better known as a hotel-search engine, also allows the booking of private homes and you can adjust your search parameters to bring these results up first. 

When you rent a private home, your party is not likely to encounter any other people during the course of your stay. This is especially true if you stay in a place with contact-less check-in, such as a numeric code entry or a lockbox containing a key, which allows you to further mitigate your risk. 

Even amenities in a private home are totally private. A chlorinated hotel pool may not likely transmit coronavirus, but the other people in and around it pose serious risks. In a rented home with a private pool , there is no such risk.

Just note that unlike in a hotel, you can expect to pay a substantial cleaning fee and other booking fees and service charges across any platform you choose. For example, the total fee for a $300 per night home for a three-night stay might come to $900 initially, but once you add all the fees and taxes, that bill can easily total more than $1,400 for a short weekend getaway.

For home rental ideas across the nation, check out our lists of the best Airbnbs in California , the best Airbnbs in Vermont , the best Airbnbs in New York's Hudson Valley , and the best Airbnbs in Florida .

Find out everything you need to know about vacation rentals here , including the best platforms and the best places to go in the US. Or, try our list of alternatives for when Airbnb is booked .

Instead of traveling to a theme park … try an outdoor adventure. 

Theme parks like Disney are beginning to reopen with new safety measures in place , such as digital queues and rides with blocked out seating. But throughout your visit to a theme park, you are certainly likely to encounter many other people, and that's where the bulk of the risk lies. Not to mention many theme parks are in current hotspot areas like Florida and California.

If that feels like too much too soon, consider an outdoor adventure in a more sparsely populated situation. National parks are reopening too, and provide opportunities for adrenaline-pumping activities such as hiking (think Yosemite's bucket-list peak Half Dome), kayaking (in Grand Teton National Park or Florida's Everglades), or rafting (a thrilling option in the Grand Canyon).

The National Park Service's follows CDC guidance for disease prevention in public places and workspaces and asks visitors to maintain social distancing. Before you go, check to see the reopening status of your desired park and its features.

When you are in a wide-open outdoor space, you mitigate the risk of transmission. And while theme park environments are largely outdoors, you'll also likely encounter large crowds and indoor attractions, shops, and restaurants with fixed air volume and limited space. 

On a park getaway, consider camping under the stars at one of our picks for the best US campsites , or if sleeping on the ground is a stretch for your tastes, try a rental home in the vicinity of a national park , such as the bucket-list destinations of Yosemite or Joshua Tree.

Or, go for a glamping vacation , with the range of accommodations including airstreams and vintage trailers , treehouses , and even yurt options  with more amenities than traditional tent camping.

With fall and the leaf-peeping season on the horizon, you may also want to consider a vacation rental in a prime location for fall foliage .

Instead of taking ride share at your destination … rent a car.

Ride share operators like Lyft and Uber have announced new cleaning and safety protocols but still involve coming into close proximity with one other person: the driver. You can mitigate risk by renting a car  at your destination instead.

When you are in a rented car, your risk mainly comes from your fellow passengers. So if they're all members of the same household, they won't pose a new risk.

Even if someone who was sick previously interacted with the car, the virus is known to settle out of the air fairly quickly, from one to three hours under experimental conditions, and perhaps much less in real-world scenarios.

So, the air quality within the vehicle is not likely to be a concern after some amount of turnaround time since the last driver occupied the car. 

Like nearly all travel-related businesses, rental car companies have announced new sanitization protocols, such as the enhanced rental car cleaning measures  that take place between every renter from Enterprise Holdings, whose brands include  Enterprise Rent-A-Car ,  National Car Rental , and  Alamo Rent a Car .

Or, consider renting an RV or camper van (we even have camper van accessories for a comfier trip for you here ), which merges a safe sleeping environment with a private driving experience, as well.

Plus, there are plenty of scenic road trips across the US worthy of planning a trip around, and many great getaway destinations are within easy driving distance of major US cities .

Discover more safe vacation ideas during COVID-19 here.

Subscribe to our newsletter. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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How to visit Australia without flying: Holland America launches new Grand Voyage

The long-haul flight can be enough to keep some U.S. travelers from visiting Australia . But a new Holland America Line itinerary will offer an alternate route.

The cruise line’s Grand Australia and New Zealand voyage will sail round-trip from San Diego, California in 2026, taking guests down under and back over 93 days.

"Our Grand Voyages are renowned for connecting guests with the world's most fascinating places while sailing roundtrip from the United States," Beth Bodensteiner, the line’s chief commercial officer, said in a news release . "Our team crafted this itinerary to show guests the parts of Australia and New Zealand they expect to visit, but also included frequently asked for, but rarely visited, ports throughout Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands."

When is Holland America’s Grand Australia and New Zealand voyage?

The cruise will depart on Jan. 4, 2026 aboard the line’s 1,432-guest Zaandam ship.

Where will the cruise sail?

The ship will visit 44 ports in 10 countries. Passengers will make their way to Hawaii first before heading to the South Pacific. The ship will then visit Australia – almost circling the country – and New Zealand, followed by Tonga and French Polynesia on the way back to San Diego.

The itinerary features two days of scenic cruising at the Great Barrier Reef and four late-night departures in Adelaide, Australia and the French Polynesian islands of Moorea, Raiatea and Huahine. Guests will also stay overnight in six ports, including Honolulu, Sydney and Auckland, giving them ample time to explore.

Short vs. long cruises: Which one is right for you?

How much does the cruise cost?

The cruise currently starts at $17,699 per person based on double occupancy, according to Holland America’s website . Travelers who book by June 16, 2025 can get perks like a Surf Wi-Fi package, airport transfers in San Diego, a 3% pay-in-full discount and more thrown in (though they vary by stateroom category).

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Destination swaps: cheaper alternatives to traditional holiday hotspots

Holidaymakers are seeking the same travel experience in lesser-known locations

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Our holiday habits are changing in a bid to "avoid the impact of over-tourism, save money and make new discoveries". Holidaymakers are increasingly on the lookout for "alternatives to more obvious holiday hotspots", and opting for "step-sibling" destinations that offer a similar experience.

According to the British Airways Travel Trends Report , released last week, 31% of UK consumers said they would opt for "lesser-known alternative locations".

This type of thinking "outside the box" will become more commonplace in 2024 and 2025, as "travellers become more curious about less well-known locations, consider their environmental impact and take inspiration from insider recommendations on social media that might be cheaper or offer more value". 

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So where are the alternative destinations that can compete against the originals?

Dubai welcomed over a million UK tourists last year, but it has a neighbouring "smaller substitute", said The Sun . The northernmost emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, usually referred to as "RAK", often "flies under the radar when people think of the United Arab Emirates", but it's a great – and cheaper – alternative to Dubai. RAK is known for its "endless miles of terracotta-coloured coastline, desert, and year-round warm weather", and you can swim, relax, shop, head off on a desert safari or experience the world's longest zip line. 

Imagine a trip to the Maldives, and "a stilted, over-water hideaway is the first thing many people picture", said The Independent . However, there are other options for "over-water opulence", with stays offering the same sense of "serenity and luxury".

On the "pint-sized Belizean island" of Cayo Espanto, there are just seven sea villas, while in the Banyan Tree Mayakoba Resort in Mexico's Playa del Carmen, the villas are set on "wildlife-filled waterways". In Malaysia, the St Regis Langkawi is "less over-water villa and more over-water palace", while the lake villas in Thailand's Khao Sok national park have views of "forested mountains, bird-dotted limestone cliffs and the lake's emerald-green water".

Closer to home, Europe has several destination doppelgangers for beach holidays – for a "fraction of the price", said The Telegraph . Instead of "crowded favourites", head instead to "stunning secret seaside spots" in Eastern Europe. 

This can net serious savings, with half-board in a four-star hotel from £35 per person per night, compared with "a similar stay in Marbella" at upwards of £500. Holiday spending is likely to be lower too, said the newspaper, with a sunset cruise priced at £15 in Montenegro compared to £55 in Mykonos, with sunbed and umbrella hire costing £10 and £50, and cocktails coming in at £4 and £14. 

Among other recommendations are Albania's "very own 'Ionian Pearl'", the Ksamil Islands; the "mesmerising emerald pool" of Kravica Waterfalls, Bosnia and Herzegovina; the "Hungarian Sea" of Lake Balaton, and "21 miles of silky, white sand beach" in Jūrmala, near the Latvian capital, Riga.

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Adrienne Wyper has been a freelance sub-editor and writer for The Week's website and magazine since 2015. As a travel and lifestyle journalist, she has also written and edited for other titles including BBC Countryfile, British Travel Journal, Coast, Country Living, Country Walking, Good Housekeeping, The Independent, The Lady and Woman’s Own.

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GOBankingRates

The Top 10 Best Travel Hacks To Save the Most Money

Posted: April 19, 2023 | Last updated: July 30, 2023

Your love of travel may be directly at odds with how much traveling can cost, from airfare or other transportation to lodgings to fun activities you hope to do once there. And that doesn't even touch upon the many surprising expenses that crop up when you travel.

Check Out: 10 Best Cash Advance Apps That Cover You Until Payday Related: How To Build a Financial Plan From Zero

Fortunately, experts have a lot of unique hacks for how to save money when you're booking travel or are already on the road. Here are our top travel tips.

Search Flights in Incognito Mode

If you want the best chance to find the lowest airfare price, Rax Suen, a travel blogger, podcast host and founder of Nomads Unveiled, said, "Always clear your web browser cache or use incognito mode if you are checking flight prices multiple times. Some airline websites track your browsing history and will show repeat visitors a different and higher price to cause FOMO (fear of missing out)."

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Credit Card Points

Of all the ways to get cheap flights and other travel deals, Alene Laney, a travel writer at Pennies to Paradise, said, "There's not much that can beat travel hacking with credit card points."

You can take advantage of flexible point systems like those from Chase, American Express and Citi, combine them with sign-up bonuses from you and a significant other, and end up with free flights and hotels, she said. "I've traveled to Paris, The Galapagos, and Bora Bora using points in the last couple of years, all on a one-income household budget. It's a game changer for any family on any income level."

Use a Local Sim Card To Reduce Roaming

Since roaming charges for your mobile phone can add up quickly if you don't have a package, and if you're not interested in purchasing one through your provider, consider, instead, getting a local sim card for wherever you're traveling, especially internationally, Suen said.

See More: 18 Legitimate Games & Apps That Pay Real Money in 2023

Book a Travel Bundle

Another way to save on travel costs is to book a travel bundle, said Michelle Halpern, founder and owner of the Live Like it's the Weekend travel blog. "The best way to save money on your travels is to book your adventure in a bundle or packaged deal such as those offered by Costco." She said this may eliminate taxes and fees that come with individual bookings and can often include perks such as free room upgrades and other discounts.

Be Flexible

If you can book your travel on slightly less traveled dates or with less of a fixed destination in mind, you can end up with a fabulous trip for a lot less money. One money-saving tip is to be flexible with your travel plans because it gives you a better chance of getting a better deal.

For example, flying on a Thursday, instead of a Friday could save you several hundreds, as well as staying at hotels mid-week versus the weekend.

Travel Off Season

If you want to travel well, avoid crowds and pay the best price, Jignesh Gohel, founder of The India, a travel website, encourages off-season travel.

"Off-season travel is a great way to save money because...accommodation is not at all expensive [and] easily available, the tickets are cheaper, [and] there are fewer people at tourist spots so you can spend quality time with your family and friends."

Similar: Top 6 Richest People in the World You've Never Heard of

Airbnb for Longer Stays

If you have the capacity to stay for a longer trip at your destination, between two and four weeks, Ackerman said that Airbnb offers a "generous discount" on these longer stays. "Apart from the discount the long-term stays at an Airbnb offer, it also adds more of a local flavor to your vacation."

Book Flights to a City Linked to a Major Hub

One great hack for cheaper airfare, if your travel involves a major airport hub, is to book a ticket to a city linked to that hub. The ticket will be much cheaper and, as you will be routed through the hub anyway, you get off there.

Alternatives to Flying

If you can let go of traveling somewhere by plane, you can save a lot of money by using buses, trains and taxis. You could use websites like Rome2rio.com, a trip planner that maps out all available transportation options between destinations in major cities and countries;" and RideGuru, "an online tool that helps compare taxi and rideshare services so you can find the most economical choice for you."

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Did You Make Your Connecting Flight? You May Have A.I. to Thank.

Airlines are using artificial intelligence to save fuel, keep customers informed and hold connecting flights for delayed passengers. Here’s what to expect.

By Julie Weed

Last month in Chicago, a United Airlines flight to London was ready to depart, but it was still waiting for 13 passengers connecting from Costa Rica. The airline projected they’d miss the flight by seven minutes. Under normal circumstances, they’d all be scrambling to rebook.

But thanks to a new artificial-intelligence-powered tool called ConnectionSaver, the jet was able to wait for them — their checked bags, too — and still arrive in London on time. The system also sent text messages to the late-arriving passengers and the people on the waiting jet to explain what was happening.

A.I. still might not be able to find space for your carry-on, but it could help put an end to the 40-gate dash — sprinting to catch your connecting flight before the door slams shut — as well as other common travel headaches.

It’s not just United. Alaska Airlines , American Airlines and others have been working to develop new A.I. capabilities that could make flying easier for passengers. The carriers are also using the technology to reduce costs and streamline operations, including saving fuel, said Helane Becker, an airline industry analyst for the investment bank TD Cowen . Although many of the airlines are developing their programs independently, a successful innovation by any carrier could possibly become an industry standard.

A.I. is poised to change almost every aspect of the customer flying experience, from baggage tracking to personalized in-flight entertainment, said Jitender Mohan, who works with travel and hospitality clients at the technology consulting company WNS .

Saving fuel and frustration

A.I. has been helping Alaska Airlines dispatchers plan more efficient routes since 2021. “It’s like Google maps, but in the air,” explained Vikram Baskaran, vice president for information technology services at the carrier.

Two hours before a flight, the system reviews weather conditions, any airspace that will be closed, and all commercial and private flight plans registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, to suggest the most efficient route. The A.I. takes in “an amount of information no human brain could process,” said Pasha Saleh, the corporate development director and a pilot for Alaska.

In 2023, about 25 percent of Alaska flights used this system to shave a few minutes off flight times. Those efficiencies added up to about 41,000 minutes of flying time and half a million gallons of fuel saved, Mr. Baskaran said.

On the ground, American Airlines and others are working on an A.I.-powered system American calls Smart Gating — sending arriving aircraft to the nearest available gate with the shortest taxiing time, and if the scheduled arrival gate is in use, quickly determining the best alternate gate. All this could mean fewer frustrating minutes spent waiting on the tarmac.

American introduced Smart Gating at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in 2021 and now employs it at six airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Miami International. The airline estimates it saves 17 hours a day in taxi time and 1.4 million gallons of jet fuel a year.

Mr. Mohan said that using A.I. as a virtual parking attendant could save up to 20 percent of taxiing time, with the highest benefits seen at the largest airports.

Faster and better customer service

Rapidly evolving generative A.I. — think ChatGPT — is helping airlines communicate with passengers better. At United, a companywide challenge last year yielded a plan to make texts sent to fliers more specific about what’s causing delays. Passengers can get frustrated when flights are delayed with no explanation, said Jason Birnbaum, United’s chief information officer.

But tracking the details required, composing an appropriate message and sending it to the right people for 5,000 flights a day would be too much for the staff to handle, Mr. Birnbaum said. Generative A.I. can process all that data and create messages tailored to conditions. For example, passengers booked on a January United flight from San Francisco to Tucson received this text message, along with a new departure time and an apology: “Your inbound aircraft is arriving late due to airport runway construction in San Francisco that limited the number of arrivals and departures for all airlines earlier.”

Having a more detailed explanation can calm travelers’ nerves. Jamie Larounis, a travel industry analyst who flies about 150,000 miles a year, recalled receiving text messages last summer explaining that a storm and a related crew-scheduling problem had delayed his flight from Chicago. “Getting a specific reason for the delay made me feel like the airline had things under control,” he said.

Generative A.I. is also good at summarizing text, making it a powerful tool for wading through emails. Last year, Alaska was among the carriers that began using A.I. to handle customer messages more efficiently. The airline’s system “reads” each email and summarizes the issues raised.

“We used to read first in first out, handling the requests as they came in,” said Mr. Baskaran, but now the system helps prioritize emails. For example, an urgent request involving an upcoming flight may take precedence over a complaint about a past one.

The system also helps a human agent decide how to respond, such as offering the customer a voucher, and it may draft an initial written response. “The person makes the decision, but it’s streamlined,” Mr. Baskaran said.

For all the benefits A.I. promises to airlines and passengers, the technology still has some shortcomings. For one, it doesn’t always deliver accurate information. In 2022, an Air Canada chatbot incorrectly promised a traveler that if he booked a full-fare flight to a relative’s funeral, he could receive a bereavement fare after the fact. When he filed a small-claims case, Air Canada tried to argue that the bot was its own separate entity, “responsible for its own actions,” but a tribunal found Air Canada responsible and ordered it to pay about $800 in damages and fees.

Still, as A.I. develops and airlines race to find more uses for it, passengers could see even more benefits. “As a customer and a business person, this is one of the biggest technology disruptions in the last five to eight years,” Mr. Mohan said.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article, in a quotation from Vikram Baskaran, vice president for information technology services at Alaska Airlines, misstated the number of gallons of fuel an artificial-intelligence-powered planning system saved the airline in 2023. It was half a million, not half a billion.

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Watch CBS News

Memorial Day weekend 2024 could be busiest for travel in nearly 20 years

By Kris Van Cleave

Updated on: May 14, 2024 / 4:04 PM EDT / CBS News

This year is expected to be one of the busiest travel years in nearly two decades, with about 43.8 million people expected to travel at least 50 miles, according to AAA.

Joy Noelle Balanag booked her vacation months ago, hoping to beat the potentially record-breaking summer rush.

"I definitely am excited for this travel season. 2024 feels just like almost a breath of fresh air," she told CBS News. "I do plan on traveling on airplanes. I do plan on taking my car. Just, like, seeing where this summer season takes me."

Balanag won't be alone. This Memorial Day weekend, AAA is expecting a nearly 5% bump in airline travel over last year and United Airlines alone is planning to fly more than half a million people a day from May 23 through May 28, which would be the airline's busiest Memorial Day weekend ever. Delta is expecting 3 million passengers total over that same stretch, a 5% increase for the airline from 2023. American Airlines said it's preparing for 3.9 million customers over the long Memorial Day weekend.

Most travelers will drive that weekend, however, with AAA predicting a record 38.4 million people will hit the road. That's a 4% increase from last year. Gas prices are similar to where they were last year, up about 8 cents a gallon nationally compared to last Memorial Day weekend.

"It goes back to that bucket list, YOLO, you only live once mentality, Aixa Diaz of AAA told CBS News. "A lot of people are now going, 'You know what? Let's not take those trips we always take with our families. Let's get a little bit more adventurous.'"

One of the fastest-growing travel options since the COVID-19 pandemic is cruising.

The industry is expecting a new record high of nearly 35 million passengers this year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. For the thousands on board the Carnival Firezne cruise ship's inaugural sold-out sailing, which began in late April, vacation season started early.

Passenger Jeanine Stage of Arizona told CBS News what she likes best about cruising is, "That you get to go to multiple destinations and you unpack your suitcase once."

"You got food, entertainment, even the casino, if you're into that, there's shows," she said.

All told, AAA is predicting 2024 will finish just narrowly behind 2005 as the busiest Memorial Day travel weekend since it began keeping track in 2000.

AAA expects the busiest time on the roads will be from noon to 7 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday before Memorial Day. United Airlines said that Thursday will be its busiest of the holiday weekend.

Among the top destinations this year: Florida, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Denver.

• Memorial Day

Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.

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Hydrogen-powered aircraft in development by Australian company AMSL Aero aims for net zero aviation

While the race to transform electric vehicles on land speeds up, it is a different story in the sky.

Battery technology is not yet able to power even the smallest aircraft beyond 200 kilometres, and in Australia, that is hardly worth the effort.

But an Australian aviation startup on a mission to decarbonise air travel is developing a battery that could power a small aircraft to travel 1,000 km using hydrogen, and it already has a customer.

AMSL Aero received the first commercial order for its Vertiia aircraft from Aviation Logistics, the company behind regional airline AirLink.

AirLink chief executive Matthew Kline said the purchase was key to meet industry plans to be net zero by 2050.

"Using hydrogen is a game-changer for us, we can get up to 1,000km flight distance and that's what we need for the work we do," he said.

The next decade of aviation policy will be outlined with the release of the federal government's Aviation White Paper later this year.

Last year's Green Paper indicated two areas of focus were net zero emissions and accessibility for regional and remote communities, both of which could be supported by aircraft known as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) services.

Vertiia is the first Australian-made aircraft to apply for AAM-type certification through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

In a statement, CASA called it an exciting yet "daunting" task, considering Vertiia had features of both a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft.

"Nobody's done this in Australia ever and in that sense, it will be breaking new ground," said manager of aircraft certification, Klaus Schwerdtfeger.

Testing is already underway at an airstrip near Wellington, in central-west New South Wales, and if all regulatory approvals are met, operations could begin in 2027.

AirLink plans to initially rollout Vertiia for its freight and charter flight services, with a view of later introducing the hydrogen-powered aircraft for its scheduled service flying Dubbo, Walgett, Bourke and Lightning Ridge.

"At the moment, we fly out to Bourke and leave the aircraft out there all day before we fly back in the afternoon," Mr Kline said.

"But because the running costs are so much lower, we could bring that aircraft back and do other flights or run there and back a few times in a day."

Takes off like a helicopter, flies like a plane

As companies across the globe work to improve the fuel efficiency of existing planes, AMSL Aero co-founder Siobhan Lyndon said they chose instead to start from scratch.

"There are companies who are retrofitting fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters but this is a clean-sheet design," she said.

Co-founder and chief engineer Andrew Moore took inspiration from another Australian inventor while developing the Vertiia's box-wing design.

"It's an evolution of the box kite which Lawrence Hargrave invented, and it's one of the oldest, funnily enough," he said.

Lawrence Hargrave was an Australian aeronautical pioneer who experimented with theories of flight to construct different flying machine models in the late 19th century.

"We actually did lots of configuration studies and just happened to come to the same conclusion that Hargrave did, the box-wing works really well."

The Vertiia design uses eight motors pointed vertically for take-off and landing that rotate to a horizontal position when at cruising altitudes up to 10,000 feet, or 3,000 metres.

While other electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) do exist, AMSL Aero hopes to be the first long-range eVTOL to market using hydrogen.

"Nearly all other eVTOL are focused on electric batteries which have a shorter range to serve the urban air mobility market like Manhattan, or that Silicon Valley-to-San Francisco route," Ms Lyndon said.

"Those aircraft will have a 160km range to start with, but we see hydrogen as a game changer for us to allow that longer range of 1,000km non-stop."

60 million drone flights annually by 2043

In October last year, researchers from Swinburne University of Technology completed the first flight of an uncrewed hydrogen fuel cell eVTOL drone in Australia.

By retrofitting existing drones with electric and hydrogen fuel cell systems, the Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub team has been able to develop flight data for hydrogen-powered aircraft.

It is an area sorely lacking in data, according to AIR Hub director Adriano di Pietro.

"There is some work happening internationally, but it's usually locked up in a proprietary sense," Dr di Pietro said.

"The other reason we're doing this work is to really drive the use case and demand, to help Aussie companies actually justify doing first development for aviation systems."

AMSL Aero is also developing its own uncrewed aircraft after receiving a $3 million grant from the federal government's Cooperative Research Centre program to build a remotely piloted version of Vertiia to be used for aerial firefighting.

"Being remotely piloted, you might use it in ways that are too risky for a pilot today," Mr Moore said.

"It could potentially save people's lives on the ground by getting to those situations where there's a raging fire threatening people."

In March, Airservices Australia announced plans to develop a digital air traffic management system after an analysis projected the growth of drone and uncrewed aircraft would reach 60 million annual flights by 2043 .

"I think what is not talked about a lot is the fact that aviation underpins a lot of industry in Australia that most people aren't aware of," Dr di Pietro said.

"Most of the land area of Australia is serviced by aviation and certainly, there is a big government push at the moment to drive that forward."

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Is It Cheaper to Drive or Fly This Summer?

A plane ticket to your summer destination may cost less than gas, but that doesn't guarantee flying will be cheaper.

Drive or Fly This Summer?

Getty Images

Driving requires more travel time than flying, which often means you'll need to budget for meals and hotel stays.

Key Takeaways

• When comparing the costs of traveling to three popular U.S. destinations from San Francisco, California, single plane tickets were cheaper than gas costs.
• However, you'll need to factor in all the costs involved with a travel method, such as hotel stays and food when you drive, and baggage and rental cars when you fly.
• The number of people traveling and your trip preferences are also important to consider.
• Flying is often cheaper for longer trips, especially if public transportation is available at the destination.

If you're wondering whether it's cheaper to fly or drive to your vacation destination this summer, there are a range of factors to consider. While plane ticket and gas prices play a major role in travel costs, so will other elements such as how far you're traveling and with whom.

Here's a look at costs to consider when deciding between flying and driving to your summer destination.

Drive vs. Fly: Summer 2024 Cost Comparisons

When comparing the costs of traveling to three popular U.S. destinations from San Francisco, California, single plane tickets were cheaper than gas costs across the board.

For example, at the time of publication, economy flights from San Francisco to Las Vegas started at just $19. Meanwhile, the gas cost to drive a car the same route was approximately $87. In this case, you could buy several plane tickets for less than the cost of gas.

Travel Costs Beyond Plane Tickets and Gas

Aside from plane ticket and gas prices, there are other travel costs to consider. Read on to find out what they are.

Additional Costs of Driving

Driving requires more travel time than flying, which often means you'll need to budget for meals and hotel stays . For example, if you plan to drive the 45-hour route from San Francisco to Miami over five days, you'll need four places to stay overnight.

In the U.S., hotels average $159 per night, according to data solutions company STR . That would add $636 to your travel costs over four nights. You'll also need to plan for 15 meals on the road. With an average cost of about $15 per meal, food would add $225 to your costs. Add together gas (approximately $464), food and accommodations costs, and the drive would run about $1,325.

Additional Costs of Flying

Flying expedites your travel time but comes with costs of its own, including:

• Checked baggage : If you want to check bags , you'll probably need to pay fees. American Airlines charges $40 for the first bag ($35 if you pay online) and $45 for the second.
• Seat upgrades : If you prefer to fly in a class other than basic economy, you'll have to pay extra to upgrade.
• Food and drinks: The food and drinks in airports and on airplanes are often marked up, so snacks and meals you buy along the way may be more expensive than usual.
• Transportation at destination : Once you get to your destination, you'll often need ground transportation like a ride-share service, taxi, shuttle, public transportation or rental vehicle. Rental cars can range from around $50 to $500 or more per week, depending on the location, rental car company, and car you choose.

If you fly from San Francisco to Miami with one checked bag, buy lunch on the plane and rent a car for a week at your destination, your trip cost would end up closer to $315 versus the $100 for just the plane ticket.

That said, $315 is still quite a bit cheaper than the estimated $1,300 it would cost to drive and cover gas, hotels and meals. Plus, flying would cut down your travel time to just one day.

"If the destination is more than an 8- to 10-hour drive from home, I usually find that flying is the more cost-effective choice, especially when traveling to a city with accessible public transportation," Christy Woodrow, a seasoned travel writer and advisor at Ordinary Traveler, said in an email.

"However, if a car is essential at the destination, my decision depends on factors such as driving time, overall trip duration and the costs of flights and rental cars," she added.

Is Driving or Flying Better for You?

The only way to figure out whether flying or driving will actually be cheaper for your trip is to run the numbers.

Look up the rates for airplane tickets and check the gas prices along your route. Figure out how much gas will cost for your vehicle and the number of miles you'll travel. Also, consider additional costs such as food, drinks, hotels, transportation at your destination and baggage fees.

"To save money on flights, I always check Google Flights to find the most affordable travel dates. I also subscribe to flight deal services such as Dollar Flight Club and occasionally choose destinations based on discounted flights I've discovered," Woodrow said. She saves on rental cars by skipping the extra insurance and instead relying on her personal or American Express rental car insurance.

Once you have all the information, compare the costs to see which will actually be cheaper. But remember to also take into consideration your preference when it comes to travel.

"Flying can be convenient and it can be cheaper, especially if you hit a good airline sale. But if I have the time, I find that driving is the best way to travel," Jessica James, author and travel blogger at Past Lane Travels, said in an email. " Using hotel points and gas cards adds to making it an economic choice, but the freedom of not being in an airport is worth its weight in gold."

Does Google Flights Save You Money?

Erica Sandberg Aug. 28, 2023

Tags: money , personal finance , personal budgets , gas prices , Travel , Vacations

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Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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