My previous Sixty and Me blogs on travel for the over-60 crowd covered travel trends, why we travel, and where to travel. In this installment, I’ll dig into how to get to and from your travel destination and options for getting around when you’re there.
Getting There and Back
How you get to and from your destination varies on where you’re going. A trip under 200 miles will probably involve ground transportation. For longer distances, air travel becomes more of a consideration.
Driving
Many travelers will opt to drive a personal vehicle since it usually costs less and is convenient. Another advantage is being able to go door-to-door compared to other alternatives. Nevertheless, for some people, the thought of hours of “windshield time” is a real turnoff, while for others, a long road trip is just what they’re looking for.
What about the wear and tear on your personal vehicle? Maybe renting a car makes sense. Most car rental companies offer unlimited mileage and one-way rentals. It pays to do the math to see if renting would work for your situation.
Another option for driving yourself is a recreational vehicle (RV). During the COVID pandemic, RV demand was high. This led to high prices, long waiting lists and a scarcity of used RVs. Now, demand is less intense. Many pandemic buyers have sold their rigs, which could mean good deals on the used RV market.
Bus or Train
Bus and train travel rates have declinedover the decades. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that around 90% of pleasure travel over 50 miles from home is by personal vehicle. However, train travel is making something of a comeback in some markets. Check out the rail options if you have the time and want a different travel experience.
Air
Travel by air has roared back since the pandemic. However, all is not rosy for travelers. Service quality has declined, and massive cancellation waves have hit the industry in the last two years. Nevertheless, with prices falling, travelers will continue to fill the planes. Consumers who want to save money should still follow the tried and true methods of booking early, considering flexible travel dates and destinations, and looking for perks like air miles benefits from using credit cards.
On the Water
Another way to get there and back is on the water, although for most pleasure seafarers, the destination is the ship. Cruises are more popular than ever, with companies launching ever-larger vessels. Cruise lines have committed themselves to higher cleansing and disinfection standards to ease passenger fears about the risk of disease outbreaks. Some cruise lines even offer “ship-within-a-ship” accommodations. These are self-contained areas accessible only to the passengers who book these special arrangements for higher fees.
European river cruises originated in the mid-1960s as a novel way to visit cities on the continent. Since then, they have grown to be a global phenomenon. For example, Mekong River cruises in Southeast Asia and Nile River cruises in Egypt have been introduced.
Getting Around at Your Destination
What are your transportation plans if you are not driving yourself to your destination? Having a good sense of local transport options will heighten your experience. Here are some transportation alternatives.
Rental Car
This provides the greatest flexibility since you can come and go as you please. However, this might not make sense if your daily transportation needs are low, if you’re nervous about driving in a foreign country or if there are ample public transport alternatives.
If you need a car sometimes, hourly renting or car sharing might be an option. Hourly renting is available from companies like Zipcar, which allows vehicles to be reserved via an app. The renter picks up the car in a designated spot, only pays for the time used and returns it to the same spot.
Another option is car sharing, where Individuals or companies offer vehicles that renters can reserve through a car-sharing platform. Turo is one of the best-known examples.
Taxis and Ridesharing
Cars for hire can be an easy way to get around, depending on availability in an area. However, services like taxis and Uber might be limited if you’re traveling in rural locations.
Public Transportation
Travelers sometimes dread the thought of using public transportation in an unfamiliar location due to perceived language barriers and a lack of understanding about how the system works. However, in many locations today, smartphone technology makes getting from point A to point B using public transportation much easier.
Walking or Biking
Human-powered travel like walking or biking might be a great way to get around at your destination. For those who don’t relish the exertion of bicycle, e-bikes have exploded in popularity, making it easier to get where you want to go on two wheels.
Biking and walking can be the best way to see the sights. When making travel plans, look into the “walkability” of your destination. That way, your own two feet might be your best means of transport.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
How do you travel? Do you choose your destination based on how close it is to home? What travel options are most convenient to you? Do you use public transport at your destination?
