Comments on: Leaving on a jet plane or train? http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/ Put the \"personal\" back in personal finance, the \"me\" in money management, the \"I\" in investing. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:38:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: mlearned http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9541 mlearned Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:21:52 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9541 My wife and I took our 6 yo daughter and 2.5 yo son on a trip to NJ this past summer. I priced everything - planes, trains and automobiles. Cost was significantly lower, including depreciation on our vehicle, to drive. It was 20 hours to NJ, and between the two of us, with an assist from books and movies for the kids, were able to drive non-stop. It may not be the way you want to start a vacation, but I would rather have an extra day of stress on the vacation rather than several months worth of stress figuring out how I was going to get the CC bill paid for. My wife and I took our 6 yo daughter and 2.5 yo son on a trip to NJ this past summer. I priced everything - planes, trains and automobiles. Cost was significantly lower, including depreciation on our vehicle, to drive.

It was 20 hours to NJ, and between the two of us, with an assist from books and movies for the kids, were able to drive non-stop. It may not be the way you want to start a vacation, but I would rather have an extra day of stress on the vacation rather than several months worth of stress figuring out how I was going to get the CC bill paid for.

]]> By: jacksan http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9535 jacksan Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:41:14 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9535 Riding on AMTRAK is an exprience in itself. I have criss-crossed the country on trains, and frequently noticed children who are being mesmerized by the experience. Unlike flying, where you are effectively chained to your seat, on a train you can get up, walk around, go to the sightseer car, etc. Kids seem to really enjoy this form of travel because it is so different from the ways they are used to when traveling (unless your kids lived in Europe or Japan, of course). Riding on AMTRAK is an exprience in itself. I have criss-crossed the country on trains, and frequently noticed children who are being mesmerized by the experience. Unlike flying, where you are effectively chained to your seat, on a train you can get up, walk around, go to the sightseer car, etc. Kids seem to really enjoy this form of travel because it is so different from the ways they are used to when traveling (unless your kids lived in Europe or Japan, of course).

]]> By: LDH http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9524 LDH Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:32:47 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9524 27 hours seems long, but remember a 4 hour flight at the holidays is never a 4 hours flight...you have to be there early for lines, boarding, delays, etc. Not to say the train couldn't have similar delays, but flying that time of year surely is not going to be simple. And if you make a layover to save money, you might be taking up the better part of a day anyway to fly. So think of comparing 27 hours to 12 hours...makes it easier to think about in my mind. I'm considering train to MT next year for a wedding... 27 hours seems long, but remember a 4 hour flight at the holidays is never a 4 hours flight…you have to be there early for lines, boarding, delays, etc.

Not to say the train couldn’t have similar delays, but flying that time of year surely is not going to be simple. And if you make a layover to save money, you might be taking up the better part of a day anyway to fly. So think of comparing 27 hours to 12 hours…makes it easier to think about in my mind. I’m considering train to MT next year for a wedding…

]]> By: Chris http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9523 Chris Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:14:52 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9523 I've already planned my annual August trip back to Minnesota. As soon as Frontier will let me book it, I'm going to be booking my flights using miles. Really 6 months in advance is by no means crazy. I’ve already planned my annual August trip back to Minnesota. As soon as Frontier will let me book it, I’m going to be booking my flights using miles.

Really 6 months in advance is by no means crazy.

]]> By: Jane http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9522 Jane Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:59:43 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9522 I looked into tickets to go to Chicago this fall. I tried 3 different weekends, couldn't find anything for less than $375. Even tried different days. Ugh. It's my turn to visit my friend, and I hate that drive... I looked into tickets to go to Chicago this fall. I tried 3 different weekends, couldn’t find anything for less than $375. Even tried different days. Ugh. It’s my turn to visit my friend, and I hate that drive…

]]> By: Ann http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9521 Ann Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:49:11 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9521 Have you tried signing up for Airfarewatchdog.com ? Great website that updates you on airfare deals. But remember to act fast once it is posted. Have you tried signing up for Airfarewatchdog.com ? Great website that updates you on airfare deals. But remember to act fast once it is posted.

]]> By: Chris O. http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9520 Chris O. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:39:39 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/08/27/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-or-train/#comment-9520 I've traveled to New York by Amtrak before. If you want to do it that way, you need to be able to see the train trip itself as part of the adventure, not something you're suffering through to save money. The latter sounds like a sure path to misery to me, especially with a whole family. I usually enjoy it though, good unwinding time. I’ve traveled to New York by Amtrak before. If you want to do it that way, you need to be able to see the train trip itself as part of the adventure, not something you’re suffering through to save money. The latter sounds like a sure path to misery to me, especially with a whole family. I usually enjoy it though, good unwinding time.

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