Looking for something? Search Away?

Search
Close this search box.

To Drive or To Fly, That is the Question: Getting to Your Destination

With the proliferation of vaccines and now boosters against the virus that has been destroying the globe for the last two years, people are feeling like now is as

With the proliferation of vaccines and now boosters against the virus that has been destroying the globe for the last two years, people are feeling like now is as good a time as any to get back out there and go on trips that they canceled back in 2020.

For people who have been planning their dream vacation throughout quarantine, foaming at the mouth for the chance to get back out there and reclaim some semblance of normalcy, the question isn’t so much where to go as how to get there. According to CNBC, a large number of Americans, fresh out of quarantine and having been impacted negatively by staring at the same four walls for over a year, are planning on finding out if a vacation can help them heal from the wounds the pandemic inflicted on them: deprived of the ability to go outside for so long, these would-be tourists are feeling a lot of pressure to make their first vacation in years special and unforgettable.

The only question is, if you’re planning your first trip in around two years, what is the best way to get to your destination? The answer to that question is entirely contingent on where you’re going and what you’re planning on doing, as different methods of travel will require different configurations of your budget: and the benefits of some methods, like expediency, might outweigh their drawbacks, like a much lighter wallet when you get to your destination. Still, it’s worth taking a moment to examine some of the most popular methods of travel, weighing their pros and cons to triangulate the best way to get where we need to go.

This article will examine popular methods of travel, weighing their benefits and drawbacks and giving you a better idea of how you should get where you need to go. Without any further ado, let’s get into it.

Road Trip, Road Trip, Road Trip!

Our culture often romanticizes road trips for reasons that are difficult to divine; for every road trip movie with a massive following, there’s an “are we there yet trope,” and not without good reason. Road trips are for those who are in no particular hurry to get to their destination, as they can take anywhere from 8 hours to a couple of days, depending on how far you’re going cross country: they can be cheaper than airline tickets for the whole family, and they also give your family the opportunity to stop off at tourist traps and popular landmarks on the way to your destination, adding an extra element of fun to your vacation. Road trips also have the benefit of being more COVID-safe than flights, as it’s just you and your family in the car: no foolish people who refuse to wear a mask breathing heavily two seats back. If you do decide to drive, you must secure an international driving permit (IDP) online (or through your local automotive association) on the off-chance that you will be crossing borders as you appease your wanderlust. Even if you don’t plan on crossing borders, it’s still a good idea to get an IDP because you never know when your plans might change. You might meet fellow travelers who want to hit the open road or find yourself in a remote location where the only way to get around is by car. With an IDP, you’ll be able to drive in most countries without any problems.

However, road trips also tend to wear heavily on the person driving, meaning the charm inherent in the idea of a road trip can wear off pretty quickly. You also won’t necessarily be spending less than a plane ticket, depending on how far you’re driving, how many extra stops your family makes, and how many times you have to refill ye olde gas tank. You also run the added risk of potentially getting into an accident in unfamiliar territory, requiring you to deal with police in a strange place and seeking counsel in that area to help you make your case. For these reasons, road tripping isn’t everyone’s idea of a dream come true.

Zooming Through the Skies

You might think of booking a flight as the Einstein play here, as flights comparatively require less work on your part and take much less time, on average, than road trips. You can fly across country to your destination in a single day, only having to endure the mild hassle of navigating airport traffic, waiting at the gate, and then being transported to your destination by using black car service in a matter of hours.

However, flights have the drawback of not necessarily being COVID-safe, as the plane recycles air from the cabin constantly, and people are not required to wear their masks at all times. With an even more contagious variant than Omicron having been discovered recently, that may not be the safest play. And that’s putting aside the hassle of getting through security, the possibility of losing your luggage, and more.

Charm or expediency: that is the choice offered to you here. While different vacations may call for different modes of travel, choosing the one that best suits your family’s needs is entirely up to you. You’re getting the chance to go on vacation again for the first time in forever, it feels like: make the most of it, whatever you do.