One-Way Car Rental Or Train?

If you’re renting a car to get from one place to another you may want to consider comparing the cost of a one-way rental with the price of a one-way Amtrak ticket. You may also compare the cost of a round-trip ticket with a one-way. Sometimes they’re cheaper. Go figure. There are several reasons to take a train:

a. Use it or lose it. If more Americans took the train, we could pressure to get the fares reduced, get better scheduling, get better food on the trains, and keep a valuable service going. As it is, the train system is neglected in favor of the highway system. And how long is the petroleum culture going to dominate? More and more people are beginning to ask themselves that very question. Yes, of course, the trains use fuel, but they are far more efficient for long-distance hauling than trucks. Now, if we only could get them to run automobile cars, wouldn’t that be great?

b. The train might be cheaper if you consider that you won’t have to rent a motel room, and you will undoubtedly get to your destination faster so you will need to buy fewer meals. Admittedly, train food is limited in selection, and the quality will not earn any Michelin stars no matter what the prices might lead you to assume. There might even be a discount rate for your route. Check it out on Amtrak’s website.

c. You can stand up, stretch, and move around on the train. There may even be an observation car.

d. You can go to the bathroom while the train is moving. Apart from scheduled stops, the train keeps going. You will probably get to your destination faster than if you drove.

e. You can gawk all you want without having to keep your eyes on the road. Many train routes have fabulous scenery and on the California coast route, the Coast Starlight, you go through places inaccessible by car.

f. You can sleep in the seat or rent a compartment. The seats are far more comfortable than airplane seats and roomier than most car seats.

g. You can use your electronic gizmos all you want, if you’ve got enough batteries.

h. You can’t get lost.

Now, the down-side.

a. You can’t go meandering down unfamiliar roads whenever the fancy strikes you.

b. You can’t get lost.

c. You need to keep an eye on your stuff, unless you want to drag it all with you. Or go ahead and book a compartment. You can lock up a car, and put your visibly valuable stuff in the trunk. So, you pack carefully and put the valuable stuff in your checked baggage and carry your light valuable stuff (DVD player) with you.

d. The food is pretty mediocre and overpriced, so stop at Trader Joe’s before you travel.

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