One of the toughest choices to make when vacation planning is GETTING THERE! Who wants to spend long hours cooped up in the car, battling traffic and grumpy kids? While flying is an option, sometimes it can take as long as that road trip: arrive at the airport, go through the TSA security line, wait at the gate, board the plane, wait your turn in line (assuming no mechanical or weather delays), fly to your destination, wait for luggage at baggage claim, get the rental car. Whew!
So, when is it smarter to fly than drive? What’s the best BUDGET choice?
Once you estimate your expenses (see yesterday’s post), you’re in a good position to make this decision.
Car, Train or Plane?
Travel – Knowing the general cost and time needed to travel by car you can compare that to air, train or bus travel. For sake of this discussion, I will focus on car versus air. You can use the same process to evaluate train and bus travel.
- Which is more expensive? Car travel or air travel? (Unless you’re going solo, car travel is usually cheaper)
- Is the time saved by flying worth the extra expense? (A two hour flight actually takes longer. Include travel time to the airport, check-in and security time, baggage pickup time and airport transfers in your total air time consideration.)
- Are you willing to pack lighter to travel by plane (or pay excess baggage fees)?
- Will you need a rental car at the destination or incur other transportation related expenses?
- Do other airports “nearby” offer better fares?
- Compare prices based on time of travel. Overnight, “red-eye” flights are often less expensive.
- Book early! Airlines tend to fill planes to capacity and rarely, if ever, offer last minute booking deals. The earlier you book, up to six months before travel, the better the price.
- Search prices on a variety of websites like Priceline.com, Cheapoair.com, or through Kayak.com, which will search multiple sites at once. Be sure to compare these prices to the airline websites. Occasionally, the airline is as cheap or cheaper than third party sites.
- Pack light! Be aware of baggage allowances and fees. Domestically, many airlines charge a fee to check any bag. Internationally, most airlines allow one free bag for those traveling economy. Watch weight allowances, too, so you don’t get stuck with over-weight surcharges.
- Register for a frequent flier number with the airline to start earning points and rewards.
- Determine total cost of travel by car. Include food, lodging along the way. Add in $100 for car maintenance associated with the trip. (NOTE: If your car is not travel ready, consider those expenses as well. Would you make those repairs if you weren’t traveling?)
- Determine total cost of travel by plane (train or bus). Include ticket prices, baggage fees, meals needed, transportation to/from the airport and car park fees.
- Which one is greater?
- Do you gain enough time on the trip to justify the cost of flying to your destination?
I agree with your point as you have discussed in this blog that cars are cheaper than planes. There are many Car Rental companies that provide cars at affordable rent.
Now she and I sit together in her room and eat chocolate, and I tell her that in a very long time when we both to go heaven, we should try to get chairs next to each other, close to the dessert table.
I love traveling, it's one of my passions! This was a very thorough article. We once drive to DC to get a cheaper flight internationally (5 hrs) from here… But on the way back we were exhausted, so I'm not sure we would do that again, especially with time changes. But now that our family has grown it may be worth the savings.
Leigh @oneandoneequalstwinfun.com
Sharon,
If I can help you in any way, please email me at familytravelsonabudget@gmail.com. I'm guessing even though it's 18 hours, travel by car is still preferred over air travel for 8? 🙂
You're ambitious!!!
Karen
We have to go to Texas in June, that's an 18 hour drive with 6 kids, and I'm looking into as much of this stuff as I can to get the best deals. Thanks Karen 🙂
Sharon
I think gas prices are headed up this summer, peak travel time for families. I thought there was a site where you could look up the lowest gas prices for that city/town or something? Have you heard of it? I could google cheap gas and see what comes up. A way to plan for spending.
I have some funnies on my site today you might get a chuckle out of regarding gas prices. Have a great weekend!
wonderful tips to help plan better-
I've used all of the website you mentioned!! Very helpful!
Hey Courtney,
I just checked several flights scheduled two months from today (June 13) and compared them to flights later in the summer (August and September 13). The June flights are more expensive at this time.
Of course, peak summer travel might be an influence. I am watching the prices on the other flights to see how they change. 🙂
Karen
Hi Courtney,
I've heard that booking just after midnight Wednesday morning is cheaper, eight weeks out, and within days of travel are cheapest. They haven't proven to be true, generally. Trust me, I've tried!
The drawback of waiting until 8 weeks out, especially for family travel, is risking not all getting a seat on the plane — much less sitting together.
In general, the earlier you book, the cheaper plane travel will be.
Thanks for your feedback!
Great tips. I use kayak all the time. I've heard that best prices occur around 8 weeks prior to travel.
🙂
Yes, gasbuddy.com. It's great. We used it Saturday driving home from DC. Stopped at one exit and gas was — GASP!!! 4.15. I pulled up gas buddy and found gas for $3.84 only 6 miles away. We took a slight detour, but saved 31 cents per gallon, more than $5.50!!! It was a worthwhile detour.
My only complaint about gasbuddy is that they don't show locations on a map. That would be so helpful — as it is, I have to copy the address for the desired station and paste it into my GPS app. But, for those savings, it's a hassle well worth it!!!
Another app that I love is “Beat the Traffic.” It gives real time info on accidents and backups along your route. We have detoured around stopped traffic on many roadtrips. NICE!
I hope these tips help.