I go out into the unknown of travel. I don't take tours or cruises. I make my own plans, take off and go exploring. I look for travel like a local. I search for unique ideas, and budget accommodations. I get the most bang for my buck and the most time to check a place out that I can. Is this for you? Let's analyze that.
1. What does it take to ride the subway? Is this for you? To ride the subway, you have to be able to let go of your sense of direction and follow the signs. It's the only way it will work. That's just the first part of it. You have to deal with crowds, both inside and outside the trains. You need to have a little patience for the train to show up. The subway may stop while you're on it. Patience is necessary there too. Creepy people may be riding your subway. That really unnerves a lot of folks. Tolerance of all kinds with everything from homeless people sleeping in the priority seating to people having their small children try to sell you candy; people preaching about the end of the world or performing dances on the trains.
I love to see what the world has to offer. People watching is a highly coveted activity for me. Crowds have never bothered me. I don't fear much. I have no problem saying no to a child selling candy and on and on. I know people who come from a small town and aren't used to the hustle and bustle and crowds jamming onto subway trains. It most generally freaks them out. Don't feel like there's something wrong with you. It may just not be your thing.
Just remember, life is full of firsts, adventures and necessities. Driving in the city is a nightmare. Taxis are increasingly unreliable. The last time I took a cab, I had to explain to the driver how to get where I was going. If you really think you can't handle a subway, I hate to say it, don't. I get it. But if you happen to be one of those people who could care less how many people or what kind of people cram into a train, it might be for you. Or maybe you should just challenge yourself and give it a try.
https://www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule/metrosubway
https://www.transitchicago.com/
2. What does it take to ride a train? Once again, I love the train. I love the scenery out the window all the way to my destination. I love a snack car. I think it's great, but it's not for everyone.
Amtrak is an acquired taste in a lot of ways. If you ride something like The Acela, all seats are reserved. The train doesn't stop for long in most locations, so you have to find where to stand so that you'll be entering the car you need to be in. It can be a little tedious in some places. Most trains are only reserved if you're in business class or above. Coach seats are catch as catch can. This means that if you're traveling alone, you have no idea who might end up sitting next to you or maybe no one.
All of these things are something to consider. You may have to make several transfers if you're on a long trip. You may not get a window seat in coach. If you want to guarantee a thing like that, you may have to pay more for business class. It can be frustrating.
You also may be coming through the corridor I live in. All trains were cancelled between New Haven and Boston recently because a piece of the roadway; an overpass; collapsed on the rails. It happens.
In many areas, the rails are shared. Most of the time Amtrak takes precedence, but you might get hung up because of a commuter train or a freight train. It happens.
The bottom line is, if any of that drives you absolutely crazy; the train might not be for you. Mass transit is something that I find very convenient and fun to navigate. Not everyone feels like that. Do you? Or does driving sound like less of a hassle? There's a lot to consider.
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/
https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/traveling-by-rail/
3. What does it take to ride commuter trains? For me, the only thing harder to take than a plane is a commuter train. These guys are like a bus on rails. I hate the bus. I only take them when absolutely necessary. Does that happen to me? Once in a while. Commuter trains run almost nonstop and go great distances. They can get overcrowded, which is no fun. I've actually gotten off and waited for the next train because of the crowd.
Commuter trains deal with every imaginable customer service issue in the world. I've seen fights, disoriented lost people. I once talked to a man who was supposed to be on Amtrak. All of these things seem like they shouldn't ever happen, but they do. The trains break down and they have to send a bus. It happens. They run late, they have to pull up to ramps instead of platforms and only open the doors on certain cars. All the while, they have to keep all of us passengers informed as to where we have to go to exit the car, what the next stop is, what the current stop is, give lists of all the stops on the route. They do everything they can to help us do what we need to to and get to where we're going. Does that always work? No.
The biggest problem with being a passenger on commuter trains is making sure you're on the right train. There are probably a dozen going on the route you need to go on, but they won't all stop where you need to get off. You need to be careful about that. Will people annoy you on a commuter train? Yes. Be prepared for that. It's all part of the program, and if you can't stand it; you shouldn't ride the train. For me, it's a hoot and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
https://cp.pt/info/en/porto-trains
4. What does it take to ride a ferry or water taxi? Whether these guys are the size of a cruise ship or tiny, they are the most used method of mass transit around the world. Didn't know that, did you? Water taxis and ferries have been around much longer than subways, commuter trains, buses, trains, and planes. Why? Boats have been around longer than any of that, and in lots of places where there are now bridges; there didn't used to be any. So, this is the most common form of mass transit world wide.
Is it for you? It has all the unplanned seating of the Northeast Regional. It has all the noise of a commuter train. It has all the crowds of a subway. It has it all and it floats. There are ferries you take your vehicles on and some you don't. There are ferries that travel for days between locations and some that take less than two minutes across a river. There's also everything in between. They are a way of life in countries all over the world.
Here's the list. If you get seasick, it might not be for you. If you don't like mass transit in general, it might not be for you. You may not like the price which tends to be more than other types of mass transit. There are, once again, many variables.
What are the nice things about ferries? On several, you can bring your car, allowing you to drive once you get across the body of water you're traversing. Mid to large sized ferries have snack bars, delis and sometimes even a lounge. The ferries that cross the Atlantic and go up the coast of Canada have rooms to rent for an overnight voyage. It all depends on what kind of ferry you're taking and where to. They will get you where all other forms of mass transit won't, but they aren't for everyone.
https://fireislandferries.com/
5. What does it take to fly on a plane? This one amazes me. We all do this. It's the worst travel experience of them all. We don't think anything about it, because it's become a way of life. Layovers are ridiculous and half the time the airline changes something and changes your layover, making it impossible to catch that next flight. However, most people I know don't even think of other modes of transportation. They want to go somewhere, they look for a flight. It's ingrained in us. Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, and on and on all have us trained. To get there you need to fly. How's that feeling right about now with the jet fuel shortage? It's time to reconsider.
Here's the facts. You have to have a real ID to even get off the ground. No star or passport; no go. You must pack your toiletries the way you're told to. Too big of a bottle and you don't go. Keep your rechargeables in your carry on or you won't go. It's a hassle from the get go. You need to check in from home, or in some cases; there won't be anyone to help you. You have to get there hours before your flight. The list goes on.
Here's most of the rest of that list. You may not be able to carry on your carry on, because everyone before you took up all the space. Your flight could be changed at the last minute by the airline. Planes sometimes don't come. Staff to fly the planes sometimes don't come. Weather. Period. TSA; it's not their fault, but sometimes it's almost impossible to get through the lines. Biometric photos. Fingerprints. In other countries; visas, EES, ETIAS, heightened security. It goes on and on. I have a prosthetic breast and in Indianapolis, Indiana they not only need to pat it down; they check it for explosives. I find it funny but wow. Take off your jacket, empty your pockets, and thank God we don't have to take off our shoes at this point. Questions from customs agents, forms to declare whatever you may have to declare when crossing a border. It's amazing all the stuff you may encounter.
Lest we forget other reasons that flying is a pain. Crying babies, smelly people, paying for Wi-Fi, no Wi-Fi, paying for snacks and food and drink, having none of that. Having your luggage get lost. There's an endless list of reasons why not to fly, but we all do it. Why? It gets us where we need to go. I'm just here to remind you that if any of that bothers you enough; don't fly. I didn't even mention how cramped it is in coach.
Travel is different for everyone. You may love cruises. You may only want to go to Disney. You may prefer the outdoors and want to camp. You may love road trips. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to travel. It depends on the individual. I do it as budget. That's my jam, but I just mentioned about a hundred reasons why some people would hate the way I travel. If you need luxury, that's fine. If you need less crowds, good for you. My point here is to assess what you really need to enjoy your travels before you go. Don't do something just because someone else you know did it. Do it for you and for your tastes.
If you'd like to see what I'm doing right now, check out my YouTube channel, "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon."
https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2026
Travel is to be enjoyed. Don't sabotage yourself by trying to do it the way someone else does. Do your research, pick your spot, pick your activities, pack your bags and enjoy!
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