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According to the U.S. Travel Association, United States citizens made an average of 1.9 billion trips for leisure/vacation purposes in 2019. The travel industry is enormous and shows no signs of slowing down.

Whether you have the travel bug, you want to go on a family vacation, or you have to go somewhere for business, there are many different methods of transportation to get you from point A to point B. 

You just have to decide which factors are most important to you before you choose the right method. 

With the current state of affairs throughout our world, understanding the “rules of travel” at the moment can have a big impact on where you go and how you get there. As of March 2020, many travel restrictions have been put in place due to the 2019-2020 Coronavirus pandemicI’m. 

In this article, we’ll talk about the best modes of transport depending on where in the world you’re going, your financial situation, convenience factors, and how concerned you are over your environmental footprint. We’ll also briefly touch on how to stay up-to-date with the latest travel restrictions impacting the globe as countries all over the world are taking more precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. 

So, get your bags packed and ready to go, and let’s learn more about how you should be getting to your next destination. 

Where Do You Want to Go?

The best mode of transport will vary depending on where you want to go, and how you want to travel once you get there. If you’re traveling overseas or to a different country from the U.S., your options are somewhat limited, since you’ll likely either have to go via plane or boat. There are a few other options, though, depending on what you’re willing to spend and where you’re coming from. 

If you’re heading to Japan, for example, you can actually get there by a ferry when you travel from a mainland Asian country, like Korea. If you’re doing a great tour of the Eastern part of the world, you can get from China to Japan by boat in just 45-46 hours, allowing you to experience some of the natural beauty that the waters between these two countries have. It’s a great option if you’re trying to travel at a leisurely pace instead of rushing around from one place to the next. At the moment, however, Japan has closed its borders to all foreign travelers carrying Chinese passports issued in certain provinces.

Driving is also a great option once you’re in another country. It will allow you to see some of the most important sights and you can travel many miles in just a day, covering a lot of ground while learning more about the country. Just make sure you learn the rules of the road in an unfamiliar country! Understanding peak traffic times and parking requirements can also be helpful. 

Choosing to drive around a country gives you flexibility since you don’t have to adhere to a schedule, as well as the comfort of being in control behind the wheel. If you feel confident in your driving abilities, renting a car can save you money (as opposed to ride-sharing apps or cabs) and give you more freedom. 

What If You’re On a Budget?

Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t travel. You might not be renting a private jet any time soon, but there are still economical ways to get across the country, and even across the world. 

Air travel is typically one of the most expensive ways to go. But if you absolutely have to travel by plane, there are some tricks you can use that can potentially cut down your costs, including: 
  • Shopping for tickets in the middle of the week.
  • Taking advantage of package deals.
  • Checking deal sites and competitor airlines.
You can even save money once you’ve booked your flight by taking only a carry-on bag, or a lightweight suitcase that you won’t get charged extra for. 

If you’re traveling within a country, there are plenty of ways to cut down your travel expenses. The biggest way to save money is by splitting the cost with others. There’s nothing better than a cross-country road trip with friends or family. You can keep road trip costs low by using apps like GasBuddy to find the lowest fuel prices near you. The app has saved users over $2.9 billion since its initial launch. You can also try stocking up on snacks and food before you go, and researching free or low-cost activities at each destination you visit. Plus, with multiple people joining you, you can split the cost for most things. Just make sure you stay safe on a road trip by keeping your car well-maintained and bringing an emergency kit with you. 

Other ways to save money and stay within your transportation budget while you’re on a trip include: 
  • Walking or biking wherever you can instead of getting an Uber or cab.
  • Renting a compact car.
  • Use public transportation.
  • Share a ride (and the cost) with others.
Don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to stretching your dollar with different means of transportation. You don’t have to blow your budget just to get from one location to the next. 
What’s the Most Eco-Friendly Way to Travel?

It’s impossible to go anywhere today without considering climate change and other environmental concerns our planet is facing. Unfortunately, traveling can often do more harm to the environment than good. Globally, the aviation industry is responsible for 2% of all carbon emissions created by humans. 

Car traffic isn’t much better. Road traffic accounts for 15% of CO2 emissions. You can always opt for hybrid or electric vehicles if you can find them. However, they are not always available from car rentals. So, if you really want to travel, how can you reduce your carbon footprint? 

One of the most popular trends is to offset your carbon emissions when you travel. Essentially, that means balancing out something “bad” for the environment with something good. If you have to take a plane somewhere, offset it by donating to a company that plants trees or installs solar panels. 

You can also choose to travel with airlines that make the environment a priority. Delta is one of the leaders in the aviation industry when it comes to offsetting carbon emissions. In 2017, the company invested $2.5 million into environmental initiatives. They are also in the process of removing all single-use plastic items from their flights. 

The COVID-19 Factor

As we briefly mentioned earlier, COVID-19 (coronavirus) has created a new way of life for people all over the world. As of now, the virus has killed over 7,500 people worldwide. Most countries have put orders in place to shut down stores and restaurants, schools, public places, and other communal gathering places. Events all over the world have also been canceled, and people are being encouraged to “self-quarantine” or isolate themselves for others in order to event further spreading of this illness. 

As a result, travel has been greatly impacted. Since the beginning of the year, President Trump has issued several travel bans that have barred entry into the U.S. from other foreign countries, including China and, most recently, the UK and Ireland. Though there has been no official order to ground domestic flights at the time of this article, some airlines are taking it upon themselves to do so, including Delta and United Airlines. Air travel is set to decline for the first time since 2009. 
The Travel Method That Fits Your Needs

There are so many ways to get from one location to another, and one method of transportation isn’t necessarily better or worse than the next. 

Consider your options when you’re choosing to travel, and decide which method best fits your needs, whether you’re trying to save money, save the planet, or take the scenic route. During these trying times, it’s also important to take the proper precautions if you’re considering travel anywhere in the world. Pay attention to restrictions and recommendations. Over time, as the outlook of the coronavirus changes, we can hope that the travel industry returns to normal and continues to thrive, so you can enjoy different modes of travel that best suit you.