I've spent more than 250 hours traveling by train, plane, car, and cruise ship this year, and I'm convinced trains are the best way to travel right now

Joey HaddenOct 14, 2022, 03:10 IST

Insider's travel reporter has traveled by train, cruise ship, plane, and car this year.Joey Hadden/Insider

I've spent more than 250 hours total traveling by train, plane, car, and cruise ship in 2022.
I've experienced both smooth sailing and travel nightmares with these transportation modes.

I've traveled more in 2022 than ever before. Considering the cost, comfort, and convenience, I think trains are the best way to get around these days.

Inside a business-class car of a Canada Via Rail train.Joey Hadden/Insider

Since the start of 2022, I've taken 14 flights, five trains, three road trips, and one seven-day cruise.

The author takes trains and flights around the US and Canada.Joey Hadden/Insider

I've graded each way of getting around in seven categories that are important to me: personal space, cost, travel time, luggage, reliability, comfort, and environmental impact.

People wait in line for a delayed flight.James D. Morgan/Getty Images

I've graded each way of getting around in seven categories that are important to me: personal space, cost, travel time, luggage, reliability, comfort, and environmental impact.

When it comes to dealing with crowds, I've found trains have been the least congested form of transportation this year.

Empty seats in first class on an Amtrak train.Joey Hadden/Insider

While cars generally offer the most personal space inside the vehicle, I haven't loved the packed gas stations I've encountered.

The author's dog lounges in different seats throughout a road trip.Joey Hadden/Insider

Although my cruise this year was not packed to capacity, it still felt too crowded for me.

People pack the pool area on a cruise ship.Joey Hadden/Insider

Many of the flights I've taken this year were completely full.

A flight the author took earlier this year.Joey Hadden/Insider

Traveling by car has proven to be the cheapest way for me to travel since my partner has a hybrid vehicle.

My partner driving through downtown Phoenix in May 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

If I traveled like most drivers who drive gas-powered cars, I'd face higher gas prices. But I'd still be looking at cheaper costs compared to flying.

Gas prices at an Exxon gas station in July 2022 in San Francisco.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The trains I've taken this year have been cheaper than the flights I've booked, and I could even justify purchasing business and first-class tickets, which include meals.

The author on a train with some of the meals offered on her rides this year.Joey Hadden/Insider

The trains I've taken this year have been cheaper than the flights I've booked, and I could even justify purchasing business and first-class tickets, which include meals.

Flying has become increasingly more expensive this year, even when booking a basic economy ticket.

An arrow points to the author's basic economy class on a boarding screen at the gate.Joey Hadden/Insider

Cruising was the most expensive option but included food, lodging, and activities.

The author's cruise-ship cabin and some of the food and activities included in the price of booking.Joey Hadden/Insider

Travel time is something I typically want to minimize in favor of more time at my destination, and flying is usually the fastest way to go long distances.

The author waits at a gate for her plane to arrive.Joey Hadden/Insider

In my experience, traveling by train has been the second-quickest form of travel this year.

The author uses train time to work on her computer.Joey Hadden/Insider

Car travel time varies depending on traffic, and I experienced a lot of gridlock this year.

The sun sets on a road trip in Arizona.Joey Hadden/Insider

While the cruise ship is part of the vacation, I felt a week on a boat was too long.

A cruise ship during the day, left, and at night.Joey Hadden/Insider

Luggage is usually essential for traveling, and I've found cars to be the best option for bringing everything I could want or need.

The author's packed car for a cross-country road trip.Joey Hadden/Insider

When bringing luggage on trains, I had the option to check a bag and could also use an overhead bin inside the train car.

The author packed a backpack for her train rides.Joey Hadden/Insider

Checking luggage on my cruise was a breeze: I handed my suitcase over when I boarded the ship, and it was brought to my stateroom later that night.

Checked bags arrive at cruise cabins.Joey Hadden/Insider

From lost bags to crowded baggage-claim areas, flying has been the worst when it comes to luggage in my opinion.

Carry-on luggage on a flight and in an airport.Joey Hadden/Insider

Trains have caused the fewest delays for me this year, and I've found them to be the most reliable way to get around in 2022.

The author in front of an on-time train.Joey Hadden/Insider

While my cruise ship was the most reliable vessel for departing and arriving at my destinations on time, I never knew exactly when I'd be allowed off the boat.

The ship was on time, but the flights to and from the port city were not.Joey Hadden/Insider

You set your own departure time when driving, but reliably getting to your destination on time often comes down to things like traffic.

Cars on the road in New Jersey in May 2022, left, and in August 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider; Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEWpress/Getty Images

Flying has been the least reliable way for me to travel this year due to delays and cancellations.

A notification of a delayed flight.Joey Hadden/Insider

Traveling by car was the most comfortable for me in terms of privacy.

The author and her partner on a recent road trip.Joey Hadden/Insider

Trains offered the most comfortable seating.

Economy, left, and business-class seating on Canada Via Rail trains.Joey Hadden/Insider

With all its amenities, I thought the cruise would be the most comfortable way to travel this year. But motion sickness made sleep nearly impossible for me.

Inside the author's cruise-ship cabin.Joey Hadden/Insider

Since I usually fly economy, flights are the least comfortable form of travel for me.

Minimal leg room on a flight.Joey Hadden/Insider

I like to be conscious of the environmental impacts of my travels, and train travel has the lowest carbon footprint of the bunch, the BBC has reported.

The view from a train window.Joey Hadden/Insider

Cars tend to be more environmentally friendly than planes, especially if you're traveling with at least one other person.

A gas station in Florida.Joey Hadden/Insider

Flying is one of the worst forms of travel for the environment.

A plane on the tarmac at Newark Airport in New Jersey.Joey Hadden/Insider

Cruising is typically worse for the environment than flying.

A cruise ship docked in the Caribbean.Joey Hadden/Insider

Entertainment isn't that important to me when I travel, so I didn't count it in my review. But I thought my cruise offered the best entertainment of the bunch.

A cruise ship offers basketball, mini golf, rock climbing, and an escape room.Joey Hadden/Insider

In my experience, planes offer a wide variety of entertainment.

The author uses in-flight entertainment.Joey Hadden/Insider

All the trains I've taken this year have provided WiFi, which I used to stream entertainment on my personal devices.

A WiFi network on a Canada Via Rail train.Joey Hadden/Insider

On road trips, I've had to provide my own entertainment and get by without WiFi.

The author and her partner on a road trip.Joey Hadden/Insider

Ultimately, the best form of travel right now depends on what your priorities are. For me, train travel ticks the most boxes.

The author on a train.Joey Hadden/Insider

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I've spent more than 250 hours traveling by train, plane, car, and cruise ship this year, and I'm convinced trains are the best way to travel right now

I've traveled more in 2022 than ever before. Considering the cost, comfort, and convenience, I think trains are the best way to get around these days.

Since the start of 2022, I've taken 14 flights, five trains, three road trips, and one seven-day cruise.

I've graded each way of getting around in seven categories that are important to me: personal space, cost, travel time, luggage, reliability, comfort, and environmental impact.

When it comes to dealing with crowds, I've found trains have been the least congested form of transportation this year.

While cars generally offer the most personal space inside the vehicle, I haven't loved the packed gas stations I've encountered.

Although my cruise this year was not packed to capacity, it still felt too crowded for me.

Many of the flights I've taken this year were completely full.

Traveling by car has proven to be the cheapest way for me to travel since my partner has a hybrid vehicle.

If I traveled like most drivers who drive gas-powered cars, I'd face higher gas prices. But I'd still be looking at cheaper costs compared to flying.

The trains I've taken this year have been cheaper than the flights I've booked, and I could even justify purchasing business and first-class tickets, which include meals.

Flying has become increasingly more expensive this year, even when booking a basic economy ticket.

Cruising was the most expensive option but included food, lodging, and activities.

Travel time is something I typically want to minimize in favor of more time at my destination, and flying is usually the fastest way to go long distances.

In my experience, traveling by train has been the second-quickest form of travel this year.

Car travel time varies depending on traffic, and I experienced a lot of gridlock this year.

While the cruise ship is part of the vacation, I felt a week on a boat was too long.

Luggage is usually essential for traveling, and I've found cars to be the best option for bringing everything I could want or need.

When bringing luggage on trains, I had the option to check a bag and could also use an overhead bin inside the train car.

Checking luggage on my cruise was a breeze: I handed my suitcase over when I boarded the ship, and it was brought to my stateroom later that night.

From lost bags to crowded baggage-claim areas, flying has been the worst when it comes to luggage in my opinion.

Trains have caused the fewest delays for me this year, and I've found them to be the most reliable way to get around in 2022.

While my cruise ship was the most reliable vessel for departing and arriving at my destinations on time, I never knew exactly when I'd be allowed off the boat.

You set your own departure time when driving, but reliably getting to your destination on time often comes down to things like traffic.

Flying has been the least reliable way for me to travel this year due to delays and cancellations.

Traveling by car was the most comfortable for me in terms of privacy.

Trains offered the most comfortable seating.

With all its amenities, I thought the cruise would be the most comfortable way to travel this year. But motion sickness made sleep nearly impossible for me.

Since I usually fly economy, flights are the least comfortable form of travel for me.

I like to be conscious of the environmental impacts of my travels, and train travel has the lowest carbon footprint of the bunch, the BBC has reported.

Cars tend to be more environmentally friendly than planes, especially if you're traveling with at least one other person.

Flying is one of the worst forms of travel for the environment.

Cruising is typically worse for the environment than flying.

Entertainment isn't that important to me when I travel, so I didn't count it in my review. But I thought my cruise offered the best entertainment of the bunch.

In my experience, planes offer a wide variety of entertainment.

All the trains I've taken this year have provided WiFi, which I used to stream entertainment on my personal devices.

On road trips, I've had to provide my own entertainment and get by without WiFi.

Ultimately, the best form of travel right now depends on what your priorities are. For me, train travel ticks the most boxes.