Transport when travelling
Discussion
It's very country-specific.
Taxis are generally cheap as chips in most places other than the UK, Northern Europe, etc.
Some countries I wouldn't think twice about using a bus - but in other's they're the last thing I'd use. This can normally be determined by means of observation.
Car Hire.... doesn't phase me but the art is to drive like a local. This can actually be wonderfully liberating.
Cycle. Holland. Yep. Cairo, Mumbai.... most definitely not.
The only thing I have a universal personal ban on is Tuk-Tuks. Wherever I've been where they're commonly used, I see no end on their sides with passengers sat nursing badly grazed faces and limbs.
Fun to try new things too. In Thailand they operate 1st Class Coaches; a normal coach but with only 8 seats that are all set out like the 1st Class Section of a plane with all the services, food and booze. I was booked on one to go from Bangkok to Phuket, ticket was £30 IIRC (didn't end up going because that Iceland Volcano stopped all flights).
I forget the exact stat but when you leave British soil, your chances of being involved in a road accident increase something like two fold fore every 500 miles you travel further towards Asia. So just be careful, prudent and sharp.
Taxis are generally cheap as chips in most places other than the UK, Northern Europe, etc.
Some countries I wouldn't think twice about using a bus - but in other's they're the last thing I'd use. This can normally be determined by means of observation.
Car Hire.... doesn't phase me but the art is to drive like a local. This can actually be wonderfully liberating.
Cycle. Holland. Yep. Cairo, Mumbai.... most definitely not.
The only thing I have a universal personal ban on is Tuk-Tuks. Wherever I've been where they're commonly used, I see no end on their sides with passengers sat nursing badly grazed faces and limbs.
Fun to try new things too. In Thailand they operate 1st Class Coaches; a normal coach but with only 8 seats that are all set out like the 1st Class Section of a plane with all the services, food and booze. I was booked on one to go from Bangkok to Phuket, ticket was £30 IIRC (didn't end up going because that Iceland Volcano stopped all flights).
I forget the exact stat but when you leave British soil, your chances of being involved in a road accident increase something like two fold fore every 500 miles you travel further towards Asia. So just be careful, prudent and sharp.
Edited by StevieBee on Thursday 9th February 18:01
A lot depends on the country you’re visiting and how long you will be there. I like to think I will try most modes of transport, but there are a few exceptions, Tuk Tuks, (damn right dangerous and open to serious wallet reduction) horses (bloody unpredictable) motorcycle taxis (not a good idea, when you’ve been on the sauce)
Car hire; Europe and the US, OK, not so much the Far East, although I did smoke around in a lovely Toyota Cressida for a while in Thailand.
Ferries; yes, but had some really scary experiences in the Philippines and Indonesia. I’m lucky I don’t suffer from sea sickness, but really feel for those that do.
Trains; I love, especially in China and Japan, less so in developing countries.
Motor cycles; holidays are not the time to decide, you want to learn to ride, by renting a Yamaha R1. If you must rent a bike (small capacity) dress appropriately, unless you enjoy picking gravel out your palms, knees or forehead or wish to become acquainted with the local medical system and the realization, your travel insurance has certain exclusions.
Aeroplanes, no problem.
Long distance buses; depends on location, can’t say I’d fancy it in the US.
Taxis; location dependent, I’ve had my largest number incidents using this mode of transport, fortunately none serious.
Sure I’ve missed a few out.
Quite often it’s just easier to hire a car and driver.
Modes I’d like to try, never been in a helicopter, would love to fly on a seaplane.
Car hire; Europe and the US, OK, not so much the Far East, although I did smoke around in a lovely Toyota Cressida for a while in Thailand.
Ferries; yes, but had some really scary experiences in the Philippines and Indonesia. I’m lucky I don’t suffer from sea sickness, but really feel for those that do.
Trains; I love, especially in China and Japan, less so in developing countries.
Motor cycles; holidays are not the time to decide, you want to learn to ride, by renting a Yamaha R1. If you must rent a bike (small capacity) dress appropriately, unless you enjoy picking gravel out your palms, knees or forehead or wish to become acquainted with the local medical system and the realization, your travel insurance has certain exclusions.
Aeroplanes, no problem.
Long distance buses; depends on location, can’t say I’d fancy it in the US.
Taxis; location dependent, I’ve had my largest number incidents using this mode of transport, fortunately none serious.
Sure I’ve missed a few out.
Quite often it’s just easier to hire a car and driver.
Modes I’d like to try, never been in a helicopter, would love to fly on a seaplane.
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