Should I drive or get train?

The car gives you control, allows you to select your own times and route, and gives you a familiar environment to spend time in while on the way to your destination. But the train has lots of advantages too. On a train, you can relax and read, catch up on work, even watch a movie on your laptop or tablet computer.



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Trains consume less energy and produce less harmful pollutants than either car or air travel. Hopping on an Amtrak train will save you gas and daily wear and tear on your car.

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Although the convenience of a car is hard to beat, trains free you from the costs and hassles of urban parking. They usually deliver you straight to city centers. Train travel, with its spacious seats and room to get up and walk around, is more relaxing and comfortable and the view is usually better.

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Once you're in the city, most people find that they don't need a car, because you can easily take taxis or the subway to get where you're going. Plus, the cost of parking your car adds up quickly, especially if you'll be visiting for several days.

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HOW SAFE ARE TRAINS? Trains are statistically much safer than driving. In 2020, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics recorded 40,867 total deaths from travel, including in planes, in cars on highways and on trains.

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There are risks and disadvantages of transporting your goods by rail including:
  • routes and timetables available can be inflexible, especially in remote regions.
  • rail transport can be more expensive than road transport.
  • mechanical failure or industrial action can disrupt services.


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On shorter train journeys, Amtrak's Coach Class seats provide a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the view. On long-distance journeys, you will find extra-spacious Coach Class seating with leg rests designed to enhance your comfort for long or overnight trips.

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“When traveling by train, the security and boarding are much faster and simpler, the luggage limitations go away, and there's easily twice as much leg room on a train even in the lowest class. You don't have to worry about the size of your liquids or whether your bag fits a certain dimension to carry it on.”

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Unlike cars, there's no traffic to deal with and you don't have to worry about taking a wrong turn and getting lost. On a train, you get to see countryside you often wouldn't see if you were driving the highway or flying thousands of miles in the air. Train travel is also more social.

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1. Long-distance journeys: Train fares are often cheaper for long distances compared to the cost of fuel, tolls, and parking fees associated with driving.

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Cars are also more efficient than public transportation. They can get you to your destination faster because they are not stopping at every station as a bus or train would. Also, with public transit, you often have to deal with delays. Your bus or train might be late due to traffic or other reasons beyond your control.

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It's a very bumpy ride and many times the train must change tracks because freight trains take precedence. The freight train tracks are not smooth at all. Sleeping car rooms are expensive and very small. It's hard to fit one suitcase in your room.

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There are many reasons for this. There is limited service between cities (Amtrak says it runs 300 trains with about 87,000 passengers per day), freight is often prioritized over passenger service in the U.S., and trains and facilities are often outdated.

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Pros and Cons of Traveling by Train
  • Fewer Accidents.
  • Congestion.
  • Poor Air Condition.
  • Not Suitable for Children.
  • Maintenance.


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According to the Federal Railway Administration's Office of Safety Analysis (FRA), the United States sees over 1,000 train derailments per year. In 2022, the total number of derailments reached 1,734—an increase of 88 compared to 2021.

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The coach seats are very comfortable. Most people are ok sleeping in them for one night. I'd be weary of more than that however. I spent 15 nights sleeping in Coach during a 30 day Amtrak trip.

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As of October, the FRA has recorded 742 incident reports for train derailments in 2023. Additionally, railroads reported 59 collisions, 12 fires, and 138 highway-rail-crossing incidents, which could include cars or any other vehicles or people at the crossing site.

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1. New York City. If you're thinking about moving to New York with no car, you'll be in good company. New York is one of the country's most navigable urban areas in terms of walkability, and its public transportation system tallies more than 3.8 billion rides every year.

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States with the lowest rate of car ownership Rounding out the states with the lowest percentage of households that have at least one vehicle are: District of Columbia (64.3%) New York (71%)

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