Two different ways to get to the same place.

[00:00:14] Hello and welcome to The Traveling Introvert. Today we are going to talk about trains vs. buses specifically where now we're going to talk about buses and trains in the United States. Myself and a friend were going to take the exact same trip but five days apart and I said I am coming by train, you know make sure I get picked up at the train station. They were like I don't even think about train because there going to, was to catch the bus. And so we looked at it and it works out that the bus is great. I mean getting to the bus station in New York. The road where certain buses are depending on which bus you catch because a lot of low cost buses that leave from various points around New York you get on the bus and the bus journey takes four and a half hours. And for me I have to get the train where I'm staying in New York it's a straight shot on the 2 or the D. Well on the D not so much but a straight shot on the 2 down to Penn Station and from Penn Station I just get on my little train where there is wifi and plug points and a seat. On the bus, there is also Wi-Fi and plug points so that is not a differentiating factor but for me what is a differentiating factor is the amount of space, personal space that you get. [00:01:36][82.0]

[00:01:37] So buses are great but you know when someone is sitting next to you when they are sitting next to you almost on top of you and kind of touching you and you feel weird getting food out or going to the bathroom. Do you leave your stuff do you take your stuff with you. And what do you do. So there is that out with the train. A) It is a little bit quicker. It's 30 minutes quicker to where we're going. And yes you are sitting next to someone but not quite as close. There's a lot of leg room. Doesn't matter if you're in economy or in business and you put your luggage that's possibly a good thing because on a bus it just goes underneath and you good to go. But on a train you have to bring it on with you and find a luggage rack space and and put it up on top or not if you can or not. So that's the thing. So for me as I just I don't mind sitting next to someone but it's better that they're not sitting on top of me I'd rather have the space so I paid I think it was three dollars more to take take the train instead of the bus. However buses in other countries for example let's say in Mexico the long distance bus that you take is much better than say a greyhound or mega bus in the United States it's a between like Economy Plus and business it's not quite a life flat sort of seat but it does recline a fair amount and has a foot rest for you. You have an individual TV screen and you get given a water and a sandwich and chips or whatever it is before you board. [00:03:08][91.0]

[00:03:08] So that's long distance bussing in Mexico which is great in Korea, South Korea the bus that takes you from the airport to downtown because it's quite a trip is quite luxurious and the seats are wide and my sort of business class plane wide and you get drinks and the plug points and wifi. But the quality of the interior is leather seating in and very nice where else is have I had of experiences. Zimbabwe back in the day but this is probably more like 10, 20 years ago had the Victoria Falls train. Oh that was glorious and it was a sleeper train. So you got fed and watered and then that sort of thing kind of like the Canadian Rocky Mountain train that still exist now that goes from Vancouver to Toronto. That's a great little train to be on. So I know that a lot of the time people want to do maybe the cheapest option but you should look into trains and sometimes it's just better seating or you get more space. The wifi is good and you not sort of so cramped going to the bathroom it is more of a hassle. So depending on how long the trip is will depend on what you want to do. But for me personally on this three and a half four hour ride catching the train it gives me more personal space and to me that is what is important that when you're traveling you know what's important for you. So plan accordingly. Thank you very much for listening. This is The Traveling Introvert and look forward to traveling with you next time. [00:03:08][0.0]

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