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Uh. Boston, MA -> Philadelphia, PA (511km): By car: 5h15 By Amtrak (this Monday): $311 for business on Acela, 4h54 By Amtrak (next Monday)

by q3k 5y ago

Uh. Boston, MA -> Philadelphia, PA (511km): By car: 5h15 By Amtrak (this Monday): $311 for business on Acela, 4h54 By Amtrak (next Monday): $119 for coach on NR, 5h50 Munich Hbf -> Berlin Hbf (582km): By car: 5h23 By DB (this Monday): 195eur for 1st class on ICE, 4h34 By DB (next Monday): 68eur for 2nd class on ICE Sprinter, 3h57 OR 48eur for 2nd class on ICE, 4h34 And Munich - Berlin is one of the worst DB connections. And DB is one of the most expensive systems in Europe.

xyzzyz 5y ago
Must have changed since I last looked into this. I remember that German trains used to be about as expensive as driving. I guess I need to update my knowledge: if you book in advance, German intercity trains are pretty cost competitive with single occupancy vehicles. Sadly, this means that if I lived in Germany, it would be much cheaper for my family to drive everywhere. FWIW, the travel times you post are not instructive, because you are not going to drive from Hbf to Hbf. Getting to the station, waiting for a train, and getting from the station to the final destination will increase travel length substantially. At the same time, not having to drive into city center (where Hbfs are) will decrease drive times.
- q3k 5y ago
  > Must have changed since I last looked into this Should make you wonder how much other outdated/incorrect information you unknowingly spread in the same fashion. > Sadly, this means that if I lived in Germany, it would be much cheaper for my family to drive everywhere. Only if you don’t factor in massive discounts for children (who ride for free until they’re 15) or even small groups of people. Eg. the Bayern-Ticket - can’t really beat a day trip to an alpine lake town for 32eur total (for a couple with young children, and no need to book in advance). Oh, And don’t forget about that 25% Bahncard discount that pretty much pays for itself after taking two train trips in a year. > FWIW, the travel times you post are not instructive, because you are not going to drive from Hbf to Hbf. Ending up in the centre next to a main station is actually one of the biggest benefits over flying or driving in my experience. Maybe it’s just the way I plan my trips, but I almost always end up wanting to be in the centre of wherever I’m going to, anyway.

by q3k 5y ago

xyzzyz 5y ago

Must have changed since I last looked into this. I remember that German trains used to be about as expensive as driving. I guess I need to update my knowledge: if you book in advance, German intercity trains are pretty cost competitive with single occupancy vehicles. Sadly, this means that if I lived in Germany, it would be much cheaper for my family to drive everywhere. FWIW, the travel times you post are not instructive, because you are not going to drive from Hbf to Hbf. Getting to the station, waiting for a train, and getting from the station to the final destination will increase travel length substantially. At the same time, not having to drive into city center (where Hbfs are) will decrease drive times.

q3k 5y ago
> Must have changed since I last looked into this Should make you wonder how much other outdated/incorrect information you unknowingly spread in the same fashion. > Sadly, this means that if I lived in Germany, it would be much cheaper for my family to drive everywhere. Only if you don’t factor in massive discounts for children (who ride for free until they’re 15) or even small groups of people. Eg. the Bayern-Ticket - can’t really beat a day trip to an alpine lake town for 32eur total (for a couple with young children, and no need to book in advance). Oh, And don’t forget about that 25% Bahncard discount that pretty much pays for itself after taking two train trips in a year. > FWIW, the travel times you post are not instructive, because you are not going to drive from Hbf to Hbf. Ending up in the centre next to a main station is actually one of the biggest benefits over flying or driving in my experience. Maybe it’s just the way I plan my trips, but I almost always end up wanting to be in the centre of wherever I’m going to, anyway.