UPDATE: In the comments a discussion about rail in California and Europe develops.

This holiday season I documented some of my cost-savings methods related to travel which is a favorite topic of mine. Now that the holiday season is finally drawing to a close here is an article about one of my very inexpensive holiday journeys (day trips). At Queercents we have previously discussed the theme of managing without a car but the discussions focused on in-town travel. This post covers regional travel for those who make the commitment to live with out a car.

On Facebook of all places my fifty-something cousin contacted me about joining that branch of the family in Rockford, Illinois for Thanksgiving dinner. Rockford is only just over an hour away by a car, to far to walk of course, and at that point I had decided not to go out of town in order to conserve on the travel budget (rental plus fuel).

First Facebook illustration.

She swiftly offered her assistance by reimbursing me for the bus or even traveling the 1.25 hour trip up to Madison to pick me up and bring be back for the day. It is very sweet that family from my parent’s generation, who aren’t even my parents, still offer me (a 27 year old entrepreneur and last semester law student) cash at the holidays.

Second Facebook illustration.

Of course! The bus! How could I have not even considered it? A day and eighteen dollars later I had my round trip ticket vouchers for Thanksgiving day from Madison to Rockford and back. In addition to a happy time with the family I’ve discovered a new world of affordable regional travel. It occurs to me that even folks who maintain their own vehicles might realize some savings by utilizing regional travel options. And there is another bonus: I’m reducing my environmental impact — which we’ve already shown to have benefits for the pocket book besides.

Here is a quick rundown of some of the options available for folks in Madison, WI. O’Hare Airport $26 one-way. Rockford Airport $17 one-way. Minneapolis/St. Paul $36 one-way. Milwaukee $17 one-way or a ten pack of for $125. If you are a student prices get even lower. The regional bus companies providing these options are different from the more well-known Greyhound Lines option. I traveled Greyhound once. I got where I was going. The accommodations were less than very comfortable really.

The Thanksgiving trip on Van Galder Bus Lines involves a well-appointed, well-kept, roomy, and uncrowned coach bus. I suspect, though I have no basis for the suspicion, that other regional transportation carriers provide comfortable experiences similar to Van Galder Lines.

Until recently I never really felt I had much to compete with my east coast friends who rave about the train services. Any Queercents readers out there take advantage of regional travel that involved bus or train lines instead of car this past holiday season?

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Friends on the TGV.

Hey Queercents readers: be my friend on Facebook!

Here is a photo of my travel companions on our way to southern France.