Trains, Planes & Automobiles

SUSTAINABLE LIVING | by CELESTE TELL

WHAT’S THE MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT WAY to take the family on vacation this summer?

It depends.

A jet plane generates more carbon emissions per passenger than an average-fuel-efficiency car generates across the same distance. Add passengers, and car travel keeps your carbon footprint lean. Drive a hybrid or bio-diesel? It shrinks even more.

Of course it’s impractical to drive over very long distances — or overseas. Arriving at your destination, however, you have options.

Two summers ago we packed up the family for a trek across northern Europe. Flying into Frankfurt, we boarded a train in the airport and arrived rested and relaxed in Amsterdam four hours later.

For the next three weeks we trained between cities and used subways, trams, taxis and bicycles to get around town. It was liberating to not have to worry about directions or where to park the car each time we arrived in a new town. With or without kids, for planning a European rail trip, Rick Steves is hard to beat.

North America isn’t quite up to Europe on rail speed — yet. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative. Amtrak runs all over the U.S. and Rail Canada crosses the entire continent north of the border. Although many Amtrak trains are older and slower, routes like the Acela Express from Boston to Washington, D.C. and Amtrak Cascades from Vancouver B.C. to Portland, Ore., can get you closer to European comfort, speed and style.

When visiting places with great transit, ditch the rental car and spend the savings on an in-town hotel close to public transportation. Take transit, a taxi or shuttle in to town from the airport.

Whichever way you choose to go, have a great trip!