Should you fly or drive this summer – here’s how to decide

Posted on 15 November 2022

You’ve probably had to face this travelling conundrum before. You have to get out of town for a holiday or perhaps for a work conference but before you even start packing how do you know how to travel? Do you fly or drive? When planning your trip, here are the biggest factors to consider, other than some intangible costs that are at stake, which could help you make your choice.

Six road trip games to play with your family

1. The time factor

It’s not just about the flight time but you still have to factor in the hours you clock up driving to the airport, finding a parking bay, checking in, going through security checks, boarding and exiting the plane, as well as waiting for an Uber. And whilst flying at least allows you to multitask in airport lounges, you’re at the whim of airlines.

2. The cost factor

Even considering car and tyre wear-and-tear costs, driving will almost always come out on top, unless you have rewards miles, loyalty points or you get a deal on your plane ticket. But it makes sense to check.  Remember the price of flying entails a lot more than just the airfare – that currently comes at an exceptionally high cost, plus there are extras like a hired car or Uber from the airport. In addition, most airlines charge extra if you’re flying with a pet, and that’s if they even let you bring pets on board.

So barring the petrol and possibly toll road costs it seems driving might make more financial sense. And if you’re travelling with your family or a friend, that tips the maths even more towards using your wheels.

3. The hassle factor

Pick your poison: flight delays or traffic jams? The chance of a flight delay is high – interestingly statistics show only 80 percent of domestic flights are on time. To top this you may also be confronted with unexpected travel delays, flight cancellations, lost luggage, along with other travel hassles.

For road trips, departure time matters. If you can drive early in the morning, late at night, or during low-traffic hours, your trip should be easier. Weekend, holiday and rush-hour traffic will slow your roll  — and might tip the balance.

But for some, they’d rather be stuck in an airport than stuck in their car!

4. The fun factor

Most people enjoy driving for six or eight hours instead, as long as there’s good music, an educational or relaxing audiobook or podcast, or a talkative friend or partner riding shotgun.  Routes are always scenic and interesting whilst flying, on the other hand, isn’t fun – unless you’re being pampered in first class.

5. The eco-factor 

Many people are now considering the environmental cost of their travels and choosing their transportation accordingly. Also, some companies allow you to purchase carbon “offsets” intended to mitigate the carbon emissions caused by your ground or air travel.

Driving is, unsurprisingly, the greener way to go but your vehicle and the route you take could make a big difference. Being behind the wheel of a fuel-efficient car generates far less greenhouse-gas emissions as opposed to flying which generates around 184 kg of CO2 per passenger. If you drive an electric or hybrid car, or if you have several passengers, the environmental impact of driving is even less.

6. Weighing all the factors

Making the smartest choice between which transport mode requires that you juggle multiple factors and figure out how important each one is to you. Sometimes the bottom-line figures are so close that it isn’t clear which is the better choice. In that case, the decision whether to fly or drive will boil down to very personal preferences and circumstances. Some people don’t mind the lengthy waits, along with all the mandatory scanning that accompanies modern-day commercial flying knowing the speed and convenience of a quick flight are worth paying a bit extra. Others consider the journey itself worthy of savouring and relish the time in the car with family or friends as a precious opportunity to deepen bonds.

Did you know that you could win a 2-night weekend stay at any Premier Hotel or Resort in South Africa?

All you have to do is tell them what you’d prefer to do: fly or drive and to which Premier Hotel or Resort you would like to visit.

Send your entry before 30 November 2022 to: [email protected]

Picture: Premier Hotels gallery

You can also book your summer holiday at 50% off at Premier Hotels & Resorts this Black Friday – this special runs across all 24 hotels and resorts from Monday 21 November to Wednesday 30 November 2022.

Picture: Getaway Gallery

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ALSO READ: Take a 10-day tour through Vietnam for only R13 599






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