Over the years, I have taken many types of transportation and rides. Some are everyday transit systems and others are ones I never thought I would experience. From the basic planes, trains, and automobiles to funiculars and aerial cable cars, below are all the amazing ways I’ve explored while traveling.
Air
Aerial Cableways and Trams
I have taken aerial cableways three times to get to the top of mountains. First was the Table Mountain Cable Car in Cape Town, South Africa. My second cableway was also in South Africa – the Harties Aerial Cableway to the top of Magaliesberg in Hartbeespoort. The most recent trip was in the United States and rose up Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in New Hampshire.
Airplanes
I am lucky enough to have zero fear of flying, which gives me more travel options. In the U.S., I tend to fly to another state and then road trip from there. Outside the U.S., I have flown within countries or to nearby countries when travel by vehicle proves difficult or time-consuming.
Helicopters
Flying in a helicopter was something I didn’t believe I would ever get the chance to do; however, my dream came true in Zimbabwe. I was able to take two flights – the “Flights of Angels” and “Zambezi Spectacular” – over Victoria Falls. Absolutely incredible!
Zip Lines
Somehow, even though I have no issues with the other air types above, my fear of heights kicks in with zip lines. I was able to enjoy the kid-friendly “Bat-A-Pult” zip line at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park in Colorado. Hopefully that means I can tackle a more traditional zip line through the trees in the future.
Land
Automobiles and Rental Cars
Road trips are the most common way I get around. Whether it is day trips or weeks of driving through multiple states, I find this to be the easiest way, at least in the United States. I even rented a car and drove in South Africa.
Bikes
Bikes are an excellent and sustainable way to roam, especially in urban areas. Because cars are not permitted on Mackinac Island, you must rely on your feet, a bike, or a horse-drawn carriage. We rented bikes for a couple of hours to explore areas farther from the bay. I have also used services like Lime to get around on other trips.
Buses
My 2019 trip to Iceland was a 5-day guided tour. We traveled around the country on a bus driven by our tour guide. From Keflavik Airport, we rode 45 minutes on a Gray Line bus to the hotel. On our free day before the tour started, we also booked a 3-hour Reykjavik City Sightseeing Tour by Minibus. Later in 2019, we took a 4-hour Red Bus Tour through Glacier National Park in Montana.
Horse-Drawn Carriages
Horse-drawn carriages have been used all over the world for hundreds of years. In Charleston, my family and I took a carriage tour around the city and learned the area’s history and architecture.
Safari 4x4 Vehicles
Some of my favorite vacations have been African safaris/game drives! I have been on more than a dozen game drives in South Africa and Botswana. These vehicles have open sides to give unobstructed views of wildlife and the landscape.
Rail
Funiculars
To get to Cape Point, South Africa, we took a funicular called the Flying Dutchman up the mountain. Funiculars are cable railways which use pulleys to move two carriages on steep slopes (one carriage ascends while the other descends at the same speed).
Light Rails
Charlotte has a light rail called the Lynx Blue Line that I have taken several times to get around uptown without having to deal with city parking and traffic.
Subways
As of 2024, I have only taken a subway once – the Washington Metro in Washington D.C.
Trains
My first train ride (on a real train) was on the Conway Scenic Railroad. We chose the Conway Valley Excursion and rode in the Dorthea Mae car so we could sit in an upper dome for the best scenic views.
Water
Boats and River Cruises
Tours via boat are fun! In North Carolina, I have been on a dinner cruise on a paddle boat called the Catawba Queen. Our tour through Iceland offered a “Viking Sushi” cruise in Breiðafjörður Bay where we were able to try fresh scallops. We also loved our cruises on the Chobe River and Zambezi River in southern Africa.
Canoes
Canoeing is one of the few modes of transportation that I associate with bad memories. When I was a kid, we rented a canoe to explore the Florida mangroves and somehow got lost. Nothing like seeing an overturned and sunken canoe next to you when you don’t know how to get back.
Cruise Ships
I took a cruise in the western Caribbean as a teenager. My week-long cruise traveled to Grand Cayman, Mexico, and Belize. I was traveling with a friend and her family, and it was a wonderful experience. However, I like to have more control over my time, so I prefer to take short boat tours rather than my entire trip via cruise.
Ferrys
To get to Mackinac Island, we had to take a ferry from Mackinaw City. We took the Mighty Mac departure through Shepler’s Ferry which included a scenic detour under the Mackinac Bridge.
Tubing
Another fantastic experience I never pictured myself doing was cave tubing. As a cruise excursion in Belize, we hiked a short distance in the rainforest and then floated downriver through limestone caves on rubber tubes.
What I want you to take away from all this is that there are dozens of ways to travel and explore. I have many more modes and locations I want to experiment with in the future. Consider trying a new way on your next trip to gain new insight and experiences.