Day trips are essentially like a mini vacation for the day. They are especially great for those that want to get out and do something but perhaps don’t have the budget for a vacation. If you live in Alberta, there will be many different places you can visit for the day. For example, you could visit Banff or Edmonton.

When it comes to planning a day trip in Alberta, oftentimes, finding the destination is pretty easy; you are likely to have a good idea of what you want to do or where you want to go. However, the real challenge comes when you try to work out how you are going to get there. For the most part, the choice tends to be between driving yourself or taking public transport; the question is, which option is better for traveling in Alberta? Let’s take a look.

Driving Yourself

If you have a car and you are willing to drive, then this choice does arguably make more sense than taking public transport. There are several advantages when it comes to driving yourself to and from a day trip. First and foremost, choosing to drive yourself does afford you more independence. You are able to travel at your leisure, following your own schedule. You can make stops along the way if you see fit, which is often advantageous if you have small children with you. Alberta roads will have many stops that are family friendly.

Driving in your own private vehicle also affords you more options when it comes to storage. You can load up the trunk with whatever it is that you feel like you could possibly need for the day trip, covering every eventuality. You can also leave things in the vehicle when you get there so that you don’t have to carry them around with you. Travelling by car also means no waiting outside in the elements for public transport. You also control the AC or the heating; simply put, cars are often a little more comfortable.

That being said, if you do not already have your own vehicle, then renting a car is often more expensive than simply purchasing a ticket for public transport. The cost of taking a car might also be higher if you are also going to have to pay for toll roads and parking on top of gas. Alberta is a big province, so you may have a lot of driving to do. Some people also simply do not enjoy driving long distances or driving to unfamiliar places using unfamiliar roads. If you find driving particularly stressful, then it might be worth choosing to take public transport.

Also, if you aren’t used to driving long distances, then it can even be quite dangerous. You will need to plan the route and avoid becoming tired or losing focus thanks to the monotony of driving long distances; you will need to include more stops within your journey too. Taking charge of driving when it comes to road trips is a lot of responsibility, especially if you are taking multiple people with you and sometimes the responsibility is too much.

Public Transport

Travelling via public transport during your day trip does mean relinquishing one freedom for another. While you are free of responsibilities, you are now dependent on the public transport company’s schedule. The main two choices for public transport when taking a day trip are either the bus or a train. Alberta fortunately has plenty of options available for you. Your choice will obviously affect how long the journey will take. Public transport is often pretty cheap. You can find tickets using sites like Wanderu, which compile the best deals on tickets across America and Canada, including Alberta. This means you can easily find a Calgary to Edmonton bus, helping you get to your day trip destination with ease.

There is also more freedom when it comes to how you want to spend time while travelling. Instead of having to drive, you can read, hang out with the people you are going with or pursue any of your favorite hobbies. You also don’t have to waste time looking for or paying for parking. It is also obviously one of the only options for people who don’t drive or don’t currently have a vehicle. Travelling by public transport also tends to see fewer accidents when compared to travelling via personal vehicles. Alberta officials have invested a lot into the safety of the roads, and has put an emphasis on public transportation.

That being said, there are, of course, a few downsides to consider too. Travelling via public transport tends to require more planning on your part, and there is less room for spontaneity; you have to plan your day around the bus or train schedule, which might mean that you can’t do everything you want to. You also need to do a little research ahead of time to check whether or not you can get tickets for the bus and where the stop is. Lastly, using public transport also inevitably means that there will be other members of the public onboard. Bus and train stations can be incredibly busy; there may be instances of pickpocketing or other negative interactions to be wary of.

The Final Verdict

Truthfully, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between driving yourself or taking public transport when planning a day trip around Alberta. There will be a lot of personal variables to consider. There are benefits and drawbacks to both options. It depends on whether you are willing and able to drive or not, so be sure to consider your options.

When you think of the best places to spend a vacation, an off-grid retreat might not be at the top of your list. But it is worth considering if you’re looking for a place that celebrates nature and simplicity. Here are five reasons why:

Escape the hustle of your everyday life.

An off-grid retreat like Azhen Sanctuary is a great place to escape the hustle of your everyday life. It is perfect for reconnecting with nature, spending quality time with family and friends, and learning to live sustainably.

Relax in whatever environment you’ve chosen.

Relaxation is an integral part of your mental health. It’s a way to calm down and relax your body, as well as your mind. Practicing relaxation techniques will improve your skills. When people spend time closer to nature, it helps in relaxing the mind. Spending time surrounded by trees and grass helps one reconnect with nature and eases tension.

Reflect on yourself and your life.

Traveling in the off-grid wilderness is a great way to reflect on yourself and your life. Think about what you want to achieve and what you hope to accomplish.

If there is one thing known about people who go off-grid for vacation, and it’s not much of a surprise, they tend to become more thoughtful people who take their time when making decisions about their lives.
Do things you might not otherwise do.

Off-grid retreats, for example, Azhen Sanctuary, are a great place to try new things. You can enjoy the beautiful surrounding scenery, do some hiking or nature walks, go on a yoga class or meditation session and write in your journal. Consider taking up an instrument. The point is that you’re allowed to do things that aren’t always easy when you’re stuck in an urban area where everything looks the same—and it’s the truth: everything does look pretty much the same! But at an off-grid retreat, everything changes as soon as you step foot through those doors.

Challenge yourself in a new way.

Off-grid retreats are an excellent opportunity to challenge yourself in ways you might not have tried before. Try something new, like growing your food or cooking without electricity. If you’re already a skilled cook and don’t mind doing extra work, this is an excellent way to gain experience and improve your skills while on vacation!

Another reason off-grid retreats are so popular is that they allow people who have never been away from civilization before to explore what living off the grid means for them. While most people assume that going off-grid means living disconnected from modern technology (like cell phones or computers), many people find themselves craving these things while they’re on vacation too!

Conclusion

So there you have it—a few reasons why an off-grid retreat is a great place to spend some time. As mentioned above, disconnecting from the world and reconnecting with nature is good for health and well-being, while having a chance to challenge yourself in new ways is always exciting. Taking this step towards self-discovery can be difficult sometimes, but it’s worth it!