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Question of the Day — 16 Dec 2008

I'm intrigued by a recent QofD that involved an Amtrak (Chicago) to Kingman, Ariz., trip and then on to Laughlin and Vegas by bus. Sounds like a lot of fun. Any idea how much it would cost and how long it would take? The airline fares are killing us folks these days!

We checked it out, using March 27, 2009, as the hypothetical date of travel. Here's what we found:

  • Amtrak Chicago to Arizona: Chicago, IL -- Union Station to Kingman, AZ Fare: $137 Travel time: 34 hours, 24 minutes

    Greyhound Bus from Arizona to Las Vegas: Fare: $39 refundable; $33 non-refundable, $27 7-day advance purchase Total: $176, $170, or $164 Travel time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

    Total fare: $176/$170/164 Total travel time: 36 hours, 14 minutes

  • Chicago O'Hare to Las McCarran Airport: American Airlines: $280.50; flight time 4 hours (direct flight) United Airlines: $179.50; flight time 4 hours (direct) Continental Airlines: $243 and would take 6 hours 55 minutes (with stops)

So, if you're in no hurry, enjoy the actual process of traveling, and don't mind being cooped up with your companions for a day and a half, right now you can save about $100-$200 per person by going the train/bus route.

But if time is money to you, or you just don't want to spend three days of your vacation in transit, then we'd recommend biting the hundred-dollar bullet and sticking to air travel.

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