It is really hard for me to make a decision on choosing transportation while travelling. It usually depends on the time is a peak season or a off season. I have just talked about travelling during the Chinese New Year's vacation some days ago. I really wanted to have a short trip first, but I finally gave up due to the uncertain things might happen during the trip. After all, in such a peak season, millions of people chose to take a trip to celebrate the New Year. If the train or plane tickets sold out, you will be got in a bad situation. I have heard that plenty of tourists were trapped in Hainan provice which is also the second largest island in China, because the price of plane tickets have raised to as almost ten times as what it is in usual, and are limited. The excitment from the vacation has been faded, and the anxiety of tarrying increases a lot. So, if I travel in a peak season, I don't have more options about transportation. I would definitely book return ticket before departing, and make a perfect tour route which can help me return on time. If I start a trip in a off season, I can even choose transtation just several hours before leaving my home!