Man Rents Van for Conference, Saves Money and Makes Friends

Jeff Kaufman needed to get from Boston to New York City for a conference called EA Global. Instead of taking the train alone, he posted online to see if others wanted to share a van. The response was so positive that he rented a 12-passenger van and organized a group trip. He sent detailed emails about pickup times, luggage space, and even seating etiquette (quiet in the back, chatty in the front). The cost per person was about $25 each way, which is comparable to a bus and much cheaper than the train.

The van rental cost $494, and parking in NYC added $200, bringing the total to $694. With 12 people going down and 10 coming back, contributions via Venmo totaled $305, leaving Jeff with $525 out of pocket. However, he would have spent $279 on an Amtrak ticket anyway, and his work reimbursed that amount. So his net cost was $246, which he considers well spent for the convenience and the conversations. He also saved time by dropping people directly at the venue.

One challenge was that the van was actually a 15-passenger model with little trunk space, so luggage had to be minimal. Jeff advises being clear about luggage expectations. He also recommends booking early to get a better rate—he checked later and found the same rental for only $146 on a different weekend. Despite the costs, Jeff found the experience rewarding, comparing it to road trips he took twenty years ago. He plans to organize similar trips in the future.

The key takeaway is that group travel can build community and reduce expenses, but it requires organization and flexibility. If you're heading to a conference or event, consider rallying others to share a ride. Not only will you save money, but you might make new friends and have interesting conversations along the way.