I agree with you that if you take public transport you need a lot of time and shouldn't be bothered by endless waiting for the bus (hopefully it does stop), the train or whatever you have in mind (airplane which can be delayed as well).
By now I can't say the own vehicle is more expensive. So is public transport. If there would be a stop nearby and it would drive frequently I might take a bus or train. I say might because 25 euro's for a one way ticket for a distance of 40 kilometers (time duration 3 hours if I don't count the hour it takes to arrive at the nearest busstop or trainstation) is rediculous if it costs me 10 euros at most for gasoline and half the time without walking, taking a bus, train, train, bus and walking.
So, where did you hid to? I hope you had fun. With us there are in average two or three days per week the roads are extremely crowded (Friday night and Monday are two of them).
A happy new year to you.
Public transport is not at all convenient to travel because it takes a lot of time and own vehicle is good because we get the flexibility to stop by any place we want and on top of that we are not dependent on anyone.
Since last few months I just try to go out to explore places and meet different people. I just go outside and keep on exploring random places. This can be some village, farms and even sometimes mountains. I don't plan much and go random so it's much more fun that I like.
Weekends are crowded in tourist spots but most of the time I am in different places that are not so popular so I need not to deal with crowd.
Wish you happy new year