Amish Transportation: 7 Ways Amish People Travel

Mention “Amish transportation” and the horse-and-carriage immediately comes to mind. But most Amish also travel using other means – including car, train, bus, and by water.

Types of Amish Transportation

1. Buggy – The horse-and-buggy is the form of travel most associated with the Amish. It both slows down, and symbolizes, Amish life
2. Automobile – Most Amish permit riding as a passenger in a car or bus, but not driving
3. Bicycle and scooter – Both are used by Amish people, depending on the community
4. Rollerblades – Rollerblades and skates are used as a form of recreation and short-distance travel in communities such as Lancaster County
5. Train – Amish people take both long- and short-distance trips by rail
6. Airplane – Most Amish churches prohibit travel by air, except in emergency situations. One Amish group is an exception to the rule
7. Boat and ship – The Amish occasionally travel by boat, often for recreational purposes

1. Horse-and-buggy

All Amish households have at least one, and sometimes numerous carriages, except for in some cases the elderly who may live near or in small towns in Amish communities. The buggy is important to Amish life as it serves as both a symbolic and literal brake on the pace of life.

It also symbolizes Amish identity, serving an important cultural role. Use of the buggy is a key indicator of Old Order Amish status.

Amish rely on the horse-and-buggy to travel short distances, such as to town, to visit family and neighbors, or to travel to church on Sundays. Buggies typically travel at about 5-10 miles per hour, and have a range of 15-20 miles before horses need to be rested. Amish people rarely ride horseback, though it is more common among younger Amish.

2. Motor vehicles

Amish universally object to both automobile ownership, and to operating a vehicle, but in most cases permit riding in cars as passengers. Amish acknowledge a need to sometimes travel further than a buggy allows, thus the allowance for automobile travel.

Amish may be driven by friends, non-Amish employees, and in some cases unbaptized or non-Amish children and relatives.  Amish also frequently make use of the so-called “Amish taxi” services provided by non-Amish individuals in most Amish areas.  Bus travel is another form of transport common among Amish.  Read more on the Amish, buggies, and cars.

Swartzentruber Amish do not allow car travel

An exception to the allowance for car travel is found with the conservative Swartzentruber Amish group, who only allow automobile travel in an emergency.  When visting relatives in distant settlements, Swartzentruber Amish must travel by bus or train.  This limitation also prevents Swartzentruber businesses such as carpenters from working outside of horse-and-buggy range.

3. Bicycles and scooters

The bicycle is a popular form of travel, especially among Amish in the Midwest. Some communities by their nature are more bike-friendly – for example Arthur Illinois, with its flat landscape. Holmes County, Ohio features the Holmes County Trail, a byway traversing the county and designed for both bike, buggy, and foot travel.

Other communities rely on the scooter, such as the Lancaster County community, or that of Allen County, Indiana.  Most church districts in Lancaster County do not permit the bicycle.

4. Rollerblades

Rollerblades have been widely accepted in some communities such as Lancaster County. They are mainly used by youth and children, as a means of recreation as well as to travel short distances.  Not all Amish permit rollerblades.  More on the Amish and rollerblades.

5. Train

Amish travel by train on occasion.  In some cases Amish journey far distances by train, for example to Mexico or Canada for less expensive medical treatment, or to visit relatives and Amish in other settlements.  Amish may spend three days on a train during longer journeys. Other Amish people, such as those in Pennsylvania and the northeast, may make use of regional rail networks for shorter trips.

6. Air travel

Amish nearly universally forbid travel by air.  Flying is seen as worldly, symbolic of luxury, and unnecessary.  Most Amish do permit air travel in emergencies, such as lifeflights to medical centers.  Most New Order Amish, representing a small segment of Amish society, permit travel by plane for business or other purposes, however.  More on the Amish and air travel.

7. Travel by boat and ship

Amish forefathers originally arrived in North America in the 1700s by ship. Today Amish do not prohibit travel by water.  Travel by water is most often a form of recreation for Amish. Amish people occasionally may travel by ship to visit Europe.

Some Amish, such as those in Lancaster County, may take recreational deep-sea fishing trips.  Also, Amish in some communities own small fishing boats, and may be spotted on lakes or towing boats by buggy.

Amish transport varies

Amish value the horse-and-buggy for what it represents, and for the tangible effect it has on their way of living. At the same time, they recognize a need for other forms of transportation. Most Amish churches’ rules permit travel by numerous means, including by automobile, train, and boat.

For more, see:

• Why do the Amish drive buggies?
• All about Amish Buggies
• Can Amish ride in cars?
• Can Amish fly in planes?
• Why Do Some Amish Ride Scooters (But Not Bicycles)?
• Do Amish people ride horseback?
• On the Backroad to Heaven: Old Order Hutterites, Mennonites, Amish, and Brethren, Donald B. Kraybill and Carl Desportes Bowman
• Plain Buggies: Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren Horse-Drawn Transportation, Stephen E. Scott

Common Questions about Amish & Travel

1. How do Amish get around?
2. How do Amish travel long distances?
3. Can Amish fly in airplanes?
4. Why don’t Amish drive cars?
5. What is an Amish taxi?
6. Do Amish travel by train and bus?
7. Do Amish stay in hotels?

1. How do Amish get around? 

The horse-and-buggy is useful for longer trips, but when wanting to travel relatively short distances, hitching up may be more trouble than it’s worth. In these cases, Amish may use bicycles, kick scooters, rollerblades (more common with youth and children) and old-fashioned walking. Riding horseback is not common, though seen in some communities.

Pony-pulled carts are popular for short-distance travel and recreational riding. For longer distances, rides from English friends, neighbors, and co-workers, hired “Amish taxis”, buses and trains are the most common options. More on how Amish travel.

2. How do Amish travel long distances? 

Hiring a van and driver is a popular way to travel long distances in small groups. Amish also make use of coach and train services (Amtrak). A number of bus lines, such as Pioneer Trails, transport Amish to and from popular destinations including the Pinecraft settlement in Florida. The majority of Amish churches do not allow air travel, except in emergency situations.

3. Can Amish fly in airplanes? 

Generally, only New Order Amish churches permit travel by air. They comprise only a few percent of the total Amish population, however. The handful of Amish who travel to visit Europe each year go by sea. Amish will fly in emergency situations, such as in a helicopter Life Flight to a hospital for medical treatment.

4. Why don’t Amish drive cars? 

Amish feel that driving or owning a car would lead to families spending more time apart and would in turn weaken communities and the church. Car ownership makes visiting towns and cities easier and makes one less reliant on neighbors and community. Furthermore, the horse-and-buggy is an important symbol of the Amish separation from the world.

Amish realize that car travel is a necessity at times, and thus most permit using hired drivers and riding with English (non-Amish) friends and neighbors. Amish youth in some cases do acquire licenses and vehicles for a period of time before joining the church.

5. What is an “Amish taxi”?

The colloquial name for any vehicle driven by a hired non-Amish driver. Amish taxi drivers may provide their services on a full-time or part-time basis.

Drivers advertise their services on message boards, in community papers and newsletters, and by word of mouth. For a look at the experience from a driver’s perspective, read the story of Debbie the Amish taxi driver.

6. Do Amish ride in trains and buses? 

Yes. They are a common means of travel for Amish needing longer-distance transportation. Even the most conservative groups permit travel by train and bus when necessary.

7. Can Amish use electricity when away from home?

Amish people do stay in hotels sometimes when traveling long distances from home or from family or friends in other Amish communities. Amish do use electric lights and other amenities when in a non-Amish setting.