A little preparation goes a long way.
Compare the whole hotel-to-hotel journey, not only train time or road distance.
Rail includes both station transfers
Include station transfers, security, waiting and luggage handling. Check the actual stations and pickup arrangements. Tickets, documents and seats must be confirmed for the travellers; train time alone is not a door-to-door estimate.
Private car: define scope and capacity
A private car allows discussion of en-route stops, but traffic and attraction access still matter. Share luggage size as well as passengers and any equipment request. Specify service days, hours and handling of overtime, distance and parking charges.
Consider a mixed plan
Rail between cities with local transfers, or a mix of short road legs and longer rail legs, may suit the trip. Compare transfer burden, luggage and the daily plan. Clarify waiting arrangements and responsibility for changes.
Four details make comparison useful
Share city order, people, luggage and any difficulty carrying bags. Once hotels are known, compare the actual route and cost. Mention sightseeing stops early: a transfer and a full service day are different scopes.
Start with these details
Message “Transport options” with city order, people and luggage.