traits vs inheritance is that methods defined in traits can access methods and properties of the class they're used in

Another difference with traits vs inheritance is that methods defined in traits can access methods and properties of the class they're used in, including private ones.

For example:
<?php
trait MyTrait
{
  protected function accessVar()
  {
    return $this->var;
  }

}

class TraitUser
{
  use MyTrait;

  private $var = 'var';

  public function getVar()
  {
    return $this->accessVar();
  }
}

$t = new TraitUser();
echo $t->getVar(); // -> 'var'                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

?>