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Its not something I do often, and I've done it both ways. I'd prefer the direct route (train) but the ridiculous high rail fares today are making me think about flying instead. Flights are a lot cheaper but then you still have to get a train from the airport to central London. When you factor this extra cost and hassle in, is it really worth flying? I want the opinions of regular commuters.
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I forgot, there's also the added cost of getting to the airport (£7 in Edinburgh, for example).
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And all the time pissing around in security at each end, train is much nicer.
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train nicer,plane cheaper
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I've never taken an internal flight - is the security just as sh1tty as it is going abroad?
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Just the same.
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i used to do bristol to glasgow, edin or newcastle, much preferred the plane even with the waiting about, think i used the train twice in 2 yrs, this is back in 2002/2004 (went to belfast reg as well)
no idea on comparison of prices now but back then the scheduled plane cost was dearer even before you added in the other costs like taxi, car parking etc, only became cheaper if you could get early bookings on easyjet which i couldn't because i never knew where i'd be that far ahead obv i wasn't paying, but if you know you need a mon / fri week in week out and can book weeks in advance then i bet the total prices are not far apart |
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How much does it cost by train these days then?
In 2007 I took a GNER train from the south and it cost be £14.50 single to Edinburgh and £14.50 single back |
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7.30am one way on monday from bristol is 171.50
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almost 6 hours to get there
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the 6.35am easyjet brs to edn is £137 but that's just a few days ahead so top price
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Go to The Trainline.com.
Far right tab is Tools. Select that. Then select Best Fare Finder. Enter the details. Booking ahead is cheapest, but some singles are £39 for next week. |
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£65 London Kings Cross to Edinburgh, tomorrow morning. 4.5 hours which is going to be about the same if not a lot less than the door-to-door flying time. Train every time imo.
thetrainline.com |
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Brilliant. Just like Eurostar. In 4.5 hours you can be in another country.
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I much prefer a train, and like Ken says, 4.5 hours will probably be about the same as your door-to-door flying time.
1 hour to get to the airport. 90 mins+ hanging checking-in/waiting in departures/boarding. 30 mins at other end waiting for baggage. 30 mins for a tram into the centre. Not much in it tbh. |
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Ryanair are entering the market so there is a price war. £40 return with them, plus the train fare from Stansted to Liverpool Street (£27 rtn I think and around 45 mins).
Security is the same as an international flight pre-take off but when you land you just walk out with no checks. Heathrow to central London is only a couple of quid on the Tube (50 mins to city centre), while Gatwick and Stansted are expensive by train and that has to be factored in. A cheap flight to London City is the best option imo. I took the train once and wouldn't bother even looking at it now. I'd much rather take the plane. |
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Been on trainline etc and cheapest return I see is £137. I know I can get it down slightly by split-ticketing but it won't be much.
I used to prefer the train as well, but nowadays its far too busy, you're not guaranteed a seat, and there's always a chance of a delay. The waiting around in the airport doesn't bother me, on a domestic flight its not too long, and I'll only have cabin luggage so no waiting at carousels, also no immigration checks/border control hassle. Glad someone pointed out the prices for the train from Stanstead or Gatwick because that's probably where I'd be flying to (the £57 flights go to Luton, Stanstead, Gatwick, never Heathrow). So it looks flying would only save me about £20. But I'm leaning that way. |
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Where abouts are you going to because there might be a 3rd journey to factor ?
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I'm surprised people prefer to take the plane, even if it does work out a bit cheaper and quicker when factoring in time it takes for departure etc, the train imo is a very therapeutic way of travelling, look out of a plane window and your mind is blank, train journeys seem to stimulate more inspiring thoughts and is far more calming going through countryside.
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indeed
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couple of years ago booked a 1st class train ticket from chelt to leeds, got on 1st train no 1st class carriage, no seats either, got on return train, 1st class carriage but no reservation & no seats free, given a piece of paper to fill out for a refund by conductor, waste of time never bothered again, rather drive or fly
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therapeutic my @rse
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Well, in my experience, long train journeys with plenty too look at outside is a lot better than a vast array on nothingness looking through a plane window
 and then there is the carbon footprint |
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Not sure exactly where I'll be going yet. I'm taking the GF and she's never been to London so I expect she'll want see some of the sights/shopping etc. And I'll be visiting a mate who lives in Muswell Hill but he's about to move to St Albans and might be there by the time I visit. I'd prefer to be fairly central so I don't have too much travelling to do wherever I decide to go.
One thing I want to do is see Stamford Bridge (I've been to the Emirates already). |
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automobile shocking etc
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needles eyes rather etc
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Have you looked at the 2 together rail card 30% off, costs £30 for a year? Combine that with split ticketing or maybe two singles rather than a return.
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Have you tried the bus?
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A few years ago I was working in Edinburgh and I flew up every sunday night and flew back every friday. It depends where you are going to at each end in relation to train stations and airports. Trains are more enjoyable but door to door planes were quicker for me.
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I'll check that out Thin n Crispy thanks. TommyToes the bus is even worse than going by car !
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Sorry Platini, just my little joke. I've been catching a lot of buses lately - most of them to the wrong destination!
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Somebody mentioned flying to London City. I've never been. Is that fairly central (judging by the name) ?
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Get down to the start of the M1 with a placard saying 'I'm on my way to vote yes' and thumb a lift.
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London City is across the river from the o2. It has a DLR station and is around 25 mins from the very centre of London. Since it is not as busy or as big, there is no time wasted hanging around. At Heathrow you can be 20 mins in a holding pattern. If you land west to east then your flightpath takes you right over central London and will be the best sightseeing tour you will get when you are there.
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Plane - airport a couple of miles up the road for me.....
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Plane and hire a car at destination airport (imo)
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Yeah, beacause a hire car is the best way of zipping around Central London when on weekend break. Genius!
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Central London on the weekend is actually pretty dead, square mile that is, and with the parking restrictions in westminster, it's not that bad.
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