When it’s done right, it’s amazing. The problem is that (here in the UK) it’s just terrible.
Example, going from London to Edinburgh
A flight takes 1h30m and costs £33
A train takes 4h26m and costs £178
Yes there are other monetary costs involved (driving to the airport, parking) and other time costs involved (you need to be at the airport 90 minutes early) but the headline price make a flight seem like much better value for time and money.
Trains are also often late or cancelled, this seems to happen much less with flights.
Until flights are taxed to hell people aren’t going change their habits.
That’s interesting, because it’s basically the opposite in the US. They’re cheaper and more reliable. You can’t buy a puddle jumper flight for less than $100, and trains are rarely delayed by much, if at all.
When it’s done right, it’s amazing. The problem is that (here in the UK) it’s just terrible.
Example, going from London to Edinburgh
A flight takes 1h30m and costs £33 A train takes 4h26m and costs £178
Yes there are other monetary costs involved (driving to the airport, parking) and other time costs involved (you need to be at the airport 90 minutes early) but the headline price make a flight seem like much better value for time and money.
Trains are also often late or cancelled, this seems to happen much less with flights.
Until flights are taxed to hell people aren’t going change their habits.
That’s interesting, because it’s basically the opposite in the US. They’re cheaper and more reliable. You can’t buy a puddle jumper flight for less than $100, and trains are rarely delayed by much, if at all.
I road that train! 70 minutes late so I got a full refund.