The United Kingdom has a well-developed rail system that has been around since the 19th century. However, due to the rising costs of maintaining such an old and vast network, train prices have risen by more than 50 per cent during the last decade. This has led many travellers to look at alternative ways of getting around.
For many destinations throughout Europe, air travel has now become the cheaper alternative. The entry of low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet and Little Red has increased competition among airlines, which helped push prices down.
Consider your options
If you want to find out which travel option will be the most cost-effective, you will need to consider various fees which are added to the standard fares. Government taxes, airport fees, check-in fees, as well as baggage costs can cause the ticket price to increase significantly. This applies to both air and (in some cases) train travel. However, one advantage that you will have on your side if you travel by train is that there are fewer restrictions on the weight of your checked baggage.
In most cases, a train journey will take longer than a flight to your destination. However, the time savings that air travel could potentially offer you might be wiped out if you need to take one or more connecting flights before you reach your final destination.
Another important thing to consider is how far the airport or train station is from your holiday destination. Sometimes, it will be just a few minutes of driving time. In other cases, you might need to travel for more than an hour. In this case, you might incur additional costs taking bus or renting a car.
Even though trains may not always be the cheapest mode of transport available, they beat planes when it comes to comfort. Trains are known to have more comfortable and spacious seating, while aircraft cabins, especially those on discount carriers, can get cramped.
If you’re taking a rather long trip, you would need to have at least a meal during your journey. On some trains, meals are served in a dedicated dining car, which offers you a more comfortable experience than sitting in a seat for several hours in a row. While meal services are offered aboard some airlines, they are quickly disappearing and are now very rare, as airlines are doing everything possible to cut down on their costs.
Is air travel really that cheap?
To show the price differences, let’s take a look at some of the most common routes. Airfare from London to Edinburgh is £51 on easyJet, while an East Coast train ticket costs £70. If we look at Bristol to Newcastle, the difference is even more significant. EasyJet’s airfare is just £43, while the same trip by train would cost you £124.
For some routes, going by train could cost you two or even three times more than taking the same trip by air. The only exception to this would be the London to Manchester route, which costs £111 by air and £26 by train. If you want to save money, book your tickets several weeks (or months) in advance. This might get you a lower rate.
Don’t forget additional costs of travel
When calculating the cost of your trip, you should look at some additional costs, such as fees for excess baggage, transport to and from the airport or train station, as well as any dining during when you are on board.
Despite the cost differences some travellers have a preference for one method of transport over another. For example, some might like the more comfortable and slower train ride, but if your budget is tight comparing the two is necessary.
Written by Rebecca Metz, Community Manager at ParkSleepFly, which offering travellers hotel and parking packages across the US and Canada, including busy markets like O’Hare and LAX.
(Featured image: 29cm)
