4 ms·

I am continually frustrated with how European trains are more expensive than flying. I remember taking a lot more trains 20 years ago and I miss that. I need to

I am continually frustrated with how European trains are more expensive than flying. I remember taking a lot more trains 20 years ago and I miss that. I need to do a lot of travel the next weeks and I also have a lot of reading to get done, and would give anything to be able to afford the 3x times prices of trains, but alas I'll be flying because it's a 75€ flight vs 150€ fast train. Of course there is always the 15€ night bus but I can't handle 12 hours without being able to stand up and stretch at will, which even at least a long-haul jet allows.

bkor 10y ago
Not only are they more expensive, sometimes you pay about the same for the train as the entire flight. It costs me 40 EUR to go by train to a cheap airport. That airport has flights around that price! As a result, I do not usually fly from there (the 40 EUR plus additional time involved). I always take into account the cost of going to the airport; the far away cheap airport often loses out (as saving e.g. 10 EUR isn't worth the hassle). Going anywhere further than just the airport by train is expensive. I try to take the bus until 2.5 hour trips. After that I try to avoid unless you can fly. Pretty ridiculous!
- jeffwilcox 10y ago
  +1, love arriving downtown when taking a Euro train... sadly many corporate policies require booking flights OVER trains due to negotiated travel deals in Europe.
kgwgk 10y ago
> would give anything to be able to afford the 3x times prices of trains, but alas I'll be flying because it's a 75€ flight vs 150€ fast train. 150 vs 75 is 2x, not 3x. And it's a bit strange to read that you "would give anything" if 75 euros is too much.
- telesilla 10y ago
  Depends on the route, and that wasn't the best example I agree. It's more a question of not understanding how the airlines can afford to cut prices so deeply, and yet trains remain expensive. I'm not clear on the economics, which leaves me frustrated due to not understanding. This helps a little: http://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/14032/market-economy-why-air-is-cheaper-than-train/14034#14034 http://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/14032/market-econo...

bkor 10y ago

Not only are they more expensive, sometimes you pay about the same for the train as the entire flight. It costs me 40 EUR to go by train to a cheap airport. That airport has flights around that price! As a result, I do not usually fly from there (the 40 EUR plus additional time involved). I always take into account the cost of going to the airport; the far away cheap airport often loses out (as saving e.g. 10 EUR isn't worth the hassle). Going anywhere further than just the airport by train is expensive. I try to take the bus until 2.5 hour trips. After that I try to avoid unless you can fly. Pretty ridiculous!

jeffwilcox 10y ago
+1, love arriving downtown when taking a Euro train... sadly many corporate policies require booking flights OVER trains due to negotiated travel deals in Europe.

kgwgk 10y ago

> would give anything to be able to afford the 3x times prices of trains, but alas I'll be flying because it's a 75€ flight vs 150€ fast train. 150 vs 75 is 2x, not 3x. And it's a bit strange to read that you "would give anything" if 75 euros is too much.

telesilla 10y ago
Depends on the route, and that wasn't the best example I agree. It's more a question of not understanding how the airlines can afford to cut prices so deeply, and yet trains remain expensive. I'm not clear on the economics, which leaves me frustrated due to not understanding. This helps a little: http://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/14032/market-economy-why-air-is-cheaper-than-train/14034#14034 http://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/14032/market-econo...