Regarding the cost of train travel in the UK: we have some of the most expensive rail fares in all of Europe. Flying abroad and back for less than the cost of

Regarding the cost of train travel in the UK: we have some of the most expensive rail fares in all of Europe. Flying abroad and back for less than the cost of a domestic train ticket is a popular and depressing comparison. Although cheaper fares for some routes can be bought by booking in advance, the reality is that, for most passengers, travelling by rail is expensive. Here is a season ticket comparison from 2017: UK vs Europe - UK: Luton to London St. Pancras (35 miles) | Monthly season ticket cost: £387 - UK: Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Piccadilly (32 miles) | Monthly season ticket cost: £292 - Germany: Dusseldorf to Cologne (28 miles) | Monthly season ticket cost: £85 - France: Mantes-la-Jolie to Paris (34 miles) | Monthly season ticket cost: £61 - Italy: Anzione to Rome (31 miles) | Monthly season ticket cost: £61 - Spain: Aranjuez to Madrid (31 miles) | Monthly season ticket cost: £75 Source: https://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial-issues/transport-policy/uk-commuters-spend-6-times-much-their-salary-rail-fares-other https://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial-issues/transport-policy/uk... Interesting fact: many of the UK rail franchises are run by European rail companies: Deutsche Bahn (Germany), Keolis (France), Trenitalia (Italy), Abellio (Netherlands).