What would you do- plane or train

[thevegetablesoup]

I have to travel from Scotland to London on a weekend where there are planned engineering works on the railway lines. The journey by train will take much longer than normal and there will be sections where there is a bus replacement.

I have looked at flights and it will
Be quicker AND cheaper.

BUT I am terrified of flying. I've never flown on my own before, only on family holidays. I did a transatlantic flight this summer and it was a massive deal for me and a total endurance test. I thought I could have a break before I had to do it again.

What would you do in this situation?

Ah poor you it’s such a long way by train and bus replacement services are awful. But I don’t have a fear of flying. Any medication you could take? It’s such a short flight it might be worth giving it a go?

I have taken diazepam before but it made no difference and they don't prescribe it for that now anyway.

I could try having a drink 🥃 😩

Definitely fly. The trains are bad enough on "normal" days, but when there's engineering work, they're a nightmare.

As an alternative, can you not take the opposite route down, i.e. West coast instead of East coast or vice versa? Or are there engineering works on both main routes??

I wouldn't fly, such short flights are terrible for the environment on top of everything else. Get the train or coach and even if it takes longer it will be a much nicer journey.

I'd fly, but I'm not sure it's such a straightforward decision for you.

Can you shift one of the journeys to before/after the works?

I'm guessing driving is out? We drive to London, but are just south of the border, and know there is a lot of scotland!

What about National express coach typ journey?

I much prefer train travel to air travel so I know what I'd take. If you buy a few weeks in advance you'll get a 1st class ticket at a good price. I recently did Kings X to Dundee.

Perhaps tell us where the bus replacement sections are taking place and we can give better advice.

Be brave and fly. It's not much like a transatlantic flight, you'll be in the air less than an hour!

I think the problem with the trains being messed up is that getting on and off and waiting for bus replacements etc will be painful.

Could you drive and stop in a hotel half way to break up the journey?

Or yes have a stiff drink and get on the plane. It’s such a quick flight!

Have you also factored in giving yourself time to get through security? I flew out of stansed last weekend and it was absolutely hideous. Huge queues and people running for flights (some missing them) after security.

Neither option sounds great, but I probably would go for the flight, it will definitely be quicker and and more straight forward.

Have you looked into any coaches? Although that will probably be very, very long!

I totally hear you on the fear of flying. Diazepam didn't work for me either, but sometimes having a drink does. Having something to distract me during take off is my main coping mechanism: a quiz magazine; an audio book and a game on my phone; an easy-read book.

Have a look at the weather too. One of the take offs and one landing was horrific, and as much as it's easy for everyone to say 'just fly', it's not that straight forward when you are terrified of flying. The airport was closed due to the winds shortly after we landed last weekend. I've more essential flights coming up and it's sent me back into a huge fear on flying. So I'd seriously consider putting yourself through a flight with an already existing fear if it looks like there might be any chance of a storm or high winds.

On a normal day I’d get the train but I have had several nightmare train trips when the service wasn’t working properly

assuming you can reschedule I’d fly. Remember it’s only a short flight. Or depending on timings fly one way and train the other

I’m scared (although less so now I’ve do it more regular) of flying but every couple of months I fly Inverness to London and back, compared to a transatlantic type flight it’s much easier (at least for me) as you’re just not up in the air very long at all. I do guided breathing exercises via my headphones when I’m waiting in the airport and then I try and watch something on my phone on the plane so I can pretend I’m not on it!

What about coach? Are National Express still around? Long journey but might be nearer to your destination than a station or airport

take two diazepam?
get a meditation app
read a good book?

I dont like flying but i'd fly,it'll be such a short trip you wont notice!

I live flying. If you can overcome your fear it will be so much easier and for you.

Hypnosis?

I would definitely fly. The train journey will be a nightmare. The actual flight time will be barely an hour. It's nothing like a transatlantic flight. And frankly if you can do that, you can easily do a short domestic flight.

Overnight coach (but don't count on getting much sleep). Or fly (which will be over in an hour and you won't be the only one who doesn't like it).

I’d fly, it’s only a short flight and you’ll be up and down before you know it. Can you have a drink before hand to take the edge off? Or take a sleeping pill, just the one of the over the counter type from boots helps. I used to be terrified of flying and I’d do this.

If the trains were running properly I’d go with the train. It’s a really nice journey.

I'd change my travel date and stick with the train.

Definitely fly.

is there an alternative coach journey you could take?