Long distance commutes

[Evolver]

What mode transport would you recommend for a 3-3.5hr journey one way?

Train

cons: expensive (£70 at least), fixed time, variable temperature, have make a costly trip across London to connect to it, after arrival have to walk or pay for another connection

pros: scenic, can work (read, write) for 1 hr 45minutes, or rest, reliable

Coach (Flixbus)

cons: fixed time, relatively infrequent, have to travel across London to get to it
pros: very cheap (typically £5), cosy (I imagine), scenic, can work for 2 hrs 20 minutes, drops me right on campus!

Car

cons: 2nd most expensive option (£45 of petrol there and back), must be well-rested, will age car, cannot work obvs.
pros: flexibility, door to door journey, warm and cosy, can sing or chat, cheap parking/free parking, can explore the host city

I stay overnight then travel back to London the next evening. It is not unusual in my sector (academia).

I do a 3 hour commute when I go into the office. I personally take the train because I like to make it productive time, though if I had the option of a £5 bus fare, I’d absolutely do that unless the timings made it impossible.

Well I think it really depends where you are going and why?

Eg. I used to regularly travel 3.5 hours to my parents from Edinburgh for the weekend and would drive because it’s so much easier to chuck my stuff in the car and I can choose when I want to come/go.

Now I live here and have to travel to Edinburgh once a quarter-ish for work, I take the train because I can chill and do some work if I want to.

I'm going to a uni in the Midlands for work. Am giving the bus a try for the first time tomorrow.

I'll have to get a couple connections to the coach stop, but once I'm on it'll take me all the way to campus. I'm intending to do work on the way.

Also, thanks for your replies

@mindutopia I agree, productive time is key, but also the cost

@PippyPip being able to chuck lots of things in the car is great too. Maybe I'll do drive for this purpose only occasionally