Would you drive or go by train

[Beakthrough]

I'm very excited to have the time to go and visit my son for the first time since he moved 350 miles from home.

I'm going for 5 days. He lives half a mile from the station (on a branch line).

It will take longer and cost more (about £100 more!) by train, but I'm still quite tempted to let the train take the strain, as they used to say.

Probably just drive. Depends on the route. I like motorway driving, country road/city driving less so. But I also spent years as a non-driver and train journeys can be incredibly tedious and stressful. Again, it would depends on the train route/number of changes/length of journey less so.

If you don’t need a car when there I would get the train just check for engineering works and be prepared to have an alternative route if needed. Delays can happen either way at least on a train you have a toilet and can snooze

I travel 15,000 miles a year by train, and quite a bit by car too. The risk and duration of delays is roughly equal. I prefer the train. I avoid advance tickets due to the stress of being on time (such as the need to leave extra-early to be sure of making the train). I save a lot on fares by taking alternative routes or operators which are not always advertised or offered, by using ticketing tweaks, and by claiming delay-repay. I use multiple apps for information and purchasing as no one covers all bases. Even ticket office staff don't know all my ticket strategies, so can take a while to find them on the system. If you tell someone like me your journey, they might identify a saving for you.

I’d drive.

Podcast/Audiobook downloaded, bag of sweets and peace.

Trains around my area are pretty unreliable, overcrowded and expensive.

I would likely drive, particularly if there were several trains involved with change overs.

Even in bad traffic, motorway and bad weather I tend to find driving more relaxing than having to cross London on the tube with luggage, short windows of time to switch trains etc. And train toilets when travelling solo so have to take all your bags with you.

I'd get the train. I hate long drives and at least on the train, you can zone out, read etc.

How longs the train journey? We recently went to London from Edinburgh and the seats are now so bloody uncomfortable I did an argos click and collect for inflatable cushions for the journey back.

At that sort of distance I would take the train, or possibly fly if I could get a discount fare, then train/bus the last bit. 350 miles is a lot more than I want to drive in a day.

I way prefer being in my own car with my music and the freedom when I get to the destination. I also loathe relying on public transport.
Personal preference but I’d take car over train for almost every journey (apart from when I have to go to my office in London, then it’s always going to be an unreliable train!).

i love a long drive and I line up all my favourite podcasts. Seat heater on, bliss

I always try and not remind myself of the absolute horror when travelling to wales in a heatwave and the rails were melting so they cancelled the trains and they paid for everyone to get taxis . 2 people in our taxi had to go to the far side of wales from the Midlands , must’ve cost the train company a fortune and coming back was sheer hell , people were actually sitting on bikes in the toilet with the door open and a massive family got on with huge numbers of suitcases and they looked like they were moving house and honestly we were all like sardines and it was about 30deg .
Youve reminded that I have had as many bad public service journeys as I’ve had good 😂😂 fantastic when you’re paying an absolute fortune for this pleasure too !!!
Youre stuffed really in the uk no matter how your travel lol.

I usually take the train, first class, to Edinburgh. I check the prices closely to make sure I can get a good deal, and I now have a senior rail card.

This year, however, I am flying - £40 each way LHR to EDI.

The last time I drove was to pick up DD's stuff when she finished uni.

350 miles driving on your own is a lot.
I went to see DD a couple of weeks ago and chose to go by train. There were delays going down, but I got there and as a result of the delay got my money back from the outward journey.
Still less stressful than a long drive sitting on the motorway- if I’d done that I would have had to have a good break on the way.
It does depend on your route and the availability of services etc

I’m jealous of people flying though! Might investigate that for next time!

Having spent many years driving around the country for work and to visit family, I’d definitely say train.
I’ve been stuck in so many accidents, road closures, bad traffic etc that turn 3 hour trips into 8 hours. Plus the stress is you’re on the motorway and there’s suddenly a horrendous rain storm and you can’t see.

Trains can be late or cancelled too. I take a lot of long distance trains for work now. But on the occasions they’re late you can claim a refund on claim repay. I’ve claimed loads back in my time for 30 min late trains etc

I also use seat frog and get a cheap upgrade to first class where I can. At least on the train you can chill with a book and drink. The only time it becomes stressful is when it’s a busy train and people are stood in the aisle and you’re trying to fight your way to your seat.

Train for me - you are less tired after the journey so more fun when you get there

trains are still tiring - but if they get badly delayed you get your money back and these days it’s 50-50

I've just looked. Sleasy Jet Bristol -Edinburgh midweek flights at the end of March are less than £70 return, hold baggage is extra, so you need a bag that will go under the seat. I'd spend more than that on diesel for my car.

From £98.20 return on the train, just selecting a random day at the end of March. Which seems like slightly more, but AFAIK the bus from Central Bristol to the airport is about £15 atm, and how much is it to get from Edinburgh airport to the city centre? Plus, on the train you have an unlimited baggage allowance.

Depends where you're going... Watch the connection times are reasonable, don't get stuck sprinting from one end of Waverley Station to the other in 10 minutes (though if you miss a connection due to rail issues they will put you on the next train without extra charge). I class anything over an hour as long but Aberdeen-London has been my longest UK rail trip. If going on the East Coast Mainline sit on the left side heading south for sea views.... I like a good trip looking at scenery and wildlife and listening to music with a catering trolley to keep tea supplies going. Bring a travel cup, some snacks, headphones and a good book!

Just done a shortish motorway journey in the rain, as a passenger. Horrible. Visibility very poor, lots of spray thrown up by lorries. Glad I wasn't driving.