Would you fly up or get the train?

[TigerRag]

Due to go to Manchester from Plymouth. Original plan was to fly from Exeter. They've cancelled my flight and theres no flight from Southampton.

I can fly if I go to Jersey or Dublin first from Exeter. Or I can get the train up

Price wise there's not much difference. Because of the wait to get my connection from either Jersey or Dublin it takes roughly the same amount of time

I'd get the train.

Train

Train

Would surely be far quicker door to door Vs 2 flights

I'd usually say train but last time I took the train from the south coast to Manchester it was a hellish mess of delays and cancellations literally everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong.

I wouldn't risk being stranded in Jersey or Dublin

I had a similar dilemma once when I needed to get to Exeter from Inverness.

In the end I did the train (connection in Belfast if I got the flight)

I'd be tempted to go via Dublin as there are so many flights from Dublin to Manchester per day. I think Jersey is more risky. I would usually go for the train but that is a long train journey and it won't be that comfortable on the train if you have someone next to you all the way.

Train.

Not Jersey - far too easy to get stuck there by weather (from experience).

I'd train it though unless the Dublin flight connection is really good. It's quite relaxing and you can reserve a seat.

Train. Mad to fly.

I’d probably drive tbh. The trains are awful.

Which I can't do hence not listing it as an option

Train - surely it's a no brainier?

• no cost penalty
• no time penalty
• better for the environment

Personally I find getting a train much more relaxing than a plane. And I feel dehydrated after flights.

Flying within the UK seems crazy to me.

Would you need travel insurance if going through Jersey or Dublin? I wouldn't want to risk getting stranded with no insurance. Or do you have an annual policy?

How have got to the point that flying to a different country is seen as a more reliable transport option than public transport from one part of the country to another?

My instinct would have been trsain but i have no experience of the South West/West train network

Just get the train - so much less faff than flying generally, definitely much less faff than two flights. First class if it's not too horrendously expensive compared to flights will guarantee you a seat and a bit of peace and quiet.

It depends when you are travelling as if it's during the very hot weather we experienced a lot of cancellations and delays due to rails buckling. If first thing in the morning, and due to arrive before midday you may be OK.

My gut reaction is train, but it also depends when you’re travelling. Far too often I end up on long distance trains, if mine isn’t cancelled then the one before or after is, so consequently the one I’m on is packed. Or the seat reservations don’t work etc etc.

So if travelling at a random off peak time, then I’d train. If not, plane via Dublin.

Only if I booked 1st class. I spent my recent train journey in the bike rack. It was hell.

Train

Train

it’s far better for the planet

Ah ok. Fly via Dublin then.

Train, less hanging about ;)

Yesterday I did a three-leg train journey. All three of the legs were delayed in some way and the overcrowding was fun.

Our train system is broken.

Train looks straightforward with one change at Birmingham. I'd definitely get the train.

Not necessarily re first class. I had a first class upgrade on my horrific Manchester journey last year and the delays and cancellations meant it got overcrowded when it finally did get moving and the first class carriage was then filled including standing in the aisles. Most of the passengers were two sets of football fans who had just played each other. It all stayed good-natured but quiet it was not. Then we all go shifted off onto another train part way home, standing room only no toilets working. Finally arrived three hours late.

This was Cross Country trains. I'm happy to do long distance on LNER or Lumo never had any problems with them but very wary of Cross Country.