to think the train should be cheaper than driving especially with my 60+ discount

[sandibeach]

I've never been able to find a train that long distance works out much of a saving compared to my car. Especially with my pensioner discount I think it should be cheaper

What mileage cost are you using?

We do have the most expensive trains in Europe apparently (assuming you're in the UK) but if I'm travelling alone I usually expect the train to be at least a similar price, and that's without the pensioner discount.

Are you booking in advance? Using the weird dodges like booking single tickets?

With my car and the fuel drops its 7p a mile. Just tried booking 30 days in advance to Edinburgh and its over three times the car price!

Lots of cheap fares to be found on thetrainline and book in advance .

7p a mile for the car sounds low.

When I was reimbursed at work 25 years ago, I got 56p a mile. This would have been a good indication of actual costs.

My work reimbursement would be 26p a mile I think.

Your car costs are a lot more than just fuel and 7p per mile is a much lower fuel cost than most cars.
Depends on when you are going. If you are trying to travel to edinburgh this side of new year I can see why the train would be very expensive.

It's ridiculous. I drive into an overcrowded city centre rather than get the train, because I think petrol and wear and tear on the car costs me about £6 and the train £11.50 - it adds up to a lot over the year (although I don't go in every day). And don't even get me started about how difficult it is to take a bike on the train. HMRC guidelines are 45p a mile, but that reimburses you for some of the fixed costs that you've already paid, such as car tax, MOT and insurance that extra mileage doesn't increase (significantly).

The AA puts petrol costs of a small car at 10.84 per mile, but that's at £1.29 per litre petrol.

Well I drive very economically and stick.

My car I bought for 2000, three years ago and all its ever cost is a service and mot, these are fixed costs so the running has been free so far. I really want to buy something new, but waiting for it to let me down, but it hasnt yet!

I agree OP, public transport needs to be far cheaper.

But there's depreciation too, so your investment in the car is worth less now than 3 years ago, so every mile you drive eats into that... And you will need new parts e.g. tyres soon.

Don't get me wrong, I think the cost of long distance rail travel in this country is a scandal. But 7p per mile is not a true or fair comparison.

I am at the person who got 56p per mile for expenses. 25p-40p is more typical...

Train journeys should be cheaper for everyone.

My true costs of motoring are about 17p a mile, I gave up the train commute as I just couldn't justify the extra cost. Driving and parking at 6 quid a day cost less than the train, even more so on weeks where I wasn't working 5 days and couldn't save by buying a weekly ticket.

Mind you the other week two of us flew to Scotland for less than the cost of petrol for that trip!

If you already have a car, you have already paid most of the costs, so might as well use it if you have it.

Yes, train fares are far too expensive and too restrictive. Using a car gives you flexibility. It's all very we'll saying book your train ticket in advance, but then you can't change your plans without losing your money. People aren't going to switch from cars to trains when you have to book months in advance to get a cheap ticket for a popular time. Yes you can sometimes get a deal, but it can't be relied on.

What I'd really like to see for commuting journeys is the ability to buy a book of say 10 tickets at a discount. If you work part time/condensed hours season tickets rarely offer any savings.

I pay £13 (with student railcard) a time for the train for a journey that would cost about £7 in the car (+ parking). It does get there about 1/3 quicker though and if I get a seat I can work.

I'd like some sort of book of tickets as I don't go every day a season ticket doesn't wotk