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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask if you would really make these journeys without flying for the sake of the environment

179 replies

IDSNeighbour · 30/05/2019 22:12

I'm terrified of flying. I will fly but only if there is absolutely no other feasible way of getting somewhere.

I've just booked my transport for my summer holiday - 36 hours each way on long distance coaches for £230 instead of 2 hours each way on a plane for £160.

A couple of years ago I took 3 trains over about 48 hours to get to Russia for about £300 (I think - can't remember). I think flights took 4 hours though I think they were a similar price that time, not sure.

Other than fear (which isn't that common?), I can't think why anyone would choose a transport method that is both longer AND more expensive, except for environmental reasons. But these buses and trains are pretty popular and book up. I know some will only do one leg but the buses in particular are often straight through and the huge distance tickets are easy to source.

So I'm wondering if anyone would do this purely to lower their carbon footprint? Is it a reasonable expectation on people for the environment?

OP posts:
manicinsomniac · 30/05/2019 22:38

I would do the journeys - in fact I have to been to Russia by train. I would do longer journeys.

But I'm also afraid of flying. I wouldn't do it for the climate alone. That would just be a nice bonus and perhaps an excuse if I didn't want to admit I was scared to fly.

Bumper1969 · 30/05/2019 22:41

I'm scared of flying too but just zone out on diazepam and alcohol. But I also live trains and would consider a days worth if train journeys a holiday in itself.

bluejelly · 30/05/2019 22:44

I think we're all going to have to get used to flying a lot less. We can't sustain the growth in air travel.

MrsTommyBanks · 30/05/2019 22:55

I haven't been on a plane since 1979.
For environmental reasons.

AnnaComnena · 30/05/2019 22:56

I might do it by train, for the experience. I'm sure there are a great many rail enthusiasts who spend their holidays emulating Michael Portillo all over Europe. I don't really like coach travel, so not sure I'd pick that for a long journey. If it was coach or fly, I might not go at all.

OwlinaTree · 30/05/2019 22:59

Dunno, I might possibly. It depends how long a holiday I've got. I'm not going to spend 48 hours X 2 traveling out of a two week holiday. If I was travelling for an extended time then maybe yes.

BurpingFrog · 30/05/2019 23:02

If it were no more money than going by plane, I definitely would. As it is, I've only done so a few times when it's been affordable or I've had the extra money. I usually look on Rome2Rio to see what options there might be. I much prefer trains to coaches, though!

UrsulaPandress · 30/05/2019 23:03

We love a train journey and would be happy to do that if time wasn't an issue. I've always wanted to do Alexandria to Cape Town by car but would settle for train.

bridgetreilly · 30/05/2019 23:06

If you're serious about the environment, just don't make the journey at all. That is the best thing to do.

RJnomore1 · 30/05/2019 23:08

I love trains but I’d never do a long bus journey.

Fridakahlofan · 30/05/2019 23:08

Yes I would do this for the environment (or just enjoy holidays closer to home!).

I’m hoping it will become embarrassing to go on far flung holidays - like it is to drink drive or something - the world needs us. Time is running out!

hibbledibble · 30/05/2019 23:09

I know people who often take the coach to Poland and back because there is no luggage weight limit, unlike a plane, so there are other reasons to do it as well

musicposy · 30/05/2019 23:10

Yep, I've done lots of long coach journeys of 36 hours +. I've only been on a plane once in 25 years.
I'm not scared of flying but I really try not to do it as I can't square it with my conscience.

OwlinaTree · 30/05/2019 23:11

Bit sad to never see much of the world though. Surely a once a year holiday is ok?

candycane222 · 30/05/2019 23:12

It isn't a question of I have to get to place x can i be aresed not to fly, is it ( for holidays at least) It is where can i get to within my personal cash and conscience budget that will be nice? As pp have said, we have to get un-used to weeken mini-breaks in spain et cetera. Now we know what we know, we will need to travel far far less.

Symbol · 30/05/2019 23:21

I don't fly. I think flying should be regulated with people only allowed a certain number of flights over a period of time. People should not be allowed to wreck the environment for their own pleasure. Too many people regularly fly long haul.

OwlinaTree · 30/05/2019 23:21

Humm. Bit bad for many countries if we all stop visiting them. I would prefer business travel to reduce, work to be done to make air travel less polluting, more carbon offsetting built in to ticket prices than telling people they can't have holidays.

OwlinaTree · 30/05/2019 23:22

I've no issue with UK holidays, we have had lots but I like a variety of holidays.

RottnestFerry · 30/05/2019 23:24

Within Europe, I sometimes drive rather than fly because I like to have my own car when I get there, plus it means I can load up with as much stuff as I like going and coming back.

It might take a couple of days to get there but the journey is part of the experience as far as I am concerned.

Longdistance · 30/05/2019 23:28

When I was a kid my dad used to drive us to Hungary for our holidays as you could pack the car to the brim with presents for the family. We’d be away for three weeks and take the ferry over Dover to Ostend. It could’ve boring on the German autobahn’s, but the ferry and the boarder controls were always interesting stops. Especially trying to get into Hungary.

OwlinaTree · 30/05/2019 23:28

I've done a lot of driving/camping holidays in Europe and they were great, but I have a young family now and less time to holiday.

Chocolate35 · 30/05/2019 23:29

No chance. I’ll probably get slaughtered but I would always choose the shorter journey. I don’t love flying but I’ve so far had to amuse children on a four hour flight plus airport time etc and it’s bloody hard, I wouldn’t make that journey longer because of my carbon footprint.

OldUnit · 30/05/2019 23:30

I don't have the figures etc but I'm not sure how a 3.0L diesel coach engine spewing out emissions for 36 hours to transport a third of the number of passengers across the world would fare, environmentally, in relation to a 2hr plane trip carrying everyone at once running on aviation kerosene.

I bet it wouldn't work out much better at all, environmentally.

Original poster
IDSNeighbour · 30/05/2019 23:32

Interesting - thanks :)

I'm so impressed with the people who would do it for environmental reasons. I don't mind the extra time and inconvenience (I'm a teacher with no dependents) but the extra money hurts. I would love to be able to fly without panic attacks and nightmares for weeks beforehand.

I don't think I could ever give up travelling though. I love travel and want to see the whole world before I die. I don't see the need to feel guilty about occasional holidays when plenty of people travel all over the world for business multiple times a year. I'd rather have a shorter, poorer life and see things than a long, healthier life stuck in the UK.

OP posts:
floraloctopus · 30/05/2019 23:34

You can see plenty of the world without flying, I've done one flight in ten years and been to sixteen countries that I can remember in that time.