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

[IDSNeighbour]

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?

I would do a long distance train journey if that was hte holiday - would love to do the Trans-Siberian Express or the one which goes across Canada. That would be awesome.

The fact that you think 36 hours on a coach costing MORE than flying is a reasonable solution shows how skewed your thinking is. It's not feasible, and not something that 99.99% of the country would ever consider. In your situation I'd be taking steps to address the phobia or holidaying elsewhere, taking a cruise or something leaving from the UK.

36 hours each way on a coach is madness. And don't be kidding yourself on that you're on a one-woman eco mission.

I genuinely don't think I'll travel by plane ever again, mainly for environmental reasons. I think I'd feel too guilty.
But to be fair, I've never been much of a traveller anyway, I've not been abroad for about 7 years.

Out of interest, we planned a route by train to visit relatives in Perth. We got as far as Singapore before the rails ran out. The journey time to there was two weeks.

Coach, hell no. Train, maybe, especially if it's not far off on end-to-end time. Traveling to and from airports plus all the waiting around can make the journey take much longer than the flight itself.