- Which? Research says train fares are up to 239% higher for return compared to flights.
- They say cheap flights promoted by the government are at odds with net zero emissions promises
Sky-high rail fares mean people traveling across the country have to pay up to 239 percent more for a return trip by train than by plane.
The cheapest return trip between Bournemouth and Edinburgh by plane costs just £38, compared to the cheapest return ticket of £127, according to research by Which?
And the gap will widen with a cut in air passenger taxes from April 1, which will be halved from £13 to £6.50 per passenger.
The consumer advocate said the rise in these cheap flights, encouraged by the Government, is fueling greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, which appears at odds with net zero emissions promises.
Traveling by plane implies average CO2 emissions per passenger that are around 118 percent more than using the train.
Sky-high rail fares mean people traveling across the country have to pay up to 239 percent more for a return trip by train than by plane (file photo)
In the late 1970s, British Rail launched a famous marketing campaign for its InterCity services with the slogan “Let the train strive”. However, cash-strapped Brits would now be better off – at least financially – if they “let the plane take the heat”.
Experts in what? carried out research to find the cheapest options available for train and air travel over the Easter holidays on ten UK routes.
Only three were cheaper by train. Return flights on the Bournemouth to Edinburgh route cost £38 compared to £127 on the train. However, CO2 emissions from taking a cheap flight are 131 percent higher, averaging 218 kg of CO2 per person.
The cheapest return journey between London and Edinburgh by train cost 75 per cent more than the cheapest flights – £90 versus £51.
Similarly, journeys between London and Glasgow were 50 per cent more expensive by train: £101 versus £67.
The figure on the Manchester to Newquay route was 43 per cent more by train, £221 versus £154.
But which? found it was 39 per cent cheaper to make a return trip between Newcastle and Southampton by train: £107 versus £175. However, the return trip by train would take more than 11 hours, more than four times the duration by plane.
The Edinburgh to Newquay route was 13 per cent cheaper by train, but would take more than seven times as long to complete, with a total return journey time of 22 hours and 2 minutes.
Which? He stated that the increase in these cheap flights, encouraged by the Government, is fueling greenhouse gas emissions and climate change (file photo)
Which? said the Government’s cut in air passenger charges is likely to cause an increase in UK emissions because it will encourage people to fly rather than take the train.
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: ‘As travelers become increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their trips, many face a difficult balance between the price of their ticket and the cost to the planet.
‘Those who prefer to travel by train, there are measures they can take to reduce costs.
“Take the time to compare dates and times to see if there are cheaper fares available and find out which train cards you might be eligible for, as they can save you up to a third of the ticket price.”