My mum is late 80's. She is independent and in good health but beginning to get frail. There is a direct train line between us which takes just over 2 hours. There's a coach that comes to the airport which takes about 3 hours and involves a change at Victoria in London. We could collect her and drive her here which would be a long round trip for us around the M25 but would take about 3 hours for her in the car. We are moving soon and would very much like her to see our new bungalow (no stairs for her to worry about anymore). Part of the reason for our move is that we will have a room for her should she need/want it in the future. It just set me thinking about which mode of travel people would prefer and why?
National Express, I live on the disctirct line and have a free oyster card and the fare (pre covid) was £15 return. The bus terminates outside my daughters office so I time it for when she finishes work for a lift to her home. Train would mean two changes and a long walk/taxi ride.
I decided to try the coach in France,got to Lyon and the Gendarmes got on to check I D cards. They took off 3 illegal immigrants. It was traumatic to watch. Gone back to the train, love it
I love the freedom of train - or even coach - travel. When you get off, you are completely detached from everything. It takes me back to backpacking days.
With a car, you have to remember where you parked, worry that it'll be OK while you're walking about
Having said that, I agree that a car does have some advantages: you can take bulkier items, you can reach more obscure destinations, and you can stop where you want.
I get the train but have to have assistance to get on, it is a free service and has always worked.
I look able bodied so staff are normally surprised, but I have a phobia about the gap and can't go near the train door on my own. I'm getting nervous about getting off too after a huge 'gap' when I arrived at a station, I might have to get help with that too.
We don’t have first class train carriages unless you go on one of those things where you are on board for several days crossing the country. I prefer car ,drive ourselves, any day. Hate public transport. I’ll get on a plane at a pinch but it would have to be a big pinch these days.
We once had the good luck to be travelling from Manchester to London and the first class carriage had been reallocated to second class, so we hopped on. It was lovely! Like a lot of people here I'm a train person by choice as I find it the least hassle. Short distance - bicycle every time.
I’ve moved a few times in the past few years, my mum who is nearly 80 has just bought a senior railcard and is looking forward to the journey to Bristol via Paddington, she still drives quite a bit and is going on a mini break with a friend at the end of September which involves a 2 hr drive.
She did a journey over Christmas by coach but it was a disaster as there were delays and the driver ran out of hours and had to park up. She lives on the tube route on outer London and uses that too.
When my late dear sister was ill, I spent many hours on the train covering the 300 miles distance between us.
I always reserved a first class seat and ultimately spent a lot of money on rail fares. But it was so worth it, to be comfortable, at a time which was emotionally challenging.
Train for me. No dealing with dangerous, impatient drivers. No traffic jams. No parking worries. Let the train take the strain as they say. Only thing I dislike is having to change, then you get pushy people, mainly men and teenagers trying to knock you over in the rush to get a seat. Perhaps all seats should be booked, once train full, no more.
Car , no question. Private, comfortable and flexible. Set off whenever you like , stop for breaks , divert to see interesting places on the way, cheaper than train . The list is endless. I like the independence .
I enjoy train travel for a day trip, but if I am going away then definitely car because I don't have to worry about dealing with suitcases, or the weather.
Definitely train. I used to take the coach sometimes to Manchester in order to economise but it’s horrible. You cant move around and takes so much longer.