When travelling within the United Kingdom, your first port of call may be driving or catching a train – but have you considered air travel? It’s a great choice for those longer journeys, such as travelling from England to Scotland, for instance. Not only can it be significantly quicker, it can actually be much cheaper than catching multiple trains. So, why fly? Read on to find out why a domestic flight may be the better choice for your next trip.
Many people are under the impression that getting a train to your destination would be easier than flying, but this isn’t always the case. If you’re going to Scotland, for example, you can fly from Stansted to Glasgow in just an hour and fifteen minutes. In comparison, a journey from Stansted Airport train station to Glasgow takes an average of six hours, showing just how much time flying could save you. All you need is to book your plane and pick up a rental car at Glasgow airport – you’ll be well on your way in under two hours.
Not only can it be significantly quicker, it can actually be much cheaper than catching multiple trains. With fares on the rise, trains are no longer the most affordable option, and driving long distances can take a huge toll on you. Not only is driving across the country expensive when it comes to petrol, but you may have to stop off and stay overnight to avoid exhaustion. According to a comparison made by the Telegraph, the greatest saving for a particular date was £116 when choosing flights over trains. While this data was pulled together in 2016, comparing prices via online websites shows that this remains accurate to this day.
As mentioned above, driving across the country can take a toll, especially if you were planning on getting the trip done in one go. It’s uncomfortable, as is getting the train – unless you get first class or have a friend with you so you can get some sleep, of course. You can sit back and relax on a plane, especially as they’re considered very short haul flights. Grab a book or catch up on some sleep – you don’t need to worry about keeping your eyes on the road or your belongings.
The negatives of domestic flying is that you’ll have to go through airport security. Regardless of where you go, this is an aspect of air travel that cannot be avoided. While you’ll be saving time when it comes to travelling, you’ll have to arrive early to check in and leave time to go through security, including screening your hand luggage. Be aware of the procedures, which can vary from airport to airport, and get there with enough time to spare. You may still be saving a considerable amount of time and money by choosing air travel, so don’t let this put you off.
While you should be aware of the restrictions of air travel, as mentioned above, there are a multitude of benefits to opting for air travel. Improved comfort, reduced costs and saving time – what could be better? Next time you are flying within the United Kingdom, make sure you keep this option at the top of your list when starting the planning process. Whether it’s for business or pleasure, flying could make your trip significantly easier.