As a frequent traveller I shall offer my unsolicited opinion ok this

Cheap flights are not the problem. The problem is ridiculously expensive alternative public transport.

Example. For the last 23 years I’ve travelled to and from Germany about 4 times a year. Various places, so not only near the border. I also lived in Dresden for a year.

Last month was only the second time I’ve flown to Germany. I did so because rail maintenance meant that I couldn’t get the train back, and didn’t drive (an electric) because it was a beery weekend.

My first flight to Germany was from Chicago to Frankfurt when I lived in Dresden.

Similar story with Belgium (never flown), France (flown there only once, to nice, out of countless visits) and even Poland (once flight from 6 visits)

If the trains were good enough and a decent price I would use them when visiting the UK too. But they’re not. They’re awful and ridiculously priced.

Trains (on the continent at least) are so much more relaxing and you can be so much more productive, or just rest and enjoy a movie and a proper meal (my one gripe with airlines is not the price of the ticket but the lack of service offered for the cost).

Posted By: Steve in Holland, Oct 9, 17:53:55