I can imagine it being horrible on a coach, but a train is different. You can move around, you've got that bit of freedom (and privacy) which you don't have on an aeroplane or a bus. Airport queues stress me out, I know they shouldn't but they do. I appreciate the security is just the same on an internation train, but once you're passed that it's more or less freedom. I did suspect it would be an unpopular view though
I would, I love trains and there's the nice views out the Windows too. My problem is the euro tunnel, I'm claustrophobic.
I’d happily get a train rather than a plane for the environment. I live a couple of miles from the East Coast mainline, but it’s still quicker and easier for me to get to Paris by plane, so there’s a long way to go to make even continental rail journeys practical. And unless you’re building a lot of tunnels and bridges, it’s not going to get me everywhere I want to go. BTW I’ve had just as much stress with trains as I have with flights (more actually). And again, I’d happily do it for the environment if all it cost was a little more time.
“The tragedy of the commons”. Featured on Radio 6 music this morning Donny Red. The planets doomed because we will all choose the small selfish step that results in increased carbon in the atmosphere. We’re better than that though aren’t we? As you know it’s not a binary choice between screwing the planet and the rocking chair. Making our choices to harm or not harm the planet is a good first step.
Haven't got a issue with people flying abroad on holiday ( more often than not its the only option or more affordable) regarding carbon footprint, its the many who go on about helping the environment and planet but don't use public transport ( where they can) don't use park and ride ( where possible) and make a half mile car journey to anywhere when they are capable of walking or cycling , I recycle, only use my car when I have to but also like getting away on foreign holidays, I'm not whatsoever saying we all shouldn't take responsibility because we should, and do what we can, but what we are doing on our little island will fade into insignificance and be irrelevant as long as China, India, Russia keep churning out 5hit and appear 100% not to give a fat rats arse.
Given there are (currently) no direct flights from Doncaster to Paris, you'd have to travel to another airport - which would take a similar time to the journey to Kings Cross from Doncaster and an amble over to St Pancras (under 2 hours). Its then just over 2 hours to Gare De Nord. So, you could be in Paris in ~5 hours on the train, or a similar time to fly if you include the connection from Charles De Gaulle into Paris... Trains in this country can be terrible though - I got over £1000 back in "Delay Repay" compensation in a year for late trains when I was crossing the country every week on them.
That wouldn't be a surprise and would make things a little quicker for the flying route - although you are still looking at ~4 hours from door to door so it only saves you an hour and it comes back to cost...
As I remember, we had to be at the airport an hr before check in and it’s only 20 mins to the airport that early in the morning. Its 10 mins to the car park at the station, but another 10 mins to pay and get to the station. I’d want to be at the station half an hour before the train, so not that much difference in start time. With only hand luggage, we were in the centre of Paris for lunch.
I like the Eurostar and always took it when going to anywhere in Belgium, particularly as the onward travel included any station in the country. I can never sleep when in motion so getting an allnighter is akin to flying to the other side of the world. For flights, and it depended on the destination and available times, but ideally we'd always get the earliest possible flight for city breaks and stay overnight near the airport. Luton airport is the favoured one as its easy to get a train to and theres a hotel 8 minutes walk from the airport. Much better than driving early in the morning, or getting a taxi and have a driver nearly nodding off (happened once or twice), and obviously you maximise your time at your destination. Ah those were the days!!!