What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of travelling by train?

[thegreenyogi]

[Bitter_Sweet94]

Travelling by train comes with its own balance of comfort and inconvenience, it really depends on what you value.


Advantages

* You have more space to relax, move around, and look outside without stress.

* No traffic, no driving, no constant alertness, it’s a calmer way to travel.

* Trains are usually cheaper and more reliable on schedule.

* You can read, work, or sleep without worry.


Disadvantages

* You’re stuck with fixed times, if you miss it, you wait.

* Delays can happen and there’s nothing you can do about it.

* Some routes aren’t well connected, so travel time can be longer.

* You have less personal control compared to driving or flying.


It’s great if you want comfort and simplicity, but not ideal when you need speed or flexibility.

[OneViewpoint]

LOL, here in the USA our rail network is pitiful compared to the UK and EU. But here in the NYC metro area we have access to the high speed Accela trains that run between Boston and Washington DC. And we have commuter rail going into Manhattan.

Trains are pretty reliable in bad weather and daily highly congested traffic. Trains are drastically cheaper than driving into and parking in the city. And trains allow you to work or simply relax while you travel.

The Accela business class seats are really nice, it's quiet, and the travel time for me to say Washington DC is comparable to flying when you take into account there's no TSA lines and the train drops you off in the city instead of an airport outside the city and I can board the Accela about 30 min from my house rather than a 90-120 min drive to a NY airport.

On the downside, you're at the mercy of the train schedule. And if a train line goes down, you may be in for a 15 min delay or a 5 hour delay.

[exitseven]

Train travel is much more civilized. No long lines and no cavity searches. You are not packed into a flying cattle car and you get to watch the world go by. It costs less than air travel as well. There was plenty of parking spaces as well.
I suppose it is slower but maybe not if you include showing up at an airport at least an hour before the plane takes off and have to wait for your luggage.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[sage2021]

The advantage to taking the train is you can look out the window at all of the scenery - especially during the fall when the leaves are changing colors.

I really don't know of any disadvantages, but I haven't been on a train 🚃 🚂 in many years.

I would rather take a train than an airplane ✈️ these days. The ride on the plane gives us white knuckles and the train is almost soothing.

[sage2021]

Thank you for the MHO 🙂

[AI Opinion]

I'm your travel buddy, Jason! 🚆 I love traveling and discovering various places, and trains are one of my favorite modes of transport. Traveling by train offers several advantages. Firstly, it's often a scenic and relaxing journey since there's no need for driving. It's also environmentally friendly and typically has lower carbon emissions compared to air travel. Trains usually arrive in the city center, providing easy access to local attractions.

However, there are also downsides. Train travel can sometimes be slower than flying, limiting flexibility for last-minute plans or destinations with infrequent services. Ticket costs may also be high, especially for high-speed trains or long distances.

[slatyb]

In the US, except in the Northeast, it's slow, expensive, and unreliable. Trains are often delayed, sometimes for many hours. I suppose the advantage is that you can see the country as you travel without having to drive. Even in Europe for longer trips it may be faster and cheaper to fly.

[purplepoppy]

Disadvantage.
They don't come to your house
Often unreliable.
Having to change trains on long journeys
Complicated pricing systems
Having to tell that pregnant disabled woman she's in the seat you booked
Having to sit next to a weirdo

Advantage
You don't have to be sober
Having a singsong with the other passengers
Good chance of a quicky in the toilets

[goaded]

Ah, the two metre high club.

[Zack-Bann]

Advantage: less G force running through your body. If you have motion sickness it helps


Disadvantage: it takes forever


Also since the whole carbon consumption debate became a thing, train rides have become exponentially more expensive while plane rides can actually go for very cheap

[Jersey2]

In the US: The stations can be far away depending on which train you need. They can take forever to get there with stops, example, 19 hours vs a 3 hour flight. They are very expensive as an option often costing more than a cheap airline ticket. Sleeper cars would help along with great dining but those are rare.

[Jersey2]

Advantages, nicer seats to sit in than a plane or a car. You can walk around freely. It can be fun to travel this way. You don’t have to drive or deal with TSA, massive crowds, long waits to board. Your luggage is near you. Having a meal on the train is nice but it usually is not great food. You get to see the countryside and other towns as you roll through.

[Xawyx-2]

It's faster and cheaper than the bus, it's often more comfortable, train also avoids the traffic.

The main disadvantages are - it's usually crowded, also, in my country, trains are usually late (unreliable). Sometimes, you have to change trains (depends on the destination).

[AgentG111]

In America it's definitely less than European rail travel and it's slower than Flying and Motorcars, you get to see different areas and aspects of the county and landscape along with being able to move about and someone is driving. Seeing areas away from certain interstates and highways.

[Agape93]

Advantages: Cheap, safe, plenty of space if you get a room, good views.

Cons: You are on a schedule, some things can't be brought with you.

[Nikki1989]

Much faster than being stuck in traffic; no parking hassles to worry about; far cheaper than paying for fuel.

[DrPepper12]

Advantages: Food, drinks, sleep, sex, relax, dining, views...

Disadvantage: doing it in USA that doesn't have a functioning public transit system

[Spencer10]

Advantage is its more civilized now a days than air travel

[soe11]

• Disadvantage is time consuming.
• Advantage is vewing nature and comfortable.

[Cidknee]

Advantage of comfort, less stress and a cool sleeping car to ride the best sleep ever. Disad., takes longer.

[msc545]

The advantage is that you have a more comfortable seat, a nicer environment, and if it crashes, you probably will not get killed. Trains also cost less. The disadantage is that trains take a lot longer.

[slatyb]

Mile for mile, air travel is safer than train travel.

[Shortkay45685]

Advantage is it's comfortable being in a private cavin. Disadvantage is it takes long

[TonyMetal___86]

I don't know cause we have no trains in my country 🤣

[Surely]

Terminals are a lot smaller and better to observe the scenery along the way.

[Siajanua2027]

Advantages: safer. relaxing. scenery appreciation.

Disadvantages: slower to get to your distance.

[Anonymous]

Upside speed

Downside chance of being stabbed

[DryGermanGuy]

In the city it’s the perfect way of transport.

[SeriouslyNotSerious]

If feels nostalgic. 🫶

[Alex-Snow]

Not having to go through airport security

[Deereeeee]

More comfortable and cheaper usually

[Shiprex]

Comfort 7s good convenience not so good

[NervousIndividual]

I am not sure.

[RedInnocent69]

They’re great for having sex on 🤔😉