Why is it cheaper to fly to Portugal than go from Birmingham to Newcastle by train?

Question

Do other countries have crazy train fares too? Has anyone ever also found it impossible to actually book a train ticket due to the confused train operators?

Answer 1

The pricing strategies of different industries depend upon many factors. Competition is one. You will find it cheaper to go from Newcastle to London by coach than from Sheffield to London. Why? Because there are more coach operators serving London from Newcastle, than from Sheffield. Return tickets from London to Newcastle are much higher than from Newcastle to London because the operators have found that Londoners expect to pay more than their cousins in the north.

Airlines today are fighting low cost competitors so the flight to Portugal (one-way only) might be cheaper than a return rail ticket to Newcastle from Birmingham. But they are also much more sophisticated in their pricing strategies than the rail operators. Business travellers are less sensitive to prices than consumers and will pay more because it comes out of the company's pocket and not their own. People who book on the Internet are thought of as browsers who will take a flight if it is cheap but not if it is higher than they expect. People who turn up at the airport for the same flight will pay the full, high price.

With regard to trains, you will find it cheaper to travel after 9.00 am and return before 3.30 pm. As with coaches you might also find it is cheaper to book a return ticket baclwards ather than from Birmingham to Newcastle.

If you are interested in pricing strategies have a look at any marketing textbook. Pricing is a lot more complex than this answer.

Answer 2

It depends - if you can book in advance then both the train and plane will be similar prices. Like the airlines you have to be quick and book early to get the lowest fare

If you went to the airport on the day of the flight and asked for a ticket on the next plane to return at any time in the next month, the price would be high, same with the train.

Answer 3

It's cheaper to fly to Portugal because there are many opperators fighting for your money, but with the rail service there is a monoply and they decide the price's you pay. But look at the daily mirror yesturday they show way's of getting cheap train tickets.

Answer 4

Cos u have forgotten to add the rail fare to London Stansted?

Answer 5

britain is the most expensive per mile for train journeys in the whole of europe

Answer 6

Because railway companies are ripping off the british public and we are stupid eneough to put up with it

Answer 7

Because BR is a ******* con, anything with British in the title they have to add money because you have to have and pay for licensing to put British in your company name