A flight can look like the obvious choice when we compare only the time in the air. Yet the journey starts when we leave our accommodation and ends when we reach the next one. A train may take longer on the timetable and still give us a more comfortable day; on another route, flying may save enough time to make the decision easy. What we have learned from comparing train journeys vs. flying is to plan the whole trip. The right choice depends on connections, luggage, mobility, cost and what we want from the hours spent travelling.
A one-hour flight includes more than an hour of travel. We need to reach the airport, allow time for check-in and security, wait to board, then get from the arrival airport to our destination. A centrally located railway station can make a train competitive over a shorter route, even when its scheduled journey takes longer.
That advantage is never automatic. Some stations are outside the centre, and a train itinerary with several changes can consume time quickly. We compare the actual departure and arrival points, the frequency of services and the time needed at each end before deciding which option is faster for us.
Time on board feels different in a train seat and an aircraft cabin. On many trains, we can get up, change position and look out at a landscape that changes throughout the journey. A flight may be quicker, but getting to the airport early and navigating the terminal can make a short trip feel like a long travel day.
Comfort is personal, especially when sitting for a long time or carrying bags is tiring. We look at the seat, the number of changes and whether there will be enough time for food and a break. The aim is to arrive with energy left for the place we came to see.
Rail travel can make packing feel simpler because bags often remain close at hand. That does not mean every train allows unlimited luggage. Operators may set size or quantity limits, storage space can fill up, and we still have to lift or move our own bags. Flights bring different restrictions and may involve checked-bag collection at the other end. Some international trains also have security checks: Eurostar, for example, screens passengers and luggage, although it does not apply the airline limit on the volume of liquids. We check the rules of the particular service and take only what we can manage through stations and transfers. That fits with the approach in our guide to packing less and smarter.
A train can make the distance between places easier to understand. We see suburbs give way to fields or mountains, then gradually enter another town. If the route is interesting and the schedule leaves room to enjoy it, travel time can feel like part of the holiday.
We do not expect every railway journey to be scenic. A long stretch in a tunnel, a crowded carriage or a series of tight connections can make the window less important than a smooth arrival. We choose a train for its journey when the route offers something we genuinely want to experience, rather than assuming that rail is always romantic.
Neither trains nor airports are uniformly easy to navigate. A large airport may involve long distances but offer organised assistance; a smaller station may be simple to cross yet have a gap or step between the platform and train. Lifts, boarding aids and staff availability vary. If mobility is a concern, we check the route from the station entrance to the seat, every connection and the arrival platform. In the EU, passengers with reduced mobility have rail assistance rights, but arranging assistance in advance can make the journey more dependable. A promising description of an “accessible train” is only the beginning of the planning.
Flights and trains can both run late or be cancelled. A missed train connection may require a new reservation; a delayed flight may affect onward transport or a prepaid activity. Neither type of disruption is inherently easier to handle.
We pay particular attention to the consequences of arriving late. Is there another service that day? Are the connections on one booking, and what assistance would the operator provide if one is missed? A little time between legs of a journey can be more valuable than an itinerary that works only when everything is punctual.
In Europe, rail generally produces substantially lower emissions per passenger kilometre than flying. That gives us a reason to consider the train where a practical route exists. It does not tell us whether a particular itinerary is affordable, accessible or workable within the time we have. For a long distance, a difficult rail connection or a time-sensitive trip, we may choose to fly. When the train offers a manageable schedule and a journey we can enjoy, we are happy to give it the extra hours. This is part of what travelling slower after 50 means to us: choosing where our time and energy will be best spent, rather than treating one form of transport as the answer to every trip.
Travelling slower after 50 has changed the way we plan a trip. We stay longer in fewer places, choose the visits that matter most and leave room to explore beyond the itinerary. Here is how a more comfortable daily pace helps us get to know a destination.
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September may be one of the best times to explore Europe after 50. Milder weather, fewer peak-season crowds and lingering summer warmth can make travelling more comfortable and rewarding. From Mediterranean coastlines to historic cities, discover why September deserves a place in your travel plans — and where we’d go.
Comfortable travel means recognising that your wellbeing matters as much as the destination. If you are stressed or exhausted, even beautiful places can be hard to appreciate. Prioritising comfort over cost can protect your experience and help keep your journeys meaningful, vibrant and enjoyable.
Maison Cailler and the Alimentarium offer two very different ways to explore Switzerland’s relationship with food. One focuses on chocolate, its history, production and tasting, while the other examines food through science, culture and society. We compare both experiences to help you decide which one better suits your interests.