Why Are Flights in the UK Often Cheaper Than Taking the Train?
Research by Finder has found that UK domestic flights are more often cheaper than trains, with notable price gaps observed on intercity trips. For example, a same-day journey from London to Edinburgh can cost £77.10 by train versus flights ranging from £15 to £37. Other examples include Newquay to Manchester, where trains cost £113 compared to £53 flights, and Glasgow to Bristol with flights at £15 versus train fares of £56.50.
The higher cost of train travel stems largely from leasing, staffing, and track upkeep, which make up about 85% of costs. Additionally, diesel train fuel incurs 5% VAT while electricity is taxed at 20%. Despite these factors, the rail industry receives significant government support, with subsidies totaling £4.1 billion in the year to March 2024.
In contrast, airlines face an air passenger duty starting at £7, but crucially, domestic aviation fuel is not subjected to VAT or duty. Introducing taxation on domestic aviation fuel could potentially raise around £1.5 billion annually.
Pricing realities reveal that while headline flight fares are often lower, additional charges can increase the total cost. For instance, Ryanair reports an average fare of €46 (£41) per passenger but total revenue per passenger including extras rises to around €70. Some low fares, such as a £15 London-Edinburgh flight, are used as loss leaders to stimulate demand. Train travel offers free seat reservations, whereas flights typically charge for seat selection and baggage; for example, a 10kg bag costs £28, potentially bringing flight costs closer to £43 in total.
Geographical considerations also play a role: airports like Stansted are located approximately 39.4 miles from central London, whereas Edinburgh Airport is about 8.9 miles from Waverley station.
Environmentally, a London-Edinburgh flight reportedly emits more than double the CO2 of an equivalent train journey according to Which?. However, airline operators such as Ryanair dispute this figure.
