What do you value more? Travel time or cost price?

Business - Fastest route every time. My employer is paying after all. I am not allowed to use 1st class but standard is fine for me as I don't make long business journeys, such as London to Glasgow, and if I did it would by plane. The sooner I get there and complete the necessary work the sooner I can be back home or be enjoying a pint with my colleague(s).

Leisure - I compare the travel time between the most expensive and cheapest options. I decide if the cheapest option is worth the extended travel time. Usually it is not. if it is over a couple of hours I take a look to see if 1st class travel can be obtained at a reasonable price compared to the price of standard class. Same for journeys I know will be very busy as 1st will give me a much more pleasant trip and is often worth the extra cost to get the peace and quiet that 1st usually provides. I always try to book/plan ahead as far ahead as possible so I can get the best value advance fares.

At this point in my life I’m all about cost. There’s a frequent bus journey I do where I add approximately 45 minutes onto my journey to save £2.50. I also find economy on long haul flights fine just now - but appreciate this may change in later life. As finances restrict me less in the next few years I expect cost to impact me less.

scotrail158713 said:

At this point in my life I’m all about cost. There’s a frequent bus journey I do where I add approximately 45 minutes onto my journey to save £2.50. I also find economy on long haul flights fine just now - but appreciate this may change in later life. As finances restrict me less in the next few years I expect cost to impact me less.

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I appreciate that for some money is tight however adding 45 minutes to a journey to save £2.50 really doesn't sound worthwhile to me. I assume this is one way so you have to do the same for the return journey?

3rd rail land said:

I appreciate that for some money is tight however adding 45 minutes to a journey to save £2.50 really doesn't sound worthwhile to me. I assume this is one way so you have to do the same for the return journey?

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It is a return journey but I do it about once a week on average. It is the most extreme example of how I'll save money. I get the bus for longer journeys but for shorter journeys I just walk as I don’t mind walking 3 miles.

3rd rail land said:

I appreciate that for some money is tight however adding 45 minutes to a journey to save £2.50 really doesn't sound worthwhile to me.

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I do pretty much the same. My house to my local station is a 35/30 minute walk or £2.50 and a 5 minute bus journey. 99% of the time I walk it. Personally I think the price is disgraceful and I really don't want to pay it. Up hill on the way back too but still worth it.

I have a longstanding agreement with my kids too. If we walk, I save money. That goes on sweets and a drink for the train journey instead. It encourages them to walk and grab some exercise as well as saves me some cash.

I hate paying the £2.50 so much that I'll pay £7 for a Taxi over the bus.

Obviously this depends on the context of the journey, i.e. leisure, commuting, etc. However, if I'm being honest, I do actually enjoy long train journeys, providing they're on a comfortable train designed for long journeys, e.g. a Class 390 - yes, I know I'm going to get hated for this, but I genuinely think they are good trains for the purpose they serve.

For that reason, I value cost more and I'd (usually) be happy taking a much longer journey if fares happen to be cheaper as opposed to the quicker route.

Who knows? I might even decide to take the longer route for the same price! I've been known to deliberately take longer bus routes on the same ticket, just because I enjoy travelling through new places, and also enjoy a long journey.

lxfe_mxtterz said:

Obviously this depends on the context of the journey, i.e. leisure, commuting, etc. However, if I'm being honest, I do actually enjoy long train journeys, providing they're on a comfortable train designed for long journeys, e.g. a Class 390 - yes, I know I'm going to get hated for this, but I genuinely think they are good trains for the purpose they serve.

For that reason, I value cost more and I'd (usually) be happy taking a much longer journey if fares happen to be cheaper as opposed to the quicker route.

Who knows? I might even decide to take the longer route for the same price! I've been known to deliberately take longer bus routes on the same ticket, just because I enjoy travelling through new places, and also enjoy a long journey.

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I love to travel a lot so I'm with you on that. A nice scenic route can be pretty good if it's worth the cost.

Time vs cost balance for me. I wouldn’t go on a 2 hour diversion to save a fiver, but would to save £100.

I used megabus recently Cornwall to London at £5 each way compared to well over £100 return by train, megabus was 3 hours slower, but got me there in time for what I needed.