The cost was more than driving but staying near Finchley and going into the west end for the day meant a long and tiring drive home.

My argument is only partly about cost but it does come into it.

I booked a couple of weeks in advance and flew from stansted to edinburgh for a lot less than a train would cost, and on the return some nice bars and cafes to get something to eat at the airport.

IF we want to go somewhere by train, it is agony, dirty carriages, off peak closures, hot drinks that aren't and alcoholic ones that are more expensive than in an airport or conventional pub.

The other day in my post, I wanted to go by train but timewise it would have taken me at least as long (or longer) as Happyblue took to get from Manchester to Euston.

However, we stayed with our friends, and I actually had a bit more to drink than normal, but Northwest London to Colchester with underground, train, rail replacement bus train again and then taxi from the station to home plus the waiting for the rail replacement buses each way waiting in the rain, Sorry, no thanks! minimum of 4 hours against 90 minutes driving.....

And in reply to another post, I did put fuel cost and mileage cost

Edited by oldroverboy. on 03/01/2016 at 20:43

Another perspective:

An annual season ticket from Northampton to London (including bus/tube travelcard) is £6240.00. That's equivalent to £26 return every day assuming an average 5 day week and annual leave.

Match that including Congestion Charge and parking.