Travel Wars: Coaches vs. Taxis & Trains

In the UK, there are a variety of types of transportation that we can rely on to get us where we need to go – some more than others. While each form of transportation has its pros and cons, we’re almost certain that coaches top the travel chart thanks to their reliability and affordability.

Not convinced? Here are the pros and cons of the different forms of transportation on offer:

Pros & Cons of Taxis

For most, taxis are a very last-minute mode of transportation and, most likely, that’s how they’ll stay. Taxis are fantastic if you’re somewhere you’re unfamiliar with and need to get somewhere else, including to home or work, quickly, however, taxis are expensive, with the average taxi journey in the UK costing upwards of £10 for a relatively short distance. The high cost of taxi services has resulted in affordable competition from companies such as Uber and Kabbee; however, these are still mostly only available in large towns and cities. In short, if you’re looking to travel a mile or two last-minute, hop in a cab, but try and steer clear for longer or planned journeys. If you must travel in a taxi, always choose fixed price rather than metered services.

Pros & Cons of Trains

Sadly, trains have become one of the most unreliable methods of transportation in the UK, with constant delays and works meaning both commuters and the general public is regularly required to hop on bus replacement services which take double the amount of time, with no discount applied. Routes in the South of England are particularly renowned for their bad service, especially the route from Brighton into London, for instance. Also, in 2017, train fares across the UK increased once again, rising by 2.3% on average. Years ago, trains were an incredibly affordable and efficient method of travel, however, over the years, they have become unpredictable, untidy and, most importantly, expensive. If you’re travelling just a couple of miles, trains are preferable in comparison to taxis, however, not ideal for longer journeys where alternatives are available.

Pros & Cons of Coaches

With more people choosing to travel on coaches than ever, it seems the UK may have a new favourite form of transport. Coaches offer a competitive price and service quality, especially when travelling in a large group, that almost no other type of transportation in the UK can compete with thanks to the lowest average cost per mile. On a mini bus hire, if you secure a deal, you can travel from one side of the country to the other for as little as £10. While coaches can, sometimes, get caught up in traffic, most of the time it’s smooth riding and, better still, coaches are cleaned extensively after every journey to keep the vehicle’s interior fresh and, consequently, customers happy. In 2017, there are more coach services than ever before, which makes the process of coach hire easy peasy.

Wherever you are in the UK, next time you’re embarking on a journey, whether it’s just five miles or 50 miles, consider travelling on a coach. For the best deals, book well in advance.