• New research reveals that choosing the wrong mode of transport could cost travellers hundreds of pounds extra
• Plane travel was most commonly the cheapest option (7 of 16 routes), while train travel was least likely to be the cheapest (4 of 16 routes)
• On certain routes, opting for the most expensive method of transport could cost travellers £300 more

22 July, 2025, LONDON –

People heading for staycations this summer would be forgiven for thinking that taking the car or a train would be the cheapest method, but they may be in for a shock.

Experts at the personal finance site, Finder, analysed 16 summer holiday routes and have revealed that plane travel is the cheapest option for the highest number of journeys. This was the case for 7 of the routes, whilst car journeys were cheapest for 5 routes, and train fares were cheapest for only 4 – a quarter of the journeys.

Finder experts also spoke to members of the public to quiz them on the findings – producing some outraged reactions in this video.

The analysis looked at Saturday to Saturday return journeys throughout July and August and there were some very surprising findings.

For example, travelling from Bristol to Newcastle would cost you as little as £58 return by plane vs £119.50 by train and £89.51 on petrol. Similarly, you can get return flights from Edinburgh to London for just £48, compared to £73.41 for the train and £124.12 for petrol.

The significant cost of the Eurostar and the Euro tunnel also made the London to Paris trip much cheaper by plane. A return fare by plane was as cheap as £102, compared to £205 by train and a whopping £439 by car.

Planes aren’t always cheapest though. Someone flying from Manchester to Newquay would have to pay a minimum of £296 for one plane ticket vs £173.10 by train and £142.89 worth of petrol. The car also came out cheapest if you chose to go from Newcastle down to Southampton and back. This journey would cost £97.48 on 4 wheels, compared to a minimum of £234.50 by train and £235 by plane.

Despite being the cheapest on only 4 routes, the train was the best option for certain trips. Someone travelling from Southampton to Glasgow could pay £99.20, which is less than the £129 worth of petrol and £110 airfare.

Commenting on the findings, Louise Bastock, personal finance expert, at Finder said:

“I was surprised to see some of these findings, but it shows the value of looking around for deals. It can be a real lottery depending on days and times, so a minute or two of checking can save you hundreds of pounds.”

“You also have to remember that these prices are for 1 person only, so someone with a family would need to factor this into their planning. Offers and discounts like the Family & Friends Railcard can help with train travel. If you’re a student, Santander offers a free 4-year railcard when you sign up, saving 1/3 on train travel.

“If you’re still saving up for your holiday then here are some tips:

• Get cashback on your spending. Free current accounts like Chase and Monzo offer cashback on spending, giving you a chance to earn while you spend – including on your train tickets!
• Open a holiday savings pot. Whether it’s a separate account, or a pot within your main account, separating funds can really help with holiday budgeting. With Monzo, for example, you can also turn your savings pot into an instant access savings account in a couple of taps to earn interest on your balance, too.
• Boost your summer holiday fund. There are plenty of ways you can bag yourself a cash boost, too – trade in old electronics, sell unwanted clothes online or take advantage of a bank switching offer or sign-up bonus.”

Methodology:

Analysts at Finder searched for the cheapest available return flights and trains on Sat 26th July to Sat 2nd August and for 9th August to 16th August. All searches were done on 7th July using a combination of search sites, including Skyscanner, Google flights, Trainline and National Rail.

Only direct flights were included and the fastest train times with the fewest amount of changes, and no overnight journeys.

The price of petrol was calculated by using the average petrol price per litre, as per the weekly Government statistics, and assuming a car that does 40 miles to the gallon. For the London to Paris trip, the cheapest channel tunnel pass was added to the price.