Off The Beaten Track

Question: which of the following two journeys costs more? A) the 290 mile trip by rail between Newcastle and London or B) travelling by air from Newcastle to the Spanish island of Menorca and then on from Menorca to London, a total distance of approximately 3,500 miles?  Logic would suggest B would be the most expensive but, as student Joe Furness has demonstrated, logic does not always come up with the correct answer.  When the 21 year old chose to make a last minute trip from Newcastle to see friends in London he was shocked to learn the cheapest fare by rail was £78.50.  So he went online and found he could make it to London for just £26.98 by taking a plane to Menorca, staying on the island for 12 hours and then catching another plane to London Gatwick.  Even when extra costs are taken into account, such as £7.50 to hire a car for him to sleep in and the £4 he spent on a cocktail, the total cost of his trip came to £38.48, £40 cheaper than the rail fare.  The trainee marine officer admits his route is “no good for anyone who needs to do a commute.  But it does show how cheap it can be to travel and have a bit of fun at the same time…I had a great time, saw a festival, drove around the island for a bit and met loads of people.  Trains in the UK have become ridiculously expensive.  I’ve never once got on a train and got off at the other end thinking I’ve had value for money.”  In all it took Mr Furness 22 hours to reach London but as he said, “It took a lot longer, but I think it’s still better than sitting on a train for four hours.” Sounds like it was just the ticket.