Train vs. Plane: 3 Ways Skipping the Airport Can Save You Money in 2025
Written by
Jake Safane
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Traveling by train might not be your first thought if you’re in the U.S., or even if you’re traveling internationally, given the prevalence and speed of air travel. However, skipping the airport in favor of train travel can be a great way to save money on certain routes while potentially improving your travel experience.
“Flying — when trains are a reasonable and affordable option — is not at all more convenient. The airport and commute time takes longer, there are baggage restrictions with what you can take and souvenirs you can bring back — such as how you need a checked bag if you want to fly to London from France with a bottle of wine — and more math you need to do to understand your real trip cost,” said Hilary Matson, founder and CEO of Yugen Earthside, a sustainability-focused travel booking platform. “Where flying wins points for convenience is if it’s a dramatically shorter ‘all-in’ journey, and/or if the price is dramatically less.”
Consider the following ways that traveling by train can save you money in some circumstances.
Also see four overlooked travel costs you should budget for this summer.
Potentially Cheaper Tickets
Of course, the first thing you’ll likely want to check is the direct costs of a train ticket and a plane ticket. This can vary significantly by region and factors like time of year, but consider that certain types of routes tend to correlate with lower train costs.
For example, in Europe, if traveling within one country as opposed to internationally, it’s more likely that there are rules that cap train prices, regardless of when you purchase the ticket, according to Matson. “Capped prices are especially helpful for shorter, regional trains,” she said.
And in some cases, trains are the only option. France, for example, has a ban on short-haul flights where trains are available for the same route in 2 1/2 hours or less.
Even in the U.S., certain train routes are sometimes more affordable than planes. For example, tickets for an Amtrak train from New York to Washington, D.C., on July Fourth weekend 2025 start at $50 round trip, while flights start at around $100 for a round trip.
However, to find cheaper train tickets, book early, according to Matson. “It’s very frequently the case that trains have better prices right when tickets are released, around four to six months in advance, and prices increase as the departure date draws closer. Whereas, on budget airlines, it’s possible to find great last-minute deals,” she said.
Lower Costs Going To and From the Station
Another big reason skipping the airport can save you money is that the cost of getting to and from a train station is often less than getting to and from an airport. In many cases, you can take public transportation for a few dollars to the local train station, whereas a rideshare or taxi might be more.
Even when public transportation is available for both, the central location of train stations typically makes getting to them more affordable. For example, in Paris, taking the metro to and from the airport is 13 euros one way versus 2.50 euros to the train station, Matson explained.
You also have to consider the convenience of getting to and from a train station compared with an airport. Aside from the direct costs, think about the value you’re getting. If you’re spending money on travel, you likely want to enjoy the destination, not the airport terminal.
“Trains being in city centers like Paris, Amsterdam, London, etc., is a huge benefit, and one of the things train travelers love the most,” Matson said. “Your trip skips to the fun part as soon as you’re on the platform in your destination.”
Lower Baggage Fees
Trains typically have lower baggage fees than planes. And Southwest getting rid of its free checked bags policy for many customers could tilt the scales more in favor of train travel, especially for short-distance trips.
On Amtrak, for example, the first two checked bags are free, and you can bring two additional bags for $20 each. So that can quickly offset a higher-priced train ticket and make train travel more affordable overall than some flights.
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