[novocaine]

Central London transport is world class, and she was in Central London, so it was not luck

[agent008t]

Compared to what? Ventilation in the tube is pretty bad, train delays and line closures are fairly frequent. Rail is notoriously always having problems. Locals may correct me, but transport in e.g. Tokyo seemed a lot more efficient when I was there.

[pjc50]

Indeed. Central London transportation works, almost all of the time, and has a good layout, but it's not the greatest metro in the world.

Of course the rest of the UK looks at London's well funded bus and tube network the same way we look at Tokyo, a symbol of unattainable perfection.

[leonk]

She got a train from Manchester to London. I'm surprised that the price of this ticket wasn't mentioned (when the £4.90 one in London was). Manchester to London can typically cost anywhere between £40 to £90.

[pjc50]

Yes, I was slightly surprised at the whole "flying into manchester then taking a train was cheaper", given how many times I've chosen air over train because of the prices.

When it works and it's reasonably priced and you get a seat in a good environment it's the best form of travel. It's a shame those conditions so rarely all hold at the same time.

[dazc]

I got a first class from Hull to Southampton the other week for £42 (booked a day in advance, obviously).

Chap got on at Doncaster, apologised for not having a ticket and handed over his card - £250!!