Quick decision rule
| Rail journey | First option to check |
|---|---|
| Under about 5 hours | Rail |
| About 5–8 hours | Compare both |
| Very long cross-country route | Flight |
This is a planning heuristic, not an official rule.
Compare the full journey
Calculate:
hotel → station or airport → waiting / security → train or flight → arrival → next hotel
The shortest scheduled travel time is not always the fastest trip.
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Last verified 2026-10-05. Procedures and limits change — check official sources before you travel.