I absolutely love trains and train travel, almost as much as air travel, and I think the carbon footprint in itself is a great reason to make the change. I have travelled from Bern to Birmingham solely by train and I was surprised at how fast the whole journey was (8 hours -
just a tad longer than it would have been by air, with ride to airport, wait time and connection factored.)
The big problem is often how prohibitive the cost is. That one way train journey, in 2nd class, cost me more than a standard
return in
J. Station changes in Paris and London were also a pain to do with luggage. Governments need to do more to subsidize train travel in order to buckle the trend, and I would hugely support this.
Other than that I agree with most of OP's points but many of them have their counter points! For example:
- You never need to arrive at a train station two hours before departure.
True, and as a result, you miss them!
I've not missed a plane in 25 years. I can't say the same about trains.
3. You can keep an eye on your own luggage.
No, you
HAVE to keep an eye your own luggage, lest some d-bag walk out the train with it. It is not fun and it is not relaxing.
Not to mention lifting them in and out of multiple trains. And poor station infrastructure with mostly stairs. Just no. Travelling with luggage is so much better by plane.
Cute, but, have you actually looked out the window of an aeroplane? The view quality might surprise you!