Complaining about public transport is practically a national sport.
Stuck on a delayed train, wallet lighter than expected? We often assume everyone else in Europe must be gliding around on cheap, punctual services with a smile on their face. But is the grass really greener?
A new YouGov EuroTrack survey has compared attitudes to trains, buses, planes and cars across Western Europe. The results suggest that while moaning may be universal, some nations definitely have more to grumble about than others.
If you think train fares in the UK are pricey, you are not alone. A whopping 91% of Britons say train travel is expensive, and more than half call it very expensive. That’s a bigger number than anywhere else surveyed. France comes close at 83%, while in Spain only 53% feel the same.
Interestingly, in Britain, Denmark, France and Germany, trains top the charts as the most expensive way to get around, even beating flying, buses and driving. Meanwhile, Spaniards and Italians point the finger at driving as their biggest money drain.
Buses? They are generally seen as the cheapest option across Europe. The exception is Denmark, where 54% of people still think bus travel is expensive.
People in Britain, France and Denmark mostly agree their local train services are decent, with Germany not far behind. Things look gloomier in Italy (44%) and Spain (42%).
Brits are uniquely negative about their trains once you zoom out from the local area. Only 34% say national train services are good, a massive 22 points lower than their view of local services.
Buses follow a similar pattern. Over half of Britons rate their local buses positively, but only 39% say the same about national services. Germans show the same split. Spaniards, however, buck the trend, they are far more likely to praise their buses than their trains, both locally and nationally.
So what’s the verdict? No country seems entirely thrilled with their transport options. Brits win the award for “most annoyed at trains,” Spaniards for “buses over trains,” and the Danes apparently think everything costs too much.
So, when it comes to getting around, do you prefer a pricey train, a cramped flight, or just taking the car and hoping the petrol bill won’t ruin your holiday budget?
