Laurence Dollimore
A BRITISH lad travelled to London via Spain because it was cheaper than getting the train.
Joe Furness, 21, figured out that it would be cheaper to fly from Newcastle to London via Spain than it would be to travel on conventional public transport.
In a video posted online, Joe explained that his trip was to ‘show just how ridiculous the UK train fares are’.
Furness wanted to travel to London from Newcastle, but the UK’s National Rail wanted to charge £78.50 (€89.30), even after using his 18-25 railcard, which awards around a third off the price.
Furness found that Newcastle to Menorca, and then on to London Gatwick came to only £26 (€29.50).
So the young Geordie flew to the Balearic and enjoyed a 12-hour-stop-over to soak up some sun and indulge in a cocktail or two.
Instagramming a picture from the beach, Joe wrote:
“Newcastle – London Train £78.50, Newcastle – Menorca £15.99, Menorca – London £10.99, Car hire £7.50, Sex on the beach cocktail £4.
“I can have a night on a Spanish island, hire a car, have a cocktail on the beach, fly back to London and still have £40 left over….. OR I could have sat on a train, What would you have rather done?”
Joe later told the Lad Bible:
“It was pretty surreal, having just arrived from the North of England. There were hundreds of Spanish horse riders on the beach – I grabbed a Sex on the Beach cocktail from the bar and spend the rest of the time relaxing in the sun.”
After a spot of sun, Joe headed back to London to enjoy the delights of the UK capital with some friends and the £40 he saved by not travelling by train.
British rail passengers spend six times more on train fares than their European counterparts.
Britain was always a rip-off when it came to rail fares, however post-Brexit this is likely to get a lot worse. Since the cap on annual rail fare rises is set by inflation, which in turn relies on sterling rates, prices may still rise further. One wonders if people expected that when voting? Hard times for the “ordinary people” of the UK in the years ahead. Most of he rich are doing great out of Brexit, best thing for years in their case. Same old.
Typical rip off Britain!
He’s still got to get back to Newcastle from London!!!
What’s wrong with doing the same thing in reverse Tam? Sounds like even more fun for this lively lad.