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What's faster? Watch us race across England by plane and train

May 06, 2022
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4 min read
London to Leeds Race Thumbnail[31]
What's faster? Watch us race across England by plane and train
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National Train Day is fast approaching in the U.S., and The Points Guy U.K. team has found the perfect way to celebrate. Thanks to the likes of Francis Bourgeois’ viral TikTok videos as well as the environmental benefits that train transport offers, riding a train has never been so popular. To celebrate National Train Day across the pond, The Points Guy U.K. is putting trains and planes to the ultimate test.

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British airline Flybe has recently made its debut back into the world after having been off-grid for the past two years. The re-launched brand has reconnected London Heathrow (LHR) and Leeds Bradford (LBA) as a flight route after British Airways dropped it from its schedule.

In our most recent video, Nicky races Liam from Piccadilly Circus, London to Nicky’s family home in Leeds, which is situated halfway between the train station and airport in Leeds. Liam went by train from Kings Cross in London to Leeds, and Nicky took the Flybe flight from London Heathrow to Leeds Bradford Airport.

Related: Plane vs. Train: Watch the TPG UK Team Race From London to Paris

The test looked at the value, the ease of getting to the station or airport, the comfort on board and who could get to their destination the fastest. The key question: Is taking the train both more environmentally friendly and quicker?

You can watch the whole experience and find out who won right here on YouTube:

Nicky Kelvin – Plane

I traveled on the Bakerloo line from Piccadilly Circus to Paddington and connected onto the Heathrow Express train to Heathrow’s Terminal 2. I took Flybe flight BE752 on a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 to Leeds Bradford airport scheduled to depart Heathrow at 9:45 a.m. My mom and dog picked me up from the airport to race to the finish line at my family home in North Leeds.

We paid:

  • Flybe ticket: 54.99 British pounds ($67.95).
  • Tube and Heathrow Express: 27.50 British pounds ($33.98).
  • Lift from mom: Free!
  • Total: 82.49 British pounds ($101.94).
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I loved the speed of the actual flight, which clocked in at 41 minutes and is, in isolation, far quicker than the train. There was a refreshment service on board providing tea, coffee and biscuits for all passengers, which was a lovely touch. The Dash 8 aircraft was small but very comfortable, and the views from the sky are unrivaled!

It was not all rosy, however. Delays are not uncommon at Heathrow airport. Even if a flight leaves its stand on time, a busy airfield and associated air traffic and other holdups can mean lots of time is lost just taking off.

There are also, of course, more hurdles to jump through, including the check-in, boarding and security processes (although these were all smooth at Heathrow that day). It’s worth noting that some people may not like the smaller and noisier propeller planes used on this route.

Liam Spencer – Train

Liam traveled on the Piccadilly line from Piccadilly Circus to Kings Cross St Pancras to catch the 8:33 a.m. LNER train service from London Kings Cross to Leeds. He then took a taxi to the finish line.

We paid:

  • First Class LNER train ticket: 58 British pounds ($71.67).
  • Tube: 2.50 British pounds ($3.09).
  • Taxi: 15 British pounds ($18.54).
  • Total: 75.50 British pounds ($93.30).

I found the first-class seat on the train to be incredibly comfy, with a huge tray table and tons of room to stretch out. There was also an extensive breakfast and drinks menu that the ticket price covered. I had poached eggs with smashed avocado, which was delicious. The crew serving me was also very friendly. Overall, it was an extremely efficient service that got me into Leeds slightly ahead of schedule.

There were a few downsides, including the lack of entertainment if you didn’t bring your own. Although complimentary Wi-Fi was provided, it was not particularly strong and cut out often.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.