One big difference between train and plane is that, for planes, it takes me only a few clicks on one single website to book a multiple legs flight across most of the world, transparently using several companies and I dont have to carry my luggage around.
I rarely find the same for train.
Air travel is a mess but it is still much better integrated than train for long distance.
Everything else about flying sucks though. You have to waste hours before and after because the airport is far away, security, waiting for your luggage (which gets lost more often now it seems), go through the dehumanizing security checks, put all your things in a transparent little bag, no your toothpaste is too big and might blow the plane up leave it behind, there are regular delays, shit food, ridiculous luggage allowance (size, count, weight), you get nickeled and dîmes on anything possible…
I’ll take the train over the plane any day. Just show up, board the train, put your luggage in the rack, done. Leave from the city center and arrive in the city center. There is legroom. You can walk around. Bring your own whatever you want however big you want it. It just doesn’t compare for me.
Edit to add: taking the train in Europe that is. Idk about NA.
One big difference between train and plane is that, for planes, it takes me only a few clicks on one single website to book a multiple legs flight across most of the world, transparently using several companies and I dont have to carry my luggage around.
I rarely find the same for train.
Air travel is a mess but it is still much better integrated than train for long distance.