Talking from a UK perspective here.
Does Europe face this systematic rigging issue, that airports seem to do to nowadays, to purposefully ensure you absolutely cannot get there cheaply? Or is this a UK thing only?
Imagine you find a flight from Stansted to somewhere for £30 but you live in Nottingham (which is a city quite central).
Option 1. Driving and parking at the airport – Can cost £100-120 just for a weekend.
Option 2. Taking the train – UK trains are notoriously expensive, looking at around £60 one way, probably £80 return.
Option 3. Doing a JustPark (residential parking space-sharing app) – Still around £7-10 per day and then you need to ensure a train is running from the town close by to the airport.
Option 4. Bus – Long and nearly costing as much as the train.
I remember staying at a hotel which was a 5 minute drive away, and Uber was trying to charge me £35 for a 5 minute ride, how are airports allowed to do this?
They’ve also designed it so there are no walkable pavements nearby, so you can’t even park and walk.
The airport itself is unpleasant, small, and always stupidly busy. Does Europe face these money-gauging/advantage-taking problems too? I love travelling but the flying part especially from/to London is the biggest off-put.