Ratgeber
Stag do travel: flight or train, which is better?
For a stag weekend the flight is usually faster, while the train is worthwhile for destinations such as Vienna or Hamburg when more time is available. Travelling together saves a group a lot of stress. Bachelor Trips compares travel routes for your group by video call.
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Schritt für Schritt
- Calculate the pure journey time for flight and train from door to door.
- Check who departs from Zurich, Basel or other places.
- Compare luggage rules, seating and connection times.
- Decide whether the group travels together or in smaller groups.
- Book in good time and note the cancellation terms.
- Agree the meeting point and time on the day of departure in writing.
Checkliste
- Door-to-door journey time compared
- Departure points of all participants known
- Luggage rules checked
- Connection times realistic
- Shared meeting point agreed
- Cancellation terms noted
- Buffer for delays planned
For destinations such as Prague, Vienna or Hamburg, the train only pays off if you have plenty of time, while the flight wins on short weekends. What matters is journey time, luggage and group coordination. Here best men read how to plan the journey so that the first evening does not end on a train.
When does the flight win?
On short weekends the flight usually wins. Prague, Vienna, Amsterdam or Barcelona are reachable with a short flight time, and departure times can be aligned to a weekend. An early flight on Friday gives the group the first afternoon on site.
Count not only the flight time but also the journey to the airport, security checks and the transfer into the city. An honest door-to-door calculation often shows that the advantage is smaller than it seems on paper.
Flights vary greatly depending on season and category. Direct connections are more comfortable, while connections take longer. Anyone flying as a group should look for a joint booking and suitable times.
When is the train worthwhile?
The train is worthwhile when the journey is part of the programme. Vienna or Hamburg can be reached by train, and the ride can become a shared part of the weekend. Chatting, games and refreshments are possible in the compartment. A group compartment with reserved seats is the simplest way to stay together.
It saves the trip to the airport and the security check. Arriving in the city centre has its charm, especially at destinations with good connections. In return, the journey often takes considerably longer than the flight.
Check connections and the risk of delays. On long routes, small delays can add up. Plan more buffer for train journeys than for flights, especially on the return day.
How do you coordinate the group?
Travelling as a group is more complicated than expected. If everyone has different departure points or times, arrival windows stretch over several hours. Set a shared meeting point and a latest arrival time.
Book together wherever possible. A group booking makes changes easier, and in the event of cancellations one point of contact reacts for everyone. Ask about conditions for name changes and cancellations. This is a clear advantage above all with mixed departure points.
Share booking confirmations in the group chat. That way everyone has access to times and gates, and the organiser does not have to look things up for every question.
How do the travel costs compare?
Costs fluctuate strongly. Flights are often cheap when booked early, but much more expensive in high season or at short notice. Train journeys are attractive when booked in advance, less so at short notice. Work this out for two or three variants before you decide.
Include incidental costs. Luggage, seat, transfer and refreshments change the picture. A supposedly cheap flight can become more expensive through additional fees.
In the end, compare the total price per person and the journey time. This usually shows whether the flight or the train is worthwhile. Without figures in mind, this cannot be said seriously, so we are happy to work it out with you.
How do you plan the return journey and delays?
Do not plan the return journey for the last minute. A flight in the early evening or a train in the afternoon leaves time for breakfast, packing and delays. Anyone with important appointments on Sunday evening should allow even more buffer.
Clarify what applies in the event of cancellation or delay. Check the rights of air passengers and rail travellers and keep receipts ready. Details depend on the provider and route, and in case of doubt the official information applies.
Bachelor Trips is a Swiss travel agency with video consultation. We compare travel routes and times with you and, on request, book for the whole group.
How do you get from the airport or station to your accommodation?
The last stage is often forgotten. From the airport into the city you take a train, bus or taxi depending on the destination. For a group of eight, a private transfer is sometimes simpler than several taxis, and we do not quote prices here, because they vary with season and category.
Find out who in the group knows the area. Anyone who already knows the city can help with orientation and get tickets. A day ticket for public transport simplifies many journeys and saves arguments at the stop.
Send the address of the accommodation to everyone in advance, as text and as a map link. Anyone who is delayed or arrives separately can then find it alone. Also note the accommodation's phone number in case the key handover does not work.
