In message , Paul
Weaver writes

True, but planes still take a long time. Hour from center of london to
luton/stanstead, 2 hours at the airport, 2 hours on the plane (maybe
longon), another 30 minutes waiting for luggage, another hour waiting
for the bus and transfer to the center of rome. Already over 6 hours,
and you dont get enough time to sleep. A nice relaxed train ride gives
you room to stretch your legs, face to face meeting, mobile phone,
laptop (with power), a good nights sleep etc. Leave London at 4PM,
arrive in Milan at 10AM the next morning haveing had a relaxing
evening and a good sleep. Compare to flight - get up at 3AM, get to
airport by 4, flight leaves at 6 (UK), land at 9(CET), into middle of
milan by 10 at the earliest.

Yes, but the cheapest practical rail fares from London to Milan (2nd
class leisure return) are either 217 GBP (for a shared 2-berth sleeping
compartment) or 153 GBP for a place in a basic 6-berth couchette.

For that price I could fly British Airways from Heathrow on the 17:50 to
Milan (64 GBP return APEX) and have enough left over for a really decent
hotel in Milan rather than sleeping on a train or getting up at 3AM.
And the budget airlines are even cheaper (Ryanair is currently offering
some return flights to Milan for 2p plus taxes!).

--
Paul Terry