This guy bought a car for a single trip to Bristol because it was cheaper than a train ticket

We all know that train tickets are totally unaffordable - you pretty much need to sign away your entire salary if you’re a regular train user.

So, one annoyed traveller came up with an ingenious, if slightly OTT, solution: simply buy a car. That’s right, Londoner Tom Church bought a car and drove it to Bristol and back - for just one trip - because it was cheaper than a train ticket.

The 27-year-old wanted to see a friend but had been put off by extortionate train fares.

Then, after seeing someone else complaining about the same trains on Reddit, Tom was inspired to do something different.

He bought a second-hand car, road tax, insurance and petrol — all just for one trip — because it cost less than a £218.10 return train ticket.

The car cost just £80. Road tax was £81.38, insurance for one day £20.43 and petrol £25. A total of £206.81.

Peak-time return train tickets between London and Bristol cost between £210 - £218.10.

Tom found the car online - it was a 1997 Honda Civic with 135,000 miles on the clock.

Tom, who is co-founder of voucher code site LatestDeals.co.uk said, “The idea came when I saw a man share his ridiculously priced train ticket on Reddit. I felt his pain because I had wanted to book that same journey to see a friend.

“At the end of the trip, I still have a car. I’ll probably sell it again. After some TLC, I think I can get £200. You get your unused road tax refunded so I might even be in profit! That’s real bargain hunting for you.”

We’ve got to hand it to Tom – this was an excellent plan. The only downside, of course, is that it spoils one of life’s great joys: drinking on trains. But you’ll be saving some dosh for a few extra pints so it works out I guess. 

Read more: Virgin Trains are actually letting millennial commuters pay with avocados

(Images: Tom Church / Stittastutta/Reddit)