In the US at least going by train is about like walking. Going from Dallas to Austin is about 3-4 hours by car a short enough trip you wouldn't think about flying but long enough that you would like to avoid driving. By train that is 7 hours. Looking at Dallas to Denver a 12-14 hour car trip, something where the few hour flight would be an option. By train that is 48hrs one way. so to visit a friend my options are: 24hours in a car, 4 hours by plane, and 4 days on a train. The train ride would cost about the same amount as the plane ride, and the car ride would be dollars spent cheaper but not by much.