Flying Is Crushing Europe's Greenest Transport—Here’s Why Trains Are Losing the Battle

Air travel remains dominant despite Europe's push for sustainability. A new Greenpeace study exposes why people still choose planes over trains.

The long-term goal of the European Union is decarbonization and sustainable mobility. The Green Deal aims to lead Europe to carbon neutrality. One of the major polluters is the transport sector, which seeks solutions in rail electrification and the transition to eco-friendly fuels. Although trains are considered comfortable and nostalgic by many, people still prefer air travel for vacations and weekend trips. Planes are the least sustainable mode of transport, require excessive waiting time at airports, and yet, they continue to outperform rail travel. There are several reasons why.

Unlike other polluting sectors, transport is the only industry in the EU where emissions have increased since 1990, according to a Greenpeace study. Despite all the EU’s efforts and regulations, rising demand for travel, which is becoming more affordable and accessible, may be the main factor behind this trend.

Rail is the most eco-friendly way to travel long distances across Europe. On average, it produces 80% fewer emissions per person per kilometer than air travel, which remains the most popular option. Yet for many passengers, train travel remains too expensive and complicated.

Airfare as the Main Factor

Greenpeace conducted a study last year during the Christmas holidays, a period when people often use their time off to visit relatives abroad or enjoy a weekend at Christmas markets. The research examined how people could travel between major European cities and at what cost. The findings revealed that the average price of a train ticket from Brussels to 20 destinations was three times higher than the price of a flight. The only route where a train ticket was consistently cheaper than a flight in all searches was Berlin–Munich. In some cases, tickets to Zurich were also slightly cheaper.

Greenpeace averaged ticket prices for December 21, 23, and 28, 2023. The most significant price gap was on the Rome–Brussels route, where a Ryanair ticket cost just EUR 15, while a train ticket cost nearly EUR 350—over 16 times more. The biggest average price difference was on the Brussels–Madrid route, where train tickets were seven times more expensive than flights. This was also the most expensive train route, with an average ticket price of nearly EUR 325.

Ticket Availability Plays to Their Advantage

Another factor discouraging train travel is the limited availability of direct connections. Of the twenty analyzed routes, only four had direct trains from Brussels. Moreover, only two of them—London and Marseille—offered daily direct services. By comparison, air travel is far more accessible. From Brussels, direct flights are available to all 20 cities at least three times a week.

A further disadvantage of train travel is that tickets are usually not available for purchase until one or two months before departure, while flights can be booked up to three months in advance. Additionally, train travelers often face complicated booking systems, as in more than half of cases, it was impossible to buy a single ticket for the entire journey.

What Can Be Done?

One of the main arguments for supporting rail transport is its potential to reduce environmental damage and alleviate congestion at airports and on highways. Investing in rail modernization,high-speed rail lines, and expanding train connections could provide a sustainable alternative and increase the attractiveness of rail travel.

Train v Plane: the reality.

New research from @RailDeliveryGrp reveals that it’s 17 times better for the planet to take an @LNER train instead of flying from London to Edinburgh.

That should be enough of a reason, but there’s more.

(1/3) pic.twitter.com/BQQBAzdkmo

— Stuart Thomas (@stuartthomas) April 19, 2024

For example, introducing direct train connections to more European capitals could shift the balance between price and convenience, making rail a stronger competitor to low-cost airlines, which currently dominate the market. Night trains could also be a solution to boost interest in rail travel. However, direct night train routes from Brussels currently only exist to Berlin and Vienna, and even these run at most three times a week. Indirect night train routes exist to Venice, Nice, and Budapest, but these require transfers and complex booking processes.

To make rail transport a more viable alternative, Greenpeace suggests that EU governments implement measures to lower train ticket prices, such as removing VAT and reducing track access charges. It would also be beneficial to establish an integrated European ticketing system, allowing for simpler trip planning and the ability to purchase a single ticket for an entire journey.

Source: Greenpeace.org