Should I train or fly in Europe?

If you're wondering whether it is cheaper to fly or take a train in Europe, the answer is that it also depends. If you're only traveling between major cities, you may opt to fly. However, if you need to get to smaller towns that are not near any airports, then a train would be the better option.



People Also Ask

Train travel in Europe is generally far more comfortable than flying. At the end of the day, traveling Europe by train is immensely more comfortable than flying. There's less hassle, more comfortable seats, more ease of moving around, often better views, and more control over your environment.

MORE DETAILS

“Generally speaking, traveling by plane is faster and more convenient, but can be more expensive and stressful. On the other hand, traveling by train is usually cheaper and more comfortable, but can take much longer.”

MORE DETAILS

Trains in Europe work really well and they usually link all the most beautiful cities, even in different countries. You can even travel by bus if you like it more. Buses travel all around Europe and they link lots of cities, and they are very cheap.

MORE DETAILS

Trains offer greater flexibility at each stage of the journey, making family train travel easier and less stressful than flying. Children can move around more freely than on a plane, and you'll have the space to pack home comforts.

MORE DETAILS

Why are flights often cheaper than train tickets? “There's an unfair taxing system which makes trains more expensive,” said Herwig Schuster, a transport campaigner at Greenpeace who authored the ticket prices report. “There are a lot of polluting subsidies on the airline side.”

MORE DETAILS

Train travel is often cheaper than flying, in part because you can generally take more with you before paying extra baggage fees. It can also be more convenient and relaxing than driving, especially if you'd be driving in an unfamiliar place or driving for many hours nonstop to get to your destination.

MORE DETAILS

The report found that, on average, train journeys in Europe are around double the cost of their air alternatives, which can produce up to 10 times more emissions.

MORE DETAILS

1. Switzerland. Tucked inside the small but incredibly beautiful country of Switzerland is one of the most efficient and scenic rail networks in the world.

MORE DETAILS

While airlines pay no kerosene tax or VAT across Europe, train operators pay energy taxes, VAT and high rail tolls in most European countries. In the U.K., operators are relieved of VAT, but are notorious for imposing some of the highest ticket prices in Europe.

MORE DETAILS

Airlines carry more travelers — United States carriers transported 777.9 million passengers on domestic flights in 2018 — but Amtrak is particularly strong in the Northeast Corridor between hubs such as New York City and Washington, D.C. Amtrak recently announced the launch of Acela Nonstop service between the two ...

MORE DETAILS

Train travel is often cheaper than flying, in part because you can generally take more with you before paying extra baggage fees. It can also be more convenient and relaxing than driving, especially if you'd be driving in an unfamiliar place or driving for many hours nonstop to get to your destination.

MORE DETAILS

Even though the total number of miles travelled by Americans has increased, miles travelled on the train have remained almost stagnant in the last decades, likely because of high prices and too few connections on the Amtrak network, which is celebrating 50 years of service today.

MORE DETAILS

Average U.S. airfares are more than 6.5% lower in September 2023 than they were in September 2019, meaning prices aren't just lower than they were last year, but even lower than what they were pre-pandemic.

MORE DETAILS

Passenger rail is around three times more efficient than a car on a passenger-mile basis at current occupancy levels. The lower energy consumption leads to lower greenhouse emissions.

MORE DETAILS

Let's take a look at some of the advantages of travelling by train:
  • You can sit back and relax. ...
  • Sometimes the scenery is just better! ...
  • It can be better value for money. ...
  • You can have a bite to eat on the move. ...
  • It's easy to stay connected. ...
  • Trains are better for the planet. ...
  • In most cases, it's faster!


MORE DETAILS

On average, trains are at least 12 times more energy efficient per passenger than air travel.

MORE DETAILS

Trains are Reliable and Stress Free With high-speed rail, train travel is always faster than driving. In many cases, it's even faster than flying, once you factor in the whole air travel song-and-dance.

MORE DETAILS