Why Sustainable Travel in Europe Still Costs More: The Train vs. Plane Dilemma

Across Europe, more people are aiming to travel sustainably, yet flights are often cheaper than train tickets, making eco-friendly choices difficult. The question many travelers ask is, why is flying so much more affordable than taking the train?

Struggling to Travel Sustainably

For Tess Longfield, who planned a family trip to Brittany with sustainability in mind, the challenges began when she tried to book her train journey. While securing Eurostar tickets nine months in advance was straightforward, internal French train tickets were only available six months ahead and sold out quickly. Unable to secure a spot, she canceled her Eurostar tickets and opted for a flight, feeling frustrated and embarrassed for abandoning her eco-friendly plans. Longfield’s struggle is echoed by Jo Geneen, a sustainability consultant based in Amsterdam. Despite regularly taking trains for work trips to Hamburg, Paris, and London, Geneen recently had to cancel a non-refundable train ticket. The added cost and inflexibility forced her to choose a more affordable, flexible flight. “When routes are four or five times cheaper by air, it’s tough to do the right thing,” she noted.

Growth of Europe Railways Amidst Setbacks

Rail travel is thriving in Europe with an expanding network, including Austria’s Nightjet routes like Vienna-Venice and Paris-Berlin. Eurail, managing Interrail services, reported a 25% increase in demand for flight-free travel from 2022 to 2023. Some countries are promoting this trend; for instance, France has banned short-haul flights where train alternatives under 2.5 hours exist. Spain is considering a similar move for its 2050 climate plan. However, despite these advancements, travelers often find the experience more expensive and logistically challenging compared to flying.

Why Is Train Travel Lagging?

Justin Francis, CEO of Responsible Travel, attributes the disparity to several factors. A major issue is that aviation fuel is untaxed, unlike diesel fuel for trains, which has varying tax rates across Europe. This lack of taxation makes flying artificially cheap. Additionally, European train networks need better integration to ensure efficient travel across countries. Booking limitations—often capped at 180 days in advance—add another layer of difficulty, preventing tour operators from arranging comprehensive packages that would be both financially and logistically feasible. Francis also highlighted that under EU package holiday rules, operators must refund travelers if a train is delayed or canceled, while airlines are responsible for their own delays. This regulation discourages operators from offering rail-based packages due to the higher risk of cancellations and delays.

The Challenges for Travelers

For travelers, this means that planning a train holiday often involves higher prices, longer wait times for connections, and complicated self-booking processes. The lack of tour operator support for rail travel also makes it harder to find group rates and discounted tickets. Despite recent government efforts, such as the EU’s Action Plan for sustainable rail travel, the failure to address fundamental issues like fuel taxation keeps flights significantly cheaper.

Solutions for Sustainable Travelers

Travel agencies like Byway are stepping up to simplify flight-free travel across Europe. Using custom JourneyAI software, Byway helps customers book complex rail routes and navigate language, currency, and timetable barriers. Travelers can even contact Byway via WhatsApp if delays or route changes occur. James Hill, a Byway concierge, pointed out the advantages of train travel, such as scenic routes and leisurely meals in dining cars. Italy, for example, offers an excellent blend of regional and high-speed trains and even sleeper trains that board ferries, showcasing the unique experiences rail travel can offer. Another player, Busbud, is working to remove booking barriers for non-flight travel by connecting bus, coach, and train routes across North America and Europe. Christine Petersen, Busbud’s marketing officer, emphasized that ground travel offers experiences like enjoying scenery, stretching, and dining mid-journey, unlike planes.

The Path Forward

While train travel presents unique perks—no lengthy check-ins, bypassing security lines, and direct city-center arrivals—it still struggles to compete with air travel on convenience and price. Francis insists that for rail to become a viable alternative, a fair taxation system is needed. “Rail isn’t the solution unless we address the root problems,” he concluded. For now, travelers committed to sustainability face tough choices as the industry grapples with balancing environmental goals and economic realities.