Europe is encouraging people to travel by train for a greener future. More people want to avoid flying and pick the train for a slower, more eco-friendly trip. But many find that train travel is expensive, confusing, and harder to plan than flying. Even with growing interest and government support, the system still feels broken.
One traveler, Tess Longfield, tried to book a sustainable trip to Brittany. She planned her journey early and bought Eurostar tickets nine months in advance. But the train tickets within France weren’t available yet. When they were finally released, they sold out fast. With no other train options, she had to cancel the Eurostar and book a flight. Despite her effort to travel green, she was forced to choose the easier, cheaper route.
Another traveler, Jo Geneen, travels often from Amsterdam to cities like Paris and Hamburg for work. She said her train ticket to Hamburg was non-refundable and cost more than a flight. When her plans changed, she lost the money. A flexible, cheaper flight was the only choice left. She wants to do the right thing for the environment, but the system doesn’t support it.
This frustration is common across Europe. People want to take trains. Rail travel is growing, with new night train routes and a rise in bookings. France has banned short flights if there’s a train option under 2.5 hours, and Spain may follow. Despite that, trains remain more expensive and harder to book than flights.
Why is train travel still so complex?
There are a few reasons:
- Airlines don’t pay taxes on fuel, making flying cheaper.
- Train tickets are often only available six months in advance, making trip planning harder.
- Routes between countries aren’t well connected.
- If a train is canceled, tour operators have to refund travelers under strict EU rules. The same doesn’t apply to airlines.
These problems make planning a train-based holiday harder and more costly. Travel agents also struggle to offer group deals or packages due to these issues.
There are some efforts to fix things. The EU started an Action Plan to make train travel better connected and more reliable. But without fixing fuel tax rules, prices won’t become fair. As long as flying is cheaper, it will remain the first choice for most people.
Some travel companies are helping. Byway is a UK-based travel company offering 100% flight-free trips across Europe. They handle the tricky booking process and even give travelers help via WhatsApp during the journey. They say their customers enjoy the slow, scenic travel experience that trains offer—something planes just can’t match.
Italy is a popular country for train trips. It offers high-speed rail, slow regional trains through vineyards, and even sleeper trains that board ferries. It’s an ideal place for people who love rail travel.
Another company, Busbud, is helping travelers plan ground travel across multiple countries. They work like Expedia, but for buses, coaches, and trains. Their goal is to make it easier to travel without flying.
While trains might be slower, there are other benefits. You don’t need to arrive two hours early like at airports. There’s no long security line, and trains often take you directly into city centers.
Still, experts say real change needs to happen. Rail needs a fair chance to compete with air travel. If nothing changes, people will keep choosing the cheaper and easier option: flying.
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