European cities are better connected by air travel than by train, according to a study by Greenpeace. The organization compared train and flight connections among 45 major European cities and found that only 12 percent of routes can be served by direct trains, while the number of direct flights is significantly higher.
The most popular routes, such as Paris-Rome, Madrid-Paris, and London-Berlin, lack direct train connections despite being among the most frequently used flight routes in Europe with over a million passengers annually. Greenpeace proposes that these routes could be covered by direct trains within a short timeframe of 10 hours and 30 minutes if the infrastructure is developed.
Travelers on existing train routes often face challenges such as multiple changes and the risk of missing connecting trains. Additionally, the cost of train travel is significantly higher than air travel, with train tickets often costing more than 300 euros whereas flights can be as low as 14.99 euros.
In response to these findings, Greenpeace is urging for a new EU rail strategy that prioritizes trains over flights and emphasizes the development of direct train connections between European cities. They propose reducing train tolls and implementing a kerosene tax to discourage air travel and promote a more sustainable mode of transportation.