Since the event of low cost carriers, the number of flights across Europe has exploded, making air transport accessible to millions and changing the way people travel.
However, there has been a renaissance in recent years in travelling by rail within Europe. Europeans use the train as basic public transport. To commute to work, to go and see friends and family, as well as to go on vacation within their own country. The environmental push against air travel, as well as the sometimes unpleasant travelling experiences people have had on the cheap European flights and the growing cost of flights have made more and more travellers turn back to rail as their chosen means of transport between countries. Train travel can be a comfortable, enjoyable and efficient way of moving from one European city to another.
Things to consider when deciding between the train and the plane.
- Travel time
- Cost of rail travel vs taking the plane
- Comfort and convenience of rail travel
- Environmental impact of trains vs planes
- Scenic views from trains
- When is flying the best option?
- The inherent beauty of rail travel
Travel time
Time is often the first consideration when choosing between travel by air or rail, especially if you are planning a multi destination trip in Europe with only a couple of weeks to spare. Looking at timetables can make one believe that flying is the quickest option, but this belies the truth. When flying one has to consider travel to and from the airport, which is rarely centrally located, as well as time to check in and pass through security and immigration (if necessary). For short haul flights within Europe it is generally recommended to arrive at the airport no less than 2 hours before your flight, to give you time to get through the often long queues for security and arrive at your gate. Gates often close 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time of the flight. This means that even a short, 90 minute flight will in reality take about 5 hours door to door.
Trains, within the Schengen zone, have no check-in time required but it is generally recommended to get to the station 30 minutes before your train. Train stations are almost always centrally located reducing the required travel time.
Tip one : If a direct train journey is less than 5 hours take the train.
Changing trains is not necessarily a problem; often you will get off one train cross the platform and get on the next train, or make your way to the central hall in the station to find your next platform. Beware though cities that have multiple train stations as travel between the stations can be the most difficult part of the journey, especially during peak times. This is especially true of Paris and London but Berlin, Munich, Zurich, Madrid, Vienna and Milan, for example also have several important train stations.
Tip two : Check connecting trains go from the same station and allow time to travel between stations if needed.
Cost of rail travel vs taking the plane
Whilst it might at first seem that the train would be the budget option whilst traveling through Europe this is often not the case. This report from Greenpeace in 2023 compared ticket prices of planes vs trains found that, on average, rail trips were twice as expensive as flights. And in one extreme example London to Barcelona was found to be 30 times cheaper by plane. Even though recent price hikes in budget flight costs have closed this gap somewhat it is still significantly cheaper in many instances to fly rather than take the train.
Luggage allowances trains vs planes
However, and this is an important point, these cost comparisons were made assuming no extra charges for luggage. Low cost carriers used to allow a cabin bag type suitcase as part of your ticket price. Recently this has changed to only allowing a very small cabin bag (to fit under a seat) and having to pay extra, sometimes more than the original flight cost, to take even a carry on suitcase.
To give a concrete example of this let’s take a flight from Paris to Milan at the end of August.
EasyJet flight from Paris Orly on 28th August has a headline price of 33€ however once a checked in suitcase is added this price rises to 83€. Should you decide to take a carry-on suitcase rather than a checked in bag the price would go up to 90€.
A direct train on the same day from the centre of Paris to the centre of Milan can be booked for 69€, and you can take up to two bags free of charge.
Tip 3: Check your luggage allowance and bag size before booking any flights
Comfort and convenience of rail travel
Luggage aside there are several reasons why traveling by rail is more convenient and more comfortable than flying.
No long security lines
As long as your train trip is staying within the Schengen area there is no need for security or immigration checks.
Paris to London however goes outside this zone so airport style checks are required.
City centre to city centre
A major advantage of train travel is that you travel from centre to centre. Airports are often quite a distance from the centre and are costly and time consuming to get to. Traveling by rail cuts both time and cost.
More comfort and mobility
Standard train seats have much more room than a standard airline seat, and often for a small fee you can upgrade to first class for even more comfort. It is also much easier to get up and move around, use the bathroom, and even buy a drink.
Scenic views
Looking out the window watching the world go by is one of the great pleasures of train travel in Europe. Some routes can even be a destination of their own (see below)
Consistent pricing
Train companies generally have a more consistent pricing policy than air companies, who use dynamic pricing. This can make budgeting for your European trip easier.
No turbulence
Train travel does not suffer the same turbulence problems that flights do making them a much more comfortable experience, especially for those who have a fear of flying.
More reliable
Planes are more likely to be delayed or cancelled than trains (according to a European Parliament briefing). Whilst trains are susceptible to cancelations due to strikes, they are less susceptible to operational or weather difficulties than planes. Also, there are often only one or two flights a day on certain routes, where as the train offers multiple choices of timings and often alternatives, with a change, in the case of a cancellation.
Environmental impact of trains vs planes
About 80% of all train travel within Europe is powered by electricity making it mush more environmentally friendly than air travel. (confirmed by studies from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Visitors to Europe can significantly reduce their carbon footprint by opting for the train where possible.
Scenic views from trains
Some train trips are about more than getting from A to B. Some train trips are an experience in themselves. For these journeys the discussion of plane vs train isn’t relevant because the train IS the destination. If you are including these in your European trip planning, then remember to allow a guilt free day for them. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view.
Some of the best scenic train trips in Europe are in Switzerland, they seem to have understood the power of the train in the mountains:
- The Glacier Express (Switzerland) – Founded in the 1930’s this is an eight-hour journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt, passing through 291 bridges and 91 tunnels with panoramic views of the Matterhorn. With prices from 201CHF (around 214€) it is worthy of a day as part of a European itinerary.
- Bernina Express (Switzerland/Italy) – Crossing the Alps on the Bernina Express is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular train routes in Europe. The railway combines two historic lines, the Albula Railway (opened in 1904) and the Bernina Railway (1910). This is a four-hour journey from Chur to Tirano, crossing the UNESCO-listed Landwasser Viaduct and Morteratsch Glacier. (note this route is covered by the Swiss travel pass) Prices from 164CHF (173€)
- Gotthard Panorama Express (Switzerland) – A unique journey combining rail and boat taking five and a half hours from Locarno to Lucerne travelling through stunning alpine landscapes. Cost from 112 CHF (120€)
When is flying the best option?
Given the benefits of the train, it is evident that for shorter journeys, rail is the best option. However once the journey time goes over five hours on the train it is time to look at the flight options. That is not to say I would never recommend a longer train journey, just that the options should be considered. Night trains are another option, but I will talk about them another time.
Times when flights are the logical choice:
Travelling to and from an Island. An exception to this would be some of the Greek islands where there is a good reliable ferry service, and smaller islands that have no airport as well as those connected to the mainland by a bridge (such as the Ile de Ré)
Travelling to the Baltic States. Until recently travel between the Baltic States by rail simply wasn’t possible. This has now changed, although travelling to and from the region remains much easier by plane.
Travelling to Bulgaria. Although it is possible to travel to Bulgaria by train, a flight will almost certainly be the better option.
Travelling to Finland. Whilst trains within Finland work very well, for the purposes of European Itineraries Finland should be treated as an Island (I am assuming at the moment that Russia is off limits). Helsinki can be accessed by ferry from Tallin, otherwise flights are the best option.
The inherent beauty of rail travel
For some people travelling is all about the journey, and for many them train travel will always be chosen above a flight. There is something inherently nostalgic about spending the day on a train watching the world go by. Even at the busiest of times (when schools break up for the holidays for example) the train will always be more comfortable than a low cost carrier, especially if you can afford the upgrade to first class (it’s always worth looking, sometimes the difference can be just a few Euros).
Added to this railway stations are some of the handsomest buildings in Europe, arriving at London’s St Pancras is a far cry from the unremarkable London airport terminals for example. Especially if you then go for a drink at the fabulous Booking office 1869.
Other notable beautiful European train stations include:
Amsterdam Centraal : A striking mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and modern architecture, makes this station one of the most iconic in Europe.
Antwerp central : Sometimes called the railway cathedral this station has been regarded to be one of the most beautiful stations in the world.
Madrid Atocha : Has the peculiarity of having an indoor tropical garden.
Milano Centrale : Is a masterpiece of Italian architecture. It is one of those places that you know immediately where you have arrived without seeing a single sign.
Berlin Hauptbahnhof : This is a modern take on the importance of train station architecture to a town. First conceived after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 it was officially opened in 2006.
Unlike airports, train stations are more than just a place to start or end a journey. The buildings are testament to Europe’s industrial heritage and architectural tradition. They maintain an important role in many of Europe’s cities, and bear witness to Europe’s on-going commitment to sustainable transport.
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