Traveling by sleeper train is cheaper than flying, according to a new study.

Curbing global warming is becoming an increasingly urgent priority and governments are looking for ways to reduce emissions and develop more sustainable lifestyles. One area that is getting a lot of attention and investment is mobility. In February this year, the European Commission announced that it would support 10 pilot projects to establish new rail services or improve existing ones. This initiative aims to promote efficient and green mobility in line with the Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.

But how does this translate to travelers on a budget? Will it be more or less affordable? which one? A UK-based travel company has done some research to show that for a family of four, the train is more affordable than flying.

“Many of us want to reduce our carbon footprint by swapping planes for trains, but the cost is an obstacle,” says Rory Boland, editor of Which? Trip told The Independent. “While new sleeper train routes are being launched across Europe, fares are prohibitive for many travellers. The good news is that there are savings for families and large groups who can share train compartments.

We found that airplane trips emit up to seven times more carbon dioxide per passenger.

which one? road trip

which one? Trip took a look at three European sleepovers and compared the cheapest private room rates to the cheapest flight and one-night accommodation rates in the first week of August. The two services are operated by Nightjet: Paris to Vienna and Brussels to Vienna. A third, European sleeper, service from London to Berlin is expected to start on May 25^Th. which one? Travel takes into account the cost of taking Eurostar to Brussels or Paris to catch night trains.

Boland told The Independent that the company’s research found that solo travelers and couples were charged more for choosing the train over the plane. What is one aspect? Travel is not taken into account and perhaps it is the price on the area that should be known in the calculations. “Furthermore, comparing the carbon emissions for each route, we found that air travel has up to seven times more carbon emissions per passenger,” the company said on its website.

Traveling from London to Berlin (via Brussels) by train produces 32 kg of CO2 per person, compared to 234 kg by plane. Traveling by train from London to Vienna (via Paris) costs 40 kg of CO² 307 kg per person, per plane. Traveling by train from London to Aberdeen, 50 kg of carbohydrates for one passenger is 119 kg of carbohydrates. In order for travelers to have a better understanding of the costs, it is worth considering the cost to the environment when choosing to travel by plane. And if these calculations were formalized into policy, travelers would have more incentive to consider those costs.

What are the collected numbers? Travel shows that two of the three European services are cheaper for families of four and six. Groups of four can save £94 (€107), while larger groups can save up to £267 (€306). European Sleeper and NightJet passengers both offer cheaper sleeping rates if they share a couch or bedroom with other travelers. Children under the age of five travel free on Nightjet if sharing a bed with a parent; Children under the age of three do not sleep in Europe.

For the UK, the company has looked at GWR’s Night Riviera from London Paddington to Penzance and the Caledonian Express from London Euston to the Highlands. The price of the Cornwall sleeper service was similar to the cost of a flight, but cheaper with the Railcard, which gives the holder a discount of around £50 (€57). Surfboards or bicycles can be taken for free.