Eurail: the green travel option

Are you concerned about the enviroment? Then you will find it reassuring to know that traveling by train with Europe is a relatively 'green' way of transport.

In 2006 people took more than two billion journeys on scheduled airlines worldwide. Another 500 million passengers will take to the skies by 2010. With jet aircraft emitting 23 kilograms of CO2 per 100 passenger kilometres, that’s a lot of carbon dioxide being dumped into the atmosphere. Cars do somewhat better at a little less than 18 kilograms, but trains outdo them both at under five kilograms of CO2 per 100 passenger kilometres.

"If you’re concerned about contributing to global climate change”, advises Mr. Byrne, “remember that rail is always a better option than flying.  The carbon dioxide emissions from a return economy flight from Paris to Berlin, for example, would allow a rail user to go from Paris to Berlin, then on to Vienna, Venice, Rome and back to Paris - with enough left over for two return trips from Paris to Amsterdam - so you could take a friend!"

The Eurail network that covers most of Europe with its wide range of flexible and affordable rail passes makes it easy to travel “green.”  The average Eurail Global Pass passenger, for example, travels more than 6,500 kilometres while using the Pass.  Trains covering that distance emit 0.3 tons of CO2, while cars and trains put out more than a ton of CO2.  Travellers can calculate their personal emissions using the carbon calculators on the CarbonNeutral.Com website or at the website of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Aside from the environmental benefits, taking the train can make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.  Europe’s fast, sleek trains go efficiently from city centre to city centre with a minimal use of land compared to most motorway systems.  Since there is little urban sprawl, passengers enjoy a window seat on passing views of fairy tale castles, forested hillsides, sleepy villages and bustling towns. 

What’s more, trains rarely encounter mechanical or weather delays, and none of the frequent congestion that can not only stall traffic in the air and on the ground, but also further waste fuel and increase greenhouse gases.  It just makes sense to take the train whenever possible.