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Greenpeace analyses European train routes

Published: 7 August, 2024

CONNECTION FAILED is the title of a recently published analysis by Greenpeace of 990 city-to-city train routes in 28 European countries or regions, including the UK. They have found that many of these journeys are complicated and expensive by train and that tickets are difficult to book, because they are not direct. The same trips by air are cheaper, faster and simpler to book, but much heavier in carbon pollution. Aviation being one of the most climate-damaging industries, “It is high time to make rail more comfortable and affordable than flying across Europe.”

The paper indentifies instances of poor train connectivity across Europe and proposes solutions to make cross-border train travel more attractive. In particular, the potential for direct trains, instead of journeys where many changes are required, is untapped on all routes. A potential direct route is defined as a route that could be travelled by a direct train in under 18 hours.

The paper is country by country. A potential direct train between London and Cologne is cited among the low-hanging fruit of direct train suggestions: there are already trains from London to Brussels Midi and trains from Brussels Midi to Cologne. So it shouldn’t be a big stretch to arrange direct trains taking no more than four hours to connect these two cities. This would enable the train to compete with short-haul flights.

For the UK, Greenpeace point out that:

• there is currently no international night train, although there are domestic night trains on several routes;
• international trains do not link into cities further than London such as Manchester, despite the fact that they were originally conceived to do so;
• there is untapped potential for international trains to link London with many other European cities.

The document is long but well organised and readable. Read the full Grenpeace analysis