Leading the Green Revolution: How European Trains Are Transforming Sustainable Travel

Train travel is the most sustainable mode of transport, bar none, yet top European train carriers continue to find ways to reduce their global footprint even further. There are several standouts in sustainable travel that are not only connecting incredible destinations across Europe, from Paris to Prague and Seville to Split, but are also investing in greener technology and swapping old habits, like using plastic cups, for smart, more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Book all your European train tickets and passes stress-free directly through Rail Europe, where you can compare all the carriers to find the best train for your schedule at the best price.

Eurostar

Traveling aboard renowned Eurostar trains not only ensures incredible service but also a significantly reduced travel carbon footprint—95% less than flying to be precise. Take the ever-popular Eurostar route from London to Paris, for example. Not only do you get to experience the thrill of traveling under the English Channel, but you can also rest easy knowing that, instead of the massive 66 kg of CO₂ emitted by plane travel, your journey represents only 2.4 kg of CO₂ emitted on board the train.

Eurostar’s commitment to a greener future doesn’t stop there! They have switched from plastic bottles to aluminum cans for both water and wine service onboard their trains. They also use greener alternatives to plastic cutlery and straws and serve drinks in plant-based cups instead of plastic. Travelers can still enjoy all the perks of Eurostar travel without the burden of harming the environment. 

DB trains (Photo Credit: Rail Europe)

DB

Efficient travel to Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg on trains is convenient and environmentally friendly thanks to DB. DB, the high-speed train carrier that connects all of Germany as well as surrounding countries on a timely schedule, has set the admirable goal of becoming climate neutral by 2040. To achieve this, DB is phasing out diesel and embracing greener electricity and heat transition technologies. 

Travel on Lyria between Feldkrich and Paris. (Photo Credit: Rail Europe)

TGV Lyria

TGV Lyria offers high-speed train travel between France and Switzerland and has achieved an incredible zero CO₂ emissions from their entirely electric fleet. Not only are the high-speed Lyria trains officially recognized as the transport mode with the best environmental performance serving the region, but they also maintain exceptionally environmentally friendly onboard practices, including using regionally sourced produce from local farms to further reduce their environmental impact. 

Eurail (Photo Credit: Rail Europe)

Eurail

Eurail, the beloved train travel pass that connects travelers to 33 countries across Europe under one convenient pass, not only makes train travel—the greenest mode of transport—more accessible than any other option, but they also walk the walk. Instead of just encouraging other travelers to reduce their carbon footprint, they also promote green living among its employees. Eurail boasts impressive statistics of 20% of its staff commuting by train, 67% either commuting by bike or work from home and only 3% driving to work.

With Rail Europe, Travel Advisors can book tickets on all these popular rail carriers and dozens more from one convenient spot. Offering the widest selection of tickets on the market and one-click multi-carrier booking options, Rail Europe has made choosing green travel across Europe easier than ever before.

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