For many, holidays mean a trip to Europe.
But choosing the climate-smart option is often not worth it for the wallet.
– If you are going to take the train out on the continent from Sweden, it is on average two and a half times more expensive than flying, says Carl Schlyter, campaign manager for Greenpeace.
Taking the train out of Europe is generally twice as expensive as taking the plane, shows a new report from Greenpeace.
– We have compared 112 different travel routes in Europe between 27 different countries and we have looked at whether you book the ticket just before the trip and even up to four months before, says Carl Schlyter.
The biggest price difference is between Barcelona and London, where it is as much as 30 times more expensive to take the train instead of the flight. But the figures in the report do not come as a surprise, Schlyter believes. The reason is obvious.
– The flight does not pay its costs. They don’t pay fuel taxes, almost all flights are exempt from VAT and they often receive support from authorities, especially the low-cost airlines that take advantage of receiving subsidized landing fees while the train pays all its costs, says Carl Schlyter and continues:
– The politicians have not dared to make the decisions that allow you to travel easily, smartly and climate-friendly in the EU.
The proposal: “Climate ticket”
Due to the results of the report, Greenpeace has put forward a proposal for a so-called “climate ticket”. It would cost roughly the same as a monthly pass in local transport – but should be able to be used throughout Europe.
– In Germany, they tried this and then travel increased by 27 percent in just a couple of months, says Carl Schlyter.
In order for the card to function optimally, a user-friendly booking system would also be required as well as a major investment in train maintenance to increase the punctuality of the trains.
– Then we get genuine freedom of choice and not forced flights because there are no good alternatives.
Criticism of the Swedish airline
An airline that Greenpeace directs particularly harsh criticism against is the one between Gothenburg and Stockholm.
– Despite the fact that there are 28 departures (by train, editor’s note) per day between the cities and that it can take less than three hours, it is thus one of Europe’s cheapest lines with plane tickets for under SEK 150, says Carl Schlyter.
Greenpeace sees no reason to even have an airline between two cities where there are good and easy travel options of less than six hours.
– We cannot destroy the planet’s climate through bad decisions, it should be easy and cheap to take the train and we want to invest in that now.