Is it cheaper to fly or take a train in Europe? (2023)

Is it cheaper to fly or take a train in Europe?

And rail fares are generally cheaper than flying. The website of Rail Europe – the go-to source for information on European trains — is currently showing one-way fares as low as $38 between Barcelona and Madrid, $67 between London and Paris, and $42 between Paris and Amsterdam.

Generally, it would be cheaper to fly. However, in terms of journey time, some destinations are on par with a flight, since you need to consider travelling to the airport (say allow 30 minutes at least), check-in time (even within Schengen countries, must allow 2 hours), so a total of 3 hours to add to the flight time.

Train travel is often cheaper than flying (especially since you can take more with you before paying extra baggage fees). And it can be more convenient than driving — especially if you'd be driving in an unfamiliar place or having to drive for hours and hours nonstop to get to your destination.

Trains are more expensive than planes because the aviation industry is one of the most undertaxed and overly subsidised sections of the UK economy. There's no VAT on plane tickets, and there's no tax on aviation fuel, despite road fuels like petrol and diesel being taxed at 57.95p per litre, plus 20% in VAT.

But when you factor in total travel time, flying actually takes about 14 minutes longer one way: 3 hours and 38 minutes for the train and 3 hours and 52 minutes for the plane. The train also wins when it comes to cost: $188 on Amtrak⁶ and $291 on the airlines.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From London to Paris? Some may argue that it is actually faster to take the high-speed train to Paris once you factor in the time it takes you to get to the airport and through security, but technically, flying is still the quickest mode of transportation.

But because planes are so fast compared with trains, those salaries per mile are a lot lower. And while trains typically change crew at each international frontier, planes (thankfully) do not. Budget airlines have slashed costs, to the benefit of carriers and passengers.

Trains offer greater flexibility at each stage of the journey, making family train travel easier and less stressful than flying. Children can move around more freely than on a plane, and you'll have the space to pack home comforts.

Is it better to fly or take train from Paris to Barcelona?

It's enough distance that the flight (even with security, to/from airport, etc.) is still probably a couple hours faster than the high-speed train. Train (IMHO) is less hassle and more relaxing and you get a little scenery along the way, Probably, for me, would come down to times and price.

It has made Spain a world leader when it comes to kilometers of high-speed track per inhabitant. Unless you have ever traveled on a high-speed bullet train, it is hard to imagine that getting from one city to another by train can be faster than flying.

Statistically speaking, rail travel is still one of the safest modes of transport, with trains claiming on average only seven passenger lives per year, according to one recent study. (Despite the headline-grabbing disasters, planes are still statistically twice as safe, you may be surprised to learn.)

Overall, the most efficient ways to travel are via walking, bicycle, or train. Using a bike instead of a car for short trips would reduce your travel emissions by ~75%. Taking a train instead of a car for medium-length distances would cut your emissions by ~80%.

Room to Roam

Enjoy the spirit of a road trip without the hassles. Instead of being confined to a cramped, uncomfortable seat for your entire trip, a train lets you get up to stretch your legs and walk around to other parts of the train. That's not even an option when you fly, ride a bus or drive a car.

Solution. A plane is faster than a train.

That being said, a reasonable ballpark figure for budgets (excluding airfare and transport from city to city) would be $70-$110 a day in Western Europe and $40-$80 a day in Eastern Europe. The cheapest way to backpack through Europe is to stick to Eastern European countries and to plan your travel for off-peak season.

Trains are generally the best way to get around in Europe. The rail network is comprehensive, ticket costs are rather affordable, and the scenery is gorgeous. Trains are a great way to visit many destinations quickly and efficiently. We loved travelling by train in Europe!

Eurostar can be cheaper than the true cost of flying

I'm from the South of England where Eurostar is an easy option, but it becomes pricier if you need to travel down to London from Scotland, Wales or the North, and also how you want to fly.

Is it better to fly or take train from Paris to Barcelona?

It's enough distance that the flight (even with security, to/from airport, etc.) is still probably a couple hours faster than the high-speed train. Train (IMHO) is less hassle and more relaxing and you get a little scenery along the way, Probably, for me, would come down to times and price.

It has made Spain a world leader when it comes to kilometers of high-speed track per inhabitant. Unless you have ever traveled on a high-speed bullet train, it is hard to imagine that getting from one city to another by train can be faster than flying.

Key Takeaways. The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December). It's often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular.

Does the train from London to Paris go underwater? Yes, trains from London to Paris travel underwater. In fact, the Channel Tunnel (or Chunnel, as it's sometimes known), is just over 31 miles in length and is the longest continuous underwater tunnel in the world.

First-time travelers should try and plan around 4-5 days—ample time to enjoy some classic Parisian highlights and visit a few of the 20 arrondissements (neighborhoods).

In short, a day trip to Paris from London is definitely worth it. Oh, and it's also really convenient. For the easiest way to book your trip, take a look at our London to Paris tours. They're simple and convenient and you'll have the guidance of expert tour operators to keep you abreast of the local history.