Train travel emissions were less than one-tenth of flight emissions on the trip to Rome

Trains are becoming almost emission-free. In Europe, diesel trains will soon be phased out, and electric trains will need less and less fossil electricity

It is easier for backpackers to travel when they have as little luggage as possible, such as one pair of shoes. I wore summer shoes in snowy Haparanda, Northern Sweden, in early April. I slipped while walking to the train. The destination of the trip was Rome, and it was already 17 degrees warm. There was a journey of more than 3600 kilometers on the rails and the same amount back. I did look at the flights available, but not to buy tickets. I would like to find out the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from my flights and train trips. A flight from Kemi would create high emissions. I would need a connecting flight to Helsinki. Also, there is usually a stopover on the Rome route. There would be 12 ascents and descents on the round trip. This would raise emissions by 1771 kg for the whole trip. I could get away with fewer emissions if I visited Rome by car. Emissions per person would decrease further if there were more people in the car.

My train journey, however, offers almost everything – especially during my first ride through Sweden. Tobbe Lundell is the communications director at SJ, the Swedish national railway company; I thought that he had not understood my question when he told me that emissions from Haparanda to Malmö were practically less than one kilogram.

The distance from Haparanda to Malmö is about 1,700 kilometers. Carbon dioxide emissions per passenger are a few hundred grams.”

The EcoPassanger calculator confirms Lundell’s wild claim: the reading is close to zero. Electric trains are the greenest travel option. In Sweden, they use clean hydro and wind energy for power. So I can travel in good spirits.

Train companies now offer compartments where seating benches can be converted into berths at nightfall. On Swedish trains they are called liggvang, in Germany liegewagen and elsewhere in Europe under the name couchette. They are almost as good as an actual sleeping car, but require independence.

"The distance from Haparanda on the Finnish border to Malmö is about 1700 kilometres, and carbon dioxide emissions per passenger amount to a few hundred grams"

Tobbe Lundell, Director of Communications at SJ, the Swedish National Railway

Andreas: "Part of the journey by plane"

"I have to admit that I feel flight shame. The outward journey is now by train, and in Germany I travel by train, but I do return to Stockholm by plane. However, when travelling by train, I get less emissions."

Andreas Jonnasson

Jonnasson has calculated correctly

One direct flight does little to add to the total emissions of his trip. Jonasson and I discussed how short annual holidays prevent most people from travelling overland. However, emissions can also be reduced by travelling part of the way by train, as Jonasson did. If you can’t find a direct flight to your destination, you can take a flight somewhere nearby and travel by train the rest of the way.

I woke up in the morning shortly before the train arrived in Stockholm. I got enough sleep during the night, even though I sometimes woke up shaken by the train. In the morning in Stockholm, my summer shoes worked well. I just had to stay clear of spots that froze overnight. After one day in Stockholm, I traveled for another night. I went through Denmark to Hamburg, using a cheaper sleeping car. Train companies now provide compartments. In these spaces, benches can turn into berths at night. On Swedish trains, they are called liggvang. In Germany, they are known as liegewagen. Elsewhere in Europe, they go by couchette. They are almost as good as an actual sleeping car, but require independence. The bedding of the entire department is stacked in one heap, so just to build a place to sleep.

In the same cabin was Stockholm-based architect Andreas Jonasson. He was heading to Hamburg. He then took a train to various places in northern Germany for architecture training.

“I have to admit that I have flight shame. The outward journey is now by train, and in Germany I travel by train, but I do return to Stockholm by plane. However, when travelling by train, I get less emissions.”

Finland is off the rails of Europe

Living in Stockholm, Jonasson can travel around Europe by train or bus with ease. He can even reach Great Britain by train. Finns still have the sea as an obstacle, unless they happen to live in the north near the western border. The Rail Baltica train link from Tallinn to Warsaw is being built. It should be finished in ten years. At some point, the Baltica tracks will also be accessible from Helsinki, if the tunnel project under the Gulf of Finland is realised. For now, however, travelling via Tallinn or St. Petersburg is a hassle.

It is therefore difficult for Finns to avoid flying. For example, a round trip from Helsinki to Rome emits more than 1400 kg of CO2. This includes one stopover, as direct flights to Rome are rarely available.

“ From Flensburg through Germany to the Austrian border, emissions are 7.3 kg due to fossil electricity. This emissions between Hamburg and the Austrian border amount to only 0.1 kg, even though the distance is 800 km.”

German state-owned transport group Deutsche Bahn's Franziska Hentschke

Sweden's zero emissions to end in Copenhagen

On the train from Copenhagen to Flensburg, the carbon load reaches 22 kg per passenger. But it is also moving toward zero emissions. The Danish national railway company, Danske Statsbaner (DSB), aims for zero carbon emissions from rail travel by 2030. Then all trains are to run on renewable energy. The company is replacing its last diesel trains with electric ones. Denmark also plans to use only renewable electricity.

Unlike air transport, rail transport in Europe is based on each country’s own mobility needs. The European Union is pushing for the smoother flow of rail transport across Europe. Trains should travel smoothly across land borders in the future. But first, we need to coordinate train schedules better. Many measures are now underway to make trains more attractive. Just a few years ago, European train companies stopped their night train services. They found them unprofitable and even removed their sleeping cars. But now, the trend is changing. Recently, night train services have increased. This includes routes between the north and south, as well as Western and Eastern Europe. For example, there are new services between Paris and Vienna.

The EU also wants to harmonise the complex and frustrating reserve system. On the way to Rome, you have to use train companies from several countries. Passengers must navigate various ticket booking systems, which still differ between companies. The EU also wants member states to invest in the electrification of railways. Also, electricity must be produced with fossil-free energy. There is still work to be done in northern Germany, for example, where trains use only 62% renewable energy.

Franziska Hentschke from the German state-owned transport group Deutsche Bahn:

“Emissions from Flensburg to the Austrian border in Germany are 7.3 kg. This is due to fossil electricity.” This emissions between Hamburg and the Austrian border amount to only 0.1 kg, even though the distance is 800 km.”

Deutsche Bahn aims for emission-free rail transport. The company is testing batteries to power non-electric railway sections. In Italy, nearly 40% of railway lines aren’t electrified. Plus, a large part of electricity comes from fossil fuels. Italy is seeking solutions in battery technology and hydrogen technology, too. FS Italiane Group, the Italian state railways, often doesn’t answer my questions about emissions per passenger. However, the company does mention the EcoPassanger calculator in its publications. It reports my emissions from the Austrian border to Rome as 31.7 kg

From the north you can reach Central Europe in two nights

From northern Sweden you can take a night train to Stockholm by SJ train.

The next night you can take the Snälltåget night train to northern Germany.

Travel emissions

From Northern Europe to Rome and back with low emissions

" Depends on which calculation model is chosen. This is a calculation method that does not take into account emissions from the construction and support of trains or the rail network."

ÖBB or Österreichische Bundesbahnen Daniel Pinka

There is a small section between Germany and Italy in western Austria, where the national railway company is ÖBB, or Österreichische Bundesbahnen. My enquiries are answered by Daniel Pinka. He says that a few tens of kilometres of Austrian mountain landscape fold without emissions.

The round trip between Haparanda and Rome will thus generate a total of 122 kg of carbon dioxide emissions, which is seven per cent of the emissions from the flights. Looking out the train window at Austria’s rugged landscape, I wonder whether it is right to claim that some part of the journey is emission-free, as in Sweden or Austria. That cannot be the whole truth. Pinka agrees.

” Depends on which calculation model is chosen. This is a calculation method that does not take into account emissions from the construction and support of trains or the rail network.”

When we arrived in Rome, the temperature had already climbed above 20 degrees by Easter. The leather jacket had proved to be a good choice in the varying conditions of the trip, but when touring the Colosseum in direct sunlight, it had to be lifted over the shoulder.

However, tourism should not be viewed only negatively, even if it increases emissions. In addition to the price and ease of travel, future travellers should consider ways to avoid emissions.