The Sustainable Trains Guide: Comparing Carbon Emissions by Route

Sustainability is fast becoming a key factor in travel decisions. In fact, 76% of travellers say they want to travel more sustainably over the coming 12 months, with 53% saying climate change news has influenced them to make sustainable travel choices. Over 80% of travellers worldwide said they believed sustainable travel is important. But given that travel is often synonymous with planes – which are famously an environmental challenge – how can you achieve your dream of a sustainable break?

If the destination allows, you might decide to travel by train instead of by plane, or else make train travel your main mode of transport once you’ve arrived, instead of driving. Train travel is more sustainable because it produces fewer carbon emissions than other transportation types. And as we know, carbon emissions are harmful because they contribute towards the greenhouse effect, where heat becomes trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere and causes climate change. Clearly train travel could be a good way to reduce the impact of our holidays – but does it work in a practical sense? And are there any places that are better when seen by train? 

Whether you’re a conscious traveller or simply curious about the environmental impact of your journey, this guide provides a practical snapshot of trains through an ecological perspective.

1. An exploration of rail travel
   
   1. The benefits of rail travel
   2. How could rail travel be improved?
2. Rail travel route comparison
   1. The UK to Italy
   2. Seville to Granada
   3. The Tokaido Shinkansen
   4. Vancouver to Jasper
   5. Pretoria to Victoria Falls

An exploration of rail travel

The benefits of rail travel

Imagine settling into a spacious seat as the countryside begins to glide past your window. There’s a kind of magic to train travel that other modes of transport just can’t replicate. You can swap the stress of airport security queues and traffic jams for a journey that’s as much part of the holiday as your destination is, with long-distance trains covering ground that you just wouldn’t see otherwise. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of travelling by train.

It’s calm. You can sit back, relax and watch the world go by once you’re onboard. You don’t need to worry about things like directions, filling up with petrol or driving in another country.

You can see more. Many railways are able to access areas roads can’t, and that means seeing things you wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to.

There’s variety. Whether you want a high-speed train to zip you to your destination or something slower so you can take it all in, there’s something for everyone.

It’s more sustainable. Train travel is better for the environment than travelling by car or plane. For example, one study looked at the carbon footprint of travel per kilometre:

- Domestic flight: 246g

- Diesel car: 171g

- Petrol car: 170g

- Short-haul flight: 151g

- Long-haul flight: 148g

- Bus: 97g

- Plug-in hybrid car: 68g

- Electric car: 47g

- Train: 35g

Delays are less likely. You don’t have to worry about traffic. It would be wrong to say trains never get delayed (though this is pretty rare in Japan, where they’re known for running like clockwork). But once you’re on the move, you don’t have to deal with the possibility of road closures, traffic jams and rush hour.

Image by Mathieu Richer Mamousse.

How could rail travel be improved?

While we've seen how wonderful train travel can be, there's always room for the journey to get even better. Imagine a future where the comfort and scenic views are matched by increased reliability and availability, and the station experience is accessible for everyone.

Increase availability. Providing more frequent services in high-demand areas and at high-demand times can make travel more comfortable and easier to plan for locals and tourists alike. So can providing services for areas that weren’t previously covered by the train network. Switzerland is a great example of this – its Glacier Express route was originally built to connect the mountain villages.

Increase accessibility. Features like lifts, ramps, doors wide enough for wheelchairs and reserved seating for wheelchair users can make train travel easier for those with mobility impairments. Tactile paving, high-contrast signs, Braille wayfinding throughout stations and audio announcements can assist those who are visually impaired, while having visual announcements on the train and on the platform can help those who are hard of hearing. It’s also important to train staff to assist disabled passengers.

Improve comfort. Passenger experience can vary significantly. While some trains, especially long-distance ones, are equipped with comfortable seats and plenty of legroom, others may lack this. Features like climate control, quiet carriages, glare-free lighting and clean toilets with baby-changing facilities all go a long way.

Electrify more trains. Diesel is a fossil fuel produced from crude oil, making it a non-renewable energy source that will eventually run out. Electric trains are more energy efficient, converting 90% of their energy into motion compared to diesel’s 35%, and they’re especially sustainable if the electricity is powered by renewable energy. Electric trains can also handle higher speeds and passenger numbers.

Adapt to climate change. Train infrastructure needs to be able to withstand the hotter weather and heavy rainfall that are becoming more frequent around the world.

Maintain and improve existing infrastructure. This will improve safety levels even further and ensure railway lines keep running to serve passengers. Improving infrastructure can also allow higher passenger numbers – for example, double-decker trains are common in countries with a newer rail system, but aren’t possible in the UK because of the low bridges and weight limits.

Image by Faustine Poidevin.

Rail travel route comparison

In this section, we’ll break down key factors such as CO₂ output, accessibility and overall comfort, offering a clear picture of how different journeys stack up against one another. There are routes all over the world – glide across Europe towards Italy’s famous lakes or climb through the mountains of western Canada.

The UK to Italy

Route: London to Lake Como

Stations: London St Pancras International; Paris Gare du Nord; Gare de Lyon; Zurich; Como San Giovanni

Carbon output: 2kg per passenger between London and Paris; 2.7kg per passenger between Paris and Zurich; 1kg per passenger between Zurich and Como San Giovanni (according to a carbon calculator)

Seating options:

Eurostar:

- Standard (includes flexible fares, two big bags with no weight limits, free wifi and a plug socket at your seat)

- Plus (includes the above, plus extra legroom, large reclining seats and meals served at your seat)

- Premier (includes the above, with premier dining, dedicated premier lanes and lounges, a boarding guarantee and three big bags with no weight limits)

TGV Lyria:

- Standard (includes free wifi, access to the buffet coach, two items of luggage per person and a power socket)

- Premiere (includes the above, plus a more comfortable seat, the ability to choose your seat and access to the Grand Voyageur lounge) 

- Premiere Signature (includes the above, plus fine dining, full flexibility and the ability to take any train on your day of travel)

EuroCity:

- Standard Class (includes comfortable seats and access to a dining car, may have access to a power socket)

- 1st Class (includes wider seats with more legroom and power sockets at each seat)

Highlights

The Eurostar travels through the patchwork fields of the Kent countryside before plunging into the Channel Tunnel, reaching speeds of up to 200mph. You’ll emerge in the bright light of Northern France, the scenery shifting to wide-open farmland dotted with wind turbines and quiet villages, before arriving in Paris at Gare du Nord station. From there, it’s a short Metro ride to Gare de Lyon, where the train to Zurich awaits.

The journey from France to Switzerland offers constantly changing landscapes, quickly leaving Paris behind as the vineyards of Burgundy give way to the river valleys of the Franche-Comte region. The scenery becomes more dramatic as you approach the Swiss border, with the hills and forests of the Jura Mountains rising around you. After crossing into Switzerland, the view shifts to green pastures with tidy villages and grazing cows, and you might be lucky enough to spot the Alps on a clear day.

In Zurich, you’ll catch the train taking you to your ultimate destination: Lake Como. The journey begins by gliding along the shores of Lake Zurich and Lake Zug before climbing into the heart of the Alps. Following a quick trip through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, you’ll emerge into what looks like a different world: the Ticino region has palm trees, sun-warmed hillsides and stunning views over Lake Lugano. You’ll pull into Como San Giovanni station after around two-and-a-half hours.

Sustainability

Eurostar aims to power their trains with 100% renewable energy by 2030. In the meantime, the company also has several initiatives in place to reduce their carbon footprint and waste production. In the UK, organic leftovers from train meals are turned into fertiliser, while in France food waste is turned into compost. Any unsold food is donated to local communities and charities instead of being thrown away.

TGV Lyria trains are also run on electricity, and the journey between Paris and Zurich uses around 41 times less carbon than a flight between the two destinations would. On board, over 90% of the products used in the catering service are produced in France, using suppliers only from France and Switzerland, reducing food miles.

EuroCity has introduced a paperless ticket system, where you can simply show an email with your reservation code when asked. Most of their trains are electric.

Accessibility and planning

- The journey from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord takes around two hours and 30 minutes.

- The journey from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich takes around four hours and four minutes.

- The journey from Zurich to Como San Giovanni takes around two hours and 35 minutes.

- Eurostar offers assistance services to passengers with accessibility needs that you can book up to 24 hours before your journey. There are spaces for wheelchair users on each train, close to the accessible toilets, and discounted companion fares are available if you have someone with you to help.

- TGV Lyria has spaces reserved for wheelchair users on its trains, with assistance available at the station. Assistance can be booked up to 24 hours before your departure.

- EuroCity offers wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets and assistance with boarding, though the details may differ depending on whether it’s Trenitalia or SBB operating your train.

Image by Pia Riverola.

Seville to Granada

Route: Seville to Granada

Stations: Seville; Cordoba; Granada

Carbon output: Around 1kg per passenger from Seville to Cordoba; around 1kg per passenger from Cordoba to Granada (according to a carbon calculator)

Seating options: Basic; Elige; Premium

Highlights

Hop on the high-speed AVE train from Sevilla Santa Justa Station, arriving around 41 minutes later in Cordoba. The smooth, quiet ride gives you time to relax in comfortable seats and watch the scenery glide by. And what scenery you see – the rolling countryside is dotted with endless olive groves, vibrant sunflower fields and charming whitewashed villages.

Continue your Andalusian adventure on the journey from Cordoba to Granada, which takes around an hour and a half. On a clear day, you may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains in the distance.

Both journeys are run by Renfe. Their modern trains are reliable, punctual and clean, offering ample luggage space and often a cafe car for refreshments.

Sustainability

Currently, transport makes up 26% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, but trains only contribute to 0.3% of this. 80% of Renfe’s trains use 100% renewable energy, running on electricity powered by renewable energy sources. They’re trying to find an alternative energy source for the remaining 20%, which are currently diesel trains. Their ultimate goal is to reduce 9.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

They’re part of the LIFE Impact Zero project, which aims to protect birds along the high-speed rail lines by developing ways to avoid collisions, such as anti-collisions screens.

Accessibility and planning

- AVE (high-speed) tickets include Combinado Cercanias. This means you can also travel on Cercanias (suburban services), Rodalies (commuter services) and the Alicante TRAM network from four hours before your departure and four hours after your arrival.

- You can buy a ticket to sit in the silent carriage if you buy a Basico or Elige Estandar ticket. Passengers travelling in the silent carriage must not take phone calls or have long conversations, and must wear headphones and switch their devices to silent. It’s ideal if you like to admire the scenery in silence.

- Passengers with disabilities, reduced mobility, impaired hearing or impaired vision can use the free assistance service, Adif Acerca, which can be requested when you buy your tickets. This gives you information and assistance in the station and on the platform, including help on and off the train.

Image by Daniel Garrido/Getty Images.

The Tokaido Shinkansen

Route: Tokyo to Kyoto

Stations: Tokyo; Shinagawa; Shin-Yokohama; Nagoya; Kyoto

Carbon output: There are no official figures for the journey, but according to a carbon calculator the carbon emissions for one passenger travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Shinkansen is 1kg.

Seating options:

- Ordinary Car, which are a high standard, but have more seats in a row than in Green Car.

- Green Car, which tend to be less crowded and quieter, with more spacious and comfortable seats with more legroom. You must reserve your seat.

Highlights

Taking a Nozomi train is the best (and quickest) way to travel between Japan's major cities. The ride is smooth and quiet, with spacious seats that make the journey comfortable. You’ll find convenient power outlets, clean toilets and ample luggage space (just make sure to book luggage space if you’ve got big bags). The scenery is excellent, too – keep an eye out for views of Mount Fuji on a clear day.

For a bit more luxury, you can book a seat in the Green Car, the Japanese equivalent of first class. While standards on the Shinkansen are high wherever you sit, the Green Car tends to be less busy, making it even quieter. The seats are more roomy, with more legroom, and there are fewer seats per row. Note that all Green Car seats must be reserved in advance.

Sustainability

Japan Rail, who operate the Tokaido Shinkansen (among other lines), aims to achieve carbon neutrality and net zero emissions in 2050, in line with the Japanese government’s policy. This means that by 2050, they will remove the same amount of emissions that they add to the atmosphere. By 2030, they aim to have reduced their emissions by 46% compared to 2013.

In the present day, Japan’s railways take 27% of the country’s passenger transport volume, but only account for 7% of carbon emissions produced by transport. If we look at the Nozomi train and compare it to a flight between Tokyo and Osaka, for example, taking the train between those destinations uses an eighth of the amount of energy per seat and produces a twelfth of the carbon emissions.

Planning

There are three types of Shinkansen:

- Nozomi, the fastest train, which we’ve highlighted here, takes two hours and 15 minutes to reach Kyoto from Tokyo.

- Hikari, the middle one, takes two hours and 40 minutes to reach Kyoto from Tokyo.

- Kodama, the slowest one, takes three hours and 40 minutes to reach Kyoto from Tokyo.

Nozomi trains serve major stations between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, including Kyoto. Some Nozomi trains continue on to a different line, the Sanyo Shinkansen, which travels to stations like Shin-Kobe, Okayama and Hiroshima.

You need two tickets to ride the Shinkansen: a passenger ticket, with your carriage number, seat number and destination station, and an express ticket, which shows you’re getting a fast train.

Ticket costs are made up of the base fare, a Shinkansen supplement, a seat reservation (if you have one) and a Green Car fee (if you choose to book a Green Car seat).

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, a pass used by visitors for long-distance travel, you need to pay a supplement fee to ride on a Nozomi train.

Most of the carriages are for passengers with reservations, but there are normally two carriages with unreserved seating. The exception is during New Year, Golden Week (late April and early May) and Obon (which is observed in mid August in some places and mid July in others).

Accessibility starts before you’ve boarded the train. Stations in Japan have accessible entrances, plenty of signs, lifts for those who can’t use stairs, tactile paving for passengers with visual impairments, ramps and accessible toilets, and staff are trained to assist wherever needed, whether that’s at the station, on the platform or on the train.

There are accessible ticket counters with lower counters, large print and braille available.

There are accessible toilets on the trains. Specific carriages contain spaces for wheelchair users and companion seats, which are best booked in advance, especially in busy times.

Image by Olivier Romano.

Vancouver to Jasper

Route: Rocky Mountaineer: Journey Through the Clouds

Stations: Vancouver; Kamloops; Jasper

Carbon output: While there are no official figures, the total length of the train journey is 559 miles (285 miles to Kamloops and a further 274 miles to Jasper). Generally, a 559-mile train journey can be expected to produce 5kg of carbon emissions per passenger, according to a carbon calculator.

Seating options:

- SilverLeaf coaches have one level, with meals served at your seat and oversized windows.

- GoldLeaf coaches have two levels: a dining room and outdoor viewing platform on the lower level, and reclining seats and a glass dome on the upper level.

Highlights

The journey from Vancouver to Jasper, via Kamloops, is a chance to see natural wonders you can’t view any other way. The train glides past desert, river-carved canyons and tucked-away waterfalls like Pyramid Creek Falls. You may even get a clear view of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, but keep your eyes peeled for bears, elk, moose, mountain goats and eagles. The glass-dome coaches make it easy to take it all in, and when you want a little breeze, you can step into the outdoor viewing area for some fresh mountain air.

Sustainability

Meals on the train incorporate local ingredients, and all tableware is reusable (it’s cleaned and disinfected between uses). Newer dishwashers installed on the train use 20% less energy than their older counterparts.

Planning

The journey takes two days, with a hotel stay in between. Each day takes between ten and 14 hours on the train.

Trained service dogs are the only pets allowed on board. You must notify the train company in advance if you’re bringing a service dog.

Disabled passengers can complete an accessibility form before booking, to ensure all their needs are met.

Grab bars are installed throughout the trains, and passengers can board the train using a lift or ramp if they’re unable to take the stairs. There’s also a lift between floors on GoldLeaf coaches (SilverLeaf coaches are single level).

Wheelchair users who can transfer to another seat can board the train in their own wheelchair if its width is 23 inches or less, then transfer to an on-board, 15-inch-wide wheelchair. If their wheelchair is wider than 23 inches, they can transfer to the 15-inch-wide wheelchair prior to boarding.

Braille and large-print documents can be provided on request.

Image by Sophie Cambridge / Pexels.com.

Pretoria to Victoria Falls

Route: Pretoria to Victoria Falls

Stations: Pretoria; Hwange National Park; Victoria Falls

Carbon output: 29kg of carbon emissions between Pretoria and Hwange National Park; 3kg between Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls (both calculated using a carbon calculator)

Seating options:

- Pullman Suites, 75 sq ft, sofa seat that converts to double or twin beds for the evening, en-suite with shower, toilet and basin.

- Deluxe Suites, 108 sq ft, lounge area, en-suite with shower, toilet and basin, double or twin beds.

- Royal Suites, 172 sq ft, private lounge area, en-suite with bath, separate shower, toilet and basin, double or split twin beds.

Highlights

The journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls unfolds like a classic film. Settle into polished, wood-panelled coaches with elegant period decor, where the attentive staff anticipate your every need. The panoramic windows and open-air balcony of the observation car offer a front-row seat to Africa’s changing landscapes, from the golden grasslands of the Highveld to the dense bushveld. As you travel, you might spot wildlife grazing near the tracks under vast, starry skies.

You’ll have three days to relish in the romance of long-distance railway travel. The train leaves Pretoria and passes through Bela-Bela, which was once known by the wonderful name Warmbaths (for its mineral waters). You’ll also go through Polokwane (once Pietersburg), Louis Trichardt and the Tropic of Capricorn, one of the five major circles of latitude on the map. The track winds between the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve and the Wolkberg mountain range, then you’ll get your first sighting of Zimbabwe as the train travels on between Messina and Beitbridge.

You’ll stop near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city, before continuing on, pausing your journey only to experience a game drive in Hwange National Park. The journey culminates in a dramatic arrival at Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘The Smoke That Thunders’.

Sustainability

Traditionally, Rovos Rail trains were powered with steam. However, steam travel uses coal, a non-renewable resource with low energy efficiency. Their trains now use electricity, which doesn't produce any emissions at the point of use, and diesel, which, while a non-renewable resource, is more energy efficient per mile and produces fewer emissions than steam.

On board, guests can enjoy locally sourced food, including plant-based options, meats from sustainable supply chains and seafood from independent farmers that are certified GAqP (Good Aquaculture Practices). All leftover food is composted, while any food that can’t be used because of its shelf life is donated to local charities, schools, hospitals and orphanages.

Safe drinking water is only available from bottles, but the bottles are made locally from plant materials and are biodegradable and compostable. Some suites have vacuum toilets, which use air instead of water, reducing water use by 80%. Toiletries are free from petroleum-derived ingredients and never tested on animals.

Accessibility and planning

Rovos Rail maintains the classic train travel feel by not providing WiFi, television or radio on board, and electronic devices can only be used in suites, unless you’re reading or taking photos of the views. Think of it as a chance to embrace the feeling of going back in time.

Passengers with mobility restrictions can be accommodated, but the train isn’t suitable for wheelchair users due to the narrow passages and requirement to walk between your suite and the public carriages.

There are handrails along the passages and in the showers, and freestanding shower seats are available on request.

The train has a wheelchair on board for use during off-train excursions.

Image by chase.the.adventures - Adrian & Michka Wilson.

Header image by Maksgelatin / Pexels.