Are you planning to travel but having trouble deciding whether to travel by train or plane? You should know that both modes of transportation have their advantages. Either way, one is more advantageous than the
Are you planning to travel but having trouble deciding whether to travel by train or plane? You should know that both modes of transportation have their advantages. Either way, one is more advantageous than the other… But which one is better for your next trip? So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn everything you need to know about mode of transportation.
Which is the fastest?
In terms of speed, the plane is much faster than a high-speed train (850 km/h cruising speed against 300 km/h for the train). However, you have to take into account the waiting time at the airport and the time needed to get there. Therefore, it is advisable to take the train if the journey is less than 500 km. But beyond 800 km, air transport is faster and therefore the most recommended.
Which one is the safest?
Among the existing modes of transport, the plane remains one of the safest on earth. However, according to studies carried out by the European Railway Agency, rail transport is the safest. In fact, trains are 40 times safer than cars and 20 times safer than planes.
In other words, the risk of dying in a road accident is much higher when traveling from Rouen to Paris (160 km). On the other hand, the risk is minimal by plane if you go from New York to Paris or the other way around (5,800 km). In this case, do not hesitate to take the train or the plane if it is possible.
Which mode of transportation is the most ecological?
Compared to the plane, the train is much more ecological… Especially in France. Indeed, in this country, electricity generally comes from renewable energies and nuclear power. And as you know, these two energy sources do not produce carbon dioxide. This means that traveling by train is 10 times less polluting than traveling by plane. But for your information, recent planes consume less kerosene.
An example is the A350 XWB- 1000, a modern plane that requires only 2.6 liters of kerosene/100 km per passenger. This figure means that traveling as a couple or alone is more economical and therefore less polluting than traveling by car, regardless of the distance traveled. In other words, the plane and the train are both less polluting and more ecological than other modes of transportation.
Air travel vs. train travel: which is more comfortable?
Whether you travel by train or plane, economy class is not always comfortable: little space and very narrow seats. In this case, taking the train is more advisable. However, the plane has a much better alternative: business class. The big difference is in the services on board the plane: refreshments, WiFi, meal trays, individual screens, blankets, etc.
In addition, traveling by plane allows you to admire the landscape from the air. A feeling that you don’t experience every day. On the other hand, taking the train allows you to observe nature, even if it often runs through long tunnels.
Carbon footprint: train advantage
This is a criterion to which travelers are increasingly sensitive and has fueled hostility towards air travel for several years. The environmental impact of a trip can be estimated using carbon footprint calculators. However, it is difficult to determine the equivalent of CO2 emitted by a passenger on a train or plane. These calculators omit many criteria such as the occupancy rate, the type and age of the aircraft, and the impact of infrastructure construction (stations, terminals, railroads, etc.).
Moreover, depending on the methodology used, the results differ from one calculator to another. One thing is certain: the train is the least polluting means of public transport for long-distance travel. For a 1,000 km trip (for example, Paris-Rome or Paris-Berlin), each passenger emits the equivalent of 2.4 kg of CO² by high-speed train, compared to 230 kg by plane, according to Ecolab, a service dependent on the Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe). That is a ratio of one to one hundred.
Which one is the cheapest?
After the drop in the price of oil, as well as the arrival of low-cost airlines, it is quite possible to have plane tickets for 37 euros for a round trip to Rome. This means that air travel is less expensive than train travel, especially if you want to go to tourist destinations where competition is fierce. You can easily find a low-cost flight on an online flight comparator.
Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about mode of transportation for your holidays.