A study published in May 2025 suggests that many travellers across Europe are increasingly open to choosing trains over planes for short-haul journeys, particularly when high-speed rail alternatives are available. A study commissioned by Hitachi Rail, based on responses from over 11,000 people in Europe and North America, found that around two-thirds of Europeans support banning short-haul flights if there is a viable train option.
The survey, conducted by SavantaComres, included participants from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, and reflects a growing interest in rail travel as a practical and more sustainable way to move around the continent.
In countries like France and Spain, where policies restricting some short domestic flights are already in place or under discussion, support for these measures was particularly strong.
Train travel on the rise, flying set to plateau
Respondents indicated a general expectation to use trains more in the near future. While rail currently accounts for about 29% of long-distance travel (defined as trips of 2.5 hours or more), nearly half of respondents said they expect to increase their use of long-distance trains within five years.
By contrast, expectations for increased air travel were relatively low, with only a small net increase projected.
Even car travel, often viewed as convenient for shorter trips, is expected to grow at a slower pace than rail. Overall, the research points to a moderate but noticeable shift in travel habits.
Rail operators report record numbers
This growing interest is supported by actual usage trends. Rail operators across Europe have seen record-breaking passenger numbers in recent years. In 2023, France’s TGV and Ouigo services carried 123 million passengers. In 2024, Spain’s Renfe reached 25.9 million high-speed rail passengers, and Italy’s Frecciarossa services transported 45 million people.
These figures suggest that travellers are not just expressing interest in trains—they are actively choosing them.
Challenges for high-speed rail expansion
Despite this momentum, Europe’s high-speed rail network remains limited. Around 11,600 kilometres of high-speed track are currently in use. Compared to the continent’s extensive air travel infrastructure—with over 30,000 flights per day and hundreds of airports—rail has a smaller footprint, particularly for cross-border travel.
Many routes are still designed primarily around national networks, which can make international train journeys less convenient or direct.
Calls for greater investment in infrastructure
To address these limitations, industry groups such as the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) are advocating for increased investment.
CER has proposed a 49,400-kilometre high-speed rail network by 2050, which would require an estimated €546 billion in funding. If realised, such a network could support a shift in long-distance travel, potentially allowing rail to carry more than half of Europe’s long-distance passengers.
Public support appears to be aligned with these goals. Survey respondents expressed willingness to fund rail expansion through air or road taxes, and over 70% said they would use public transport more if connections were improved.
Improved connectivity key to success
Affordability, crowding, and ease of use were among the main barriers cited by respondents. Still, more than half said they would use public transport more even if fares increased—provided the system was better connected.
Industry leaders, such as the CEO of Italy’s FS Group (Trenitalia) have stressed that better coordination between national operators will be essential. Plans are already underway for new services, including a high-speed route between London and Paris scheduled for launch by 2029.
What this means for travellers
For those planning travel in Europe, the growing role of high-speed rail may offer more flexible and appealing alternatives to flying. While not all destinations are yet well served, options continue to expand.
With improved service and policy support, rail is becoming an increasingly realistic option for both leisure and business travellers.
As infrastructure improves and public interest grows, trains may become the preferred way to explore Europe—not just for environmental reasons, but for convenience and comfort as well.
Some tourism statistics
- Is Greece too popular? 2024 tourism statistics raise overtourism concerns.
- TRAIN TRAVEL | European Union records 429 billion passenger-kilometres in 2023 but domestic travel still dominates.
- 5 million passengers flew from and to Brussels Airport in summer 2025.
- BELGIUM | Flemish museums attracted more than 4.8 million visitors in 2023.
- Belgium sees modest tourism growth in 2024, led by Flanders and Brussels.
- Travel in 2024: Spain, France, USA, China, Mexico lose ground and Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, UAE to grow market share.
- France, Spain, USA, China and Italy most visited countries in the world, Belgium 41st.
- France welcomed 100 million international visitors in 2024.
- Turkey welcomed 62 million international tourists who together spent $61 billion in 2024.
- SPAIN | 94 million international visitors and €108.7 billion tourism income in 2024.
- UN WORLD TOURISM BAROMETER | International tourism recovers pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
- Outside the EU, Europeans mostly travel to Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
- Intra-European travel mostly for fun and / or family.
- Europeans visit other European countries over 7 nights on average.
More on night trains and transcontinental train travel
- REVIEW | European Sleeper night train.
- Paris Nightjet axed: France’s withdrawal threatens Europe’s night train revival.
- TRAIN TRAVEL | European Union records 429 billion passenger-kilometres in 2023 but domestic travel still dominates.
- 2026 | Deutsche Bahn plans 4 ICE’s per day between Cologne and Antwerp and 16 per day between Frankfurt and Brussels.
- France opens rail network up for new domestic night train operator under new EU rules.
- Back-on-Track Europe warns the ‘night train revival’ is a false dawn.
- Iron Rhine gets renewed political attention in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
- Spain’s Renfe sends Talgo VI rolling stock to Leo Express in Czechia and Slovakia.
- Leo Express: Bratislava – Ostend night train not a firm commitment.
- NMBS / SNCB sees popularity increase of international train travel.
- ÖBB prioritises Railjet over Nightjet: Is the night train revival a False Dawn?.
- Deutsche Bahn’s Antwerp – Brussels Airport – Leuven – Cologne ICE aims to attract tourists and Port of Antwerp-related business.
- VIDEO | Berlin start-up Nox to launch night trains with entirely private rooms from 2027.
- EUROPEAN SLEEPER | Brussels to Barcelona night train to stop in Avignon, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Girona.
- Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB launch Frecciarossa EuroCity trains linking Berlin, Munich, Milan, Rome and Naples.
- The end of the Brussels – Berlin ÖBB Nightjet.
- European Sleeper now “truly” riding to Venice.
- Dutch budget train GoVolta postponed after not getting funds.
- Eurostar scraps direct Amsterdam – Brussels – Marseille summer train service.
- European Commission commits to single-ticket train travel, Back-on-Track unconvinced it will happen.
- Switzerland, Czechia and Belgium top railway network density in Europe.
- SNCF Réseau confirms feasibility European Sleeper night train linking the Netherlands, Belgium, France to Barcelona in Spain.
- Arriva surveys customers for Groningen – Amsterdam – Utrecht – Antwerp – Brussels – Paris train.
- 31 MARCH 2025 | Reopening France – Italy Fréjus Rail Tunnel kickstarts Paris to Milan direct train connection.
- OUIGO ‘slow’ train between Brussels and Paris from 19 December 2024.
- Arriva Tri-Country Train between Maastricht, Liège and Aachen will start on Sunday 9 June 2024 without OV-chipkaart.
- European Sleeper night train service from the Netherlands and Belgium to Barcelona now delayed to 2027.
- EU train travel report sees increase in cross-border passenger trains and easier bookings.
- Brussels to Luxembourg by train under 2 hours by 2030?.
- Eurostar and five more train operators joined the European Agreement on Journey Continuation.
- ÖBB’s new Nightjet sleeper cars accommodate solo travellers with Mini Cabins.
- Trenitalia orders new Hitachi Frecciarossa trains suited for France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
- ÖBB’s Nightjet to connect Berlin to Brussels from December 2023.
- EUROCITY EC-8 | Basel to Cologne in SBB’s Panoramic Car.
- Trenitalia / FS confirms interest in connecting Spain to Brussels, Amsterdam and Berlin.
- Sampling NS’ new train and future Benelux rolling stock ICNG.
- REVIEW | Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 Paris – Milan in Business Executive.
- RAIL TOUR OF EUROPE | How easy is touring Europe by train?.
- Eight train connections between the Netherlands and Belgium by 2030?.
- REVIEW | ÖBB Nightjet Amsterdam – Zurich night train.
- Nightjet Vienna/Innsbruck to Brussels, or how we got thrown off the train in Aachen.
- Why the expensive ÖBB Nightjet is really not that expensive.
- Reliving the era of the great railway journeys, travelling overnight on Nightjet.
- How we plan a big rail trip.
- Ticket Distribution: the failure of railways to sell themselves.
- To use night trains in Portugal and Spain or not?.
- Night trains in Europe.
- Low-cost, long-haul trains to conquer Europe?.
- Fly now before it’s taxed and consider using the train instead.
Channel Tunnel updates
- CHANNEL TUNNEL | Virgin Trains gains access to Temple Mills, ORR snubs links to Germany and Switzerland.
- Eurostar unveils €2 billion Alstom ‘Celestia’ fleet of double-decker sustainable trains.
- Channel Tunnel competition plans hinge on depot access as Gemini Trains reveals Siemens–Uber partnership.
- Gemini Trains partners with Uber for Stratford to France Channel Tunnel route.
- CHANNEL TUNNEL | UK and Germany renew London-Berlin vows, Virgin Trains promise Alstom Avelia Stream train sets.
- 2025 | The Channel Tunnel prepares for more trains, more competition and new destinations.
- United Kingdom and Germany are aiming for a direct London – Berlin train link.
- Eurostar and St. Pancras Highspeed back major station expansion to double capacity amid growing international demand.
- EUROSTAR | London – Frankfurt, London – Geneva and Amsterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Geneva from 2030?.
- Alstom wants its double-decker trains to ride through Channel Tunnel.
- CHANNEL TUNNEL | Uber Trains-branded Gemini Trains plan London-Brussels and London-Paris route via Stratford.
- London to Switzerland direct train moves a little closer with new bilateral agreement.
- Eurostar calls for UK national strategy and investment to shape future of Channel Tunnel Rail and promises 50 new trains.
- Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) plan to launch a new high-speed link between London and Paris.
- London St. Pancras Highspeed pledges financial support for cross-Channel rail services.
- Competition for Eurostar? Temple Mills International Depot has space for competitor’s trains.
- London St Pancras Highspeed and Getlink aspire to to triple train services to France, Belgium and the Netherlands and add services to Germany and Switzerland.
- Heuro wants to operate high speeds trains between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and London from 2028.
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