All aboard the Dream Express!

As the weekend approaches, the team at One Tree Travel love to share their thoughts on destinations. Whether you are planning your next holiday or considering a last-minute short break, we hope  you will consider how you could reduce the environmental impact of your trip. 

 

By the way, unless stated otherwise, we are not affiliated with any of the organisations or destinations mentioned. We are sharing our personal experiences and hope we’ll inspire you with our suggestions! 

Europe by train – a lower carbon alternative to air travel 

 

In this series of posts, we are exploring the European cities that can be reached by train, often starting with the Eurostar services from St Pancras International. Rail travel is recognised for its low carbon footprint compared to air travel, making it a more environmentally friendly option for European travel. 

 

This week we are moving on from Brussels to Prague, and this time it's all about the journey! 

Ideas for low-carbon travel

The Good Night Train!

 

It's time to apply the brakes and slow things down a bit. Brussels is a great hub from where you can reach a huge number of other European destinations by train but what's the rush. Imagine a train formed from refurbished 1990s carriages where you can snooze your way through The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. 

 

There are several levels of comfort to choose from as you travel between countries. Seats are the most affordable option, with six seats in a compartment. On most routes, they can be booked as a private compartment or you they can be shared either with your group or with others.


The couchettes offer either standard (6-person) or comfort (5-person and air-conditioned) compartments. Like the seats, the couchettes can be booked as a private compartment, and the 5-person couchettes are also available as women-only compartments. All couchettes can be locked from the inside.


The final, higher-end option is the sleeper, described on the European Sleeper website as the most comfortable travel option. There is a maximum of three beds in each sleeper compartment, and a washbasin is also included in the compartment. Like the couchettes, the sleepers can be locked from the inside, private or shared, and are also available as women-only compartments.


Whichever type of cabin you select on the Good Night Train, it seems like a great opportunity to see parts of a country you wouldn’t normally visit, passing through countryside and towns, as well as the big cities. 


With demand for more sustainable travel on the rise, and the journey becoming as important as the destination, sleeper trains are a more desirable form of transport than ever. According to Trainline, overnight bookings in 2023 increased by 147% compared to 2019 and with the European Investment Bank's climate survey finding 62% of respondents supported a ban on short flights, it looks like demand will rise further.

 
The Good Night Train generates only a sixth of the carbon emissions compared to a flight, pleasing those who are carbon-conscious, as well as those who enjoy a convenient way of travelling. According to ecopassenger.org, taking the train from London to Prague generates 49.8kg carbon compared to 301.7kg by plane.

 

Thanks to Emma at One Tree Travel for researching this great opportunity to see Europe more sustainably. It's not one I've tried yet but I'm looking forward to sharing more examples of the sleeper services available across Europe, and the odd things that happened along the way...

 

Good night for now, Roland at One Tree Travel! 🌳