Flying cheap, paying dear: how airlines undercut rail and fuel the climate crisis

Aviation remains one of Europe’s most climate-damaging and unjust forms of transport. Despite its heavy environmental impact, flying is often much cheaper than taking the train – not because it is more efficient, but because airlines benefit from unfair advantages such as tax exemptions and subsidies, while rail is burdened with high fares, fragmented ticketing systems and underfunded infrastructure.

This report reveals the extent of Europe’s distorted travel pricing. By analysing 142 routes across 31 countries, it shows that for most cross-border trips, rail remains more expensive than air – even though it is the far more climate-friendly choice. Low-cost airlines continue to undercut rail fares through aggressive pricing, enabled by a political system that still rewards polluters.

Citizens deserve access to clean, affordable and fair transport options. To make the shift from air to rail possible, Greenpeace is calling for the introduction of climate tickets all across Europe, the end of airline subsidies, and a pricing system that puts people and the planet first.