Charter Trains in Sweden Gearing for lower emissions

In preparation for the 2008 summer season, two Swedish companies will offer a total of about 8,000 different charter train trips - where the travel, lodging and most meals are all included. While charter train trips can be a little bit cheaper - perhaps $150 U.S. out of a total $800 - $1,000 price tag [...]

In preparation for the 2008 summer season, two Swedish companies will offer a total of about 8,000 different charter train trips - where the travel, lodging and most meals are all included. While charter train trips can be a little bit cheaper - perhaps $150 U.S. out of a total $800 - $1,000 price tag - they are also a lot slower as compared to air travel. A simple 2 hour flight generally equates to around 20 hours by train. However, the key is “in the carbon”.

Swedish trains are reported to emit about 4 kilos of CO2 per passenger per 1,000 kilometers traveled, while charter flights emit about 130 kilos of CO2 per passenger per 1,000 kilometers traveled. Using uniform figures, a trip from Stockholm to Verona by charter plane emits about five times more greenhouse gases than the train.Researchers at Sweden’s Royal Institute of Technology have calculated that Swedish trains emit about 4 kilos of CO2 per passenger per 1,000 kilometers traveled, and charter flights by contrast put out about 130 kilos of CO2 per passenger per 1,000 kilometers traveled. Even using average figures for all European trains of about 36 kilos of CO2 per 1,000 kilometers per passenger, a trip from Stockholm to Verona by charter plane emits about five time more greenhouse gases than the train.

In addition to a few destinations in Italy, this year’s roster includes trips to Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Poland, and Slovania - all with a charter trip guide, accomodations and meals included.

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