Sustainability Breakdown: The True Carbon Footprint of Trains Versus Planes on Popular Routes
25.07.2023 - 10:45
/ matadornetwork.com
Train travel offers scenic views and a more pleasant overall experience than flying. For starters, there’s no need to stand in line for half an hour prior to boarding, in order to be intimidatingly scanned and frisked and then dispossessed of your toothpaste simply because the tube won’t fit inside the eye of a needle. Notably, at least as it pertains to the health of our planet, travel by rail is significantly better for the environment than travel by air. Most popular flight routes around the world have corresponding train routes, and while you may need to allow more time to travel by train, this time tends to turn into part of the travel experience — leaving a better impact on both the planet and yourself.
The specific emissions vary depending on factors such as distance, aircraft type, load factors, and train technology. Nevertheless, the comparison of the key routes discussed here consistently reveals that train travel emits significantly less CO2 per passenger than flying. No matter where you’re traveling to, you can use the emissions calculator at Flight Free USA to calculate the carbon footprint of getting there by air, and then use the emissions calculator at EcoTree to see how much carbon you’re keeping out of the air when traveling by train. During the trip planning process, use Rome2Rio to route the best train trip to your destination if you’re unsure of where to begin your research.
Photo: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock
The distance between New York and Los Angeles spans the length of the continental United States at approximately 2,475 miles (3,979 kilometers). Connecting the country’s two largest cities, it’s a popular route for domestic air travel. However, flying on this route comes with a substantial carbon footprint. According to estimates from Flight Free USA and elsewhere, a one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles emits around 1,532 pounds (695 kilograms) of CO2 per passenger. This high carbon emission is mainly due to the significant fuel consumption and associated emissions of airplanes.
On the other hand, traveling by train offers a more environmentally friendly alternative. While direct train services between these two cities are limited, options such as Amtrak’s long-distance routes or combinations of shorter train journeys can be utilized. The trip takes about three days, requires changing trains from the Lake Shore Limited to the Southwest Chief in Chicago, and costs less than $600 each way in coach class. You’ll emit about 119 kg of carbon, a reduction of nearly 80 percent versus traveling the same route by air.
Beautiful things you’ll see en route:
Photo: olrat/Shutterstock
The London to Paris route is a well-traveled corridor connecting two major European capitals. For this