Author: Patryk Strzałkowski, journalist at Gazeta.pl
We are increasingly choosing to travel by train within Poland, as reflected in PKP's record-breaking passenger numbers. But what about international travel? Rail could—at least in some directions—be a viable alternative to flying. Air travel is much more harmful to the climate: taking a train on the same route can mean up to 80-90 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than flying.
But there are significant barriers: time, cost, availability. To see this for myself, I tried the train as an alternative to flying. On my way back from a journalism conference in Bologna, I chose to take the train. Here's a brief account of the journey, followed by a summary and conclusions on why rail still falls short as a viable alternative but holds tremendous potential.
From Italy to Poland by train
The Bologna-Warsaw route was less complicated than I expected: it only required one (supposedly easy) transfer. A little over five hours on an express from Bologna to Rosenheim in southern Bavaria, where I was to catch a Munich-Warsaw night train (via Vienna).
Challenges
First, I had to buy my ticket through the German or Austrian railways websites. PKP didn’t even show this route as an option, so I would have had to buy two separate tickets, likely at a higher price. Using the Deutsche Bahn site was easy, but it’s a pity the Polish carrier doesn’t offer this option.
The real challenge came weeks before the trip when I received an email saying the Munich train would bypass Rosenheim. The official alternatives weren’t ideal, but I found a solution myself: a regional train from Germany to Linz, Austria, where I would catch my train to Warsaw. Technically, I could have used other trains for free due to the change, but the one that fit best was a private carrier, so I paid an additional €28.
The Journey
The trip itself started smoothly, with an on-time departure from Bologna. Comfortable seats, space for a laptop, and working Wi-Fi allowed me to get some work done. After Verona, I was treated to breathtaking mountain views and lunch in the dining car. Vegetarian options were available, and prices were reasonable (€10 for mac and cheese). After nearly six hours, with a slight delay, I reached Rosenheim, with enough time for my connection to Linz. After another transfer, the final leg was an overnight 12-hour ride in a sleeper to Poland. PKP sleeper cars were older but functional (although there was no Wi-Fi).
Does rail beat air travel?
- Cost: The Bologna-Warsaw train ticket, in the cheapest non-refundable option, purchased two months in advance, cost about €150. Meanwhile, a budget flight on the same day would have been around €30. The flight wins here, hands down.
- Time: The train journey was scheduled to take just over 21 hours and, despite an extra transfer, I arrived on time. The flight itself takes two hours, so at first glance, air travel is far faster. But consider that I traveled from city center to city center, needing to arrive only five minutes early. In practice, the total trip could easily add up to five to six hours. On the train, I worked, dined, read, and slept, reducing the "wasted" time.
- Comfort: For me, the train was far more comfortable than a plane. There’s space to stretch, work, or sleep, and meals are available on board. Most importantly, the journey through the Alps was beautiful—a scenic attraction in itself.
- Emissions: Rail wins outright. Planes have a high emissions impact, whereas trains are a low-emission public transport option. By choosing rail, I potentially saved 80-90 percent in emissions.
Conclusion:
A pricey alternative
The journey was pleasant and productive, with beautiful views, meals, and rest in the sleeper car. But the price remains a significant barrier. Even if someone is comfortable working and sleeping on a train, paying five times more than for a flight can be prohibitive.
The good news is that this could improve. International routes need to be more frequent, faster, and affordable. With sensible changes, rail could be a real alternative, especially for business travel. Europe has a rich rail tradition and relatively good infrastructure that could provide a meaningful alternative to air travel.
