The world is beautiful - and wants to be explored. In addition to cars and airplanes, there is another way to visit excursion destinations to visit. Traveling by night train is not only sustainable, but also relaxing and exciting.
In view of the significant effects of climate change, the transport transition is part of a necessary strategy to reduce CO2 emissions worldwide. The concepts also include getting more travelers off the roads and onto the rails. Rail is not just an alternative to the car. Night trains can be used to cover distances that would otherwise require a flight. The idea of the night train is tempting: travel longer inner-European routes overnight and reach your destination in your sleep, with a comparatively low CO2 footprint.
Picture: An SBB train car.
This is how ecological night trains are
Traveling by night train is an environmentally friendly alternative to planes or cars, as night trains have a much lower carbon footprint. The green credentials of night trains have already been calculated, at least in Switzerland. The current service alone saves the emission of 50,000 tons of CO2. This corresponds to the use of 30,000 cars. The night train connections currently on offer in Switzerland are not even particularly extensive. Numerous night trains were already mothballed before 2010, and in Germany and Austria the reduction in comfortable night-time connections was even more drastic.
Image: A journey through the night.
What night trains offer
Night trains offer a relaxed travel experience. Of course, normally equipped trains can also run overnight, but for a pleasant journey you need carriages with comfortable reclining seats - or even real sleeping cars. The latter offer compartments with fold-out beds, washbasins and privacy, and the dining car is often not far away. If you plan smart, you can cover several destinations without spending time and money on extra nights in hotels.
Picture: Full speed ahead!
Discover Switzerland
Switzerland offers a variety of night train routes. The Glacier Express, for example, is a scenic route that runs from Zermatt to St. Moritz and travels through the Swiss Alps. During the journey, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery and visit small towns and villages along the route. Another recommendation is the Cisalpino route, which runs from Zurich to Milan and passes through various stations in Lombardy. On this route you can visit some of the most famous cities in northern Italy - for example Como, Bergamo and Brescia.
Picture: Awake when the clouds are purple again.
Night trains are on the rise
One clear argument in favor of night trains was the global airport chaos in the summer of 2022, which left not only thousands of suitcases but also many travelers stranded, despite hours of lead time on arrival. Anyone who has experienced this travel misery will be happy to switch to rail. Traveling by night train in Switzerland offers a sustainable and relaxed way to explore the country. It is an environmentally friendly alternative that connects different routes, cities and regions.
Are you a night train traveler? Tell us about your experiences!
