The pandemic in France and Austria led to a focus on the debate between planes and trains. The French government's COVID bailout for Air France required the airline to stop domestic flights when a train option of under 2 1/2 hours was available, later becoming law. Similarly, the Austrian government imposed a similar condition on Austrian Airlines, ending the 50-minute flight between Vienna and Salzburg in favor of a three-hour train journey. The European Commission declared 2021 as the "Year of European Rail" to promote train travel, especially to a younger audience. Despite passenger traffic increasing steadily until 2019, it was still relatively low with only 8% of all passenger travel in the European Union being by train before the pandemic. European leaders are not only focusing on public relations to promote cross-border train travel, but they are also working on reducing practical barriers by implementing new data-sharing systems, updating infrastructure, and constructing new high-speed routes, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Alberto Mazzola, the executive director of the Community of European Railways and Infrastructure Companies, based in Brussels, emphasized the goal of making train travel the preferred choice for trips under four hours for businesspeople and under six hours for tourists. Government leaders are now showing strong support for railway infrastructure, particularly high-speed lines, with significant investments being made. Night trains in Europe are also becoming increasingly popular, contributing to the growing trend of rail travel on the continent. Since the 1990s, overnight services have been on the decline due to the rise of low-cost air carriers and increased government investment in high-speed trains. However, there has been a recent resurgence in night trains across Europe, with new sleeper connections emerging. Alain Krakovitch, director of travel at SNCF, France's state-owned railway company, noted a strong demand for night trains from customers, elected officials, mayors, and the government. SNCF recently reintroduced overnight services between Paris and Nice, offering tickets as low as 19 euros, compared to 31 euros for a short flight on EasyJet. SNCF provides overnight services between Paris and Toulouse, as well as between Paris and Lourdes in southwestern France. In July and August, a night train to Hendaye, a coastal town near the Spanish border, will be available. Starting in December 2023, there will be a change-free overnight service between Paris and Berlin, a journey that currently takes eight hours and requires at least one change. This service is a collaborative effort among four European operators and has already seen strong demand, according to Krakovitch. Passengers are drawn to the convenience of these overnight services. Krakovitch explained that the convenience of falling asleep in Paris and waking up in Nice can save a night in a hotel, allowing travelers to arrive in Nice early without feeling tired. Despite the initial heavy investment to relaunch this service, there are numerous benefits. The Swiss Federal Railways also introduced a new overnight connection from Zurich to Amsterdam, expanding their overnight services to various European destinations such as Berlin, Budapest, Prague, and Zagreb. This momentum is hoped to be maintained in the future. European Sleeper, a company founded by two entrepreneurs from the Netherlands and Belgium, is in the process of planning an overnight service that will connect Brussels and Prague, with stops in cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin. The service is expected to launch this summer, although the exact start date has not been confirmed. Meanwhile, ÖBB's Nightjet service has recently introduced an overnight route between Vienna and Paris, offering tickets that range from around 30 euros for a regular train seat to over 200 euros for a first-class private cabin, depending on the travel date. In comparison, a midweek, low-season flight on the same route with Transavia costs 44 euros, excluding baggage fees. Nightjet also operates overnight services to destinations like Rome, Milan, Brussels, and Amsterdam, providing passengers with the option to book private compartments. Some cabins even come equipped with a private shower and toilet. Prices vary based on the amenities offered, with a couple traveling from Vienna to Amsterdam on a weeknight in July able to book two seats in a private compartment for a total of 129 euros. Another option available is a two-bed sleeper cabin for 378 euros for both passengers, which includes breakfast. If a private shower and toilet are added, the price increases to 418 euros. Currently, all of the Nightjet trains are in use, but new services are expected to be introduced in the future, with more than 30 new sleeper trains scheduled to be delivered starting in 2023. Despite the benefits of night trains in providing new travel options, they are limited to specific routes. There are still challenges for people seeking to travel between cities not connected by rail networks, including difficulties in booking tickets and high prices. Some long-distance trips with multiple stops are cheaper by plane than by train. Despite the European Union's support for rail, governments in the bloc continue to provide significant subsidies to airlines in the form of bailout packages and low taxes on jet fuel, though this may change soon. While France and Austria have banned short-haul flights on certain routes, the impact has been limited, with only a few routes affected in each country. In France, passengers can still fly these routes as part of a longer journey. Herwig Schuster, a transport campaigner for Greenpeace's EU Mobility for All campaign, suggested that the European Union should consider banning flights with a train alternative that takes under six hours, rather than just two or three, as a starting point. This measure could eliminate about one-third of Europe's most popular short-haul routes. Schuster noted that consumers are open to such a change, with a recent climate survey showing that 62% of Europeans support a ban on short-haul flights. However, he acknowledged that ensuring rail options are as affordable as flights would be a challenge. Currently, flying is often the cheaper option on several European routes, especially longer-distance trips that cross multiple national borders. For example, a one-way flight from Zurich to Barcelona can cost as little as 45 euros on a low-cost carrier, compared to 140 euros (and more time) to travel the same distance by rail. Similarly, flying is usually more affordable for routes like London to Madrid, Copenhagen to Rome, and Paris to Budapest. Mark Smith, who manages The Man in Seat 61 website, noted that Europe's extensive rail network not having a unified ticketing system is a challenge. He pointed out that trains can offer good value compared to planes, especially when factoring in baggage fees and transportation costs to and from the airport. Smith advised booking train tickets in advance, similar to flights, to save money and avoid last-minute price increases. He suggested using websites like Trainline and Rail Europe for booking multicountry train trips in Europe. Despite potentially higher ticket prices, many travelers still choose trains for their long-distance travel. Smith mentioned that when he launched his website two decades ago, individuals interested in long-distance train travel were typically either fearful of flying or unable to do so due to medical reasons. However, nowadays, he notes a shift in people's reasons for choosing train travel. According to Smith, individuals are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the airport and airline experience and are seeking a less stressful and more engaging alternative. Additionally, there is a growing desire among travelers to reduce their carbon footprint.