The pandemic in France and Austria raised the debate between planes and trains. The French government's COVID bailout for Air France required the airline to stop domestic flights when there was a train option under 2 1/2 hours, which became law. Austrian Airlines also had to end short flights, like Vienna to Salzburg, to receive government support. The European Commission named 2021 the "Year of European Rail" to promote train travel, especially to younger people. Despite passenger numbers increasing before the pandemic, only 8% of European Union travel was by train. European leaders are not only focusing on a public relations campaign to promote cross-border train travel, but they are also working to reduce practical barriers by implementing new data-sharing systems, updating infrastructure, and constructing high-speed routes, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Alberto Mazzola, executive director of the Community of European Railways and Infrastructure Companies, believes that for trips under four hours, businesspeople will choose trains over flights, and for trips under six hours, tourists will opt for trains. There is a renewed emphasis on investing in railway infrastructure, particularly high-speed lines, which is a significant shift from 20 years ago. Night trains in Europe are also becoming increasingly popular, contributing to the growing trend of rail travel on the continent. Night train services have been decreasing since the 1990s due to the rise of budget airlines and high-speed trains. However, there has been a recent resurgence in overnight services in Europe, with new sleeper connections being established. According to Alain Krakovitch, director of travel at SNCF, there is a strong demand for night trains from both customers and government officials. For example, SNCF recently reintroduced overnight services between Paris and Nice, with tickets starting at 19 euros, compared to 31 euros for a short flight on EasyJet. SNCF provides overnight services from Paris to Toulouse and Lourdes in southwestern France. In July and August, a night train to Hendaye, a coastal town near the Spanish border, will be available. Additionally, a change-free overnight service from Paris to Berlin is set to start in December 2023, reducing the journey time and eliminating the need for transfers. According to Krakovitch, there has been high demand for these services, making them very appealing to passengers. Krakovitch explained that the concept of falling asleep in Paris and waking up in Nice can save travelers a night in a hotel, allowing them to arrive in Nice early and refreshed. Despite the benefits, there was a significant investment needed to relaunch this service, but they are hopeful to maintain its success. This trend is also seen in other parts of Europe, such as the Swiss Federal Railways introducing a new overnight connection from Zurich to Amsterdam, with stops in Basel and Cologne, as well as connecting Zurich to other destinations like Berlin, Budapest, Prague, and Zagreb. European Sleeper, a company founded by two entrepreneurs from the Netherlands and Belgium, is in the process of planning an overnight train connection between Brussels and Prague, with stops in cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin. They are aiming to launch this service in the upcoming summer, although the exact start date has not been confirmed yet. On a similar note, ÖBB's Nightjet service has recently introduced an overnight route between Vienna and Paris, offering a range of ticket prices from approximately 30 euros for a standard seat to over 200 euros for a first-class private cabin, depending on the travel date. In addition to this route, Nightjet provides overnight services to various other cities including Rome, Milan, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Passengers have the option to book private compartments, some of which come equipped with a private shower and toilet. The cost of these compartments varies based on the amenities provided, with prices starting at 129 euros for a couple travelling from Vienna to Amsterdam on a weeknight in July. Another option is a two-bed sleeper cabin for 378 euros for two people, 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 available in the future, with over 30 new sleeper trains set to be delivered starting in 2023. Despite providing new travel options, night trains are limited to specific routes, presenting ongoing challenges. Challenges persist for individuals seeking to connect cities not directly linked by transportation networks, as booking tickets and pricing remain difficult. Some long-distance trips with multiple stops are more cost-effective by plane than by train. Despite the European Union's backing of rail travel, governments in the bloc still heavily subsidize airlines through bailout packages and low jet fuel taxes, though this may soon change. Recent bans on short-haul flights in France and Austria have had limited impact, affecting only a few routes. In France, passengers can still fly these routes as part of longer journeys. According to Herwig Schuster, a transport campaigner for Greenpeace's EU Mobility for All campaign, the measures taken by France and Austria are seen as a starting point. Schuster suggests that the European Union should consider prohibiting flights that have a train alternative taking under six hours, rather than just two or three. This could potentially eliminate about one-third of Europe's most popular short-haul routes. Schuster believes that consumers are prepared for this change, as a recent climate survey revealed that 62% of Europeans support a ban on short-haul flights. The main challenge would be ensuring that rail options are as affordable as flights. Currently, flying is often cheaper on longer routes that cross multiple national borders, such as Zurich to Barcelona, compared to rail travel. Despite this, flying remains the more affordable choice for routes like London to Madrid, Copenhagen to Rome, and Paris to Budapest. Mark Smith, who manages The Man in Seat 61 website, pointed out that Europe's extensive rail network does not have a unified ticketing system, which poses a challenge for travelers. However, he believes that trains often offer better value than planes when factoring in baggage fees and transportation costs to and from the airport. Smith suggests booking train tickets in advance, similar to how one would for a flight, to save money and avoid last-minute price increases. He recommends using websites like Trainline and Rail Europe for booking multi-country train trips in Europe. Despite the potential higher cost, Smith noted that many travelers still choose to take the train. Smith mentioned that when he launched his website two decades ago, the majority of individuals interested in long-distance train travel were either afraid of flying or unable to do so for health reasons. Nowadays, he notes a shift in mindset. People are increasingly dissatisfied with the stress and monotony of airports and airlines, seeking a more relaxing and engaging travel experience, all while reducing their carbon footprint.