The pandemic in France and Austria highlighted the debate between planes and trains. In France, the government's COVID bailout for Air France mandated that the airline eliminate domestic flights if there was a train option under 2 1/2 hours. This requirement later became law. Similarly, the Austrian government imposed a condition on Austrian Airlines to end its 50-minute flight between Vienna and Salzburg, as the journey could be completed by train in about three hours. The European Commission declared 2021 as the "Year of European Rail" to promote train travel, especially to younger people. Despite passenger traffic increasing steadily until 2019, train travel accounted for only 8% of all passenger travel in the European Union 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 high-speed routes, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Alberto Mazzola, executive director of the Community of European Railways and Infrastructure Companies in Brussels, stated that the goal is for businesspeople to choose trains over flights for trips under four hours, and for tourists to opt for trains for trips under six hours. Mazzola mentioned that government leaders are supporting railway infrastructure, particularly high-speed lines, with actual investments being made now, unlike in the past. Night trains in Europe are also becoming increasingly popular as part of the growing trend of rail travel on the continent. Night train services have been declining since the 1990s due to the rise of low-cost airlines and high-speed trains, which offer faster daytime services. However, this trend has been changing, with a resurgence of interest in night trains across Europe. SNCF, France's state-owned railway company, has seen a strong demand for overnight services, with new sleeper connections being introduced. For example, SNCF recently relaunched overnight services between Paris and Nice, offering tickets starting at 19 euros, compared to 31 euros for a short flight on EasyJet. This revival of night trains is being driven by customer demand as well as support from elected officials and the government. SNCF also provides overnight services connecting Paris with Toulouse and Lourdes in southwestern France. In July and August, there will be a night train to Hendaye, a coastal town near the Spanish border. Additionally, a direct overnight service between Paris and Berlin, currently an eight-hour journey with at least one change, is set to start in December 2023 through collaboration with four European operators. According to Krakovitch, there has been significant demand for these services, making them very appealing to passengers. Krakovitch mentioned that the concept of falling asleep in Paris and waking up in Nice eliminates the need for a night in a hotel, allowing travelers to arrive in Nice early and refreshed. Despite the benefits of this service, there was a significant investment required for its relaunch. The goal is to maintain the current positive momentum. 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. This adds to existing overnight services connecting Zurich to Berlin, Budapest, Prague, and Zagreb, among other cities. European Sleeper, a company established by two entrepreneurs from the Netherlands and Belgium, is in the process of planning an overnight train connection from Brussels to 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. In the meantime, ÖBB's Nightjet service, operated in Austria, has recently introduced an overnight route between Vienna and Paris. Ticket prices for this service range from approximately 30 euros for a regular train seat to over 200 euros for a first-class private cabin, depending on the travel date. Nightjet also offers overnight journeys to various other cities, including Rome, Milan, Brussels, and Amsterdam, offering passengers the option to book private compartments with amenities such as private showers and toilets. The cost of these private compartments increases based on the amenities provided; for example, a couple traveling from Vienna to Amsterdam on a weeknight in July can book two seats in a private compartment for a total of 129 euros. Alternatively, travelers have the option to choose a two-bed sleeper cabin for 378 euros for both people, which includes breakfast. If they add a private shower and toilet, the price increases to 418 euros. Currently, all of the Nightjet trains are being used, but new services are expected to be available in the future, with over 30 new sleeper trains scheduled for delivery starting in 2023. Despite the benefits of night trains for connecting travelers to new destinations, they are limited to specific routes, presenting ongoing challenges. People who want to travel between cities that are not connected by rail networks still face challenges in booking tickets and dealing with high prices. Some long-distance trips with multiple stops are cheaper by plane than by train. Despite the European Union's support for rail travel, governments in the bloc continue to provide significant subsidies to airlines through bailout packages and low taxes on jet fuel, although this may change in the future. While bans on short-haul flights in France and Austria gained attention in Europe, they only affected a few routes in each country. In France, passengers can still fly these routes if they are part of a longer journey by plane. Herwig Schuster, a transport campaigner for Greenpeace’s EU Mobility for All campaign, described the French and Austrian measures as a starting point and suggested that the European Union should consider prohibiting flights with a train alternative that takes under six hours rather than just two or three. He believes that such a measure could eliminate approximately one-third of Europe's most popular short-haul routes. Schuster pointed out that consumers are prepared for this change, citing a recent climate survey which found that 62% of Europeans support a ban on short-haul flights. He noted that the main challenge would be ensuring that rail options are as affordable as flights. Despite this, flying remains the cheaper option on various European routes, particularly longer-distance trips that cross multiple national borders. For example, a one-way flight from Zurich to Barcelona in July can cost as little as 45 euros on a low-cost carrier, compared to 140 euros to cover the same distance by rail. Flying is also generally more affordable for trips from London to Madrid, Copenhagen to Rome, and Paris to Budapest. Mark Smith, who operates the website The Man in Seat 61, pointed out that the lack of a unified ticketing system for Europe's extensive rail network is a challenge. Despite this, he believes that trains often offer better value than planes, especially when considering additional costs like baggage fees and transportation to and from the airport. Smith suggests that booking train tickets in advance, similar to booking flights, can result in significant savings. He recommends reserving long-distance train journeys one to three months ahead to avoid price increases. For booking multicountry trips in Europe, he suggests using websites like Trainline and Rail Europe. Smith noted that many travelers still prefer trains, even if it means paying a higher ticket price in some cases. Smith mentioned that when he launched his website two decades ago, the majority of individuals interested in long-distance train travel were either afraid to fly or unable to do so due to health reasons. However, nowadays, he notices a shift in motivation. People are increasingly dissatisfied with the airport and airline procedures, seeking a more relaxed and engaging travel experience. In addition, there is a growing desire to reduce their carbon footprint.