In its latest report entitled Travelling by train, a headache for passengers, The Climate Action Network has put into perspective the thirty or so air routes that exceed one million passengers per year between France and European cities, and their similar accessibility by train. The aim is to highlight the delay in establishing a network of European rail services, whereas trains significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to air travel.
Therefore, out of the 31 air routes studied, 4 cannot be made by train in a single day (including Paris-Lisbon which requires 4 connections), 18 involve a change (such as Paris-Rome via Milan, Paris-Madrid via Barcelona) and only 9 have a direct train (London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, etc.). And on some of these direct routes, the rail service is significantly less than that of air travel. Thus, on the Paris-Barcelona route, airlines offer 8 times more seats than SNCF with its two daily return services.
Towards the establishment of European railway hubs
With increasing environmental concerns and the Disappearance of night trains With high-speed rail links connecting distant European cities (Venice, Vienna, etc.), passengers are now willing to undertake long journeys by high-speed train during the day. This is illustrated by the success of the Paris–Berlin service, which takes 8 hours and 20 minutes and boasts a 90% occupancy rate. When will there be a direct Paris-Madrid service, asks the Climate Action Network? The lack of long-distance routes to Europe from Paris and other French cities has led to the establishment of European rail hubs with fairly good connections from the capital, allowing journeys to continue to one or more countries. Examples include London, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Zurich, Turin, Milan and Barcelona. Berlin, Hamburg and Munich could soon achieve this status as European hubs if these three German cities were to be better connected to Paris.
SNCF Connect criticised again
The report then highlights the difficulties in finding these connecting journeys. This is evident right from the booking stage, as for a Paris-Rome journey, SNCF Connect does not offer the Milan-Rome section operated by Trenitalia or Italo. Similarly, for a Paris-Madrid TGV journey, SNCF Connect does not sell the Barcelona-Madrid route, which is operated by its subsidiary. Ouigo SpainIt should also be noted that it is impossible to book connecting journeys beyond London. even though routes such as Paris-Manchester, Paris-Edinburgh, Paris-Bristol and Paris-Birmingham are particularly busy by plane ", the document stresses.
The editors then criticise the price differences for the same ticket sold in France and Germany. For example, a Paris-Frankfurt ticket can be advertised from €79 on the SNCF booking platform, compared to €40 on that of DB or the independent distributor Trainline. This latter platform is thus deemed " more effective for selling long-distance connections in Europe Finally, the report highlights the lack of passenger protection if the traveller misses their connecting train due to the first train's delay.
In conclusion, Réseau Action Climat calls on public authorities to compel SNCF Connect to market the main European rail links departing from France, including those requiring a connection. European rail companies would thus be distributed under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions », and with « their entire price range In order to make train travel preferable to air travel, travellers must therefore have easy access to information on the different possible journeys and the most attractive fares. It should be noted that the Senators have just voted that SNCF Connect will be marketing from 1er January 2028 other rail companies present in France (Trenitalia, Renfe…). Réseau Action Climat subsequently wants passenger rights to be extended to European routes involving a connection so that travellers are assured of continuing their journey in the event of a delay to the first train, with accommodation provided if necessary. This will prevent passengers from having to buy a second ticket at full price or pay for a hotel overnight en route. " The French government and the European Commission must put an end to this situation "concludes the report.
