Growing air travel is increasing worries about its contribution to global warming and climate change, so that train passes company Eurail has encouraged the public to stay on the tracks instead.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the appetite for air travel continues unabated, with an estimated 500 million passengers set to get on a plane by 2010.
The average jet aircraft emits 23 kg of CO2 per 100 passenger kilometres, with cars at about 18 kg and trains just under five kilograms, reported Eurail.
Eurail advised taking the train as a cheap and easy alternative, particularly in the European Union, where short distances mean that speed, the greatest advantage of air travel, doesn't make as much of a difference.
Eurail quoted deputy director of the national energy foundation, Ian Byrne, in his support for rail travel, saying: "If you're concerned about contributing to global climate change remember that rail is always a better option than flying.
"The carbon dioxide emissions from a return economy flight from Paris to Berlin, for example, would allow a rail user to go from Paris to Berlin, then on to Vienna, Venice, Rome and back to Paris - with enough left over for two return trips from Paris to Amsterdam - so you could take a friend!" he said.
Eurail, a company owned by a variety of railway companies and shipping lines, offers the popular Inter Rail passes that allow passengers to take indefinite train journeys for a specific period of time and at a set price.
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