Ten European Routes Where Trains Beat Flying
Flying is not always the quickest way to travel between major European cities, according to a new analysis by Omio. The booking platform compared 25 popular routes using door-to-door journey times rather than flight duration alone. Airport transfers, security, boarding, baggage collection and onward travel were included, giving rail a clear advantage on several short and medium-distance trips during August 2026.
Where Rail Saves the Most Time
Return fares for one traveller in August 2026, where available.
- Brussels–Paris: Rail 125 mins/€34; air 265 mins/€209
- Frankfurt–Cologne: Rail 63 mins/€32; air 195 mins
- Madrid–Valencia: Rail 130 mins/€16; air 240 mins/€69
- Milan–Florence: Rail 140 mins/€27; air 240 mins/€197
- London–Paris: Rail 156 mins/€196; air 255 mins/€115
- Rome–Florence: Rail 108 mins/€28; air 205 mins/€131
- Madrid–Barcelona: Rail 153 mins/€28; air 240 mins/€49
- Paris–Lyon: Rail 132 mins/€47; air 218 mins/€104
- London–Brussels: Rail 125 mins/€230; air 208 mins/€134
- Madrid–Seville: Rail 170 mins/€10.51; air 250 mins/€36.96
Rail bookings across Europe have risen by 32% year on year, more than three times the growth recorded for flights, Omio said. Its comparison covered services offered through around 1,000 transport providers and found that trains were often quicker, cheaper or both. Brussels–Paris produced the largest time saving, while rail also performed strongly on domestic routes in Spain, Italy, France and Germany.
The time savings make several routes more practical for day trips or short breaks. Brussels–Paris leaves most of the day for the Louvre, Montmartre or a cycle ride along the Seine, while Madrid–Seville arrives close to the historic centre for the Alcázar and cathedral. Florence’s main station is within walking distance of the Duomo and Uffizi, reducing the need for another transfer after arrival.
These figures do not make rail the cheaper choice on every route, as the London services show, but they expose the weakness of comparing only scheduled flight times. Travellers should weigh the full journey, including airport transfers and baggage costs, before booking. On many journeys under a few hundred miles, the train can return several useful hours to a weekend while also avoiding airport queues.