Taking a leap into the future of sustainable travel, French Transport Minister Clément Beaune and associates embarked on their journey to Paris by night train. Joining them were representatives from the German, French, and Austrian railways, including Volker Wissing of the FDP. The journey from Berlin Central Station lasted an impressive 14 hours, as the first night train from Berlin arrived in Paris.
Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn, pronounced the night train as a symbol of climate-friendly travel and a networked, borderless Europe. As predicted, this year, over 7,000 night trains have been zigzagging across Germany.
The journey aboard the Nightjet train featured retrofitted, vintage German carriages purchased by ÖBB, with Andréas Matthä, ÖBB's CEO, acknowledging their initial skepticism: "At first, we were laughed at (...) but our success has proven us right." The modified vehicles maintained original details, such as the switches for light and volume control, adding a quirky charm to the journey.
Initially, the Nightjet train will operate three times a week from Berlin on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and from Paris on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Business travelers might find the arrival time at 10:24 am less attractive. However, weekend travelers can make the most of their time and spend the weekend in Paris, returning on Saturday evening or staying until Tuesday evening. From October 2024, the night train will run daily.
As we celebrate this new era of the night train alliance, it's essential to consider the environmental advantages. Night trains to destinations like Paris emit approximately 11 grams of CO2e per passenger kilometer, significantly less than alternative modes of transportation. Cars emit around 192 grams, and airplanes emit 389 grams of CO2e per passenger kilometer.
Eliminating the need for frequent changes, traffic jams, and emissions, the Nightjet train offers an eco-friendly–and fun–alternative for travel within Europe, promoting seamless cultural exchange among European nations.
