The fastest train in Europe will make you want to quit continental flights forever

High speed trains are an increasingly popular alternative way of exploring the continent.

Italy alone has seen passenger numbers grow by 517 per cent - rising from 6.5m in 2008 to 40 million in 2018.

Trenitalia’s Paris to Milan route was first introduced in December 2021, serviced by Hitachi Rail’s ETR1000.

This super high speed train travels at 300km/h - with the ability to go400km/h if not limited by track regulations - making it the fastest train in Europe.

In its first nine months of service, the new route persuaded many travellers to move away from flying and passenger numbers increased by 57 per cent.

ETR1000s are already operating in Italy, France and Spain (where it is run by ILSA under the name IYRO) and with suitable track available for services in five other European countries.

To find out more Euronews Travel travelled to their factory in Italy to learn more about why you should look to swap a flight for a high speed train.

“Thinking about the emissions, it is true that the aeroplane is the worst because the emissions are seven times more than cars,” Luca D’Aquila, COO of Hitachi Italy tells Euronews Green.

“And 20 times more than a train.”

The ETR1000 is powered by electricity meaning it also won’t contribute to air pollution. The trains themselves are built from 94.4 per cent recyclable materials.

The EU has set targets of a 55 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and total climate neutrality by 2050.

Though there is a move towards electric cars across Europe which will greatly reduce personal travel emissions, public transport is still a better choice.

“Public transport is many times more efficient than individual transport. Individual cars consume, for instance, about seven times more electricity,” says Herald