Better Transport

It’s better to travel to Europe by train than by plane 

In June 2007, campaigners staged a race from Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower. One team travelled by plane, the other by train.

The teams set off as Big Ben struck 11:00. The train team settled comfortably in their seats and left Waterloo just after midday.

The plane team made their way to Heathrow and then… the plane sat on the tarmac for an hour because of heavy showers in Paris.

At the moment the train arrived at the Gare du Nord around 15:00, the plane was just taking off from Heathrow.

Just after 15:30 (UK time) the train team emerged from the metro near the Eiffel Tower to an enthusiastic welcome from the French media.

Around 16.00 the plane team disembarked at Charles de Gaulle Airport and then… because of an immigration alert at the airport could not retrieve their luggage until 17:00. Another hour’s wait.

Meanwhile the train team, having had a civilised beer on the Champs Elysees, were making their way back to the Gare du Nord to catch the train home.

At 18:30, the train people were relaxed, speeding through the French countryside on their way home while the plane team were just arriving at the Gare du Nord, with still a metro ride between them and the Eiffel Tower.

A gold medal for sustainable transport!