Green Travel: High-Speed Trains In Portugal Reduce Carbon Footprint

On Nov 18, 2022

Portugal introduces more high-speed trains for lower carbon emissions — Train station in Portugal [Image by Ana Jimenez from Pixabay]

In recent months, there has been a push towards rail travel instead of air travel. Not only does traveling on a train cut down carbon emissions, but it is also a pleasant and relaxing way to get from A to B. In fact, if you tot up the time of checking in, waiting for your flight and waiting for baggage at the end of the flight, high-speed trains can often get to their destinations quicker. Meanwhile, this is the case in Portugal, where new routes have been released for high-speed trains.

High-speed train routes in Portugal make for flight-free travel

Portugal introduces more high-speed trains — Sao Bento Station [Image by David Mark from Pixabay]

There has been much talk recently about high-speed trains in Europe, including one running from Paris to Berlin in just seven hours. Meanwhile, luxurious train journeys are coming back in a big way as the ideal way to travel in sheer comfort. In fact, this includes the iconic Orient Express, which is currently under renovation. Moreover, some countries, like Spain and Germany have offered free rail tickets or discounts to entice travelers.

Now, it is the turn of Portugal as the European nation offers the chance to travel flight free on high-speed rail routes. According to the government, while high-speed rail is the future of low-emission travel, this mode of transport could halve journey times.

Can high-speed rail shorten travel times in Portugal?

Bridge over the Tagus River, Portugal — Bridge over the Tagus River [Image by Carlos Paes from Pixabay]

Portugal’s government unveiled the plans on Thursday, including high-speed trains in the ten largest cities. Moreover, the country will also add rail links in each district. Meanwhile, in the Lisbon region, the fast trains will be accompanied by a third crossing over the Tagus River.

In a statement, Infrastructure Minister Pedro Nuno Santos said the aim is to modernize the country’s national rail infrastructure and make it more eco-friendly. Santos also said plans could make rail journeys from Lisbon and Porto to Madrid possible in around three hours.

Meanwhile, Euronews quotes Federico Francisco, coordinator of the working group drafting the plan, who said travel time between Lisbon and Porto will be halved from the current 2 hours 50 minutes. Moreover, the additional crossing over the Tagus will shorten the journey to Lisbon from the southern regions by at least 30 minutes.

Centralizing train travel

Besides announcing the high-speed trains, Portugal is centralizing rail travel as a way to also cut driver numbers. The country further hopes to meet its objective to become carbon neutral by 2045. Moreover, Portugal aims to boost train travel’s share of total passengers to 20 percent from the current 4.5 percent and rail goods transport to 40 percent from 13 percent.

Which other countries in Europe have high-speed trains

High-speed rail service in Europe — High-speed train [Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay]

In Europe, a number of countries have built high-speed rail infrastructure with France and Spain in the lead. These are followed by Germany, Italy and the UK. Moreover, other countries, like Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden, already have intercity high-speed trains. Among the routes in Europe is the famous Eurostar high-speed route from London to Paris. However, the fastest runs between Madrid and Barcelona, a route that eventually connects Barcelona to Perpignan in France.