The French government has announced plans to raise taxes on flights in order to boost train travel. The government believes that this will help to reduce carbon emissions and make train travel more affordable. The tax increase is expected to take effect in 2023. france train travel

The tax increase will be progressive, with the highest taxes being applied to long-haul flights. For example, a round-trip flight from Paris to New York would be taxed an additional €120. The government estimates that the tax increase will raise €1.5 billion per year. This money will be used to subsidize train travel and to improve the rail network.

The tax increase has been met with mixed reactions. Some people support the measure, arguing that it is necessary to reduce carbon emissions and to make train travel more affordable. Others oppose the tax increase, arguing that it will make flying more expensive and will discourage people from traveling.

Benefits of Rail Travel france train travel

There are many benefits to rail travel, including:

• Reduced carbon emissions: Trains produce significantly fewer carbon emissions than airplanes. For example, a train journey from Paris to London produces about 70% fewer carbon emissions than a plane journey.
• More affordable: Train travel is often more affordable than air travel, especially for long-distance journeys. For example, a round-trip train ticket from Paris to Barcelona costs about €100, while a round-trip plane ticket costs about €200.
• More comfortable: Trains are often more comfortable than planes, with more legroom and space to move around. They also offer a variety of amenities, such as dining cars and Wi-Fi.
• More scenic: Trains offer stunning views of the countryside, which can be a great way to see the country.

Comparison of Prices

The following table compares the prices of train and plane tickets for some popular routes in France:

As you can see, train travel is often more affordable than air travel, especially for long-distance journeys.

Statistics

According to the French government, air travel is responsible for about 20% of the country’s carbon emissions. The government hopes that the tax increase on flights will help to reduce these emissions by 5% by 2030.

The government also hopes that the tax increase will boost train travel. In 2020, there were about 1.2 billion train journeys made in France. The government hopes to increase this number to 1.5 billion by 2030.

Final Thoughts about France train travel

France’s plan to raise taxes on flights to boost train travel is a bold move. It remains to be seen how the measure will affect air travel and train travel in France. However, the government is hoping that the measure will help to reduce carbon emissions and make train travel more popular.

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