BRITAIN is among Europe’s worst offenders for train fares outstripping flights on cross-border routes, according to new research.

Greenpeace analysed 109 cross-border routes across 31 European countries.

France performed worst, with trains costing more than flights on 95 per cent of cross-border routes, followed by Spain at 92 per cent and Britain at 90 per cent.

Five of the top 10 most expensive train trips were to or from British destinations. 

The most expensive was same-day travel between Barcelona and London, with a train ticket costing €389 (£336) — 26 times more than a €15 (£13) Ryanair flight.

Several former communist countries led the way in cheap cross-border rail.

In Lithuania, 100 per cent of cross-border trains were cheaper than equivalent flights, while the figure was 89 per cent in Poland. 

Britain, meanwhile, ranked lowest, with not a single cross-border route being predominantly cheaper by train.

Cheap flight tickets are largely possible because aviation fuel is untaxed, while international flight tickets are exempt from VAT, unlike rail travel.

Greenpeace UK head of politics Ami McCarthy said: “While climate impacts like heatwaves, droughts and wildfires are causing devastation across the UK and the rest of Europe, the government should not reward the most polluting form of travel through subsidies and tax exemptions. 

“If ministers are serious about tackling the climate and cost-of-living crises, they need to stop rewarding pollution, end tax breaks for aviation and make rail travel affordable – train passengers should not have to pay a premium for choosing the greener option.”

An RMT spokesperson said: “This report highlights the urgent need to shift from air to rail to meet climate targets, but that is being impeded by the involvement of private companies in the running of our railway.

“RMT analysis shows £720 million a year is drained from the network through rolling stock leasing, outsourcing, and subcontracting.

“That is money that could cut fares by 6.5 per cent and make rail a more attractive, low-carbon alternative to flying.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Some of our fare types are among the cheapest in Europe, particularly when booked in advance. 

“We have recently signed landmark agreements with neighbour European countries to establish new, direct rail connections which could offer faster, more convenient and significantly greener alternatives to flying in the future.”