Sustainable Student Mobility - Factsheets

Factsheets Sustainable Student Mobility Budapest Istanbul Madrid Paris Porto Prague Rome Vienna Warsaw Zurich The following factsheets provide information for student mobility for ten cities. For each, the five most popular student exchange routes are shown, detailing estimated travel times and related greenhouse gas emissions. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Traveling by plane may seem the fastest option, yet considerable time is often lost to check-in, security, transfers to and from the airport – time that could be used more efficiently on a train. On some routes, trains are impressively fast, with travel times close to flying, such as Zurich–Munich. However, other routes, like Budapest–Lisbon, may take much longer and require multiple train changes. In most cases, buses offer a cost-effective alternative with less need for changes and transfers. Notes: Travel times were calculated using Rome2Rio4 for two randomly selected dates: Monday, October 24, 2024, and Monday, October 20, 2025. Calculations assume travelers take the fastest routes and direct flights where available. Travel times were rounded to the nearest half hour. Where the variation was an hour or less, average times are reported; otherwise, ranges are shown. Direct flight times show little variation, while travel by train, bus, or car may vary due to new routes or road traffic. Times incorporate real-time data, travel time estimates, and average transit times. For car travel, a 30-minute break was added every 3 hours, plus a 10-hour overnight rest every 8.5 hours. For train and bus travel, it was assumed travelers sleep while en route. The dotted route on the map does not represent the exact travel route. Student exchanges are a valuable cultural and personal experience, but traveling can come with a carbon cost: A flight from Paris to Rome generates around 0.25 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per person.1 This is 1/6 of the annual per capita GHG emission budget which would allow us to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.2 By making informed travel decisions and using sustainable travel options, students can reduce the environmental impact of their exchange and contribute to a greener and more conscious mobility between universities. Estimated travel times for the five most popular Student Exchange Routes3 Train (incl. transfer) Bus (incl. transfer) Car (incl. rest periods) Plane (incl. check-in & transfer) Main station city center 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 Budapest 26.5 –31.5 h 23 h 24 –26.5 h 6 h Istanbul 10.5 h 8 –9.5 h 6.5h 6 h Cluj-Napoca Rome 15.5 h 20.5 h 22.5 – 24.5 h 5.5 h Lisbon 33.5 –36 h 51–80.5 h 63 – 67 h 7 h Factsheet Sustainable Student Mobility (Budapest) 14 h 22.5 –24 h 25 –27.5 h 6 h Paris Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 The distance traveled and the choice of transport mode are key factors in reducing carbon emissions from traveling. Flying generates – depending on the country of train travel – between 5 to 42 times6 more emissions than train travel. The GHG emissions of train travel can vary depending on the electricity mix of the country one travels through. Additionally, occu pancy rates and the proportion of diesel-powered trains influence overall emissions7. In these cases, buses may offer a comparatively lower-emission alternative. The occupancy rate of the car plays a key role in determining the GHG emissions per person when traveling by car. Carpooling with a second person can halve the emissions per traveler. The journey itself can become a valuable part of the stay abroad period, where one can experience Europe, its landscape and people. Therefore, the travel decision should consider the GHG emissions, the overall time required for each option and the possibility to learn more about Europe while traveling. GHG Emissions from different Transportation Modes on the five most popular Student Exchange Routes.5 kg CO2e/pP per journey (one way) Notes: Travel distances for trains, buses, and cars were calculated using data from Luftlinie8 based on the fastest routes between city centers (main stations) as determined by Rome2Rio9 for the randomly selected travel date of October 24, 2024. Greenhouse gas emissions per passenger and distance were estimated using data from Mobitool10. Mobitool factors include the consumption of natural resources and emissions over the full life cycle of transport modes and their infrastructure. Trains: Capacity utilization and emission factors were taken from Mobitool10 for available countries. For other countries, GHG emissions were based on data from countries with the most compatible electricity mix.11 Buses: Capacity utilization and emission factor were derived from Mobitool10 for all countries. To simplify the analysis, the same emission factor was applied uniformly to the route between the bus station and the main train station. Cars: GHG emissions assumed a single traveler using a rental car or personal vehicle. Cars were modeled as European averages: midsized, 12 years old, running on petrol12. Planes: GHG emissions were calculated using Atmosfair13 for direct flights in eco nomy class, based on average capacity utilization and airplane types in Europe. Airport-to-airport distances were used, excluding transfers from main stations. An RFI factor of 3 was applied for additional environmental impacts. Atmosfair calculations do not include life cycle or infrastructure emissions. Imprint Authorship: Nadine Wolf with contributions from Linde Warland, Youngseo Kim and Somara Gantenbein, Version September 2025, Publisher: Sustainability Hub, University of Zurich in collaboration with the Consortium of the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel project Reducing the carbon footprint – tips for sustainable travels • Choose a destination that you can reach by a sustainable mode of transport, primarily train or bus. • Choose trains or buses for travels instead of flights. • Consider combining trains and buses to reach the destination faster and more sustainably. • If flying, chose direct flights within Europe, fly Economy, use public transport for your way to and from the airport and offset carbon emissions. • Consider your journey as part of the experience rather than just reaching your desti nation the fastest. It can be a trans formative and edu - ca tional experience in its own right. 5 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 6 Mobitool.ch 1 (↓): retrieved on 11.11.2024 7 Eurostat (↗) 2024: retrieved on 11.11.2024 8 Luftlinie.org (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 9 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 10 Mobitool.ch 2 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 11 IEA.org (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 12 Acea.auto (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 13 Atmosfair.de 3 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 26.5 –31.5 h 23 h 24 –26.5 h 6 h Istanbul From Budapest to Istanbul ParisCluj-Napoca Rome Lisbon 63 63 332 230 31 72 368 27415 21 113 79 64 57 301 199 64 158 760 503 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Traveling by plane may seem the fastest option, yet considerable time is often lost to check-in, security, transfers to and from the airport – time that could be used more efficiently on a train. On some routes, trains are impressively fast, with travel times close to flying, such as Zurich–Munich. However, other routes, like Budapest–Lisbon, may take much longer and require multiple train changes. In most cases, buses offer a cost-effective alternative with less need for changes and transfers. Notes: Travel times were calculated using Rome2Rio4 for two randomly selected dates: Monday, October 24, 2024, and Monday, October 20, 2025. Calculations assume travelers take the fastest routes and direct flights where available. Travel times were rounded to the nearest half hour. Where the variation was an hour or less, average times are reported; otherwise, ranges are shown. Direct flight times show little variation, while travel by train, bus, or car may vary due to new routes or road traffic. Times incorporate real-time data, travel time estimates, and average transit times. For car travel, a 30-minute break was added every 3 hours, plus a 10-hour overnight rest every 8.5 hours. For train and bus travel, it was assumed travelers sleep while en route. The dotted route on the map does not represent the exact travel route. Student exchanges are a valuable cultural and personal experience, but traveling can come with a carbon cost: A flight from Paris to Rome generates around 0.25 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per person.1 This is 1/6 of the annual per capita GHG emission budget which would allow us to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.2 By making informed travel decisions and using sustainable travel options, students can reduce the environmental impact of their exchange and contribute to a greener and more conscious mobility between universities. Estimated travel times for the five most popular Student Exchange Routes3 Train (incl. transfer) Bus (incl. transfer) Car (incl. rest periods) Plane (incl. check-in & transfer) Main station city center 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 Factsheet Sustainable Student Mobility (Istanbul) Istanbul 38.5 – 45 h 32 h 44 – 46.5 h 4 – 6.5 h Berlin 42.5 –52.5 h 38.5 h 48 –53 h 5 –7.5 h Paris 10.5 –12 h 12.5 h 9–21 h 2.5 –5 h Bucharest Budapest 27–33 h 22.5 h 24 –26 h 3.5 – 6 h 38.5 – 44.5 h 34.5 – 36 h 48 h 4 – 6 h Warsaw Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 The distance traveled and the choice of transport mode are key factors in reducing carbon emissions from traveling. Flying generates – depending on the country of train travel – between 5 to 42 times6 more emissions than train travel. The GHG emissions of train travel can vary depending on the electricity mix of the country one travels through. Additionally, occu pancy rates and the proportion of diesel-powered trains influence overall emissions7. In these cases, buses may offer a comparatively lower-emission alternative. The occupancy rate of the car plays a key role in determining the GHG emissions per person when traveling by car. Carpooling with a second person can halve the emissions per traveler. The journey itself can become a valuable part of the stay abroad period, where one can experience Europe, its landscape and people. Therefore, the travel decision should consider the GHG emissions, the overall time required for each option and the possibility to learn more about Europe while traveling. GHG Emissions from different Transportation Modes on the five most popular Student Exchange Routes.5 kg CO2e/pP per journey (one way) Notes: Travel distances for trains, buses, and cars were calculated using data from Luftlinie8 based on the fastest routes between city centers (main stations) as determined by Rome2Rio9 for the randomly selected travel date of October 24, 2024. Greenhouse gas emissions per passenger and distance were estimated using data from Mobitool10. Mobitool factors include the consumption of natural resources and emissions over the full life cycle of transport modes and their infrastructure. Trains: Capacity utilization and emission factors were taken from Mobitool10 for available countries. For other countries, GHG emissions were based on data from countries with the most compatible electricity mix.11 Buses: Capacity utilization and emission factor were derived from Mobitool10 for all countries. To simplify the analysis, the same emission factor was applied uniformly to the route between the bus station and the main train station. Cars: GHG emissions assumed a single traveler using a rental car or personal vehicle. Cars were modeled as European averages: midsized, 12 years old, running on petrol12. Planes: GHG emissions were calculated using Atmosfair13 for direct flights in eco nomy class, based on average capacity utilization and airplane types in Europe. Airport-to-airport distances were used, excluding transfers from main stations. An RFI factor of 3 was applied for additional environmental impacts. Atmosfair calculations do not include life cycle or infrastructure emissions. Imprint Authorship: Nadine Wolf with contributions from Linde Warland, Youngseo Kim and Somara Gantenbein, Version September 2025, Publisher: Sustainability Hub, University of Zurich in collaboration with the Consortium of the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel project Reducing the carbon footprint – tips for sustainable travels • Choose a destination that you can reach by a sustainable mode of transport, primarily train or bus. • Choose trains or buses for travels instead of flights. • Consider combining trains and buses to reach the destination faster and more sustainably. • If flying, chose direct flights within Europe, fly Economy, use public transport for your way to and from the airport and offset carbon emissions. • Consider your journey as part of the experience rather than just reaching your desti nation the fastest. It can be a trans formative and edu - ca tional experience in its own right. 5 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 6 Mobitool.ch 1 (↓): retrieved on 11.11.2024 7 Eurostat (↗) 2024: retrieved on 11.11.2024 8 Luftlinie.org (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 9 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 10 Mobitool.ch 2 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 11 IEA.org (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 12 Acea.auto (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 13 Atmosfair.de 3 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 From Istanbul to Warsaw BerlinBucharest Budapest Paris 108 85 542 323 97 107 542 34243 30 159 110 63 62 327 230 94 132 675 434 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Traveling by plane may seem the fastest option, yet considerable time is often lost to check-in, security, transfers to and from the airport – time that could be used more efficiently on a train. On some routes, trains are impressively fast, with travel times close to flying, such as Zurich–Munich. However, other routes, like Budapest–Lisbon, may take much longer and require multiple train changes. In most cases, buses offer a cost-effective alternative with less need for changes and transfers. Notes: Travel times were calculated using Rome2Rio4 for two randomly selected dates: Monday, October 24, 2024, and Monday, October 20, 2025. Calculations assume travelers take the fastest routes and direct flights where available. Travel times were rounded to the nearest half hour. Where the variation was an hour or less, average times are reported; otherwise, ranges are shown. Direct flight times show little variation, while travel by train, bus, or car may vary due to new routes or road traffic. Times incorporate real-time data, travel time estimates, and average transit times. For car travel, a 30-minute break was added every 3 hours, plus a 10-hour overnight rest every 8.5 hours. For train and bus travel, it was assumed travelers sleep while en route. The dotted route on the map does not represent the exact travel route. Student exchanges are a valuable cultural and personal experience, but traveling can come with a carbon cost: A flight from Paris to Rome generates around 0.25 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per person.1 This is 1/6 of the annual per capita GHG emission budget which would allow us to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.2 By making informed travel decisions and using sustainable travel options, students can reduce the environmental impact of their exchange and contribute to a greener and more conscious mobility between universities. Estimated travel times for the five most popular Student Exchange Routes3 Train (incl. transfer) Bus (incl. transfer) Car (incl. rest periods) Plane (incl. check-in & transfer) Main station city center 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 Madrid 10 h 16 –18 h 23.5 –25 h 5.5 h Paris 10 –13.5 h 7.5–8 h 7.5 h 4 h Lisbon 14.5 –16.5 h 25 h 28 –39.5 h 5.5 h Milan 20 h 30.5 –35.5 h 43.5 – 47.5 h 3 – 6.5 h Berlin Rome 17.5 –19.5 h 29 h 40.5 – 44 h 5.5 h Factsheet Sustainable Student Mobility (Madrid) Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 The distance traveled and the choice of transport mode are key factors in reducing carbon emissions from traveling. Flying generates – depending on the country of train travel – between 5 to 42 times6 more emissions than train travel. The GHG emissions of train travel can vary depending on the electricity mix of the country one travels through. Additionally, occu pancy rates and the proportion of diesel-powered trains influence overall emissions7. In these cases, buses may offer a comparatively lower-emission alternative. The occupancy rate of the car plays a key role in determining the GHG emissions per person when traveling by car. Carpooling with a second person can halve the emissions per traveler. The journey itself can become a valuable part of the stay abroad period, where one can experience Europe, its landscape and people. Therefore, the travel decision should consider the GHG emissions, the overall time required for each option and the possibility to learn more about Europe while traveling. GHG Emissions from different Transportation Modes on the five most popular Student Exchange Routes.5 kg CO2e/pP per journey (one way) Notes: Travel distances for trains, buses, and cars were calculated using data from Luftlinie8 based on the fastest routes between city centers (main stations) as determined by Rome2Rio9 for the randomly selected travel date of October 24, 2024. Greenhouse gas emissions per passenger and distance were estimated using data from Mobitool10. Mobitool factors include the consumption of natural resources and emissions over the full life cycle of transport modes and their infrastructure. Trains: Capacity utilization and emission factors were taken from Mobitool10 for available countries. For other countries, GHG emissions were based on data from countries with the most compatible electricity mix.11 Buses: Capacity utilization and emission factor were derived from Mobitool10 for all countries. To simplify the analysis, the same emission factor was applied uniformly to the route between the bus station and the main train station. Cars: GHG emissions assumed a single traveler using a rental car or personal vehicle. Cars were modeled as European averages: midsized, 12 years old, running on petrol12. Planes: GHG emissions were calculated using Atmosfair13 for direct flights in eco nomy class, based on average capacity utilization and airplane types in Europe. Airport-to-airport distances were used, excluding transfers from main stations. An RFI factor of 3 was applied for additional environmental impacts. Atmosfair calculations do not include life cycle or infrastructure emissions. Imprint Authorship: Nadine Wolf with contributions from Linde Warland, Youngseo Kim and Somara Gantenbein, Version September 2025, Publisher: Sustainability Hub, University of Zurich in collaboration with the Consortium of the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel project Reducing the carbon footprint – tips for sustainable travels • Choose a destination that you can reach by a sustainable mode of transport, primarily train or bus. • Choose trains or buses for travels instead of flights. • Consider combining trains and buses to reach the destination faster and more sustainably. • If flying, chose direct flights within Europe, fly Economy, use public transport for your way to and from the airport and offset carbon emissions. • Consider your journey as part of the experience rather than just reaching your desti nation the fastest. It can be a trans formative and edu - ca tional experience in its own right. 5 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 6 Mobitool.ch 1 (↓): retrieved on 11.11.2024 7 Eurostat (↗) 2024: retrieved on 11.11.2024 8 Luftlinie.org (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 9 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 10 Mobitool.ch 2 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 11 IEA.org (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 12 Acea.auto (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 13 Atmosfair.de 3 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 From Madrid to Milan RomeLisbon Paris Berlin 34 73 388 233 68 91 480 25710 29 154 119 22 60 314 222 50 108 571 364 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Traveling by plane may seem the fastest option, yet considerable time is often lost to check-in, security, transfers to and from the airport – time that could be used more efficiently on a train. On some routes, trains are impressively fast, with travel times close to flying, such as Zurich–Munich. However, other routes, like Budapest–Lisbon, may take much longer and require multiple train changes. In most cases, buses offer a cost-effective alternative with less need for changes and transfers. Notes: Travel times were calculated using Rome2Rio4 for two randomly selected dates: Monday, October 24, 2024, and Monday, October 20, 2025. Calculations assume travelers take the fastest routes and direct flights where available. Travel times were rounded to the nearest half hour. Where the variation was an hour or less, average times are reported; otherwise, ranges are shown. Direct flight times show little variation, while travel by train, bus, or car may vary due to new routes or road traffic. Times incorporate real-time data, travel time estimates, and average transit times. For car travel, a 30-minute break was added every 3 hours, plus a 10-hour overnight rest every 8.5 hours. For train and bus travel, it was assumed travelers sleep while en route. The dotted route on the map does not represent the exact travel route. Student exchanges are a valuable cultural and personal experience, but traveling can come with a carbon cost: A flight from Paris to Rome generates around 0.25 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per person.1 This is 1/6 of the annual per capita GHG emission budget which would allow us to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.2 By making informed travel decisions and using sustainable travel options, students can reduce the environmental impact of their exchange and contribute to a greener and more conscious mobility between universities. Estimated travel times for the five most popular Student Exchange Routes3 Train (incl. transfer) Bus (incl. transfer) Car (incl. rest periods) Plane (incl. check-in & transfer) Main station city center 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 Paris 10.5 h 18 h 23.5 –25.5 h 5.5 h Madrid 8.5 h 14 –19 h 20 –21.5 h 5 h Berlin Milan 7–9 h 13.5 –15 h 20.5 h 4.5 h Rome 11–12.5 h 22 h 26 –27.5 h 5.5 h Vienna 10.5 h 18 –19.5 h 22 –24.5 h 5 h Factsheet Sustainable Student Mobility (Paris) Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 The distance traveled and the choice of transport mode are key factors in reducing carbon emissions from traveling. Flying generates – depending on the country of train travel – between 5 to 42 times6 more emissions than train travel. The GHG emissions of train travel can vary depending on the electricity mix of the country one travels through. Additionally, occu pancy rates and the proportion of diesel-powered trains influence overall emissions7. In these cases, buses may offer a comparatively lower-emission alternative. The occupancy rate of the car plays a key role in determining the GHG emissions per person when traveling by car. Carpooling with a second person can halve the emissions per traveler. The journey itself can become a valuable part of the stay abroad period, where one can experience Europe, its landscape and people. Therefore, the travel decision should consider the GHG emissions, the overall time required for each option and the possibility to learn more about Europe while traveling. GHG Emissions from different Transportation Modes on the five most popular Student Exchange Routes.5 kg CO2e/pP per journey (one way) Notes: Travel distances for trains, buses, and cars were calculated using data from Luftlinie8 based on the fastest routes between city centers (main stations) as determined by Rome2Rio9 for the randomly selected travel date of October 24, 2024. Greenhouse gas emissions per passenger and distance were estimated using data from Mobitool10. Mobitool factors include the consumption of natural resources and emissions over the full life cycle of transport modes and their infrastructure. Trains: Capacity utilization and emission factors were taken from Mobitool10 for available countries. For other countries, GHG emissions were based on data from countries with the most compatible electricity mix.11 Buses: Capacity utilization and emission factor were derived from Mobitool10 for all countries. To simplify the analysis, the same emission factor was applied uniformly to the route between the bus station and the main train station. Cars: GHG emissions assumed a single traveler using a rental car or personal vehicle. Cars were modeled as European averages: midsized, 12 years old, running on petrol12. Planes: GHG emissions were calculated using Atmosfair13 for direct flights in eco nomy class, based on average capacity utilization and airplane types in Europe. Airport-to-airport distances were used, excluding transfers from main stations. An RFI factor of 3 was applied for additional environmental impacts. Atmosfair calculations do not include life cycle or infrastructure emissions. Imprint Authorship: Nadine Wolf with contributions from Linde Warland, Youngseo Kim and Somara Gantenbein, Version September 2025, Publisher: Sustainability Hub, University of Zurich in collaboration with the Consortium of the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel project Reducing the carbon footprint – tips for sustainable travels • Choose a destination that you can reach by a sustainable mode of transport, primarily train or bus. • Choose trains or buses for travels instead of flights. • Consider combining trains and buses to reach the destination faster and more sustainably. • If flying, chose direct flights within Europe, fly Economy, use public transport for your way to and from the airport and offset carbon emissions. • Consider your journey as part of the experience rather than just reaching your desti nation the fastest. It can be a trans formative and edu - ca tional experience in its own right. 5 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 6 Mobitool.ch 1 (↓): retrieved on 11.11.2024 7 Eurostat (↗) 2024: retrieved on 11.11.2024 8 Luftlinie.org (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 9 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 10 Mobitool.ch 2 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 11 IEA.org (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 12 Acea.auto (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 13 Atmosfair.de 3 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 From Paris to Berlin MadridVienna Milan Rome 28 50 257 186 22 60 314 22227 59 124 210 23 42 210 150 58 69 354 227 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Traveling by plane may seem the fastest option, yet considerable time is often lost to check-in, security, transfers to and from the airport – time that could be used more efficiently on a train. On some routes, trains are impressively fast, with travel times close to flying, such as Zurich–Munich. However, other routes, like Budapest–Lisbon, may take much longer and require multiple train changes. In most cases, buses offer a cost-effective alternative with less need for changes and transfers. Notes: Travel times were calculated using Rome2Rio4 for two randomly selected dates: Monday, October 24, 2024, and Monday, October 20, 2025. Calculations assume travelers take the fastest routes and direct flights where available. Travel times were rounded to the nearest half hour. Where the variation was an hour or less, average times are reported; otherwise, ranges are shown. Direct flight times show little variation, while travel by train, bus, or car may vary due to new routes or road traffic. Times incorporate real-time data, travel time estimates, and average transit times. For car travel, a 30-minute break was added every 3 hours, plus a 10-hour overnight rest every 8.5 hours. For train and bus travel, it was assumed travelers sleep while en route. The dotted route on the map does not represent the exact travel route. Student exchanges are a valuable cultural and personal experience, but traveling can come with a carbon cost: A flight from Paris to Rome generates around 0.25 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per person.1 This is 1/6 of the annual per capita GHG emission budget which would allow us to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.2 By making informed travel decisions and using sustainable travel options, students can reduce the environmental impact of their exchange and contribute to a greener and more conscious mobility between universities. Estimated travel times for the five most popular Student Exchange Routes3 Train (incl. transfer) Bus (incl. transfer) Car (incl. rest periods) Plane (incl. check-in & transfer) Main station city center 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 Vienna 8 h 10 h 8.5 h 4 h Berlin 11 h 18 –20 h 24 h 5 h Paris 4 h 4 –5.5 h 4.5 h 3 h Prague Munich 4 –5.5 h 6 h 5 h 4 h Lisbon 30.5 –34 h 43.5 – 49.5 h 60 – 64.5 h 6 h Factsheet Sustainable Student Mobility (Vienna) Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 The distance traveled and the choice of transport mode are key factors in reducing carbon emissions from traveling. Flying generates – depending on the country of train travel – between 5 to 42 times6 more emissions than train travel. The GHG emissions of train travel can vary depending on the electricity mix of the country one travels through. Additionally, occu pancy rates and the proportion of diesel-powered trains influence overall emissions7. In these cases, buses may offer a comparatively lower-emission alternative. The occupancy rate of the car plays a key role in determining the GHG emissions per person when traveling by car. Carpooling with a second person can halve the emissions per traveler. The journey itself can become a valuable part of the stay abroad period, where one can experience Europe, its landscape and people. Therefore, the travel decision should consider the GHG emissions, the overall time required for each option and the possibility to learn more about Europe while traveling. GHG Emissions from different Transportation Modes on the five most popular Student Exchange Routes.5 kg CO2e/pP per journey (one way) Notes: Travel distances for trains, buses, and cars were calculated using data from Luftlinie8 based on the fastest routes between city centers (main stations) as determined by Rome2Rio9 for the randomly selected travel date of October 24, 2024. Greenhouse gas emissions per passenger and distance were estimated using data from Mobitool10. Mobitool factors include the consumption of natural resources and emissions over the full life cycle of transport modes and their infrastructure. Trains: Capacity utilization and emission factors were taken from Mobitool10 for available countries. For other countries, GHG emissions were based on data from countries with the most compatible electricity mix.11 Buses: Capacity utilization and emission factor were derived from Mobitool10 for all countries. To simplify the analysis, the same emission factor was applied uniformly to the route between the bus station and the main train station. Cars: GHG emissions assumed a single traveler using a rental car or personal vehicle. Cars were modeled as European averages: midsized, 12 years old, running on petrol12. Planes: GHG emissions were calculated using Atmosfair13 for direct flights in eco nomy class, based on average capacity utilization and airplane types in Europe. Airport-to-airport distances were used, excluding transfers from main stations. An RFI factor of 3 was applied for additional environmental impacts. Atmosfair calculations do not include life cycle or infrastructure emissions. Imprint Authorship: Nadine Wolf with contributions from Linde Warland, Youngseo Kim and Somara Gantenbein, Version September 2025, Publisher: Sustainability Hub, University of Zurich in collaboration with the Consortium of the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel project Reducing the carbon footprint – tips for sustainable travels • Choose a destination that you can reach by a sustainable mode of transport, primarily train or bus. • Choose trains or buses for travels instead of flights. • Consider combining trains and buses to reach the destination faster and more sustainably. • If flying, chose direct flights within Europe, fly Economy, use public transport for your way to and from the airport and offset carbon emissions. • Consider your journey as part of the experience rather than just reaching your desti nation the fastest. It can be a trans formative and edu - ca tional experience in its own right. 5 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 6 Mobitool.ch 1 (↓): retrieved on 11.11.2024 7 Eurostat (↗) 2024: retrieved on 11.11.2024 8 Luftlinie.org (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 9 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 10 Mobitool.ch 2 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 11 IEA.org (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 12 Acea.auto (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 13 Atmosfair.de 3 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 From Vienna to Berlin Paris LisbonPrague Munich 30 32 169 118 28 58 305 21021 15 82 47 9 21 100 86 60 146 700 500 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Traveling by plane may seem the fastest option, yet considerable time is often lost to check-in, security, transfers to and from the airport – time that could be used more efficiently on a train. On some routes, trains are impressively fast, with travel times close to flying, such as Zurich–Munich. However, other routes, like Budapest–Lisbon, may take much longer and require multiple train changes. In most cases, buses offer a cost-effective alternative with less need for changes and transfers. Notes: Travel times were calculated using Rome2Rio4 for two randomly selected dates: Monday, October 24, 2024, and Monday, October 20, 2025. Calculations assume travelers take the fastest routes and direct flights where available. Travel times were rounded to the nearest half hour. Where the variation was an hour or less, average times are reported; otherwise, ranges are shown. Direct flight times show little variation, while travel by train, bus, or car may vary due to new routes or road traffic. Times incorporate real-time data, travel time estimates, and average transit times. For car travel, a 30-minute break was added every 3 hours, plus a 10-hour overnight rest every 8.5 hours. For train and bus travel, it was assumed travelers sleep while en route. The dotted route on the map does not represent the exact travel route. Student exchanges are a valuable cultural and personal experience, but traveling can come with a carbon cost: A flight from Paris to Rome generates around 0.25 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per person.1 This is 1/6 of the annual per capita GHG emission budget which would allow us to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.2 By making informed travel decisions and using sustainable travel options, students can reduce the environmental impact of their exchange and contribute to a greener and more conscious mobility between universities. Estimated travel times for the five most popular Student Exchange Routes3 Train (incl. transfer) Bus (incl. transfer) Car (incl. rest periods) Plane (incl. check-in & transfer) Main station city center 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 Warsaw 27.5 h 42 –45.5 h 48 –62 h 6.5 h Valencia Rome 23.5 h 28.5 –30 h 29 – 42.5 h 5.5 h Prague 8 h 10 h 8 h 4.5 h Paris 15 h 25.5 h 25 –28 h 5.5 h Lisbon 36.5 –39 h 35 –52 h 62.5 –69 h 7 h Factsheet Sustainable Student Mobility (Warsaw) Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 The distance traveled and the choice of transport mode are key factors in reducing carbon emissions from traveling. Flying generates – depending on the country of train travel – between 5 to 42 times6 more emissions than train travel. The GHG emissions of train travel can vary depending on the electricity mix of the country one travels through. Additionally, occu pancy rates and the proportion of diesel-powered trains influence overall emissions7. In these cases, buses may offer a comparatively lower-emission alternative. The occupancy rate of the car plays a key role in determining the GHG emissions per person when traveling by car. Carpooling with a second person can halve the emissions per traveler. The journey itself can become a valuable part of the stay abroad period, where one can experience Europe, its landscape and people. Therefore, the travel decision should consider the GHG emissions, the overall time required for each option and the possibility to learn more about Europe while traveling. GHG Emissions from different Transportation Modes on the five most popular Student Exchange Routes.5 kg CO2e/pP per journey (one way) Notes: Travel distances for trains, buses, and cars were calculated using data from Luftlinie8 based on the fastest routes between city centers (main stations) as determined by Rome2Rio9 for the randomly selected travel date of October 24, 2024. Greenhouse gas emissions per passenger and distance were estimated using data from Mobitool10. Mobitool factors include the consumption of natural resources and emissions over the full life cycle of transport modes and their infrastructure. Trains: Capacity utilization and emission factors were taken from Mobitool10 for available countries. For other countries, GHG emissions were based on data from countries with the most compatible electricity mix.11 Buses: Capacity utilization and emission factor were derived from Mobitool10 for all countries. To simplify the analysis, the same emission factor was applied uniformly to the route between the bus station and the main train station. Cars: GHG emissions assumed a single traveler using a rental car or personal vehicle. Cars were modeled as European averages: midsized, 12 years old, running on petrol12. Planes: GHG emissions were calculated using Atmosfair13 for direct flights in eco nomy class, based on average capacity utilization and airplane types in Europe. Airport-to-airport distances were used, excluding transfers from main stations. An RFI factor of 3 was applied for additional environmental impacts. Atmosfair calculations do not include life cycle or infrastructure emissions. Imprint Authorship: Nadine Wolf with contributions from Linde Warland, Youngseo Kim and Somara Gantenbein, Version September 2025, Publisher: Sustainability Hub, University of Zurich in collaboration with the Consortium of the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel project Reducing the carbon footprint – tips for sustainable travels • Choose a destination that you can reach by a sustainable mode of transport, primarily train or bus. • Choose trains or buses for travels instead of flights. • Consider combining trains and buses to reach the destination faster and more sustainably. • If flying, chose direct flights within Europe, fly Economy, use public transport for your way to and from the airport and offset carbon emissions. • Consider your journey as part of the experience rather than just reaching your desti nation the fastest. It can be a trans formative and edu - ca tional experience in its own right. 5 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 6 Mobitool.ch 1 (↓): retrieved on 11.11.2024 7 Eurostat (↗) 2024: retrieved on 11.11.2024 8 Luftlinie.org (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 9 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 10 Mobitool.ch 2 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 11 IEA.org (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 12 Acea.auto (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 13 Atmosfair.de 3 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 From Warsaw to Rome ValenciaPrague Paris Lisbon 95 89 532 323 80 131 819 47545 31 189 141 60 77 472 320 92 157 988 555 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Traveling by plane may seem the fastest option, yet considerable time is often lost to check-in, security, transfers to and from the airport – time that could be used more efficiently on a train. On some routes, trains are impressively fast, with travel times close to flying, such as Zurich–Munich. However, other routes, like Budapest–Lisbon, may take much longer and require multiple train changes. In most cases, buses offer a cost-effective alternative with less need for changes and transfers. Notes: Travel times were calculated using Rome2Rio4 for two randomly selected dates: Monday, October 24, 2024, and Monday, October 20, 2025. Calculations assume travelers take the fastest routes and direct flights where available. Travel times were rounded to the nearest half hour. Where the variation was an hour or less, average times are reported; otherwise, ranges are shown. Direct flight times show little variation, while travel by train, bus, or car may vary due to new routes or road traffic. Times incorporate real-time data, travel time estimates, and average transit times. For car travel, a 30-minute break was added every 3 hours, plus a 10-hour overnight rest every 8.5 hours. For train and bus travel, it was assumed travelers sleep while en route. The dotted route on the map does not represent the exact travel route. Student exchanges are a valuable cultural and personal experience, but traveling can come with a carbon cost: A flight from Paris to Rome generates around 0.25 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per person.1 This is 1/6 of the annual per capita GHG emission budget which would allow us to reach the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.2 By making informed travel decisions and using sustainable travel options, students can reduce the environmental impact of their exchange and contribute to a greener and more conscious mobility between universities. Estimated travel times for the five most popular Student Exchange Routes3 Train (incl. transfer) Bus (incl. transfer) Car (incl. rest periods) Plane (incl. check-in & transfer) Main station city center 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 Zurich 14 –15.5 h 22.5 –24.5 h 23.5 –25 h 4.5 h Copenhagen Munich 3.5 –5 h 4 h 3.5 h 3 h Vienna 8 h 7.5 –12 h 8.5 h 4 h 9 –12 h 12.5–14 h 9.5 h 4.5 h Berlin 14 h 28 h 28 – 40 h 5.5 h Madrid Factsheet Sustainable Student Mobility (Zurich) Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. 1/2 Atmosfair.de 1/2 (↗): retrieved on September 2025 3 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 4 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sep. – Oct. 2024 and Jul. – Aug. 2025 The distance traveled and the choice of transport mode are key factors in reducing carbon emissions from traveling. Flying generates – depending on the country of train travel – between 5 to 42 times6 more emissions than train travel. The GHG emissions of train travel can vary depending on the electricity mix of the country one travels through. Additionally, occu pancy rates and the proportion of diesel-powered trains influence overall emissions7. In these cases, buses may offer a comparatively lower-emission alternative. The occupancy rate of the car plays a key role in determining the GHG emissions per person when traveling by car. Carpooling with a second person can halve the emissions per traveler. The journey itself can become a valuable part of the stay abroad period, where one can experience Europe, its landscape and people. Therefore, the travel decision should consider the GHG emissions, the overall time required for each option and the possibility to learn more about Europe while traveling. GHG Emissions from different Transportation Modes on the five most popular Student Exchange Routes.5 kg CO2e/pP per journey (one way) Notes: Travel distances for trains, buses, and cars were calculated using data from Luftlinie8 based on the fastest routes between city centers (main stations) as determined by Rome2Rio9 for the randomly selected travel date of October 24, 2024. Greenhouse gas emissions per passenger and distance were estimated using data from Mobitool10. Mobitool factors include the consumption of natural resources and emissions over the full life cycle of transport modes and their infrastructure. Trains: Capacity utilization and emission factors were taken from Mobitool10 for available countries. For other countries, GHG emissions were based on data from countries with the most compatible electricity mix.11 Buses: Capacity utilization and emission factor were derived from Mobitool10 for all countries. To simplify the analysis, the same emission factor was applied uniformly to the route between the bus station and the main train station. Cars: GHG emissions assumed a single traveler using a rental car or personal vehicle. Cars were modeled as European averages: midsized, 12 years old, running on petrol12. Planes: GHG emissions were calculated using Atmosfair13 for direct flights in eco nomy class, based on average capacity utilization and airplane types in Europe. Airport-to-airport distances were used, excluding transfers from main stations. An RFI factor of 3 was applied for additional environmental impacts. Atmosfair calculations do not include life cycle or infrastructure emissions. Imprint Authorship: Nadine Wolf with contributions from Linde Warland, Youngseo Kim and Somara Gantenbein, Version September 2025, Publisher: Sustainability Hub, University of Zurich in collaboration with the Consortium of the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel project Reducing the carbon footprint – tips for sustainable travels • Choose a destination that you can reach by a sustainable mode of transport, primarily train or bus. • Choose trains or buses for travels instead of flights. • Consider combining trains and buses to reach the destination faster and more sustainably. • If flying, chose direct flights within Europe, fly Economy, use public transport for your way to and from the airport and offset carbon emissions. • Consider your journey as part of the experience rather than just reaching your desti nation the fastest. It can be a trans formative and edu - ca tional experience in its own right. 5 Travel routes from exchange students collected by the Charles University of Prague (2021–2023), University of Porto (2021–2023), University of Zurich (2018–2024) and EU Data Collection of student exchanges (2021–2023) 6 Mobitool.ch 1 (↓): retrieved on 11.11.2024 7 Eurostat (↗) 2024: retrieved on 11.11.2024 8 Luftlinie.org (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 9 Rome2Rio.com (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 10 Mobitool.ch 2 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Nov. 2024 11 IEA.org (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 12 Acea.auto (↗): retrieved Nov. 2024 13 Atmosfair.de 3 (↗): retrieved Sept. – Oct. 2024 Berlin 30 42 211 142 Copenhagen 38 69 300 211 Munich 7 14 77 46 Vienna 13 33 179 130 Madrid 22 80 407 247 From Zurich to