Between 2021-2023, the 20 most popular flows that were realised with a green transportation mode, i.e. not by plane, represented 3.418 student mobilities.
The average distance covered was 511.82 km, which is more than half of the distance travelled as part of the top 20 flows, regardless of the mode of transport (1,189.32km). The shortest route was between Bratislava and Vienna (54.99km), followed by Riga-Vilnius (262.09) and Riga-Tallin (279.16). Interestingly, the journey between Paris and Vienna was the 12th most popular green route, despite its great physical distance (1,033.45km); this can be explained notably by the available connectivity options either by direct night train or direct bus.
Overall, there is a 15/20 score regarding direct train connectivity, a 19/20 score on direct bus connectivity and, surprisingly, an 18/20 direct plane connection – the only exceptions for the latter being Bratislava-Prague and Bratislava-Vienna. These are compared with the overall routes as such: 3/20 direct train connectivity, 12/20 direct bus connectivity and 20/20 direct plan connectivity. Indeed, the most stark difference is noted in the direct train connections.
A closer look at some of this information reveals interesting trends. The Leuven-Turin journey was the 10th most popular green route, covering a fairly short distance of 683.1km, despite the absence of both direct train and bus connections. A train trip could be done, for example, via Brussels, Paris and Lyon, in under 10 hours. Alternatively, the shortest bus ride would take an average of 09:30 hours with layovers in the same cities as previously mentioned. Secondly, Lisbon and Madrid are separated only by 501.89km, yet lacking a direct train connection. A direct bus ride would take 7:30-8:30 hours, whereas a car ride between 6-7 hours – a direct flight is 1:15 hours.
Click here to learn more about the connectivity potential of the main transportation options.