Can rail/sail compete with air travel to Cyprus? A comparison of emissions

Rail and sea voyage journeys to Cyprus from a variety of origins are constructed to derive the travel emissions and travel time per person to compare popular aviation routes. The hypothetical ‘slow travel’ routes are approximately eight to ten times longer than flying. Emissions are lower from certain origins by about 100 kg CO2 per person per round trip under reasonably high occupancy conditions when compared to current direct air services. Emissions from the sea voyages are derived from a sample of 162 marine vessels using the energy efficiency design index for European ships running at 20 knots.

► Rail/sea routes are approximately eight to ten times longer than flying.
► Average emissions for ships are 70–100 and rail 10–80 g CO2/pass-km.
► Rail/sea with 70% occupancy emit 145 kg CO2 less than aviation.