London to Milan: Flight vs Train
Fly or take the overnight train from London to Milan? We compare carbon emissions, total costs and door-to-door journey times so you can choose the greener, smarter option.
Carbon footprint
10x greener
Train: 18.5 kg CO₂ · Flight: 193 kg CO₂
Source: EcoPassenger / SNCF published LCA data
True cost comparison
Train from £130
Flight from £65 base
+ £65–£125 on top of the base fare in extras
True flight cost: £130–£305
Door-to-Door Journey Time
By Train
11h 30m
Overnight via Paris (Eurostar + TGV Lyria or Thello); depart evening, arrive Milan Centrale next morning. No airport required.
By Plane
6h 30m
Includes 90 min check-in at Heathrow/Gatwick + 2h flight + 60 min arrivals at MXP + 60 min Malpensa Express into central Milan
Carbon Emissions per Passenger
| Mode | kg CO₂ per passenger | Vs train |
|---|---|---|
| Train | 18.5 kg | Baseline |
| Flight | 193 kg | 10x greener more |
Flight includes radiative forcing multiplier. Train journey uses predominantly French TGV infrastructure (high nuclear grid share), keeping emissions low.
Full Cost Breakdown
Train (all-in)
£130–£280
No hidden fees. City-centre departure and arrival.
Flight (true cost)
£130–£305
- Base fare: £65–£180
- Checked baggage: £30–£55
- Airport transfers: £35–£70
- Airport parking: £15–£40 per day (if driving)
Verdict
Train costs are comparable to flying when hidden flight costs are included. The overnight train saves a hotel night and arrives city-centre — making it the smarter choice for most travellers.