How to Search for Trains Using Google Flights

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

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When traveling between two destinations, flying isn’t always the fastest option. Train stations are often located in city centers, making them easier and quicker to get to/from than an airport. You also don’t have to factor in time spent going through security like you do at an airport.

Google just announced a new search feature that will make it easier for travelers to compare air and train travel between destinations.

In the coming months, travelers searching on Google Flights will soon see train options displayed alongside flights if there is a comparable rail alternative. For example, if you’re looking for a flight between New York City and Boston, you’ll see not only air options displayed but also train options between the two destinations.

This feature has already been rolled out on Google Search. If you’re using Google Search to look for flights, you’ll see train route suggestions displayed beneath the flights, along with a note from Google saying the train is “more climate friendly than flying.”

If a train option appeals to you, you can tap “search trains” to browse schedules and ticket prices right from the main search results page.

Train information on Google will be available in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.

“We want to help people choose more sustainable options, but for travelers, it’s not always obvious when trains are a good alternative to flying,” says James Byers, Group Product Manager, Search. “Seeing train suggestions in Google Flights will make it easier to consider the environmental impact of your trip—and could also save you time and money in the process.”

This new train feature in search is part of a larger Google update to Maps and Search that aims to make it easier to chose sustainable travel options. Other new features Google is launching include:

Showing public transit or walking suggestions next to driving routes if travel times are comparable and practical (available in over 15 cities worldwide)
Displaying long distance bus options along with flights in Google Search
Highlighting nearby electric vehicle charging stations for in-car maps
Adding an electric vehicle charging filter to Google Hotel Search

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