In Europe, trains are very fast. In some cases they are faster overall than air-travel.<p>Also most of Europe has short distances between major population centres, so it works to use train travel.<p>One example: Paris to the airport is about 40 minutes, then you have 2-3 hours to check-in and board then 45 minutes for the flight to London, then 30 minutes to get off and collect your luggage, then about 45 minutes from the airport to London. Total: about five and a half hours between Paris city and London City.<p>Now with Eurostar train: Arrive at Paris 'North Station' 30 minutes before train leaves. Paris-London 2 hours. Total, two and a half hours, 3 hours faster than a plane flight.<p>Oh, and there is no 20 kilogram weight limit either. And you can stretch your legs out, too.<p>I once travelled Paris-London on Eurostar. A passenger close by was complaining that she was forced to take the train because her particular flight was fully-booked. Two hours later, she arrived in Central London and was fully committed to never going by air ever again because it was so fast and so convenient by train.