Is it possible to travel to all YUFE partner universities without ever flying?

The quick answer is: Yes, you can (almost)! YUFE colleagues Philipp Baur (University of Bremen) and Krista Sutinen (University of Eastern Finland) are proponents of sustainable travelling and try to take the train and bus instead of the plane as much as possible. Here, they share their experience in travelling to YUFE meetings.

Philipp → From Bremen to Rijeka:

Night Train Dreams and Reality: My Attempt at a Low-Carbon Journey to Rijeka

Planning the Perfect Rail Adventure

In June 2024, I set out to travel to Rijeka entirely by train. As a night train enthusiast, I was excited to plan a route that combined overnight travel with scenic daytime connections. The plan? Hannover to Munich by night train, then onward to Croatia with two changes. On the way back, Rijeka to Munich overnight, then a day train to Bremen. Long trips, but doable, or so I thought.

When Plans Collide with Reality

My excitement for slow, sustainable travel quickly met real-world challenges. Flooding in southern Germany cancelled my Hannover–Munich night train at short notice, forcing me to fly from Frankfurt to Zagreb to make it to my meeting. On the return journey, the night train from Rijeka ran, but without the sleeping car I had booked. Instead, I spent the night in a regular seat, making the trip exhausting.

Lessons from the Tracks

Europe’s night trains are experiencing a renaissance, but reliability remains an issue. Sleeping cars are scarce, new operators struggle to enter the market, and extreme weather can derail plans. While the EU invests in rail infrastructure, air travel still enjoys heavy subsidies, making trains less competitive.

Still, I believe where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’ll keep looking for sustainable travel options, maybe buses next time (Krista has great experience with that!).

“I still believe where there’s a will, there is a way. I’ll keep looking for sustainable travel options, maybe buses next time.” Philipp

Krista → From Kuopio to Antwerp:

Is Europe Really That Close? My Journey to Antwerp Without Flying

Living in Finland, Europe often feels far away. A quick getaway to Central Europe’s cities or Southern Europe’s beaches? Not so simple. For most Finns, flying is the default when crossing borders, also in YUFE collaborations.

But could you reach Western Europe by land and sea instead? Absolutely! For climate reasons, I choose not to fly. So, when the YUFE seminar in Antwerp came up in October, my travel plan was clear: no planes.

The Outbound Journey: Kuopio → Antwerp

I left Kuopio on Thursday afternoon, working on the train to Turku before boarding an overnight ferry to Stockholm. The ship offered dinner, and even a surprise concert by Benjamin, one of Finland’s top artists!

Friday was a vacation day in Stockholm: yoga, good food, and a crime novel in a Södermalm café. I spent the weekend with my sister and her family before continuing south on Sunday.

From Stockholm, I took a train to Malmö and then a night bus through Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands to Belgium. The bus even boarded a ferry in Denmark, a surprise! Despite a driver delay, I arrived in Antwerp on Monday, ready for the seminar.

The Return: All by Train

The way back was pure rail travel: Antwerp → Brussels → Cologne → Hamburg → Stockholm. I even slept in a couchette on the night train, surprisingly comfortable! The only real challenge? My laptop battery died, and there were no charging options onboard. Instead, I enjoyed conversations with fellow travellers.

After a quick dinner with my sister in Stockholm, I boarded the ferry to Turku and finally the last train home to Kuopio.

Reflections

In total, I spent about 37 hours on trains, 15.5 hours on buses, and 23 hours on ferries. In addition, I used metro, trams, and local trains. Traveling by land takes planning and flexibility, but it offers rich experiences, new perspectives, and a slower rhythm that lets your mind catch up with your body.

I’m thrilled I managed this trip with low emissions and without major hiccups. If you’re considering a similar journey, YUFE or otherwise, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Europe might feel far, but with the right mindset, it’s closer than you think.