More people are using international trains to travel short distances, thanks in part to growing awareness that flying is not environmentally-friendly, according to Dutch train company NS.

The number of people travelling to Paris by train rose 6%, to Berlin 9% and to Brussels 12% this year, NS said.  And research carried out by the train company and travel agency Treinreiswinkel shows that the environment is the most important reason why travellers chose the train.

An NS spokesman told Trouw the company is particularly surprised at the growth in passengers travelling to Berlin, because the journey time has not been cut.

Flying is usually cheaper than the train on short-haul journeys.