Are you considering participating in an Erasmus+ exchange program? Would you also like to travel in an environmentally friendly way and open yourself up to new and unexpected experiences? Then it’s definitely worth considering low-emission forms of transport. You might be wondering how to go about it. No worries, we’ve teamed up with sustainability experts through the international project The Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel (SET) to prepare clear information and data to help you make decisions, and even a contest with a prize of up to 625 € (approx. 15,000 CZK).
Who are these experts? They are representatives of the European University Foundation (EUF), Erasmus Student Network (ESN), University of Zurich (UZH), University of Porto (U.Porto), and of course Charles University (CU). The project is also supported by the associations Erasmus by Train and Generation Climate Europe (GCE).
According to data from the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel project, a flight from Paris to Rome can produce up to 0.25 tons of CO₂ per person. That’s one-sixth of a person’s annual emissions allowance under the Paris Climate Agreement. In contrast, rail travel can generate up to 42 times fewer emissions. The full report in English is attached at the end of the text.
We recommend choosing destinations that are accessible by train or bus, combining different transport modes, or offsetting flight emissions. Think of your journey not just as a necessity, but as part of a rich and meaningful study experience abroad.
Embark on Erasmus+ Differently – Sustainably and Inspiringly!
The good news is that Charles University students are increasingly choosing more environmentally friendly ways of traveling for their Erasmus+ exchange programs. Among the most popular destinations in 2021–2023 were Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Rome, and Vienna. Cities that can be comfortably reached by train or bus. This form of transport not only protects the environment but also offers a more enriching travel experience.
While train or bus travel may take longer than flying, it comes with many benefits: the chance to see landscapes and cultures along the way, use the time to relax, read, or work, and significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Don’t forget, the more stops, the more memories!
SET the journey!
We Have a CONTEST for You
Don’t worry, we won’t send you off empty-handed!
We’ve prepared a contest where you can win financial compensation for your European adventure up to 625 € (approx. 15,000 CZK).
The main idea is to travel to your Erasmus+ destination using a low-emission method and document the journey on social media sites… in other words, become an ambassador for sustainable travel.
DEADLINE: 27.06.2025
Who Can Enter the Contest?
Students who meet the following criteria:
- You have been accepted for an Erasmus+ program (study or internship) starting in winter 2025/2026.
- You are enrolled at a university participating in the Erasmus+ or SEMP programs.
- You plan to travel sustainably to your mobility destination, e.g., by train, bus, bicycle, carpooling, or other low-carbon transportation methods.
What to prepare?
- Motivation letter (max. 500 words)
- Personal story (max. 300 words)
- Travel plan
- Estimated environmental impact
- Proof of enrolment at the mobility institution
Contest Timeline
- The first round opens in the first week of June 2025 and runs for one month.
- Applications will be reviewed within three weeks of the deadline. Selected applicants will be notified at the end of July or early August.
- The second round, intended for students going on exchange in spring 2026, will follow a similar timeline and will launch in autumn 2025.
Prize
Winners will be selected from a shortlist of applicants by an internal evaluation committee. A total of six students starting their Erasmus+ mobility in winter semester 2025/2026 will receive financial compensation of up to 625 € for sharing stories and creating content about their sustainable travel experience.
To learn more about the contest, visit: erasmusgeneration.org/set-journey-contest-rules
Or contact Mrs. (petra.smidova@ruk.cuni.cz), our Erasmus+ student mobility administration coordinator.
Cheers to sustainable travel, and cheers especially to Charles University students!
Explore our research outputs from the project:
Also check out the Green Travel tab on the Erasmus Generation Portal: erasmusgeneration.org/travel-green
Visit the Sustainable Erasmus+ Travel website: set-project.eu
Ing. Lenka Henebergová
Member of the Rector's Board for Social Affairs and Sustainable Development
Mgr. Ing. Nikola Rusová
Sustainable Development Manager
