RideInstead
Train alternatives to short-haul flights in your browser
ProductivityFree#travel#browser-extension#sustainability
Launches Dec 1, 2026 at 00:00 UTC
What is RideInstead?
RideInstead is a free browser extension for Chrome and Chromium browsers that adds train information to European flight searches. When you look up a flight on a supported airline or booking site, the extension reads the route and dates locally on your device and displays the corresponding train option. It shows scheduled journey times, required changes, estimated CO2 savings, and an indicative starting fare for the train.
The tool places this information directly alongside the flight results you are viewing. You can click a link to open Trainline with your trip details pre-filled. The extension works for one-way, return, and multi-city searches. It does not require an account, tracks no personal data, and runs entirely on your machine.
Revenue comes from optional donations and affiliate commissions on luggage storage and tour bookings. The extension clearly marks these as affiliate links and never alters prices. For return and multi-city trips booked through the provided links, the project funds tree planting through Tree-Nation. All source code is available in a downloadable zip file for manual review.
RideInstead features
- Compares European flights and trains side-by-side
- Shows journey time, transfers, and CO2 savings
- Displays indicative train fares next to flight prices
- Reads search pages locally without sending data
- Provides direct booking links to Trainline
- Plants trees for return and multi-city trips
- Works on major airline and flight-search sites
Who uses RideInstead and for what
- Compare flight and train options before booking a European trip
- Check CO2 impact of flying versus taking the train
- Find cheaper rail alternatives during flight searches
- Plan sustainable travel across multiple European cities
- Quickly view train schedules while browsing airline websites
RideInstead FAQ
Is RideInstead free?
Yes. It costs nothing to install or use, requires no account, and has no trial period. The website does not mention any paid tiers.
Does RideInstead work on Mac?
Yes. It supports Chrome and all Chromium-based browsers, which are available on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
How does RideInstead know which trip I am searching?
When you search for a flight on a supported site, the extension reads the route and dates directly from the page on your device and matches them against its built-in list of European train corridors.
Does RideInstead show real train prices?
It displays the cheapest advance fare published by Trainline for the route. These are indicative starting prices, so exact fares may differ when you book.
Is RideInstead open source?
The website provides a downloadable zip file containing the readable, unminified source code and notes that builds are verifiable. It does not explicitly state the project is open source.
How does RideInstead make money?
It earns donations via Ko-fi and small affiliate commissions on luggage storage and tour bookings made through partner links. It does not sell user data or display ads.
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