The European Commission has unveiled plans to revolutionize cross-border train travel, proposing that by the end of the decade passengers should be able to purchase a single ticket for journeys spanning multiple European countries. The initiative aims to eliminate the current hassle of navigating multiple websites and apps, which one MEP described as requiring "five tabs, three apps and a prayer."
New Rules for Seamless Booking
Under the proposed regulations, major railway companies such as Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and Trenitalia would be required to sell competitors' tickets on their own websites and share data with booking platforms. This would enable the offering of single tickets for long cross-border journeys, simplifying the booking process significantly.
Enhanced Passenger Protections
Passengers would also benefit from expanded consumer protection laws. In the event of a missed connection, the operator responsible for the delay would ensure the passenger has the right to board the next train, or receive reimbursement, food, and accommodation, depending on the circumstances.
EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas stated, "Europeans will be able with the click of a button to plan, compare, and purchase multimodal journeys across borders while benefiting from stronger rail passenger rights, greater transparency, and better protection every step of the way." He added that the new era of rail would be operational before the end of the current commission mandate in 2029.
Industry and Consumer Reactions
The plans have faced stiff opposition from train operators. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) criticized the proposals as "unprecedented and unjustified regulatory interventionism," arguing that the rail tickets market "largely meets" customer expectations. They cited a Eurobarometer survey where 73% of people found it easy to book connecting trains, though the same survey noted that 43% had not attempted such bookings.
The CER also warned that the rules could give too much power to large tech companies operating as booking platforms, potentially enabling them "to dictate higher distribution fees and drive up ticket prices."
In contrast, consumer groups welcomed the plans. Agustín Reyna, head of the European Consumers Organisation, said, "Booking a rail ticket has become far too complex in recent years. New EU rules would go a long way to making that easier, by opening up sales on more platforms."
Impact on Ticket Prices and Travel Choices
A 2025 YouGov poll across seven European countries found that two out of three long-distance rail passengers encountered difficulties when buying tickets, and 43% said they would travel by train more often if reservations were easier. A separate university study revealed that booking a train took 70% longer than booking a flight.
Tzitzikostas predicted that ticket prices would fall due to greater transparency and competition: "As booking becomes simpler, we expect more Europeans to choose rail more often."
A Greenpeace study in 2025 found flights cheaper than trains on 54% of 109 cross-border routes, with rail travel often more expensive when multiple operators and tickets were involved. France, the UK, Spain, and Italy were among the most expensive countries for cross-border rail.
Political Support and Next Steps
Austrian Green MEP Lena Schilling, a member of the European Parliament's transport committee, commented, "Why does crossing EU borders by rail require five tabs, three apps and a prayer?" She emphasized that the proposals must deliver seamless cross-border booking, full passenger rights, clear liability for the entire journey, and open access to ticketing data.
The plans must now be agreed upon by EU member states and the European Parliament before becoming law. Despite opposition, the Commission remains confident that the benefits will be realized by all stakeholders, including rail companies.
