European Commission proposes single-ticket rail travel across Europe

The European Commission has unveiled new proposals aimed at significantly easing cross-border and multi-operator rail travel in Europe, including the introduction of single-ticket bookings with full passenger rights protection for entire journeys.

The package seeks to address long-standing problems faced by rail passengers when booking trips involving multiple operators, particularly across borders. Currently, travellers often need to buy separate tickets through fragmented booking systems, limiting both convenience and passenger protection in the event of delays or missed connections.

Under the proposed rules, passengers would be able to search, compare and purchase combined rail journeys from different operators in a single transaction through independent ticketing platforms or rail company websites. The Commission also wants ticketing platforms to present offers neutrally and, where possible, allow sorting by greenhouse gas emissions.

A major element of the reform is the extension of passenger rights. Travellers holding a single ticket covering multiple operators would gain full protection for the entire journey, including assistance, rerouting, reimbursement and compensation if connections are missed.

The proposals also introduce new obligations designed to prevent dominant rail operators from restricting access to ticket sales. Rail companies and ticketing platforms would be required to offer fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory commercial terms to each other.

The initiative forms part of the EU’s broader strategy to encourage long-distance and cross-border rail travel as a more sustainable alternative to air and road transport. It also supports plans to expand Europe’s high-speed rail network.

The proposals will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union under the EU’s ordinary legislative procedure before they can become law.

The plans reflect a wider political objective championed by Ursula von der Leyen to enable Europeans to buy “one single ticket on one single platform” with passenger rights covering the whole journey.