While Brazil abandons railways, Europe wants to create a single ticket for international trains, where people can purchase trips in a single transaction, have full protection in case of delays, and access a network that aims to double high-speed trains by 2030.

Written by Alisson Ficher

Published on 22/05/2026 at 17:14

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European Commission proposal aims to bring together operators and platforms in an integrated ticket search and purchase system, with full passenger protection in case of delay or missed connection on international routes involving more than one railway company.

The European Union is advancing a proposal to transform the way travelers plan and purchase train tickets within the bloc, bringing together different operators and platforms into a single system for searching, booking, and issuing railway tickets.

The European Commission advocates that passengers should purchase the entire journey in a single transaction, using their preferred sales platform, whether linked to a railway company or independent, with the complete itinerary issued on a consolidated ticket.

In the current scenario, an international train journey may require bookings in multiple stages, involving tickets from different companies and distinct payment systems, making the experience fragmented for passengers who need to cross borders within Europe.

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Consumer rights and protection in missed connections

One of the central axes of the initiative is to expand the legal protection of passengers, especially on routes that combine tickets from different operators, a scenario where traveler coverage is usually limited under current European legislation.

When the journey is purchased with a single ticket and there is a delay or missed connection, the proposal guarantees the passenger full protection throughout the entire route, including relocation on another railway service and full reimbursement of the amount paid.

In addition to reimbursement, financial compensation for the affected traveler is also provided, as well as the necessary material assistance while the passenger awaits a solution to the issue, which includes the provision of meals and, depending on the situation, hotel accommodation.

Relocation on another available railway service on the same route or on an alternative route compatible with the passenger’s final destination.
Full refund of the amount paid for the unfinished segment due to the delay or operational failure encountered.
Financial compensation proportional to the waiting time and the inconvenience caused by the interruption of the contracted journey.
Assistance with food and hotel accommodation when the wait for a solution exceeds the time limits established by regulation.

In terms of transparency, ticket sales platforms will have new obligations if the measure is approved, displaying travel options in a more neutral and balanced manner to ensure equal access among different railway companies.

Another requirement is that platforms should indicate, whenever possible, the carbon emissions associated with each travel option, allowing travelers to compare the environmental impact of routes and encourage choices aligned with climate sustainability goals.

Survey with 25,000 Europeans reveals barriers in train travel

The legislative initiative is supported by a survey conducted with more than 25,000 citizens of the European Union between August and September 2024, which mapped regional, international, and railway travel habits to identify the main obstacles faced by passengers.

The survey found that 76% of respondents use digital platforms to book trips, but a large portion still encounters difficulties when combining different modes of transport within the same journey, such as plane, train, and bus in sequence.

About 36% of participants reported difficulty in purchasing tickets for trips with connections between different modes, while 31% stated they simply did not make these reservations due to the complexity of the process and the lack of clear options on available platforms.

Among users who travel by train specifically, 25% reported problems when trying to book routes operated by more than one railway company, and 43% declared not making this type of reservation precisely because of the barriers encountered in the purchasing process.

On the other hand, 22% of respondents believe that platforms do not always display all available options or fares for the desired route, while 19% mentioned encountering hidden additional costs during the ticket purchasing process.

The proposal by the European Commission aligns with the EU’s action plan for long-distance rail transport, launched in 2021, and with the project to connect Europe by high-speed trains, presented in 2025 as part of a broader climate agenda.

Within this strategy, the goal set by the bloc is to double high-speed train traffic by 2030 and triple it by 2050, in line with the modernization of the Trans-European Transport Network, known by the acronym TEN-T.

The railway strategy foresees the operation of trains at at least 160 km/h on certain international routes within the European continent, with much of the planned infrastructure improvements expected to be implemented by the year 2040 according to the current schedule.

As part of the high-speed plan launched last year, major works and infrastructure interventions are planned to reduce travel times between major European cities, focusing on routes where the train still loses competitiveness to the airplane.

By positioning the train as a more sustainable alternative to the airplane and private car, the European Union bets that tariff integration and the expansion of the high-speed rail network can attract more travelers to the mode over the coming years.

While Brazil abandons railways, Europe wants to create a single ticket for international trains, where people can purchase trips in a single transaction, have full protection in case of delays, and access a network that aims to double high-speed trains by 2030.

European Commission proposal aims to bring together operators and platforms in an integrated ticket search and purchase system, with full passenger protection in case of delay or missed connection on international routes involving more than one railway company.

Consumer rights and protection in missed connections

Survey with 25,000 Europeans reveals barriers in train travel

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European Commission proposal aims to bring together operators and platforms in an integrated ticket search and purchase system, with full passenger protection in case of delay or missed connection on international routes involving more than one railway company.

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