The European Union is preparing a major reform of rail travel: passengers will be able to purchase a single ticket even for routes involving multiple carriers. The new rules are also intended to strengthen the protection of travelers’ rights in the event of delays, cancellations, or missed connections. Find out how the single-ticket system will work in the EU and when the changes may take effect

Order an insurance policy for safe travel to any part of the world

GET

The European Commission has unveiled a new package of transport reforms designed to simplify international rail travel within the EU. The main change is the ability to purchase a single ticket for the entire journey, even when the trip involves services from several different operators. The initiative also aims to strengthen passenger rights, establish more transparent rules for booking platforms, and promote eco-friendly modes of transport.

Today, travelers often face challenges when traveling between European countries: different booking websites, separate tickets for each leg of the journey, complicated transfers, and limited protection in case of delays. This is particularly true for international rail routes, where a single trip may involve several carriers.

The European Commission aims to create a more unified and competitive transport system where passengers can easily compare routes, purchase combined tickets, and receive guarantees for the entire journey regardless of the number of operators involved.

In our previous article, we discussed how to choose safe accommodation, avoid mistakes, and book a hotel without unnecessary expenses.

Planning a trip abroad and want to protect yourself from unforeseen situations?

Travel insurance from Visit World will cover medical expenses, flight delays, and lost luggage in any country. Get a policy online in a few minutes and travel with confidence!

Why did the EU decide to change the ticket sales system?

International rail travel in Europe remains significantly more complicated than air travel. Even if a route between countries already exists, passengers often have to buy tickets separately from different operators, manually check connections, and resolve issues on their own in case of delays. It is these shortcomings that the European Commission cites as one of the main obstacles to the development of cross-border transport.

The situation is particularly complicated for routes with transfers. For example, a trip from Germany to Italy or from France to Austria may involve several different rail companies. If tickets are purchased separately, the passenger effectively has no single protection for the entire route. If one train is delayed, the other carrier is not obligated to wait or compensate for the cost of the missed leg of the journey.

Another problem is fragmented sales systems. Today, there is no universal platform in the EU where you can quickly view all available international routes and compare prices and terms across different operators. Because of this, many travelers choose to fly, even if a train route would be more comfortable or eco-friendly.

The European Commission also emphasizes that the new rules are intended to support the development of “green” transport. Rail remains one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel in Europe. It is road and air transport that account for the largest share of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. That is why Brussels is interested in making international train travel simpler and more accessible for passengers.

In our previous article, we wrote about the most beautiful train routes for summer travel in Europe.

How will the single ticket for travel in Europe work?

The main goal of the new system is to allow passengers to book their entire international trip with a single reservation, even if the route is served by several different operators. This means that travelers will no longer have to purchase tickets separately for each segment of the route and check on their own whether the connections align.

The European Commission proposes creating a mechanism in which passengers will be able to:

- Find an international route between different EU countries;

- Compare offers from several carriers;

- Book the entire route in a single transaction;

- Receive a single combined ticket;

- Benefit from unified passenger rights protection for the entire journey.

Such tickets will be available for purchase both through independent booking platforms and through the websites of the transport operators themselves. At the same time, the EU wants to require carriers to provide platforms with access to data on schedules, prices, and available seats. This is intended to make the market more open and competitive.

This is particularly important for passengers on complex international routes. For example, a person will be able to book a trip with a single ticket:

- Paris → Munich → Vienna;

- Berlin → Prague → Budapest;

- Amsterdam → Brussels → Zurich.

Today, such routes often require separate bookings with different companies, and any delay creates the risk of missing the next flight without compensation.

Special attention is being paid to the environmental sustainability of travel. The European Commission wants booking platforms to display CO₂ emissions levels for different routes whenever possible. This way, passengers will be able to not only compare price and travel time but also assess the environmental impact of their trip.

We previously reported that the European Commission has banned airlines from charging passengers additional fees after a ticket is purchased—even during a fuel crisis.

What new rights will passengers receive?

One of the main changes will be stronger protection for passengers during international trips with transfers. Currently, the problem is that most combined routes are booked as separate tickets. In such cases, each carrier’s liability is limited to only its portion of the route. If a passenger misses their next connection due to a delay on one train, the other company may not provide any compensation.

The single ticket is intended to change this system. If the entire route is booked as a single reservation, the passenger will be protected for the entire trip regardless of the number of operators involved.

In case of problems during the trip, travelers will be able to count on:

- Assistance in the event of a delay or cancellation;

- Free re-routing;

- Compensation for expenses;

- Refunds in certain cases;

- Support in the event of missed connections.

In essence, the EU aims to bring the international rail travel system in line with standards that have long been in place in aviation for connecting flights.

The new rules are also intended to make the booking process more transparent. Passengers will be able to see whether a trip is booked as a single ticket with full protection or as a set of separate segments with different liability conditions. This will help passengers better assess risks before purchasing.

The European Commission believes that these changes could boost confidence in international rail travel and encourage more people to choose trains over short-haul flights within Europe.

In our previous article, we reported that Europe is suspending biometric checks due to issues with the EES system.

What will change for booking platforms and carriers?

The new rules will affect not only passengers but also the booking platforms and transport companies themselves. The European Commission wants to make the ticket sales market more transparent so that passengers can see all available travel options without hidden restrictions or the promotion of specific operators.

Today, many major carriers effectively control access to their own booking systems. Because of this, independent platforms cannot always display complete information about routes, prices, or connections. As a result, passengers often see only a fraction of available options or are forced to use multiple websites simultaneously.

The European Commission proposes introducing the following requirements for platforms:

- Neutral display of routes without hidden promotion of specific companies;

- Fair access to ticket sales for different operators;

- Transparent conditions for comparing cost and travel time;

- The ability to display greenhouse gas emissions levels for routes.

For the carriers themselves, this will mean increased competition. Passengers will be able to more easily compare offers from different companies, and smaller operators will have a better chance of being visible on major international booking platforms.

No matter how well thought-out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or problems with luggage can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

Take out a policy online at Visit World and enjoy your trip without any unnecessary worries!

We remind you! Popular European tourist destinations are becoming increasingly crowded, so travelers are looking for alternatives without the crowds. In 2026, attention is turning to countries that remain off the beaten path but offer unique experiences, affordable prices, and an authentic atmosphere. Read more about 5 European countries that are rarely visited by tourists.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline