Overview

• A study by Transport & Environment (T&E) ranked the UK as the most expensive country for rail travel in Europe, with Great Western Railway (GWR) fares two-and-a-half times higher than the EU average.
• Avanti West Coast fares were found to be one-and-a-half times higher than comparable European operators, while Eurostar fares were nearly double those of similar high-speed services.
• The report attributed high UK rail costs to infrastructure expenses and private monopolies, noting that these factors contribute to limited affordability for passengers.
• Despite high prices, UK operators like Avanti and GWR were praised for offering better passenger compensation policies compared to EU counterparts, including refunds for delays of 15 minutes or more.
• Advocates called for an international rail strategy to reduce costs, improve services, and encourage more passengers to choose rail over air travel for European journeys.