UK Train Fares Found to Be the Most Expensive in Europe, Study Reveals

Analysis of 27 rail operators highlights high costs for UK passengers, with no link between price and service quality.

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.