London, 16 September 2026 – More than half of Britons (53%) want greater choice when travelling by train to continental Europe, and nearly two in five (38%) say having more operators would make them more likely to book an international rail journey, according to a new report by Trainline.
The report, “Competition Delivers: What Europe’s high-speed lines reveal about the future of the Channel route”, combines new research with Trainline’s experience from competitive high-speed rail lines in Spain, Italy and France. It highlights the potential passenger benefits of competition on services on the route, which could boost international rail travel to and from the UK.
The findings come at a pivotal moment for cross-Channel rail, as new operators seek access to HS1 and Channel Tunnel infrastructure to launch competing international services from London to destinations across Europe, and the existing operator also plans to grow services and launch new destinations.
Competition in Europe delivers lower fares and more passengers
These appointments come as Trainline reinvigorates its Executive Leadership to accelerate product development, drive innovation, and support the continued digitalisation of the European rail industry. With a strong focus on innovation, Trainline is committed to reinforcing the shift to rail travel and reducing emissions, playing a key role in the transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.
Trainline’s experience as Europe’s leading independent train ticketing platform shows that opening high-speed rail markets to multiple operators can lower fares and encourage more passengers to choose rail over air. An analysis of European high-speed rail pricing, including bookings made by Trainline customers, shows:
In Italy, 14 years of competition have led to a 40% reduction in high-speed fares1, increased frequency and sustained passenger growth. Rail has now overtaken air on the Rome–Milan route2.
In Spain, competition since 2021 has halved fares across key corridors, including Madrid–Barcelona, compared with 2021 levels3, and the market reached a record 43.8 million high-speed passengers in 20254.
In France, Trenitalia’s entry on the Paris–Lyon corridor in 2021 has led to a 43% reduction in average fares (summer 2019 vs summer 2023) and Paris–Marseille fares have fallen 29% (summer 2024 vs 2025)5.
Potential for benefits for UK-EU rail travel
Greater competition on the Channel route could bring similar benefits to passengers travelling from the UK to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and beyond. More operator choice has the potential to increase frequencies, offer more destinations and make fares more competitive. This can improve the passenger experience and encourage more people to choose rail for journeys between the UK and Europe.
Three quarters of Britons (74%) say lower fares from the UK to Europe by rail would make them more likely to take the train. Access from local stations is also important, and 62% of Brits would be more likely to travel by rail if international services stopped closer to where they live, with the potential for new services stopping in East London and Kent to widen the appeal of rail to more travellers.
New operators are particularly attractive to younger people and families: nearly half of 25–34-year-olds (46%) and households with children (48%) say more operators would make them more likely to book international rail journeys.
At the capital's European rail gateway, London St. Pancras, plans are being developed to expand facilities, accommodate more travellers and streamline security and check-in processes, to support the expected growth in the international rail market.
The digital retailing market must also be ready for a more competitive future. Across the European markets surveyed, more than 85% of travellers buy rail tickets online or through apps. Independent retailers such as Trainline can help passengers compare and book a wider range of cross-border journeys.
Jody Ford, CEO of Trainline, said:
“The research echoes our experience in Spain, Italy and France: where new operators have been able to compete, passengers have seen lower prices, more frequent services and better choice. The Channel route is the next opportunity to bring those benefits to British travellers.
“As the UK considers the future of international rail through the Channel Tunnel, it should learn from these markets and create the conditions for a stronger, more competitive cross-Channel rail offer that brings more travellers to rail.
“Passengers want greater choice and lower fares, and greater competition can help deliver both.”
Robert Sinclair, CEO of London St. Pancras Highspeed, said:
“As the proud owners of the international high-speed line from London to the Channel Tunnel, we are committed to seeing our railway and stations used to their full potential, and we welcome the findings of this Trainline report that supports our call for competition.
“We believe we are on the cusp of a step change in international rail that will see more choice for travellers. The demand for international rail travel is certainly there, with volumes set to triple over the next 15 years. Through initiatives like our International Growth Incentive Scheme, we are encouraging train operators to launch new services, increase destinations, purchase new rolling stock and drive modal shift. All of this will benefit the UK economy and help achieve our climate goals.”
END
1 Cascetta E, Cartenì A, Henke I, Pagliara F. Economic growth, transport accessibility and regional equity impacts of high-speed railways in Italy: ten years ex post evaluation and future perspectives. Transport Research. Aug 7th 2020.
3 Trainline data, comparison of average prices between 2021 and 2024.
4 INE, the Spanish national statistical agency, 2025, https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Tabla.htm?t=49359
5 Trainline data, Comparison of average prices in 2019 and 2023.
Notes to editors
The full report, “Competition Delivers: What Europe’s high-speed lines reveal about the future of the Channel route”, can be found here.
The UK consumer survey was conducted by YouGov Plc on behalf of Trainline between 30 and 31 July 2026. The total sample was 2,047 adults. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
The EU consumer survey data was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Trainline between 23 and 24 April 2025. The total sample comprised 3,000 adults (1,000 in Spain, 1,000 in France, 1,000 in Italy), interviewed using Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) methodology with representative quotas for each country by age, gender and region.
Italy opened its high-speed rail market to competition in 2012 and now has two operators (Trenitalia and Italo) with SNCF expected to enter the market in the next few years.
Spain opened its market to competition in 2021 and now has three operators, Renfe (operating as AVE and AVLO), Iryo and Ouigo.
France opened parts of its high-speed rail market to competition from 2021 onwards, with SNCF (operating as TGV INOUI and OUIGO) and and Trenitalia competing on key routes.
About Trainline
Trainline is the leading independent platform for train and bus ticket sales for millions of travellers worldwide. Through its website and mobile app, users can search, book and manage their journeys in one place. TrainlinePartner Solutions is its B2B division, offering rail distribution technology solutions to corporates, travel management companies and travel platforms across Europe. With over 55 million app downloads worldwide, Trainline has operated in Spain since 2016 and has agreements with more than 30 train and bus operators in the country, including Renfe, Iryo, Ouigo and Alsa.