Fast trains, uneven prices: how affordable is rail travel across Europe?

The global rail supply market is forecast to grow by 3.2% annually to EUR 266.8 billion by 2029–2031. At the same time, EU rail suppliers can access only 56% of the global market, down from 59% in the previous study.

The analysis highlights Asia and Europe as the main centres of activity, driven by high-speed rail expansion, urban metro construction and corridor upgrades.

European rail freight lost another 1.8% of transport performance in 2025, extending a decline that has now lasted four consecutive years. With 368.2 billion tonne-kilometres, EU rail freight is now roughly 10% below the 410 billion tkm reached at the 2…