Europe’s new railway revolution: how international rail travel will change by 2026
A new era of cross-border train travel may be on the horizon as Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany’s national railway company, prepares to roll out a major digital upgrade this autumn. The initiative is part of a broader European push to simplify international rail journeys and improve passenger rights along the way.
A long-awaited digital breakthrough
According to Euronews, starting this autumn, DB will implement the Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM), a data-sharing standard supported by the European Union. The OSDM interface is designed to allow national rail operators across Europe to access and connect with each other’s booking systems in real time.
“This means you’ll be able to book an international train journey as easily as a domestic one,” said Michael Peterson, DB’s board member for long-distance travel.
By the end of 2026, DB plans to offer integrated ticketing for most major European railways via its website and the DB Navigator app. The first countries to be included are Austria (ÖBB) and Switzerland (SBB), with more to follow.
However, this won’t mean a single ticket for all legs of a journey; rather, it will be a more user-friendly way to piece together multiple tickets into one streamlined booking process.
Read also: EUR 1 billion high-speed airport rail and new cargo aviation hub for Budapest
Why it matters for travellers
Currently, booking international train tickets remains a complicated process. Travellers often need to combine different fares from various national rail operators or navigate multiple platforms, which increases the risk of missed connections and lost rights.
With DB’s new system, the goal is not just convenience, but also passenger protection. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasised the need for binding rules ensuring full rights across international journeys, including rebooking and compensation in case of delays.
“Cross-border train travel is still too difficult for many citizens,” she said in 2024. “People should be able to book trans-European journeys with multiple operators without giving up their right to reimbursement.”
The bigger picture: EU legislation on the way
Deutsche Bahn’s initiative comes as Brussels signals increasing support for legislative reform. EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas is expected to propose new laws this year that would make unified booking platforms and full passenger rights mandatory across Europe.
While DB’s move has been welcomed as a step forward, experts argue that technical integration alone is not enough. “We need more than a standard,” said rail policy analyst Jon Worth. “We need binding data-sharing rules, fair ticket resale commissions, and guarantees for passengers if something goes wrong on a multi-operator journey.”
Will Hungary’s state railway also join?
The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) has not yet responded to the initiative in the news, but they will certainly be happy to join the system if it proves beneficial for passengers travelling to and from Hungary.
A promising future for rail in Europe
Despite the hurdles, momentum is building. Deutsche Bahn recently launched a high-speed ICE connection between Berlin and Paris, and 2024 saw a 22% increase in international ticket sales compared to pre-pandemic levels — a record year for DB. As climate concerns drive demand for greener travel alternatives, the railway industry may finally be on track to deliver a more connected, sustainable, and passenger-friendly Europe.
Read more news about rail travel in Hungary
Read also:
- Train delay compensation in Hungary: Here’s how many refunds the railway company issued in the first 3 days