The recent increase in train fares across England and Wales has resulted in an average hike of 4.6 percent, with most annual railcards—designed to offer savings through a one-off fee—seeing a rise of £5. Some short journeys on London’s rail network, which last as little as two minutes, now cost as much as £4.20. For example, a return trip from Finsbury Park to Harringay will set passengers back £7.20 for a total travel time of merely four minutes.
Last year, a study conducted by the campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E) revealed that many rail fares in the UK are significantly higher than those for similar journeys in mainland Europe. T&E analyzed prices across 27 European operators, concluding that “travelling by rail in the UK is particularly costly,” attributing this to high infrastructure costs and the existence of “private monopolies.” While some criticized the accuracy of the research, it is widely acknowledged that train travel can be prohibitively expensive in England and Wales, particularly concerning walk-up fares.
In light of the recent fare increase, The i Paper has evaluated various factors—including fare prices, operational satisfaction, punctuality, and high-speed track availability—to compare how England’s railway system measures up against five of the busiest rail networks in Europe. Here’s what you need to know:
England
In England, just under half of all rail fares are regulated. This includes season tickets and some off-peak return tickets on long-distance routes, as well as more flexible fares in urban areas. These regulated fares rose by 4.6 percent this month, which is slightly lower than the 4.9 percent cap on regulated fare increases implemented in 2024.
England is home to the only high-speed rail network in the UK, although its length is significantly shorter compared to many other European nations. According to research from the government’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR), only 62.1 percent of trains departed within one minute of their scheduled time during the third quarter of 2024, while 81.1 percent left within three minutes. Data from the European Commission indicates that England boasts just 109 km (67.7 miles) of high-speed track, all part of the HS1 network in London and Kent, where trains can reach speeds up to 185 miles per hour.
Regarding customer satisfaction, the independent watchdog Transport Focus conducts a rolling survey. The latest results, released in January, showed that overall, 82 percent of train passengers in England and the broader UK were satisfied with their journeys in the six months leading up to January 2025. However, this figure dropped to 79 percent among commuters.
Germany
Germany has been commended for its efforts to make train travel more affordable, particularly through the subsidized Deutschland-Ticket, the country’s flagship public transportation pass. This ticket, which allows unlimited travel on regional and local public transport, has been extended for 2025, albeit with a fare increase of €9 (£7.55), bringing the monthly subscription cost to €58 (£48.65).
Despite this recent price hike, the ticket remains relatively economical. However, punctuality is not markedly better than in England. Deutsche Bahn reported a decline in punctuality throughout 2024, a trend that has been ongoing since 2021. Germany operates the busiest train network in Europe, featuring 1,658 km (1,030 miles) of high-speed track, with trains capable of reaching speeds up to 300 kph.
Customer satisfaction levels are moderate. A recent survey by Deutsche Bahn revealed that, on a scale from one (very satisfied) to six (very dissatisfied), long-distance passengers rated their satisfaction at 2.7, while regional rail users scored their experiences at 2.2.
France
In France, the national rail operator SNCF has raised prices for TGV and Ouigo tickets by 1.5 percent as of January. SNCF stated that this increase would translate to an additional charge of “less than €1 (85p)” per ticket. They also advised that booking tickets in advance can yield significant savings compared to last-minute purchases.
However, punctuality has become a growing concern. A report from L’Autorité de la Qualité de Service dans les Transports revealed that rail service punctuality in 2022 reached its lowest levels in a decade, with TGV services experiencing a delay rate of 14.2 percent, up from 11.3 percent the previous year. Additionally, 2022 recorded the highest number of TER train cancellations since data collection began in 2013.
On a positive note, France excels in high-speed rail travel, boasting one of the largest high-speed rail networks globally, with 2,800 km (1,740 miles) of track. The newest French trains can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (199 mph). According to SNCF’s annual customer barometer, overall customer satisfaction has improved to a rating of 6.9/10, up 1.4 points since 2020.
Italy
Italy has not implemented any fare increases in 2025 thus far, as officials in the northwestern Liguria region have blocked Trenitalia, the state-owned railway operator, from raising ticket prices by 2.5 percent. While an increase is anticipated in the future, the timing remains uncertain.
A report from the Italian State Railway Company indicated that over 90 percent of trains departed within five minutes of their scheduled time in 2023, although there was a slight decline in performance for high-speed Frecce and Intercity trains. Italy has a significant amount of high-speed track, totaling 1,467 km (911 miles), with trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h (190 mph).
Additionally, the Italian State Railway Company found that 76 percent of passengers who reached out to their customer service in 2023 expressed satisfaction with their experiences. However, there are anecdotal reports of challenges faced by passengers in obtaining responses or refunds from Italy’s rail companies. For instance, train expert Mark Smith, known as the Man in Seat 61, waited 11 months for a refund on a cancelled Frecciarossa journey, finally securing it in August 2024.
Switzerland
In Switzerland, known for its high train ticket prices—reflecting the overall cost of living outside the EU—there is some good news: public transport prices will remain stable in 2025. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) reported an impressive punctuality rate of 93.2 percent in 2024, an increase from 92.54 percent in 2023, marking a five-year high.
While Switzerland offers some of the most scenic train routes in the world, its rail network is not without its flaws. The country has only 137 km (85.1 miles) of high-speed track, with maximum speeds capped at 250 km/h (155 mph). Nonetheless, customer satisfaction remains relatively high, with SBB reporting a satisfaction level of 79.2 percent in 2024, up from 78.7 percent the previous year.
Spain
In Spain, rail fares are less regulated than in the UK, as competition has opened the market to private operators alongside the state-owned Renfe. There have been no fare increases in 2025, and the average ticket price for the heavily utilized Madrid to Barcelona route has dropped by 58 percent compared to 2019, according to industry experts RailTech.
The emergence of low-cost operators such as Ouigo and Iryo has challenged Renfe’s dominance, contributing to lower consumer costs on certain routes. Research from Trainline released in January highlighted a significant increase in passenger numbers since 2019, particularly on key routes like Barcelona to Seville, which has seen a tripling of passengers.
However, punctuality remains a pressing issue. Renfe reported the highest number of rail delays in its history for 2023, attributing this to increasing demand for rail travel and necessary infrastructure improvements. As of January, Spain boasts the largest high-speed rail network in Europe—second only to China’s globally—with 3,973 km (2,469 miles) of track, allowing trains to reach speeds of up to 310 km/h (193 mph).
While specific customer satisfaction levels were not reported, Renfe has faced criticism for its decision to discontinue full-ticket refunds for delays of just 30 minutes, opting instead to offer compensation of only 50 percent for delays exceeding one hour; full refunds are granted only for delays beyond 90 minutes.
