A new Eurobarometer survey released by the European Commission shows a growing demand for seamless travel, especially for online booking services, which are already used by 76% of respondents. The majority of respondents also consider the sustainability aspects of travelling. However, passengers still have difficulties in combining different transport modes and finding reliable booking options online. The Commission is advancing efforts to improve digital travelling services, and the survey’s results will feed into this work.
“While the demand for seamless travel across the EU grows, significant barriers remain in booking multimodal journeys, revealing the urgent need for a more integrated, transparent, and user-friendly digital booking system. Only through innovative solutions can we make sustainable and multi-operator travel a reality for all,” comments Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
Difficulty in booking complex journeys
The survey reveals that 36% of Europeans struggle to book tickets that combine different transport modes, such as air-to-rail or train-to-bus connections. Additionally, 31% of respondents did not book such journeys, due to the complexity of the booking process and the absence of clear, user-friendly options. When it comes to rail journeys, 25% of the respondents declared facing difficulties when booking train tickets involving multiple operators, and 43% do not book these trips at all.
Challenges in online ticket booking
Despite the convenience of digital platforms, 22% of travellers report that online ticketing systems do not always present all available fares or travel options. Hidden costs remain a concern for 19% of respondents, making transparency in digital booking platforms a crucial issue. While 76% of respondents book tickets online, the lack of a streamlined, all-in-one booking solution discourages many from exploring multimodal travel options.
Digital solutions and the future of booking alternatives
In response to these challenges, the Commission is advancing efforts to improve digital mobility services. The survey’s results will feed into the ongoing preparatory work for the Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation (SDBTR) and the Multimodal Digital Mobility Service Initiative (MDMS), which respectively aim to tackle the challenges posed by rail operators and digital mobility platforms, such as the practices of major rail operators to restrict their ticket sales on third-party platforms and exclude competing operators’ tickets from their own platforms.
The survey also indicates that sustainability remains a key concern for travellers. While 78% of respondents consider the environmental impact of their trips important, only 21% adjust their behaviour accordingly. A key obstacle is the lack of visibility into eco-friendly options, with 22% of respondents citing difficulty in finding such alternatives.
Background
The survey was conducted between 28 August and 4 September 2024, gathering responses from 25,805 EU citizens. They survey covered regional, long-distance, and international travel, including specific questions on train travel.
Source: European Commission