Purchase global train tickets in the same manner as buying airline tickets - Purchasing passes for long-distance trains abroad, similar to buying airline tickets
Europeans may soon find it easier to purchase train tickets for international journeys, as Deutsche Bahn (DB) plans to implement a new system by autumn 2023. The Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) interface standard is expected to simplify the currently fragmented system by enabling DB to sell tickets for major trains in neighboring countries directly via their website and mobile app.
DB long-distance traffic board member Michael Peterson told the German Press Agency that international long-distance travel is booming, with a record 22% growth in 2024 compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
However, buy cross-border train tickets continue to pose problems for travelers. Matthias Gastel, a Green politician and member of the German Bundestag, explained that frequent tickets are often needed for cross-border trips, which must be purchased individually. This is not only inconvenient but also means that passenger rights, such as those in the event of a missed connecting train, may not apply. Tickets from competitors like Flix cannot be purchased via the railways, due to what Gastel described as astronomical commissions intended to deter.
Furthermore, technical problems frequently arise when train routes cross national borders, with issues such as power supply, signaling technology, track width, and language skills of train drivers causing problems.
To address these issues, European railways have agreed to implement the OSDM interface standard, which should make it easier to buy tickets for international train journeys. Initially, this will apply to the Austrian and Swiss federal railways ÖBB and SBB from autumn 2025, with additional partners being added gradually. By the end of 2026, it is hoped that the entire European railway network will be covered.
"Europe does not have an integrated railway network," says Gastel. However, the implementation of the OSDM standard should make it easier to book tickets for complex journeys involving multiple operators, similar to domestic travel experiences.
Travelers will be able to access the integrated ticketing platform through familiar booking channels, such as DB's website and the DB Navigator app, making it easier to plan complex international trips. Additionally, passengers will be kept informed via mobile phone during their journey.
The European Union also supports this initiative, aiming to create standardized digital booking and ticket services across Europe, ensuring consistent passenger rights during travel disruptions. While the OSDM improves ticketing efficiency, it does not provide a single ticket for multi-operator journeys but rather a better way to combine tickets from different railways.
In conclusion, the implementation of the OSDM interface standard is expected to make it easier for Europeans to purchase train tickets for international journeys by facilitating more efficient data exchange between rail companies and ticket vendors. This initiative is supported by the European Union, which aims to create standardized digital booking and ticket services across Europe. The system is expected to gradually expand to include most major European railways by the end of 2026.
- With the implementation of the OSDM interface standard, Europeans might enjoy a more seamless lifestyle by conveniently purchasing tickets for international train journeys, similar to domestic travel, as early as autumn 2023, with participating railways gradually increasing to cover the entire European railway network by the end of 2026.
- As the European Union supports the creation of standardized digital booking and ticket services, the OSDM initiative aims to not only improve ticketing efficiency but also uphold passenger rights by offering a consistent travel experience across Europe, addressing long-standing issues associated with cross-border train travel, such as the frustration of buying frequent tickets for individual cross-border trips and the lack of integration in the current system.
