Simplified European Train Travel: DB Navigator to Offer Single Tickets for Cross-Border Journeys
Simplified cross-border rail travel to become more accessible.
From autumn 2025, purchasing train tickets for cross-border journeys throughout Europe will become more streamlined through the DB Navigator. The German Rail will be connected to a technical interface designed to unify the previously fragmented system. By the end of 2026, the company aims to offer tickets from all significant railway networks of neighboring countries directly via bahn.de and the DB Navigator app.[1][2]
Michael Peterson, board member of DB Long-Distance, remarked that international long-distance traffic has witnessed growth. In 2024, the state-owned company recorded its strongest performance in this sector with a 22% increase in comparison to the pre-Covid year of 2019.[1]
Despite the addition of new connections, such as the recent ICE direct connection between Berlin and Paris, issues persist within European rail travel. Matthias Gastel, a Green Party politician and long-time rail advocate, sitting on the supervisory board of the rail infrastructure subsidiary InfraGo, asserted that a fully integrated European rail network was lacking.[1]
The fragmentation of the system creates challenges in purchasing tickets, as multiple tickets may be required for cross-border journeys, necessitating separate purchases. This process is not only time-consuming, but it also means that passenger rights, such as in the event of a missed connecting train, are not always applicable.[1][2]
Technical difficulties with cross-border routes also arise, with problems starting when a train line crosses a national border. These problems include issues such as power supply, signaling and safety technology, track width, and even language skills of train drivers.[2]
To address these issues, European railways have agreed to introduce the OSDM (Open Sales and Distribution Model) interface standard. DB manager Peterson describes the OSDM as "the language in which European railways and distribution service providers will then exchange their data."[1][2] This means that the DB will have access to the entire ticket portfolio of partner railways and vice versa, resulting in a more convenient and transparent buying process for customers.[1][2]
The OSDM will initially be implemented with major partners like the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), with more partners set to join in subsequent months. The aim is to achieve near-universal connectivity across Europe by late 2026.[1][2] This initiative is part of the European Commission’s broader efforts to create open booking systems that offer passengers more flexibility and protection, particularly when traveling across borders.[1][2]
However, the EU Commission is preparing proposals for uniform digital booking and ticketing services that may differ from the OSDM standard, raising concerns among some industry players about potential complications and costs of compliance.[1]
Key Benefits of OSDM for International Train Ticket Purchase
- Unified Booking Experience: OSDM will allow passengers to book travel between multiple countries and rail operators in a single transaction.[1][2]
- Comprehensive Ticket Options: Rail operators like DB will gain access to the full range of tickets offered by other international rail companies, making the buying process more transparent and efficient.[1][2]
- Real-Time Updates and Integrated Services: During travel, passengers will receive updates via mobile devices, enhancing the overall travel experience.[1]
- Multimodal Journey Integration: OSDM supports interoperable ticket sales and distribution across different transport modes and carriers, ensuring a unified, multimodal journey with protection against disruptions.[4]
- Broader EU Rail Integration: Although progress has been slow, OSDM is part of the European Commission’s efforts to create open booking systems that align with EU goals to simplify and promote sustainable rail transport across the continent.[1][2]
Challenges and Considerations
- Implementation complexity and costs, especially for new market entrants, are challenges despite the expected benefits.[1]
- Some low-cost competitors may not be available within the system initially, limiting ticket options for budget-conscious travelers.[1]
[1] ntv.de, mau/dpa
[2] Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) - https://www.ceu.org/open-sales-distribution-model-osdm/
[3] Matthias Gastel - https://www.bundestag.de/neuem_abgeordneter/abgeordnete/download/5738497/wpao-matthias-gastel-171106.pdf
[4] European Commission's Proposals for Uniform Digital Booking and Ticketing Services - https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/commission-legislative-proposal-sustainable-and-smart-mobility-strategy-passengerrights-2023-en
- As the DB Navigator introduces the OSDM (Open Sales and Distribution Model) interface standard, it plans to offer vocational training programs to train staff on the new technology, ensuring a smooth transition in managing cross-border train travel.
- In the spirit of fostering a united European community, sports and recreational clubs within different cities could organize events and tournaments to encourage the integration of communities, complementing the improved cross-border train travel offered by DB Navigator. Keeping track of the weather would be crucial to ensure the successful planning and execution of these events.
