74% of EU adults say promoting rail matters for greener tourism

Support for promoting train travel for sustainable tourism reaches 74% among EU adults, although 19% list environmental impact among the main factors in choosing transport, a CER survey shows.

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) commissioned the poll from Polling Europe. The research firm questioned 5,048 people aged 18 or older in all 27 EU countries online between 3 and 10 July 2026. CER released the findings on 14 September.

The 74% combines 35% who agreed strongly and 39% who agreed somewhat, while 16% disagreed and 10% did not know. The survey report shows agreement ranged from 68% in France to 79% in Italy. By region it was highest in southern Europe, at 79%, and lowest in the northern group of countries, at 69%.

Cost, comfort and journey time come first

Respondents could name up to three factors that most influence how they travel for tourism at home or to a neighbouring European country. Total travel cost was picked by 60%, comfort during the journey by 53% and total travel time by 50%. Environmental impact came fourth with 19%, ahead only of the booking process at 16%.

Cost mattered most in France, where 76% selected it. Poland had the highest share naming environmental impact, 23%, and Italy the lowest, 14%.

How the CER poll compares with Eurobarometer data

Commission polling points the same way on cost and the environment. In a Eurobarometer survey on regional and long-distance journeys, with 2024 data, 61% of respondents cited cost, 47% travel time, 36% departure and arrival times and 29% comfort, while only about one in ten named a journey’s environmental impact. A 2021 Eurobarometer on tourism found 82% of EU citizens ready to change some habits for more sustainable tourism, yet 36% mentioned choosing ecological means of transport. The surveys used different questions and trip types, so their figures are not directly comparable.

Germany and France are least ready to switch

Asked whether they would change mode and take the train if more connections were available for tourism at home or to nearby EU countries, 65% said this was likely: 25% very likely and 40% rather likely. Another 31% considered it unlikely, and 4% said they already usually travel by train for tourism.

The answers split sharply by market. Willingness reached 74% in Spain and Poland and 72% in Italy, but only 56% in France and 53% in Germany. In both of those countries, 41% of respondents called a switch unlikely. The question did not specify which routes or services the extra connections would cover.

Support for rail stays between 68% and 79% everywhere, but willingness to switch drops to 53–56% in Germany and France. Respondents could name up to three factors. Southern Europe covers Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Malta and Cyprus; Central and Eastern Europe covers the Baltic states, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia; Northern Europe covers Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland and Austria. Source: CER survey report, August 2026; 5,048 online interviews, 3–10 July 2026.

What CER wants from the EU tourism strategy

CER is using the results to press for rail to be written into the Commission’s strategy for sustainable tourism. The Commission’s 2026 work programme scheduled that non-binding strategy for the second quarter of the year; in its 14 September release, CER still described it as in preparation.

The association also wants equal conditions for all transport modes, including the removal of VAT on international rail tickets, changes to how electricity used by trains is taxed and application of the polluter-pays principle. Its goal is for the least polluting option to be the cheapest one. It says transport generates 75% of the EU’s tourism-related emissions. CER executive director Alberto Mazzola said the strategy should address travellers’ priorities and make the greenest option the most affordable.

The Commission gives these figures as examples of shorter trips between capitals under its high-speed rail plan, not as timetabled services; the survey question on extra connections did not name specific routes. Source: European Commission high-speed rail plan, 5 November 2025.