This growth of trains emphasises the rail’s expanding role not just as a mode of transport, but as a core tourism product and experiential platform.
Global Train Market: Opportunities
The global train market continues to show steady, long-term growth, presenting significant opportunities for the travel trade across leisure, corporate, and experiential tourism segments. Valued at approximately USD 71.82 billion in 2024 and USD 74.41 billion in 2025, the market is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 3.6%, reaching USD 99.5 billion by 2034 and nearly USD 105.98 billion by 2035.
The world’s railway network spans more than 1.3 million route-kilometres, with the United States operating the largest rail network globally, followed by Russia, China, India, Canada, Germany, and France. Passenger rail travel currently exceeds 1 billion users annually, with numbers expected to rise to 1.28 billion by 2030, driven by population growth, urbanisation, sustainability priorities, and increased investment in rail infrastructure.
Rail Travel Demand and Sales Trends
Global train ticket revenue is forecast to reach USD 141.19 billion in 2026, with an average revenue per user of USD 129. Digitalisation is reshaping distribution, with online ticket sales projected to account for 75% of global rail ticket revenue by 2030. This shift creates new opportunities for OTAs, tour operators, and rail aggregators to bundle rail with accommodation, excursions, and multi-destination itineraries.
Usage patterns vary by region. Europe and India remain the most rail-reliant markets, while adoption in the Americas remains comparatively low. In the U.S., only around 10% of adults purchase long-distance train tickets annually, compared with 6% in Brazil. In Great Britain, daily train travel remains niche at 3% of the population. However, these lower penetration rates highlight untapped potential for rail-based tourism products, particularly in long-distance and scenic travel.
Long-term growth is expected to be strongest in Asia, where passenger-kilometres travelled in East and Northeast Asia are forecast to increase nearly five-fold by 2052, reinforcing rail’s importance in regional and cross-border travel.
Sustainability Drives Rail Tourism
Sustainability is now a key purchasing driver for travellers and corporate buyers alike. Rail is widely recognised as one of the most environmentally efficient modes of transport, producing significantly lower carbon emissions per passenger compared with air and road travel.
As destinations and travel suppliers respond to climate targets, rail is increasingly positioned as a low-impact alternative to short-haul flights, particularly within Europe. This shift is creating new itineraries focused on slow, overland journeys, longer stays, and reduced carbon footprints—an approach that aligns strongly with emerging traveller values.
The Rise of Slow Travel and Luxury Rail Experiences
One of the most compelling opportunities for the travel trade lies in the resurgence of slow travel and luxury train journeys, where the journey itself becomes the primary attraction rather than simply a means of getting from A to B.
Luxury rail experiences cater to high-yield travellers seeking immersion, comfort, wellness and exclusivity, offering curated itineraries that combine iconic landscapes, regional cuisine, cultural encounters, and five-star service. These journeys appeal particularly to High-Net-worth Individuals (HNI’s), affluent leisure travellers, honeymooners, multigenerational groups, and the growing market for experiential and “once-in-a-lifetime” travel.
At the same time, “affordable luxury” slow travel—such as panoramic day trains and upgraded sleeper services—is attracting younger travellers seeking meaningful, lower-impact travel experiences without ultra-premium price points.
Luxury trains typically feature spacious private cabins and suites, fine dining curated by renowned chefs, onboard lounges, observation cars, and spa-style amenities, off-train excursions led by expert guides all put together in seamless, all-inclusive pricing models.
Technology, Comfort, and Safety Enhancements
Digitalisation and technology are enhancing both operational efficiency and the passenger experience. AI-driven tools are increasingly used for predictive maintenance, safety monitoring, and schedule optimisation, helping to reduce disruptions and improve reliability.
Automated train systems are also gaining traction, particularly in metro and urban rail networks. Fully automated services are already operating in cities such as Dubai, Singapore, and Copenhagen, offering improved safety, consistency, and cost efficiency—key considerations for destinations investing in public transport as part of the visitor experience.
Electrification and the Future of Green Rail
The shift towards electric and alternative-fuel trains is accelerating globally. Electric rail, producing zero emissions at the point of use, is becoming the standard across much of Europe, while hydrogen-powered trains are emerging as a sustainable solution for non-electrified routes.
Rail manufacturers such as Alstom and Siemens are leading the development of hydrogen trains, with pilot services already underway. For the travel trade, these developments strengthen rail’s credentials as a future-proof, climate-aligned transport option—particularly important for destinations promoting sustainable tourism.
As global rail networks expand, modernise, and embrace sustainability, trains are set to play an increasingly central role in shaping the future of travel—particularly for destinations and travel sellers willing to reimagine the journey itself as the destination.
Once viewed primarily as a practical mode of transport, rail travel is increasingly being repositioned as a high-value tourism experience. This shift presents new revenue opportunities for the travel trade, from developing luxury and slow-travel itineraries to packaging rail journeys as immersive, standalone experiences. Rail’s lower environmental impact also allows it to be marketed as a credible alternative to short-haul air travel, particularly when supported by digital sales platforms.
Luxury rail, in particular, offers compelling advantages for tour operators and advisors, including strong margins, growing interest from sustainability-minded affluent travellers, and easy integration with hotels, cruises, and tailored excursions. Its rich heritage and sense of journey also create powerful storytelling opportunities for destinations and brands alike.
