Alvaro Ungurean, Commercial Director, Europe - International Train, Trip.com Group

At ITB Berlin 2026, Trip.com Group highlighted its growing ambitions in the European rail sector, with Alvaro Ungurean, Commercial Director for Europe in the company’s International Train division, outlining how the global travel platform is working to simplify cross-border rail travel and integrate train services more seamlessly into the wider digital travel ecosystem.

Speaking with Breaking Travel News during the event, Ungurean explained that rail is becoming an increasingly important pillar in Trip.com’s strategy as travellers look for convenient and sustainable alternatives to short-haul flights across Europe.

Trip.com’s international train business focuses on connecting rail operators with global travellers through a single digital platform. By integrating rail ticketing alongside flights, accommodation and experiences, the company aims to provide travellers with a more unified booking journey.

Ungurean said the company’s goal is to make international rail travel easier to access and book through a single digital platform, integrating train services alongside flights, hotels and experiences.

Bridging Europe’s Fragmented Rail Landscape
Europe’s rail sector is highly decentralised, with multiple national operators, ticketing systems and distribution channels. For travellers, this fragmentation often makes it difficult to compare routes, access international connections or book tickets through a single interface.

Trip.com’s strategy is to simplify this process by aggregating rail content and integrating it into its global travel platform.

Ungurean noted that the company works closely with rail operators, technology partners and distribution platforms to improve connectivity and scale international rail distribution. His role focuses on building partnerships and expanding rail availability across Trip.com’s international markets. 

By bringing rail inventory into a global digital marketplace, the platform enables travellers—particularly those from Asia and other long-haul markets—to access European rail journeys that may otherwise be difficult to book.

Rail as Part of the Integrated Travel Journey
Ungurean emphasised that rail should not be viewed as a standalone product but as part of a broader travel journey.

Trip.com’s platform integrates rail alongside flights, hotels, attractions and local transportation, enabling travellers to build complete itineraries in a single ecosystem. This integrated approach reflects a wider shift in the travel industry towards end-to-end booking platforms that combine multiple transport modes.

Trip.com Group operates several global travel brands—including Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner and Qunar—connecting millions of travellers with travel services worldwide through a digital marketplace of travel products and partners. 

By incorporating rail into this ecosystem, the company hopes to improve the visibility and accessibility of train travel for international users.

Growing Demand for Rail Travel
Demand for rail travel has grown significantly in recent years, driven by a combination of sustainability concerns, convenience and improvements in high-speed rail networks across Europe.

Ungurean noted that travellers increasingly view rail as an attractive option for medium-distance journeys, particularly between major European cities where trains can compete with air travel in terms of total journey time.

Digital platforms such as Trip.com also play an important role in promoting rail as part of multi-modal travel itineraries, particularly for international travellers unfamiliar with local rail networks.

Europe as a Strategic Growth Market
Europe represents a major growth market for Trip.com’s international business. The company continues to strengthen partnerships with transport providers and tourism organisations across the region as it expands its presence.

For Ungurean, the focus is on improving distribution and making rail products globally accessible, enabling travellers from markets such as Asia-Pacific and North America to plan complex multi-city trips across Europe with greater ease.

By connecting fragmented rail networks with global digital demand, Trip.com aims to position rail as a core component of future travel itineraries.

Looking Ahead
As travel technology evolves, the integration of rail into global travel platforms is expected to accelerate. Digital distribution, improved data connectivity and partnerships between travel platforms and transport operators are all likely to reshape how travellers plan journeys across multiple modes of transport.

Ungurean believes that simplifying rail booking and integrating it into broader travel platforms will be key to unlocking the full potential of international rail travel.

For Trip.com, the long-term vision is clear: creating a seamless travel ecosystem where flights, trains, hotels and experiences can be booked effortlessly in one place—helping travellers move across the world with greater flexibility and convenience.