Rail travel is more expensive in Britain than anywhere else in Europe, according to research.

For £10, a train passenger in this country can travel 27 miles. In France the same amount would get them 50 miles by rail. In Latvia, which has Europe’s cheapest train travel, passengers could get 383 miles on the equivalent sum.

The figures, which were released by the Liberal Democrats, also disclose the scale of fare increases in this country. Six years ago rail passengers could travel 55 miles for £10.

The figures were compiled by comparing European fares published in this year’s Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable.

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This month train companies were criticised for increasing fares by up to 11 per cent — way above the level of inflation.

Commuters have to pay the vastly higher fares that is charged by train companies for travel during peak periods compared with off-peak travel.

Rail travel is also expensive in Germany and the Republic of Ireland: £10 buys an average of 38 miles.

Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat transport spokesman said: “Our rail fares are the most expensive in Europe and have continued to rise in real terms, while the cost of motoring is falling.

“Massive fare rises, like the ones we saw earlier this month, are pricing travellers off the railways.”

Mr Baker added: “Labour ministers regard spending on the roads as investment but spending on the railways as subsidy, just like their Tory counterparts.”

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