Rail or plane: a pilot study on Dutch tourists’ price sensitivity as a function of travel time
Rail or plane: a pilot study on Dutch tourists’ price sensitivity as a function of travel time

Summary/Abstract: Aim: As part of its climate and sustainability policies, the European Union actively fosters the transitionfrom air to rail travel, for example by improving the international railway infrastructure, liberalizing theEuropean railway market and introducing an international booking system for train travel. On the demandside, price is a crucial factor. This pilot study examines the effect of train ticket prices on holiday travelmode choice.Design/methods: In a stated preference survey targeting holiday trips from Amsterdam to eight ofEurope’s most popular city destinations, participants in the Netherlands were asked to choose betweentrain and plane, given scenarios for price and travel time.Conclusion / findings: The results point to a significant correlation between price sensitivity and traveltime, with price sensitivity being lowest for short and long trips and highest for medium-range trips.Originality / value of the article: The findings can inform pricing strategies of railway companies andthe design of fiscal measures (taxes, subsidies) to strengthen the competitive position of European railversus aviation.

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