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The government has said it would cost £500m a year to bring UK commuter fares in line with those of other European countries.
In a response to a report from Passenger Focus, a Department for Transport spokesman said that other European train companies are more heavily subsidised.
Thursday's report found that UK rail travel is more expensive than in Europe, and that while passengers are happy with the standard of rail services they do not consider them value for money.
Guy Dangerfield of Passenger Focus told the BBC that the issue of value for money was a "conundrum" for government.
"Key issues affecting value for money seem to be punctuality, getting a seat and passenger information during disruption," he said.
"The other element of this research that we are publishing today shows that travellers in Great Britain are generally paying much more than they pay on the continent.
"I think one of the questions to ask next is why that is."
Dangerfield said that the survey only looked at train companies from the perspective of the passenger.
"What we are saying to government in publishing this report is that during a period of recession, it is untenable to continue with above inflation fare increases. The consequences for passengers are too severe," he said.
"Commuters to London are paying almost double what commuters to Paris are paying. In the long distance market, what passengers tell us is that it is too complicated.
"Our research shows that if you can get the lowest possible price and stick to the train that you have named, you can travel more cheaply here than in other countries."
But he added: "The price of flexibility is just too high."
Dangerfield also called on government to stop train companies from increasing fares above the headline cap.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said that the report indicated that British passengers were being "ripped off".
"Every year, ministers are forcing above-inflation price hikes on passengers who are being forced to stand on increasingly overcrowded trains," he said.
"The government should stop the tax train in its tracks now by adopting Liberal Democrat plans for an immediate fare freeze, paid for by taking money from the road-widening budget."
But a Department for Transport spokesman stated that the government is committed to sharing the cost of rail services fairly between taxpayers and passengers.
"It is estimated it would cost taxpayers an extra £500m a year to bring UK commuter fares in line with these other European countries, which are more heavily subsidised," he said.
"Since 1997 regulated fares have fallen sharply relative to earnings, rising less than a quarter as much as disposable income. With inflation now falling, fares will follow suit."
But shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "Under Labour, passengers have been forced to put up with eye-watering fare hikes in return for overcrowding levels that exceed 170 per cent on the worst services - so it's little wonder they feel they are not getting value for money on Labour's railways.
"Like Passenger Focus, Conservatives believe that passengers deserve better and the Government can do much more to ensure the rail industry delivers value for money.
"Labour's rail policy has focused on squeezing more and more money out of passengers with inflation busting fare hikes but a Conservative Government would put passengers first and make the rail industry focus on improved services and tackling overcrowding."
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