US Website Offers Convenient International Rail Travel Bookings

With climate change affecting travel and more rail routes coming into being a new website allows US and Canadian travelers a quick and easy way to book train tickets. This makes perfect sense at a time when high-speed trains and sleeper trains are gaining popularity again and short-haul flights going away. Read on to find out more about the website, Rail Online and how it can benefit travelers.

Rail Online: the one-stop shop for train tickets

These days, news about new high-speed train routes and overnight rail travel is constantly in the headlines. As plane travel causes travelers’ carbon footprint to increase, it makes sheer sense to travel by rail wherever possible. Now, it just got easier for US and Canadian travelers to book their train tickets. The international rail ticketing platform Rail Online has expanded its service to make life convenient when booking tickets.

Recently, France started banning short-haul flights, with Spain getting ready to do the same. In the meantime, countries across Europe and Asia are offering new high-speed rail routes and more sleeper trains to tempt people back to travel on the rails.

Cost and convenience

While travelers can still purchase train tickets directly from the provider in each country, Rail Online makes it easier to book all your vacation tickets in one go. But, what makes it even more attractive is that the website offers carrier fare price matching, as well as instant refunds on unwanted e-tickets.

Even better, using Rail Online’s service means that bookings are not subject to foreign currency transaction fees. This means that when travelers book in local US or Canadian dollars, they will see exactly how much they are spending with no hidden charges.

What rail tickets are currently available?

US and Canadian travelers can now use the updated Rail Online platform to book tickets with the following providers:

• Amtrak in the US
• VIA Rail in Canada
• SCBF in France including Eurostar
• Eurail – passes for rail itineraries across the EU.
• National Rail in the UK

Meanwhile, Trenitalia in Italy will also be available on the platform in the coming weeks. The website founder said that the company plans to add new rail network connections as regularly as possible.

How does it work?

When booking train tickets via Rail Online, travelers will be issued an e-ticket within minutes. Moreover, not only is this method of booking convenient for last-minute travelers, it is also environmentally beneficial, not only for saving carbon. The reason is that paper waste is eliminated and also reduces the risk of losing a ticket while traveling.

Why should you travel by train?

Anyone who is new to rail travel may wonder why you should travel by train instead of flying. Besides the obvious reduction in the carbon footprint, traveling by train for shorter journeys is often quicker and easier than hiring a car. There is no worry about being stuck in traffic or taking a wrong turn while traveling in a foreign country. Moreover, for longer intercity and intercountry journeys, travel by rail is faster, more reliable, and as mentioned, more environmentally friendly.

Meanwhile, in a lot of cases, rail travel is cheaper and easier than flying. Considering the cost of airport transfers, time spent sitting in the airport after check-in and the inconvenience of taking luggage onto a plane, it is more convenient.

Another aspect of train travel is that it is a fun and cheap way to move around, particularly in Europe. For instance, many EU train tickets cost under $10 if you plan your routes ahead of time. Also, let’s face it, it is great to relax on the train, watching the scenery go by along the way.

Visit the Rail Online website for more information and destinations.