Booking international rail journeys has just got easier for travel advisors with the launch of Rail Online, a new specialist operator created locally by three Australian travel industry leaders and powered by SilverRail’s technology.
The brainchild of former Rail Europe Australasia executives, James Dunne, Lachlan McCallum and Kew Muthalif, Rail Online is now live with operations across Australia and the UK.
The company also unveiled a partnership with rail technology leader SilverRail, whose software currently facilitates more than 30 million online rail bookings each year.
Using a travel agent tab on Rail Online’s new booking platform, consultants can search, compare and book European rail passes, as well as point-to-point tickets across the United Kingdom.
Additional rail networks across continental Europe and North America will be added in the coming months, just in time for Australian travellers to re-engage with the world.
The company says it has direct access to the most competitive rates, with all products issued as e-tickets. Its payment process is simple, with prices displayed in Australian dollars, eliminating messy foreign exchange fees.
There are no booking fees, and agents can self-manage desired itinerary changes or refunds – providing the flexibility and immediacy demanded by the current climate.
Point-to-point fares are offered at nett rates, while Rail Online is offering a special launch commission of 7% on Eurail Passes.
CEO James Dunne, who has also previously held senior executive roles at Singapore Airlines and Austrian Airlines, says that Australian travellers have always understood the cost savings and unrivalled convenience offered by train travel, particularly when it came to multi-destination European holidays.
However, he believes we are on the cusp of a dramatic expansion of the international rail market.
“Thanks to the advent of rail e-tickets, Australian travel advisors can now access an unprecedented array of cheap online fares,” says Dunne.
“At the same time, demand for rail is being driven by the roll-out of new high-speed networks that make train journeys even more efficient, elegant and environmentally sustainable.
“Rail Online plays a pivotal role in ensuring rail travel realises its true potential in 2022 and beyond.”
Agents can register for Rail Online here.