For Canadian travel advisors, navigating different rail operators, ticket options and connections can make booking a European rail itinerary seem complicated.
In the latest episode of You Came to the Right Place, TravelPulse Canada's Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia welcome Laurent Tonnellier, General Manager, North and South America at Rail Europe, to discuss how the company is simplifying the booking process and why advisors should be thinking about rail much earlier in their clients' travel planning.
Rail Europe works with more than 250 rail providers across 33 countries, connecting approximately 40,000 train stations. Its booking platform allows advisors to search and book journeys involving multiple operators without having to navigate each railway's individual system.
Tonnellier says one of the biggest misconceptions among travel advisors is that they need extensive knowledge of Europe's rail networks to book train travel for their clients.
"In Europe, you don't need to be a train expert to propose and add train into your journey," he said.
Laurent Tonnellier, GM, North and South America, Rail Europe. (Photo Credit: Supplied)
He points to a journey between Milan and Nice as an example. Travellers must change trains in Ventimiglia, near the Italian-French border, switching between two different rail operators. Rail Europe's multi-carrier booking technology brings those connections together, allowing advisors to search for the entire journey rather than arranging each segment separately.
But making rail easier to book is only part of the conversation.
Tonnellier believes advisors are missing an opportunity when they treat train travel simply as transportation between destinations rather than an important part of the overall vacation experience.
From panoramic trains in Switzerland to overnight journeys that allow travellers to fall asleep in one city and wake up in another, rail can offer experiences that flying simply cannot.
He also discusses when trains make more sense than flights, the differences between rail passes and point-to-point tickets, and common mistakes travellers make when arranging their own journeys.
For advisors, understanding seat reservation requirements, connection times and the various operators serving the same route can make a significant difference in helping clients plan a smoother trip.
Looking ahead, Tonnellier says increased competition among European rail operators is creating more options for travellers, while Rail Europe continues to expand its booking tools and available routes.
The conversation also explores the growing interest in slower, more immersive travel, and why convenience and experience often play a greater role in travellers' decisions than sustainability alone.
And, of course, there's the podcast's signature Pulse Check, Tonnellier reveals his biggest train travel pet peeve, shares his favourite scenic journeys and chooses a rather fitting theme song for European rail travel.
After the interview, Lair and Mallia compare their own train experiences, from breathtaking Swiss mountain scenery and surprisingly efficient connections to some less glamorous moments aboard.
Episode 17 of You Came to the Right Place is sponsored by Princess Cruises.
Listen to the full episode below, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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