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European airlines expand networks with combined air-rail ticket options

European airlines expand networks with combined air-rail ticket options
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Ellie Nan Storck Managing editor | The Points Guy

Many European airlines are now offering combined air and rail tickets, enabling travelers to book both modes of transportation on a single ticket. This development allows passengers to reach smaller cities not served by airlines or without airports.

One advantage of these combined tickets is that if a flight delay causes you to miss your train or vice versa, the airline typically takes responsibility for rebooking. Additionally, some programs allow travelers to earn airline miles on the train segment of their trip.

Train travel often proves less stressful than flying since it generally requires less time at the station and involves shorter security lines. Moreover, trains produce fewer emissions than planes, reducing the carbon footprint of trips.

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Here's an overview of nine popular airlines' air and rail offerings:

Delta Air Lines' Air + Rail program

Delta's program helps passengers reach over 20 European cities not served by Delta. When booking, itineraries include both air and rail segments under one price. However, SkyMiles members will not earn miles for the train ride portion.

United Airlines' train partners

United collaborates with several European rail companies to assist travelers in reaching smaller towns in multiple countries. Some partners allow earning MileagePlus miles on ground transportation.

Air France's plane and train journeys

Air France offers four types of air and rail tickets with varying guidelines regarding luggage transfer between train and plane segments. Travelers can earn Flying Blue miles on most train segments.

Austrian Airlines' AIRail program

This service allows travel by train between Vienna Airport and select Austrian cities with a connection guarantee against delays.

Iberia's Train & Fly tickets

Iberia services over a dozen Spanish cities by train but finding available routes online may be challenging.

ITA Airways' AccesRail service

Italy's national airline offers combined air and rail tickets through AccesRail across various European locations.

Condor's Rail&Fly service

German airline Condor provides combined tickets in conjunction with Deutsche Bahn AG railway company starting from $34 per person per journey in second class.

Swiss' Air Rail program

Swiss enables travel to many railway stations in Switzerland as well as Munich and Bregenz with easy booking processes for combined journeys.

Lufthansa's Rail&Fly tickets

Lufthansa offers access to over 5,600 Deutsche Bahn stations throughout Germany starting at approximately $35 for a one-way adult ticket in second class.

Organizations Included in this History
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