TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
In this article, you can find out all about the functionalities and abilities you have while performing a rail search. We will explain to you how you can use our system in the best possible way, and what can you achieve and expect.
Note: The rail module needs to be activated by Thomalex. If you do not have it already, and you are interested in using it, contact our support team so they can activate it for your agency.
Note: The rail module is available only for Corporate/B2B websites.
Fields on Booking Engine
Once the rail module is activated, you will have (depending on which other modules you are using) the Train icon in a row with the rest (Air, Car, Hotel):
Image 1. Train module
We have 2 types of search:
- One way
- Roundtrip
Let's explain the flow assuming you want to search roundtrip.
In order to do that you will first need to choose the roundtrip just by clicking on the roundtrip button.
Once you do it, the roundtrip button will be blue, and the arrival date will appear immediately and expand the last row:
Image 2. Train search-Roundtrip
Name of the trip
You can enable or disable this field. It doesn't mandatory need to be visible on the search page. It is a free text box, and if it is visible on the search engine it is mandatory to be full-field in order to perform a search.
Info: You can read more about how to disable Trip Name from the booking engine in Travel Group Settings
Select Trip Reason
Assuming that you disabled the Trip Name, now you will only be left with the Select Trip Reason option:
Image 3. Rail module-Disabled Name of the Trip
If the Trip reason wasn't deleted or disabled, it is mandatory in order to do the search. It is in the form of a list, and you need to choose one of the list items (if you added multiple). If not, the system will by default, add the Business as Trip Reason.
Info: Read about the Trip Reason and it functionality.
Basic search flow
First, you will need to define the destination (From and To). The system will give you the dropdown list as you start typing one letter:
Image 4. Train Search-FromTo
If you, for example, want to search Paris, just continue typing and the system will list all available stations in Paris:
Image 5. Paris dropdown train stations
The same rule applies to arrival destination, you just need to start typing and click on the wanted destination.
Let's assume that you have already chosen the From/To destination.
Now, you will need to choose the Departure and Arrival time/date.
Once you click on the Departure (and Arrival date), the system will automatically show the calendar so you can choose the month and date:
Image 6. Departure/Arrival Date
The time is not mandatory to be set, you can leave it as default 6:00, but if you want, you have the ability to choose the concrete time:
Image 7. Choosing Time
Passengers
You can specify the number of passengers, by clicking on the passenger field the popup will appear:
Image 8. Number of Passengers
You can add passengers by clicking on the plus icon, or you can modify the existing predefined Passenger:
Image 8. Add/Modify Passenger
This way you can change the age of passengers, and also add the commercial cards and subscriptions if the passenger has them.
Cards/subscriptions- Find in the list what you want to check and it will apply to search results:
Image 9. Cards and subscriptions
Promo code-Enable the option if you have the promo code or voucher, and the system will allow you to add the code into the field:
Image 10. Promo code/voucher
Direct only-Enable only results for direct routes.
Results page-Shopping Cart
You have now defined all fields and specified where you want to travel, after clicking the Search button the system will redirect you to the result page where the rail results will be listed chronologically:
Image 11. Results (Direct only)
The example above is showing only the direct routes which we have previously selected.
You will have the ability to sort results as follows or to filter them.
Sort by: Once you click departure (earliest) which is by default set, you will have the dropdown list and you will be able to choose how you want to sort the results. When you click, the result will sort automatically:
Image 12. Sort by
Filter by: When you click on the Filter button the list of carriers available for selected search, the departure time which you can choose, and you can unselect the direct routes only, if you want to have all results listed):
Image 13. Filter by
Available classes
You will have the list of available classes, and when you click on the wanted class, the view will expand and you will be able to see the full information about the time/date and what is included in the ticket.
You can check the terms and conditions, by clicking on the hyperlinked link below the Select button.
Image 14. 2nd class
In the second example, you can see that we have more options for 1st class, so depending on your demands and wishes you can choose the type of class.
Image 15. 1st class
We will now continue with creating a reservation. The next step is to choose the class and click on Select. After you do that, you will have the option to choose the Car and seating preference.
Click on Select this journey button to proceed:
Image 16. Car/Seat preference
Note: The roundtrip rail search will behave same as one way search. You will need to choose first the departure route, and after you select it, the system will start searching for departing routes. the flow remains the same.
When you add both departure and arrival routes, the system will show the chosen routes and redirect you to the shopping cart:
Image 17. Roundtrip added to shopping cart
Besides the information about the passenger, in the shopping cart, you will have also the field called Loyalty program.
The dropdown will appear for available loyalty cards, and you can choose if you have any so you can add the number in the Card number field:
Image 18. Loyalty Program
In the Price Details, you will have the information about the full price by segments, and any additional added charge will be listed in this section:
Image 19. Shopping cart
The payment options that are set for the website on which you are doing the booking, will appear under the Train Payment Options.
After you choose the Form of payment (in the case of Train reservation- choose Invoice), the only thing left is just to double-check if the information is correctly inserted in the shopping cart and click on it.
The system will finish the reservation and the Reference number will appear on Thank you page:
Image 20. Successful booking (PNR created)
After the PNR was generated and the booking was finished successfully, you will receive an email for a confirmed booking.
Both email and PDF will contain all of the important information about the reservation, including the booking reference number, passenger details, and information about the booked train.
Image 21. Email for confirmed booking