The Rise of Rail Part 3: Travel, Tech, and Why Trains Are Back with Frank Marini

Send us Fan Mail Rail is having a real moment, and not for the reasons most people think. The tracks haven’t changed, but how travelers see them has. In 2026, rail is no longer the alternative to flying or driving. It’s becoming the experience itself. To close out our Rise of Rail Series with Railbookers and Rail Month itself, Dan sits down with Railbookers CEO Frank Marini to unpack what’s really driving the rail renaissance and why more travelers are choosing the journey itself, not just the destination. We also get practical about the misconceptions that hold first-timers back, from “can you even get there by train?” to the real anxieties around luggage, station timing, and transfers. Frank explains how Railbookers packages rail, hotels, sightseeing, and logistics into one seamless journey, whether it’s a scenic route through Switzerland, high-speed travel in Italy, a North American classic like The Canadian, or a future-forward itinerary in Japan. Finally, we go deep on AI in travel and why rail is one of the most complex categories to digitize. Frank shares how his time studying AI at MIT shaped his thinking, how Railbookers is building internal tools like its Fast Track knowledge system, and where AI can add value next, from search and quality control to smarter, data-driven recommendations. Whether you’re a travel advisor, building travel tech, or simply looking for a better way to explore, this episode offers a clear view of where rail is heading through 2030. Learn more at Railbookers.com and Rail Month. The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/