AccesRail
A Canadian intermodal travel distributor that uses airline code 9B to make partner rail and bus journeys bookable through airline reservation systems.
About AccesRail
AccesRail was established in Canada in 1998 and is associated with ACP Rail International. Despite carrying the IATA designator 9B and appearing in airline reservation systems, it is not a conventional passenger airline. Its role is to distribute rail and bus journeys in an airline-compatible format, allowing surface sectors to be booked alone or combined with flights on participating itineraries.
The company is based in Montreal, but it has no aviation hub in the usual sense. Its network is built from partnerships with ground transport operators rather than flights operated from a base airport. AccesRail currently presents products across Europe, Asia and North America, including rail or bus options in countries such as France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Canada and the United States.
AccesRail owns and operates no aircraft, so fleet type and airline cabin classes do not apply. The actual train or coach operator provides the journey, seating, accessibility arrangements and onboard amenities. Depending on the partner and fare, travellers may see different accommodation categories, reservation requirements and service standards; the marketing carrier code 9B identifies the ticketing arrangement, not a uniform onboard product.
AccesRail is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, and it does not run a traditional frequent-flyer programme. Its principal value is distribution: participating rail and bus segments can appear in global distribution systems and may be issued on AccesRail ticket stock or incorporated into an interline itinerary. Eligibility for airline miles, through-checking or disruption protection depends on the specific airline, operator and ticket conditions.
A genuine strength is the ability to place a ground connection and a flight within a familiar booking workflow, which can simplify access to cities without a convenient airport and support lower-emission travel choices. The challenge is that responsibilities are split among AccesRail, the validating or interline airline, and the operating rail or bus company. Travellers should therefore check who operates each segment, where to collect or download the travel document, how much connection time is allowed, and which company handles changes or missed connections.
Good to know
Flying with AccesRail — what to expect
Not An Airline
AccesRail does not operate aircraft. A 9B sector represents travel provided by a partner rail or bus company.
Retrieve Your Ticket
An airline itinerary or confirmation may not itself be valid for boarding the train or coach. Follow the booking instructions to obtain the operating company's travel document before departure.
Check Station Names
Surface sectors usually depart from railway or bus stations rather than airport terminals. Confirm the exact station and allow enough time to transfer between it and the airport.
Operator Rules Apply
Baggage limits, seat reservations, onboard facilities and check-in procedures are set by the company operating the train or bus. Review that operator's conditions for every 9B segment.
Disruption Responsibilities
Rebooking protection varies according to how the journey was ticketed and the participating carriers' agreements. Keep all sectors on the intended itinerary where possible and contact the issuing agent promptly after a disruption.
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FAQ
AccesRail — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- AccesRail does not publish a definitive longest route, and its partner network changes over time. The length and timetable of each 9B sector are determined by the rail or bus operator providing it.
- AccesRail sells ground transport rather than plane tickets. Prices depend on the partner operator, route, travel date and fare conditions, and advance-purchase fares may be cheaper when available.
- AccesRail has no primary airline hub because it does not operate flights. It is based in Montreal and distributes partner rail and bus services across multiple countries.
- AccesRail does not fly to any destination. Code 9B is used to sell participating rail and bus journeys in airline booking systems across parts of Europe, Asia and North America.
- AccesRail has no flight destinations, and a single stable count is not meaningful for its changing portfolio of partner stations and stops. Consult the current itinerary or AccesRail partner listing for available ground connections.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. For AccesRail, available results may include eligible rail or bus sectors sold under code 9B rather than an AccesRail-operated flight.
- There is no published ranking of departure airports because AccesRail operates no flights. Its 9B sectors normally begin at partner railway or bus stations, sometimes providing connections to or from major airports.
- AccesRail does not impose one universal carry-on allowance. The operating rail or bus company's baggage rules apply to the surface sector, while any connecting airline applies its own separate limits.