Case Study: Empowering Growth: How International Rail Transformed Ferry Booking with Direct Ferries API
International Rail is a leading Australian B2B travel supplier specializing in global rail passes and ferry ticket sales. The company supports over 2,000 travel agents across Australia and New Zealand, with a growing international client base.
The challenge
International Rail originally booked ferry tickets manually through Direct Ferries’ agent portal. As demand for ferry travel surged, they sought a scalable solution.
The solution
In 2025, International Rail transitioned from using the Direct Ferries travel agency booking portal to its own in-house platform powered by the Direct Ferries API.
Single API integration enables access to ticketing for over 300 ferry operators worldwide.
Seamless booking experience for travel agents, who can now reserve ferry tickets directly through their existing portal—no need to contact the International Rail team.
User-friendly customer service tools make managing bookings simple and efficient.
Results
Following the migration to the new ferry booking platform, International Rail saw a significant increase in bookings and improved satisfaction among travel agents.
Seamless self-service experience through robust API integration
Enhanced automation enabled faster, more efficient, and error-free bookings
Scalable operations supported higher booking volumes without additional resources
Improved accessibility empowered customers to easily book and manage their journeys
“Transitioning to our in-house booking platform powered by the Direct Ferries API has been a game-changer for International Rail. The seamless integration and automation have not only boosted our booking volumes significantly but also elevated the experience for our travel agents and customers alike. The scalability and efficiency of the new system have empowered us to meet growing demand effortlessly. We’re thrilled with the transformation and excited about what the future holds. ”
