Travel website TripAdvisor recently launched a beta version of rail itineraries into its flight meta-search engine, TripAdvisor Flights.

TripAdvisor has partnered with mobility and logistic company Deutsche Bahn, as well as other top European rail providers, including Rail Europe, to give travelers access to train choices across continental Europe as they plan trips. The website is the first to integrate multiple rail providers in-line with flight options across a global network, according to the company.

When travelers conduct a flight search on TripAdvisor, the site will now display rail itineraries alongside flight choices for routes where it's relevant and in some cases priced even cheaper than air travel, such as London to Paris, or Frankfurt to Brussels. Travelers will then be able to filter the search results according to their travel needs and conveniently click to complete the booking on the air or rail website of their choice.

In addition, travelers will be able to access all of the tools offered by TripAdvisor Flights, including the Fees Estimator, to easily compare the true cost of their flight and train options.

Rail itineraries for continental Europe are now available through the TripAdvisor Flights meta-search engines in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, German and Spain, with itineraries in additional countries scheduled to launch on future dates.

Travelers also can shop rail itineraries when conducting flight searches through the free TripAdvisor mobile apps for the iPhone, Android, Nokia, Windows Phone 7 and Palm smart phones, the iPad, and through the TripAdvisor mobile website.