Omio Group has agreed to acquire Rail Europe, a global rail booking and distribution platform. The proposed transaction would expand Omio’s presence across consumer travel booking, business-to-business distribution and multimodal ground transportation.
Following completion, Rail Europe would join Omio’s consumer booking platform, Omio B2B and travel discovery brand Rome2Rio. Rail Europe would continue operating under its established name while gaining access to Omio Group’s technology, platform capabilities and broader transportation inventory.
The combined company would sell more than 22 million train tickets annually. It would also work with over 28,000 transportation operators, travel sellers and other partners across more than 70 countries.
Omio Group said the acquisition would create a broader ground transportation platform connecting travelers with rail, bus, air and ferry services. The combination is intended to improve how customers discover, compare and book trips across multiple forms of transportation.
Rail Europe brings more than 90 years of experience in international rail distribution. Its platform connects customers with approximately 250 rail providers, including SNCF, Eurostar, Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn, Renfe, SBB and ÖBB.
The company also distributes rail passes such as Eurail and the Swiss Travel Pass. Around 5 million train tickets are sold through Rail Europe’s platform each year.
Rail Europe works with approximately 25,000 travel sellers and partners in more than 70 countries. Omio expects this network to substantially expand its relationships with travel agencies, transportation operators and other distribution partners.
Omio would contribute its technology infrastructure, multimodal booking capabilities and international scale. Rail Europe would add its rail industry expertise, consumer brand and business-to-business distribution network.
The companies believe the combination would create a larger competitor within global rail distribution. Their goal is to make connected train travel easier to access and book across different operators, countries and transportation systems.
Rail systems can remain fragmented because operators often use separate reservation platforms, ticket formats and distribution processes. A larger technology and distribution platform could help travelers and travel agencies manage more of these options through a single system.
The proposed acquisition comes as rail travel is expected to benefit from major infrastructure investments. The global rail market is projected to exceed $300 billion by 2032, supported partly by European government spending intended to increase capacity and move more journeys away from air and road travel.
Omio Group was founded in 2013 and supports travelers from trip discovery and planning through booking and distribution. The company’s portfolio currently includes Omio, Omio B2B and Rome2Rio.
Following the proposed acquisition, the combined organization would employ approximately 680 people from more than 50 countries. It would operate offices in cities including Berlin, Paris, Singapore, Prague, Mumbai, Shanghai, Melbourne and Bangalore.
Rail Europe has approximately 205 employees and is headquartered in Paris. Its website, mobile application, customer service operations and distribution technology support both individual travelers and travel industry partners.
The acquisition remains subject to a consultation with Rail Europe’s Comité Social et Économique, the company’s employee representative body. The committee will provide an advisory opinion, and the transaction cannot be completed until the consultation process has concluded.
KEY QUOTES:
“This deal marks a transformative moment for the future of global ground transport. Omio and Rail Europe would give the industry a player with the technology and scale to make connected, accessible, and affordable train travel a reality for all. The sector has been constrained by outdated systems and controlled by dominant players for far too long.”
Jean-Francois Bessiron, Chief B2B Officer at Omio Group
“The past few years have been transformational for Rail Europe. With our teams and partners, we built an independent business and a unique position in the global rail industry. For the next chapter, Omio and Rail Europe are a natural fit. Omio brings significant scale and transformative technology. Rail Europe adds considerable rail experience, a trusted international consumer brand, and the strongest B2B distribution network. Together, we would offer more to our travellers, partners and the rail industry than either company could achieve on its own.”
Björn Bender, CEO and Executive Chairman of Rail Europe
