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Omio
Omio
from Wikipedia

Omio (legally: GoEuro Travel GmbH), formerly known as GoEuro, is a German online travel comparison and booking website based in Berlin, Germany.[1] It was founded in 2013 as GoEuro by Naren Shaam.[2][3]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Indian-born entrepreneur Naren Shaam, a 2012 Harvard Business School MBA graduate,[4] founded the company in 2013 under the name GoEuro. Initially focused on German and British rail and bus data, the platform rapidly expanded to cover 500 operators in 36 European countries by 2018.[5]

In 2019, the website rebranded itself as Omio and acquired the Australian travel website Rome2rio.[6]

In January 2020, Omio expanded to Canada and the United States.[6]

COVID-19 contraction and recovery (2020–2022)

[edit]

The COVID-19 pandemic cut Omio’s revenues by 98 percent in March 2020, leading to large-scale furloughs and a switch to “keep-the-lights-on” operations.[7]

Recent developments

[edit]

In 2024, Omio partnered with Companjon to offer Omio Flex, allowing users to cancel journey tickets up to two hours before departure time.[8]

Business model and services

[edit]

Omio aggregates schedules, fares and seat inventories from rail, coach, air and ferry operators, normalising disparate data sets into a single search interface.[9]

Omio employs more than 300 people and is active in 37 countries globally.[10]

The website is available in 21 languages.[11] It offers travelers the ability to organize transportation requirements such as trains, planes, buses, etc by using their easy-to-use platform.[12] It covers 207 European airports, over ten thousand central bus stations, and over twenty thousand train stations.[2]

Funding and valuation

[edit]

Since launch Omio has raised roughly US$480 million in venture financing from investors including Temasek, Kinnevik, Goldman Sachs and NEA. and resumed full operations as intra-European ground travel rebounded late in the year.[7][13]

Major rounds include a US$150 million Series C in 2018, the US$100 million convertible note in 2020[14], and the US$80 million Series E in 2022.[13]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Omio is a multinational online travel booking platform specializing in multi-modal transportation options, including trains, buses, flights, ferries, car rentals, and airport transfers across Europe, North America, South America, and parts of Asia. Founded in 2013 in Berlin, Germany, as GoEuro, the company rebranded to Omio in 2019 and operates as Omio Travel GmbH, integrating services from over 1,000 transportation providers to enable users to search, compare, and book journeys via its website and mobile app. Headquartered in Berlin with additional offices in London, New York, Prague, and Beijing, Omio employs over 400 people from more than 50 countries and focuses on facilitating sustainable travel by promoting alternatives to flying. The platform's core features include real-time journey updates, , and , with an emphasis on affordability and environmental impact; for instance, about 25% of its users opt to switch from flights to trains, resulting in over 50% reduction in carbon emissions for those trips. Omio processes over 80,000 tickets daily, serving millions of travelers annually and positioning itself as a key player in the digital travel ecosystem by aggregating fragmented transport data into a unified search . Its mission centers on empowering users to plan seamless, eco-friendly trips, reflecting a broader industry shift toward integrated and low-emission mobility solutions.

History

Founding and early expansion (2013–2015)

Omio, originally launched as GoEuro, was founded in in 2013 by Naren Shaam, a Harvard-educated entrepreneur who identified the challenges of fragmented booking systems for cross-border rail and other transport in Europe during his travels. In March 2013, the startup secured $4 million in seed funding led by and Ventures, enabling initial development and launch preparations. GoEuro debuted in May as a web-based aggregator for multi-modal travel, allowing users to search, compare, and book trains, buses, and flights across to simplify international journeys. The platform integrated real-time schedules and pricing from major operators, such as in , addressing the lack of unified tools for seamless cross-border planning. Initial markets included and the , with the service emphasizing ease of use for routes spanning multiple countries. By late 2013, GoEuro expanded to , followed by and in 2014, reaching seven European countries as it built partnerships with additional rail and bus providers. Further growth in 2015 brought coverage to 11 countries, enhancing connectivity across a population of over 400 million and solidifying its role in European aggregation. A key milestone that year was the launch of its for and Android, extending the platform's accessibility beyond desktop users.

Growth and European dominance (2016–2018)

Following the $45 million Series B funding round in December 2015, led by Investment Partners with participation from Atomico and others, GoEuro accelerated its operational scaling into , including a subsequent $70 million in from Silver Lake Kraftwerk and Caufield & Byers. These funds supported rapid team expansion, growing from around 100 employees in early to over 200 by late that year, primarily in , product development, and market operations across . This influx enabled the company to solidify its position as a multi-modal aggregator, transitioning from a primary focus on trains and buses to a comprehensive platform. In 2016, GoEuro fully integrated flight bookings, evolving into a one-stop search and reservation service for trains, buses, and domestic flights across , with partnerships enabling access to over 500 transport providers initially. By the end of 2016, coverage expanded from 12 to 30 European countries, including new markets like through a key partnership with for rail, coach, and air options. Product enhancements during this period included refined flexible booking options allowing date changes and refunds where available, alongside price alerts to notify users of fare drops, building on earlier features to improve user retention. API integrations were also advanced for third-party developers and partners, facilitating seamless data access for route planning and bookings. By 2018, GoEuro had achieved dominance in European aggregation, operating in 36 countries with partnerships exceeding 800 providers, including major operators like and . Monthly active users surged from 10 million in 2016 to 27 million, reflecting strong adoption amid expansions into markets like , , and . A $150 million growth round in October 2018, led by alongside and Hillhouse Capital, valued the company at up to $1 billion and underscored its European leadership. However, the company navigated challenges from regulatory hurdles in accessing real-time rail data across member states, where fragmented ticketing systems and varying national rules on data sharing complicated multi-operator integrations, as highlighted in industry reports on passenger rail barriers.

Rebranding, acquisitions, and COVID-19 impact (2019–2022)

In February 2019, GoEuro rebranded to Omio to emphasize its ambitions beyond , introducing a new featuring two interconnected "O"s symbolizing global connectivity and launching a campaign focused on seamless multimodal worldwide. Later that year, in October 2019, Omio acquired Rome2rio, an Australian-based route planning platform, for an undisclosed amount, enabling the integration of advanced tools for discovering and planning multi-modal journeys across global transport networks. Building on this momentum, Omio entered the North American market in January 2020, launching services in the US and Canada with partnerships to over 20 providers, including Amtrak and VIA Rail, to offer bus, train, and flight bookings across more than 23,000 routes. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted these plans, with Omio experiencing a 98% drop in revenue and bookings in early 2020 due to widespread travel restrictions and lockdowns. In response, the company implemented significant staff reductions, including layoffs and short-time work arrangements, while pivoting its marketing to campaigns encouraging users to "stay safe, stay home" and facilitating refunds under supplier policies amid heightened demand for flexibility. To weather the crisis, Omio secured $100 million in convertible debt financing in 2020 from investors including and Kinnevik, providing liquidity to sustain operations during the downturn. By 2021, as travel restrictions eased, Omio supported gradual reopening by incorporating health protocols and real-time information into its app via the Open Travel Index, which tracked disruptions, testing requirements, and rules to aid informed planning. By 2022, Omio achieved a strong rebound, with revenues surpassing double pre-pandemic levels and the platform expanding its coverage to support bookings in over 30 countries, reflecting renewed user engagement in a recovering global sector. By 2025, Omio had raised over $739 million in total funding.

Post-recovery developments (2023–present)

By 2023, Omio had fully recovered from the downturn, achieving record bookings that surpassed pre-pandemic levels while emphasizing sustainable travel options, including low-emission routes via trains and buses. In , the company secured a $120 million to fund technology upgrades and expansion initiatives, alongside strengthened U.S. market presence through key bus partnerships. Omio also reported accelerated growth, closing the year EBITDA-positive, with its expanding 30% year-over-year and facilitating 80,000 daily ticket sales. Omio's 2025 milestones included the establishment of a Singapore-based AI hub in July 2025, announced in October in with EDBI, aimed at developing AI-driven features for enhanced user experiences in route and booking. The company released its annual NowNext '25 in October, analyzing trends toward "intentional travel," where users prioritize conscious, value-driven trips with advanced . Further partnerships bolstered Omio's network that year, including a agreement with Transcor Data Services to integrate additional U.S. intercity bus operators, unlocking hundreds of new routes starting in Q3. In , Omio collaborated with Kolet to offer global connectivity, providing all users with 1GB of free data upon arrival at destinations across 46 countries. An additional deal with Trailways expanded long-distance bus options in the U.S. and , signed in and effective immediately. Sustainability remained central, with Omio integrating carbon offset tools into its platform and actively promoting train travel over flights to lower emissions, aligning with user preferences for eco-friendly as detailed in its 2025 reports. Supported by AI enhancements for predictive pricing and route optimization to improve accessibility and efficiency.

Operations

Services and platform features

Omio's platform serves as a multi-modal search and booking engine, aggregating options for trains, buses, flights, ferries, cars, and airport transfers from over 2,300 transportation providers across 46 countries, spanning Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and South America. Recent expansions include entry into Brazil in October 2025 and strengthened presence in six Southeast Asian countries as of April 2025. This comprehensive coverage enables users to compare routes and schedules in a single interface, facilitating seamless planning for both domestic and international journeys. Omio is particularly effective for purchasing international train tickets from Budapest, Hungary, offering a user-friendly English interface and the ability to compare prices across operators including MÁV, ÖBB, and RegioJet. It supports bookings for popular routes such as Budapest to Vienna, Prague, and other European cities. For the absolute cheapest fares on select routes (e.g., START Europa deals), the official MÁV app is an alternative, but it often features poorer English support, payment issues, and mixed reviews for international purchases. The booking process on Omio emphasizes convenience and transparency, offering real-time pricing updates, seat selection via interactive maps for trains and flights, and direct purchases that deliver e-tickets instantly to users' accounts or mobile devices. Group bookings are supported, allowing multiple passengers to be reserved together with options for adjacent ing, while integration with provider loyalty programs—such as Trenitalia's CartaFreccia—enables users to earn and redeem points during the transaction. Refunds and changes adhere to provider-specific policies, supplemented by Omio Flex, an optional add-on that permits cancellations for any reason up to 15 minutes before departure with up to 100% reimbursement, depending on the route and carrier. Planning tools enhance user experience through interactive maps and advanced journey planners derived from the 2019 acquisition of Rome2Rio, which provides route suggestions combining multiple transport modes. Filters allow customization for eco-friendly choices, such as prioritizing low-emission trains or buses—where one in four users reportedly switches from flights to reduce carbon footprints by over 50%—or budget-oriented selections by sorting results by price, duration, or direct connections. Customer support operates via 24/7 chat and email in English, with additional multilingual assistance available in up to five languages during extended hours, ensuring global accessibility for resolving booking issues or travel disruptions. Accessibility features focus on informational support rather than direct reservations, with platform guides highlighting wheelchair-friendly routes, reduced-mobility discounts from providers (e.g., up to 70% off with SNCF), and requirements for requesting assistance like ramps or guide dog accommodations directly from operators. Omio also publishes reports on rail accessibility across European countries, ranking options like the Netherlands as a leader for disabled passengers. The complements these services with offline access to stored e-tickets, push notifications for real-time delays and updates, and in-app management of itineraries, making it a centralized hub for on-the-go without constant connectivity.

Technology and partnerships

Omio's core technological infrastructure relies on a proprietary search engine that leverages algorithms to optimize routes by analyzing vast datasets of schedules, pricing, and availability. This system enables efficient multi-modal journey planning across trains, buses, flights, and ferries, drawing from integrations with global databases maintained by over 2,300 providers. In terms of AI innovations, Omio employs for , which helps anticipate booking trends and adjust inventory in real-time to improve availability and pricing accuracy. The company's technology hub, established in July 2025 in partnership with EDBI, focuses on advancing personalized recommendations through AI-driven features that tailor travel options based on user preferences, past behaviors, and contextual data like or . This hub aims to pioneer an "AI-first" platform for global mobility enhancements. Omio maintains extensive data partnerships with major transport operators to ensure comprehensive coverage and seamless booking. These include agreements with rail providers such as in and in the United States, bus companies like and , and airlines including , following a key partnership announced in September 2024 that expanded flight options across . These collaborations provide direct access to real-time inventory, enabling Omio to aggregate and compare options from over 2,300 travel partners worldwide. The 2019 acquisition of Rome2Rio significantly enhanced Omio's capabilities in handling multi-leg trips, incorporating Rome2Rio's advanced routing algorithms that evaluate combinations of transport modes for optimal door-to-door itineraries. More recently, in October 2025, Omio integrated with Kolet through a strategic partnership, improving travel connectivity by enabling seamless activation for international data access during journeys. These integrations bolster the platform's ability to offer end-to-end travel solutions without disrupting . For security and compliance, Omio adheres strictly to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implementing robust data protection measures including and user consent protocols for personal information handling. Payments are processed via secure gateways supporting credit cards like Visa and , along with other methods such as , in 26 currencies to facilitate global transactions while minimizing fraud risks through verification processes. Looking ahead, Omio's innovation pipeline, centered on the hub, includes ongoing developments in AI to enhance predictive and personalized travel experiences, with explorations into advanced technologies for more intuitive mobility solutions as outlined in the company's 2035 Future Journeys report.

Corporate structure

Leadership and headquarters

Omio is led by founder and CEO Naren Shaam, who established the company in 2013 as GoEuro and has guided its evolution into a global travel platform. Shaam, born in and raised in Bangalore, holds an MBA from and brings prior experience in the financial and automotive industries, where he managed multimillion-dollar product portfolios in the United States. The executive team includes key roles focused on operations, technology, and market expansion. Tomas Vocetka oversees engineering and innovation, with a particular emphasis on integrating to enhance multimodal travel search capabilities. Veronica DiQuattro serves as President of B2C , a position she assumed in 2023 to drive revenue growth and strategic partnerships across European consumer markets, drawing on her background at and . Other senior leaders include Jean-Bernard Moens, who manages business operations and finance, and Facundo Viguie Aleman. The board of directors features representatives from major investors, providing strategic oversight. From NEA, partners Rick Yang and Forest Baskett serve as board members, contributing expertise in marketplaces and technology scaling. Omio's headquarters are located in , , at Warschauer Platz 12, where the company was founded in 2013. The Berlin office serves as the primary hub for product development and engineering teams, supporting the company's overall workforce of approximately 430 employees from over 50 countries. Company culture emphasizes flexibility and inclusivity, particularly through expanded policies adopted post-COVID-19 to accommodate a distributed global team. Omio promotes diversity as a core strength, fostering an environment that values varied backgrounds to drive innovation in . Legally, Omio operates as GoEuro Travel in , with the broader group structured under Omio Corp., a corporation. The company maintains compliance with technology regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for processing and broader antitrust rules to ensure fair in digital services.

Global coverage and offices

Omio maintains extensive global coverage, operating in 46 countries across , with a primary focus on , where it provides comprehensive multi-modal transportation options including trains, buses, flights, and ferries in over 30 countries. In , the platform serves the and , enabling bookings for major operators like and intercity buses. Emerging markets in the region, particularly , have seen recent expansions, with inventory added for six countries in 2025 to integrate local rail, bus, and flight services. South America expansion includes as of October 2025. The company's headquarters is located in Berlin, Germany, at Warschauer Platz 12, serving as the central hub for operations and innovation. Additional regional offices support localized sales, development, and partnerships: London, United Kingdom, focuses on UK market activities; New York, United States, handles North American operations; Prague, Czech Republic, handles Central European functions; Beijing, China, supports Asian initiatives; Melbourne, Australia, oversees Asia-Pacific coordination; Bangalore, India, supports technology and engineering; São Paulo, Brazil, aids South American initiatives; and a new hub in Singapore established in 2025 serves as the APAC regional headquarters and Global AI Centre of Excellence. The Singapore office, managed by Maneesh Mishra as Head of AI, emphasizes AI-driven enhancements for travel mobility across the region. Omio's platform features regional adaptations to meet diverse market needs, such as tailored search interfaces for routes in the and integration of and bus networks in following the 2025 expansion. With approximately 430 employees hailing from more than 50 countries, the workforce is distributed across these global offices to ensure culturally attuned service delivery and technological support. This international structure enables Omio to process over 80,000 ticket bookings daily while fostering partnerships that expand coverage in key growth areas.

Finances

Funding history

Omio's funding journey began in March 2013 with a round of $4 million, led by Ventures and , along with angel investors including Dave Baggett from and Jeff Sagansky from Global Eagle Entertainment. This initial capital supported early product development, recruitment, and preparations for market launch across . In December 2015, Omio secured $45 million in a Series B round led by Investment Partners, with participation from Atomico, , Tom Stafford, , and Ilkka Paananen. The funds were allocated to accelerate growth, integrate new transport partners, enhance product features, and expand customer acquisition efforts. The company raised $70 million in an October 2016 Series C round, co-led by Silver Lake Kraftwerk and Kleiner Perkins, building on its prior momentum to fuel European expansion. This investment enabled further platform enhancements and market penetration. Omio's Series D funding arrived in October 2018 with $150 million from Kinnevik AB, Temasek, and Hillhouse Capital Group, one of the largest rounds for a German startup at the time. The proceeds were directed toward product innovation, entry into new markets, and unifying transport options globally. Amid the , Omio raised $100 million in August 2020 from a mix of existing and new investors, including , Kinnevik, Asset Management L.P., (NEA), and . This round provided crucial support for organic growth, potential , and strengthening service offerings during industry challenges. In June 2022, Omio secured an additional $80 million from new investors Lazard Asset Management and Stack Capital Group, alongside existing backers, to capitalize on rebounding travel demand. The capital facilitated global expansion revival, including hires and acquisitions. By 2022, Omio had amassed approximately $480 million in total equity funding across these and smaller rounds. Key long-term investors include NEA, Temasek, Kleiner Perkins, Kinnevik, Goldman Sachs entities, Atomico, and Battery Ventures, with some strategic alignments involving transport sector partners. Later rounds emphasized international hiring and acquisition strategies to scale operations. In December 2024, Omio obtained a $120 million facility from Hercules Capital to bolster liquidity and support ongoing growth initiatives.

Valuation and revenue

Omio's valuation was last publicly reported at approximately $1 billion following its $150 million round in October 2018. Subsequent funding rounds, including a $100 million round in 2020 and an $80 million Series E in June 2022, did not disclose updated valuations, as they focused on and amid post-pandemic recovery. In December 2024, Omio secured a $120 million facility from Hercules Capital to support expansion, marking its latest financial milestone without an equity-based revaluation. Revenue for Omio reached €96.8 million in 2018, reflecting strong pre-pandemic growth as the company expanded its multi-modal booking platform across . The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted operations in 2020. Revenue rebounded strongly post-pandemic, exceeding twice pre-pandemic figures in 2022 and more than doubling quarterly compared to pre-pandemic levels by early 2023, driven by surging demand for train and bus bookings as travel restrictions lifted. Entering 2024, Omio reported accelerated growth, with its expanding 30% year-over-year and facilitating 80,000 daily ticket sales across global routes. The company achieved EBITDA profitability for the full year, with annual ticket sales surpassing $1 billion, a key indicator of operational amid investments in Southeast Asian expansion planned for 2025. These developments underscore Omio's transition from recovery to scalable profitability in the competitive aggregation sector.

References

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