The German booking platform Omio has signed an agreement to acquire Rail Europe, one of the best-known international distributors of train tickets. The transaction would create one of the world’s largest intermediaries for ground transportation, with operations in over 70 countries.
Omio Group, a Berlin-based company that sells train, bus, plane, and ferry tickets, announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the French platform Rail Europe.
Upon completion of the transaction, Rail Europe would join the Omio Group, alongside the traveler booking platform, the corporate distribution division, and the trip-planning service Rome2Rio.
Rail Europe will retain its name and continue to work with both passengers and ticket agencies and distributors.
22 million train tickets annually
The company resulting from the transaction is expected to sell over 22 million train tickets per year and collaborate with more than 28,000 transportation operators, agencies, and distributors.
Omio will gain access to the Rail Europe network, which operates in over 70 countries and consists of approximately 25,000 partners.
Rail Europe currently sells about 5 million train tickets annually and provides access to the services of approximately 250 operators, including SNCF, Eurostar, Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn, Renfe, SBB, and ÖBB.
The platform also distributes products such as Eurail passes and the Swiss Travel Pass.
Rail Europe Retains Its Brand
Rail Europe, a company with a history spanning approximately 90 years, will continue to operate under its own brand but will be able to utilize Omio’s technology, reservation systems, and multimodal offerings.
For the German group, the acquisition means expanding its partner network and strengthening its presence in international markets. Rail Europe will bring its expertise in rail ticket distribution and relationships with travel agencies.
“Omio and Rail Europe would provide the industry with a player that has the technology and scale needed to make connected, accessible, and convenient rail travel a reality,” said Jean-François Bessiron, head of the B2B division at Omio Group.
Björn Bender, CEO and Executive Chairman of Rail Europe, stated that the two companies are complementary.
“Omio brings significant scale and market-transforming technology, while Rail Europe contributes rail expertise, a well-known international brand, and a strong distribution network,” he said.
The transaction has not yet been finalized
The acquisition is subject to consultation with the Social and Economic Committee (CSE), the French body representing employees, which must issue an opinion on the transaction.
The acquisition will not be finalized until this procedure is complete.
Following the acquisition, Omio Group is expected to have approximately 680 employees from over 50 countries.
The group will have offices in Berlin, Paris, Singapore, Prague, Mumbai, Shanghai, Melbourne, and Bangalore.
Rail Europe currently has approximately 205 employees, and Omio Group states that the transaction will enable it to create one of the world’s most extensive platforms for booking ground transportation.
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