Berlin's Omio Group Set to Buy Rail Europe
Rail Europe keeps its own brand while tapping into Omio's tech.
Berlin-based Omio Group is preparing to acquire Rail Europe, the Paris-headquartered rail distribution platform, in a move that would bring two major names in ground travel under one roof.
According to a press release from the company, Omio Group already calls itself the world's leading multimodal travel provider, working with its B2C booking platform, its B2B distribution arm, and travel discovery brand Rome2Rio. Adding Rail Europe to the mix would push annual train ticket sales to 22 million and expand the combined network to more than 28,000 transport operators and travel sellers across over 70 countries.
Rail Europe would keep operating under its own name, continuing to serve both business partners and everyday travellers, while gaining access to Omio's technology and multimodal inventory. In turn, Omio would tap into Rail Europe's 90 years of rail expertise and its established international customer base.
Jean-Francois Bessiron, Chief B2B Officer at Omio Group, said the deal marks a turning point for ground transport, arguing the sector has long been held back by outdated systems. Björn Bender, CEO and Executive Chairman of Rail Europe, described the pairing as a natural fit, combining scale and technology with rail experience and a trusted brand.
The timing lines up with a booming market: global rail is projected to top $300 billion by 2032, fuelled by government spending on infrastructure across Europe. The deal still needs to clear a consultation with France's CSE works council before it can be completed.
Omio also announced a $10 million strategic investment in order to accelerate its expansion in Japan and strengthen its presence across Southeast Asia – a growing travel destination. The investment came from Granite-Integral; a joint venture between Granite Asia and Integral Corporation.