German multimodal travel company Omio Group has announced that it will be acquiring rail distribution platform Rail Europe, which will significantly expand its retail activities.

Once the acquisition is complete, Rail Europe will become part of Omio Group. As part of the group, it will join Omio’s B2C booking platform, its B2B distribution business, and Rome2Rio, the group’s travel discovery brand.

By adding Rail Europe, Omio Group (OG) expects to expand its market to 22 million train tickets per year. To achieve this, it will work with more than 28,000 transport operators and travel sellers. The group believes that this will enable it to “offer the world’s most comprehensive ground transportation proposition”.

Rail retailer Omio has already worked with some UK train operators, including helping LNER to develop a website that enhanced its ability to sell tickets around the world.

Two years ago, the Office of Rail and Road reported progress after writing to both Omio and Rail Europe – as well as to several other rail travel retailers – warning them against using ‘drip-pricing’ on their sales platforms.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Rail Europe will continue to operate under its established brand, and will also continue to serve both businesses and individuals. It will be able to improve its services by using Omio Group’s technology stack, platform capabilities, and multimodal inventory.

Omio will gain access to Rail Europe’s network of travel agents and operators in more than 70 countries around the world. It will also be able to draw on Rail Europe’s ninety-plus years of expertise in railway retail. Omio believes that this will significantly expand its “partner reach” and will strengthen its international customer base.

With the global rail market projected to exceed $300 billion by 2032, and governments across Europe committing funding to rail infrastructure projects, the two companies have seized on an opportunity to dominate a growing market.

“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, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair of Rail Europe