European Startups Shaking Up the Travel Booking Industry: 10 Expedia Alternatives Transforming the Way We Travel
The travel industry has undergone a significant shift in recent years, driven by a wave of innovative European startups that are challenging the traditional norms. With the rising cost of travel, more and more people are seeking budget-friendly options, and platforms like Expedia and booking.com have emerged as go-to choices, offering a wide range of accommodations and activities to create cost-effective travel itineraries.
To ignite inspiration and introduce new websites and apps for travel planning, this article highlights 10 European alternatives to Expedia that are trailblazers in the travel booking sector. These startups are reshaping how we plan and experience our trips, offering optimized flight searches, unique transportation options, and exclusive deals.
One such disruptor is Kiwi.com, an online Czech travel agency that has made a significant impact with its groundbreaking search technology. It enables users to combine flights from different airlines, creating custom itineraries that often come with remarkable cost savings. Since its inception in 2012, Kiwi.com has raised over €95 million, solidifying its position as a prominent player in the industry.
Another standout startup is Viatu, based in Zurich, on a mission to simplify travel itinerary creation and provide sustainable options. Their platform offers connected trips, allowing users to book all aspects of their itinerary – from accommodation to experiences and car rentals – through a single platform. With over €1.5 million in funding, Viatu aims to become a leader in sustainable travel.
While many startups focus on individual travelers, Barcelona-based unicorn TravelPerk revolutionizes corporate travel management. Since its establishment in 2015, the comprehensive platform has simplified business trip organization, allowing easy management and booking of flights, accommodations, and other essential services. With over €380 million in funding, TravelPerk has positioned itself as a game-changer in the corporate travel space.
Dublin-headquartered Hostelworld has become a global leader in budget accommodation solutions. Through its user-friendly online platform, it offers an extensive network of hostels and budget hotels, catering to a diverse community of travelers. Pre-pandemic, 60% of the bookings on their platform came from solo travelers, prompting the launch of their networking platform called The Solo System. This feature connects solo travelers, allowing them to make friends and plans while on the road.
Berlin-based GetYourGuide has transformed experiential travel by providing a leading platform for tours, activities, and attractions. With recent funding of €182 million, the company aims to further digitize travel experiences using AI. Since its establishment in 2009, GetYourGuide has raised a total of €995 million, empowering travelers to discover unique experiences across various European destinations.
Dutch-based bidroom offers exclusive deals and discounts on hotels and accommodations through its online travel community. With a commission-free model and a focus on eco-consciousness, bidroom has raised over €20 million to continue delivering cost-saving opportunities to travelers while benefiting hotels.
Paris-based startup Worldia closed a funding round of €25 million, enabling the platform to expand globally. It primarily serves travel distributors and suppliers, offering exceptional and personalized travel experiences. By leveraging exclusive technology and a curated product catalog, Worldia simplifies trip planning and booking for over 80 global destinations.
Copenhagen’s Momondo provides travelers with a versatile travel metasearch engine, allowing them to compare and book flights, hotels, and rental cars from various sources. The company became part of The Priceline Group in 2017 and has raised more than €135 million to date. Despite the merger, Momondo continues to operate under its original brand name.
With a focus on enhancing the hotel experience through technology, Hotel Manager offers a comprehensive management suite for hotels. Its user-friendly, no-code platform allows hotels to customize their services, streamline operations, and increase revenue. Hotel Manager recently secured a funding round of over €1 million, bringing their total funding to more than €3.5 million.
Welcome Pickups, founded in Athens in 2015, provides personalized services to travelers as soon as they arrive in a new city. Their local drivers act as friendly guides, sharing insider tips and recommendations, ensuring a smooth and memorable journey. With over €11 million in funding, Welcome Pickups aims to expand its services worldwide.
As the European startup ecosystem flourishes, these ten Expedia alternatives are reshaping the travel industry, offering innovative solutions and diverse options. By providing seamless experiences and redefining travel planning and booking, they are making travel more accessible, personalized, and exciting for global travelers.
For those interested in exploring more innovative startups in the travel industry, the upcoming Future Travel Summit in Barcelona on October 27th presents an exciting opportunity. With over 400 global travel industry leaders in attendance, the event promises to showcase the latest trends and innovations. Tickets can be purchased for the event.
While these European startups are disrupting the travel industry, it’s important to note there are still established platforms like Expedia that remain popular choices for travelers worldwide. The competition and innovation fostered by these startups ultimately benefit consumers, as more affordable and unique travel options become available.
