ixigo Acquires Spanish Train Booking Platform Trenes for ₹125 Crore

Indian travel technology company ixigo has made its first major international acquisition by purchasing a majority stake in Spain-based train booking platform Trenes. The ₹125 crore deal marks ixigo’s entry into the European rail market — one of the world’s largest and most developed railway ecosystems — as the company aims to expand globally using its AI-driven technology stack.

ixigo Acquires Spanish Train Booking Platform Trenes for ₹125 Crore

India’s travel-tech company ixigo is expanding its international footprint with the acquisition of a majority stake in a leading Spanish train ticket booking platform. This move marks ixigo’s first major overseas acquisition and signals its strategic entry into the European rail market.

Europe is widely regarded as one of the most developed and largest rail travel markets globally. With this acquisition, ixigo aims to leverage its technology and AI capabilities to enhance customer experience and scale rapidly in the new market.

60% Stake Acquired in Spain’s Online Travel Solutions

ixigo has acquired a 60% stake in Spain-based Online Travel Solutions, the parent company of the train booking platform Trenes.

The deal is valued at approximately €11.7 million (over ₹125 crore).

Trenes is currently the second-largest train ticket booking platform in Spain, with a strong customer base and established local partnerships.

This strategic investment provides ixigo with a ready-made infrastructure and network to expand its operations across Europe.

Entry into Europe’s Large Rail Travel Market

With this acquisition, ixigo gains direct access to the European rail ecosystem, which is known for its high passenger volumes and cross-border connectivity.

Trenes already has a well-established local network and loyal customer base. ixigo plans to enhance the platform by integrating its advanced technology and artificial intelligence capabilities to deliver improved booking experiences, smarter pricing insights, and personalized travel recommendations.

The deal is expected to accelerate ixigo’s global growth ambitions and strengthen its presence beyond the Indian market.

Additional Investment in Spanish Firm

Apart from acquiring Trenes, ixigo has also invested in another Spain-based company, Squad As Service.

The company has purchased approximately 45% stake in Squad As Service for an investment of around ₹4.8 crore.

This dual investment strategy indicates ixigo’s broader commitment to building a strong operational and technological foundation in Europe.

About ixigo – From Startup to Global Expansion

ixigo was founded in June 2007 by IIT Kanpur alumni Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar, along with Dharmendra Yashovardhan.

The company started as a travel meta-search engine aimed at simplifying flight bookings at a time when India’s online travel market was highly fragmented.

Headquartered in Gurugram, ixigo initially began operations using funds raised from friends and family. The founders identified the need to streamline travel search and booking services in India and built a platform to simplify decision-making for travelers.

Over the years, ixigo has evolved into a full-scale Online Travel Agency (OTA).

What Does ixigo Do?

Launched in 2007, ixigo is a technology-driven travel company that helps Indian travelers plan, book, and manage trips across railways, flights, buses, and hotels.

Its OTA platforms — including its website and mobile applications — use Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science innovations to enable smarter travel decisions.

Key Services Offered by ixigo

ixigo’s OTA platforms allow users to book:

• Flight tickets

• Train tickets

• Bus tickets

• Hotel stays

• Cab services

In addition, the company offers in-house proprietary algorithms and crowd-sourced travel utilities such as:

• Train PNR status and confirmation prediction

• Train seat availability alerts

• Train running status updates and delay prediction

• Flight status updates

• Bus running status

• Pricing and availability alerts

• Deal discovery

• Destination content

• Personalized recommendations

• Instant fare alerts

• Automated customer support services

These features help travelers make informed, real-time decisions and enhance overall travel convenience.

Strategic Significance of the Deal

This acquisition represents a key milestone in ixigo’s global growth journey. By entering Europe’s rail booking sector through Trenes, ixigo is positioning itself as an international travel technology player.

With AI-driven enhancements and localized expertise, the company aims to scale operations, improve customer experience, and unlock new revenue streams in the European market.