Expedia, already the world’s largest travel booker, is extending its reach into an area where it’s been weak: rail tickets. Up to now, Expedia’s been glad to sell you a flight, but it might, especially in Europe, not be the fastest or cheapest choice.
Partnering with SilverRail, an existing company which has been developing a booking platform that works with a growing number of railroads, Expedia will start showing the new offerings next year, in a simple consistent search, along with flights, hotels and more. Greg Schize, Expedia’s senior vice president for tours and transport, told the press that “The growth of rail, and the significant business opportunity it presents, is a trend we can no longer neglect.”
And if the opening to rail is a big opportunity for Expedia, it’s a huge leap for SilverRail, which is now partnered with the biggest, as they take Expedia into a broader rail world. Up to now, Expedia’s only rail offerings have been the Eurostar trains through the Channel Tunnel.
