GoEuro, the Berlin-based multi-mode travel search platform, has launched its website in open beta testing in the U.K. and Germany as the first stage in a planned European rollout, according to TechCrunch.com.
The new website is trying to solve the problem of figuring out the best mode of transportation travelers should use to get from point A to point B among choices like a bus, train or plane. The website intends to eliminate the need to Google all the options separately by suggesting the most convenient nearby airports and train routes between travel points so you can see which route best suits your needs. It also estimates the entire travel time, including, for example, not only the flight time, but also the waiting time spent at the airport, to give a more accurate estimate.
The website will then display a chart that compares the different options to make it easy for travelers to visualize the best routes. The chart will show the route that is cheapest and fastest.
"What we're trying to do at GoEuro is we're trying to bring all modes of travel across Europe on the same platform - that's air, rail bus and cars," said Naren Shaam, the CEO of GoEuro. "We show everything in terms of total travel time, and total price so I can have a true comparison of what's the cost."
GoEuro says it's still working on integrating bus companies in the U.K. so the web site doesn't yet have any bus data. The site won't include public transportation options, such as London buses, but is designed for long distance plans, rather than across town.
"All our data is real-time data," Shaam said, explaining they have partnered with travel companies in the chosen markets. "So we partner, for example, in Germany we used Deutsche Bahn, in the U.K. we use Rail Easy to get real-time schedules, real-time prices and seat availabilities.
"Our technology allows you to bring all the different sources of data on the same platform," Shaam adds. "For a user I can now compare the two as if it's the same, and I can combine them."
Currently, users can't book travel on the platform, though they plan to expand the number of markets they cover.
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