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Byway Travel is a sustainable tourism organization that provides personalized, flight-free holiday packages utilizing trains, buses, and ferries across multiple international vacation destinations. The certified B Corporation operates a proprietary technology platform that simplifies the complex booking process for multi-stop overland journeys and slow travel itineraries. To optimize these customized routes, the enterprise utilizes a comprehensive database containing over two million miles of expert routing knowledge. The business has reported year-over-year growth exceeding 200 percent and maintains a 96 percent five-star review rate among its growing consumer base. To scale its global operations, the firm has assembled a leadership group featuring Chief Technology Officer Rich Levy alongside executives with prior experience at major travel platforms including industry leaders Viator and Airbnb. The company was officially founded in March 2020 by Chief Executive Officer Cat Jones.
Byway Travel has raised $6.0M across 1 funding round.
Byway Travel has raised $6.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Byway Travel has raised $6.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $6.0M Series A in July 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2024 | $6M Series A | Heartcore Capital | Notion Capital | Announced |
Byway Travel is a technology-driven travel company focused on creating 100% flight-free holidays by leveraging proprietary AI-powered routing technology. It builds multi-modal, slow travel itineraries using trains, ferries, buses, and local accommodations, serving environmentally conscious travelers who want to explore Europe and beyond without flying. Byway solves the problem of complex, fragmented planning for overland travel by offering a seamless booking experience that includes transport, accommodation, digital guides, and real-time support. The company has shown strong growth, booking over 10,000 travelers with 3x year-over-year growth and expanding its regional offerings and team since its founding in 2020[1][2][3][4].
Byway was founded in 2020 by Cat Jones, who was inspired during the COVID-19 lockdown to create a sustainable travel alternative that reduces carbon emissions by avoiding flights. Jones, who has always traveled overland herself, identified the difficulty in booking such trips and launched Byway as a B Corp with a mission to make flight-free travel mainstream. Early traction came from combining local expertise with technology, leading to the development of JourneyAI, a proprietary AI trip planner that dynamically builds enjoyable, disruption-resilient itineraries. The company quickly grew from a solo founder to a team of nearly 60 employees, including experienced travel tech professionals[1][2][3][4][5].
Byway rides the growing trend toward sustainable, slow travel and climate-conscious tourism. The timing is critical as travelers increasingly seek alternatives to flying due to environmental concerns and a desire for richer travel experiences. Market forces such as rising awareness of carbon footprints, demand for personalized travel, and advances in AI and data integration favor Byway’s model. Byway influences the ecosystem by promoting off-season and less-visited destinations, supporting local economies, and pushing the travel industry toward more responsible, journey-focused tourism[1][2][3][4][5].
Byway is poised to expand geographically, adding new European regions like Finland, Albania, and Greece, and growing its presence in the US and mainland Europe. Technological advancements will focus on enhancing JourneyAI with continuous learning, automated disruption management, and map-based trip building. The company’s influence is likely to grow as it helps mainstream flight-free travel and shapes the future of sustainable tourism. Its commitment to B Corp values and innovation positions it well to lead the shift toward travel that prioritizes environmental impact and traveler experience equally[4][5].
Byway Travel has raised $6.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Byway Travel's investors include Heartcore Capital, Notion Capital.
