Europe’s top flight search site Skyscanner has acquired Zoombu, one of the UK’s most exciting online travel start-ups.

Launched in 2010, Zoombu pioneered a new door to door approach to online travel search, bringing together information about many modes of transport so users can compare complete end to end routes to their destination.

“As travellers ourselves we recognise that there are more ways to get around than flights only,” said Gareth Williams, Skyscanner CEO.

“Covering other travel options on the Skyscanner site is something we’ve wanted to do from the start, but air travel is a complex area and we wanted to get that right before expanding into other transport options.  So Zoombu is an ideal fit for Skyscanner. We really like the Zoombu team – they, and the technology, are very impressive and we’re delighted they’re joining us.”

Rail travel will be the first area that Skyscanner focuses on following the Zoombu acquisition.  Williams added: “With increasing investment being made in rail infrastructure in Europe and worldwide, train travel is the immediate priority for us and we aim to launch this on the site in the spring.”

Zoombu founders Rachel Armitage and Alistair Hann have moved into key roles at Skyscanner, based at the company’s Edinburgh head office.

“This is a very exciting move for the Zoombu team,” said Zoombu co-founder Rachel Armitage. “Our strengths lie in the product and technology development. By combining forces with such an established and respected online travel search company we get a fast track route to bringing our vision of a better search experience to a vast user base. We’ve always had a lot of admiration for the Skyscanner product and the team behind it and we are really looking forward to the opportunities ahead.”