Top 20 travel startups to watch out for in 2024

Before the pandemic hit, we were incredibly proud to be named the world's fastest-growing SaaS company in The SaaS 1000.

Our all-in-one platform aims to simplify every aspect of corporate travel. TravelPerk aims to assist travel managers in achieving new levels of travel policy compliance from

business travel bookings

to

expense management

.On average, our users save 20% on their annual travel spend and countless work hours thanks to our automated approvals system. Unlike other online travel booking tools,

TravelPerk

is fully integrated, so travel managers won't need additional software to generate reports or handle expenses. Plus, our customer service teams offer real human support 24/7, 365 days a year. If you’re looking for the top business travel startups, start with TravelPerk.

The travel app we have all been waiting for! Timeshifter aims to help global business travelers beat jet lag for good by using the latest developments in neuroscience. Travel technology at its finest, in just two minutes, travelers can program in upcoming itineraries to receive handy notifications with easy-to-implement advice!

Backed by a roster of impressive investors, including CitiGroup and Deutsche Bank, Berlin startup Get Your Guide is one to watch in the tourism industry. Its straightforward travel platform allows travelers to skip the line and book activities in various destinations worldwide. With a global presence of over 60,000 products worldwide in 150 countries, 22 languages, and 40 currencies, it’s one to keep watching.Plus, whether you choose a private helicopter tour of New York City or a cruise down the Seine, all tours booked through Get Your Guide come with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. If you’re missing your adventurous vacations, take advantage of their great wishlist feature or check out what’s available in your local area.

Branded as a “Travel Super App,” Eilago is an all-in-one mobile app that helps travelers save money, plan their trips, and make advance bookings in one place. The app leverages AI and fintech to deliver a gamified experience with additions like ‘Eilago Coins’ (points on every booking) and flexible payments.Their key objective is to remove friction from searching, booking, and experiencing travel while prioritizing budget travel.

Lighthouse, formerly known as OTA Insight, reimagines commercial strategy for the travel and hospitality industries. Set up in 2012, Lighthouse works with partners including Holiday Inn, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, and more, with over 300,000 competitor hotels profiled.The company enables hoteliers to make better revenue and distribution decisions by applying their business intelligence solutions. Operating in 185 countries, Lighthouse has grown quickly, becoming a highly successful global business.

A service provider with ambitious goals, SafetyWing was established as the world's first international medical insurance issuer. Cleverly engineered with travelers in mind, SafetyWing removes many pain points corporate travelers experience with insurance.As well as being able to buy insurance after departure, travelers can also avail themselves of policies without a duration cap. So when issues turn that short business trip to Singapore into an extended visit, you can feel assured you will still have healthcare coverage for the duration of your stay.Available in 180 countries, SafetyWing is looking to become a one-stop shop for both global banking and insurance.

If you travel internationally for work, you have no doubt come home with a pile of coins in your pocket on numerous occasions. Rather than collecting dust in an old jar, thanks to Coindrum, travelers can now convert their change into vouchers to spend on snacks for their flights in duty-free stores.

Named the best startup in travel a few years ago, keep your eyes peeled for a self-service Coindrum machine the next time you enter departures. 

Founded in Copenhagen in 2016, travelers can now find Luggage Hero sites in 46 major cities across Europe and North America. Based on a simple premise, Luggage Hero lets you store your bags securely for less than the cost of lunch.However, you no longer need to stretch out the last of your foreign currency to take advantage of a luggage-free last day! Users simply search for a local partner store on their online platform, book their spot with a credit card, and drop off their gear.Plus, thanks to Luggage Hero's security seal system and free insurance, you can enjoy your last few hours worry-free.

Your company's top priority is always your corporate travelers' safety. When they arrive tired after a long-haul flight, the last thing you want is them hopping in a car rental and driving into a major city. With Blacklane, travel managers can pre-book a professional chauffeur service for their team members.Whether it's airport transfers or a city car to drive them between meetings, you can have peace of mind knowing they have a safe ride. Plus, Blacklane users benefit from transparent pricing.All fares include one hour of free waiting time for airport pickups and 15 minutes for non-airport journeys, meaning travelers won't rack up a bill on the meter if they get delayed.

If you need to remain contactable throughout your business trip, you can't be relying on Wi-Fi. But buying international roaming plans or seeking out a decent local SIM can be both expensive and exhausting.E-commerce startup Airalo set out to remove the pain points of keeping in touch while traveling by becoming the world's first eSIM store.Most smartphones come with an eSIM installed, and now Airalo allows users to purchase different temporary mobile plans. Separate from your usual network, you can search by destination and pick a local provider at the click of a button.

With a five-year search growth of 1750%, Roadsurfer is currently exploding into the travel startup space. The vacation rental company offers short-term rental in customized camper vans in 13 countries across Europe, with each plan including an insurance policy.With over 70 stations across Europe and North America, it’s making its mark, championing low-cost adventure and flexibility across the globe. 

Founded in 2014, PickYourTrail is India’s biggest online DIY holiday booking platform, enabling users to curate customized holidays by choosing their transport and accommodation at reduced rates. Growing at a 5-year search growth rate of 313%, it’s an online travel agency to watch in 2024 as it expands at a rapid rate. 

Since 2018, Tripsider’s innovative new app has been shaking up customer booking systems. Using an algorithm similar to a dating app, Tripsider matches customers to their ideal trips, based on their interests and their budget, taking into account factors from past experiences to accessibility. 

Set up in 2019, tech startup Tracki provides real-time GPS tracking solutions, ranging from GPS trackers to pet trackers. These easy-to-manage solutions can be monitored via the Tracki app or website, and are used by a range of customers including businesses, schools, private investigators, and assisted living facilities. Operating in 185 countries, the Tracki device can be tracked internationally, with a built-in SIM that works across borders, which means it’s ideal for luggage tracking. In addition to tracking, the device can send out alerts. 

Tourisfair is a German startup making waves in the travel sector. Its main offering is an AI-powered booking tool that connects customers with activities and experiences relevant to their trip—within seconds. The Tourisfair virtual assistant, Pandi, matches travelers with personalized activities based on expectations, time, and flexibility. 

Grazzy is a next-generation employee payments platform enabling employees to access tips instantly, 24/7. The software aims to improve retention and recruiting for the hospitality industry, helping bars, hotels, restaurants, and salons by powering cashless tipping and instant payouts. In addition to digital tipping, the software enables quick, easy tax reporting and compliance. 

Turneo is a travel tech startup founded in 2022. Their main offering is a B2B platform that enables travel brands to offer and manage in-destination experiences for their guests. It provides a plug-and-play solution for innovative hotels and resorts, boosting guest satisfaction and leading travelers through a full-funnel, experience-led campaign. Turneo covers experiences from excursions to wellness activities to transport arrangements, priding itself on its transparent pricing system and intuitive model. 

Founded in June 2020, Katanox is a travel accommodation distribution and fintech platform connecting travel buyers and suppliers in a B2B marketplace. Its two-way integration allows accommodation providers to directly access demand and establish direct relationships, simplifying hotel distribution. Their key aim is to open hotel sales to the next generation of travel sellers, ranging from airlines to travel publishers, and voice assistants to messaging apps. 

Greether is a startup founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Vanessa Karel, based in San Francisco. It offers a digital platform that enables women to travel safer, by connecting them to verified local female ‘Greeters’ around the world. It recently received funding from the Expedia Group.Female travelers can book a spot to navigate destinations in a safer and more authentic way, as their ‘Greeter’ takes on the role of friend, tour guide, and concierge. The company was 

Founded in Zurich in 2019, BODDY is a leading travel tech startup providing a digital fitness & wellness marketplace. This platform enables travelers to search, find, and compare their chosen health activity at any given destination. Their team is composed of experts from the travel, wellbeing, and technology spaces. Aimed at health-conscious travelers, BODDY brings wellbeing experiences into a comprehensive list and is poised to “reshape the travel industry” with its global expansion plans. 

Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, this list of the top travel tech companies is guaranteed to make your trip that much smoother and more enjoyable, take your pick. Travel’s great, but it’s even greater if you don’t have to worry about little inconveniences like luggage storage, SIM cards, and last-minute cancellations. With the best travel startups on the market, you’ll be able to get the most out of every trip from check-in to landing, leaving the headaches behind and putting your best foot forward. Take a look at where TravelPerk can take you, today.