Byway
9 known investors
London-based travel platform selling flight-free holiday packages by train, bus and ferry across Europe.
Also known as Byway Travel
Founders & leadership
Investors · 9
Also in the syndicate · 3
Funding
SEC filings, press & company announcements- Undisclosed amountSeries AJul 2024 · 3 sources
Heartcore Capital (lead), Eka Ventures
Source ↗
Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Byway is a London-based travel technology company that builds and sells entirely flight-free holidays. Its platform assembles customisable travel and accommodation packages using trains, buses and ferries, and provides travellers with on-demand support during their trip via WhatsApp. Itineraries cover more than 26 European countries.
The company was founded in 2020 by Cat Jones. Following a Series A round announced in July 2024, Byway stated it would invest in its flight-free booking technology, expand its team and broaden its regional itinerary coverage.
Founding story
Byway was founded in 2020 by Cat Jones, with the stated aim of making flight-free travel a mainstream option.
Business model
Byway packages multi-modal, flight-free trips — combining rail, coach and ferry legs with accommodation — into customisable holiday packages sold to travellers, with human support delivered on demand through WhatsApp during the journey.
Traction
Byway reported year-on-year growth, describing itself as tripling in size each year since inception. It states that customers save an average of 718 kg of carbon per trip compared with flying, and that cumulative customer savings reached 3,045 metric tons of carbon.
Latest developments
In July 2024, Byway announced a €5.9 million Series A round led by Heartcore Capital, with participation from Eka Ventures and angel investors including the HERMESA syndicate, Julia Davies and former SAGA chief executive Susan Hooper. Proceeds were earmarked for technology development, hiring and expanded regional offerings.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
Byway positions itself in European travel technology as a provider of 100% flight-free holidays; its lead investor's travel portfolio includes GetYourGuide, TravelPerk and Fora.
Technology
A booking platform that constructs and customises multi-leg itineraries across trains, buses and ferries together with accommodation, paired with a WhatsApp-based traveller support channel.
Go-to-market
Leisure travellers in Europe, particularly those seeking lower-carbon holidays that avoid air travel.
Geography
Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with itineraries spanning more than 26 European countries.
Compiled by commissioned research from 5 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 1
launches, deals, and filingsByway announced a €5.9 million Series A round led by Heartcore Capital, with participation from Eka Ventures and angel investors including the HERMESA syndicate, impact investor Julia Davies and former SAGA CEO Susan Hooper. Funds were designated for expanding its flight-free technology, growing the team and enhancing regional offerings.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
▸Research sources · 5
primary sources listed
- London-based travel tech startup Byway raises €5.9M led by Heartcore Capital | Vestbeevestbee.com · web
5 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Byway do?
- London-based travel platform selling flight-free holiday packages by train, bus and ferry across Europe.
- Who founded Byway?
- Byway was founded by Cat Jones.
- Who are Byway's investors?
- Byway's investors include Eka Ventures, Founders Factory, Founders Factory NY, GMG Ventures, Heartcore Capital, Mercuri.vc.