Rapido Enters Flight, Hotel, Bus and Train Booking Space with Partners In India

Bengaluru-headquartered mobility platform Rapido announced on Wednesday it has incorporated travel booking functionalities into its app via strategic alliances with three prominent travel service companies. The integration lets users reserve air tickets and hotel accommodations via Goibibo, book intercity bus journeys through redBus and purchase railway tickets using ConfirmTkt -- all accessible within the Rapido mobile app.

The ride-sharing aggregator, which maintains operations in over 400 cities, has introduced a specialised travel section prominently positioned on its app's main screen. This new feature lets users arrange long-distance transportation bookings while continuing to access the platform's core short-distance mobility services.

Rapido Eyes Tier 2 and Tier 3 Markets

The collaborative framework includes MakeMyTrip's subsidiary brands Goibibo and redBus, alongside ConfirmTkt, which operates under the ixigo Group umbrella. According to statements from the companies, this partnership seeks to accelerate digital travel booking penetration in secondary and tertiary urban centres, geographic areas where Rapido has cultivated significant market presence.

Promotional Discounts

Introductory promotional incentives feature price cuts reaching ₹4,000 on flight reservations and discounts extending up to 55 per cent on hotel bookings through Goibibo, 20 per cent savings on bus tickets via redBus capped at ₹300, and eliminated service fees for train reservations through ConfirmTkt. The reservation workflow operates through partner platform interfaces embedded within Rapido's app architecture.

1,000-City Expansion

Rapido claims a monthly active user base of 50 million individuals. The organisation has outlined expansion objectives targeting operations in over 1,000 municipalities. Aravind Sanka, co-founder of Rapido, stated that the move extends the company's focus on affordability from daily commutes to long-distance travel.

Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip, was quoted as saying that the partnership aligns with efforts to reach travelers in smaller markets. 

Dinesh Kumar Kotha, CEO of ConfirmTkt and ixigo Trains, noted that the integration brings train booking services to Rapido's user base.