CheckMyBus
CheckMyBus is a privately held international bus metasearch engine founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany. It aggregates real-time routes, schedules, and prices from 100+ bus operators across 80+ countries for free consumer use, earning revenue via affiliate commissions from operator referrals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersNuremberg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What CheckMyBus does
CheckMyBus is a privately held international bus metasearch engine headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany, founded in 2013. The company operates a self-serve web platform and native iOS/Android applications that aggregate bus routes, schedules, and prices from over 100 direct API integrations with bus operators, online travel agencies, and global distribution systems, covering more than 80 countries, 100,000 cities, and 135,000 bus stations. End users search, compare, and filter options across millions of routes at no cost, then are redirected to the operator's own website to complete booking; CheckMyBus earns revenue via affiliate or referral commissions from these operators rather than charging users directly.
The underlying technology is a real-time aggregation platform that pulls live price and seat availability data via APIs, processes it through in-house infrastructure with strict quality checks, and presents it through a multi-language, multi-currency interface supporting 26 currencies. The product-led go-to-market relies heavily on SEO-optimized city and route pages to capture organic intent across geographies, complemented by mobile apps and content-driven travel guides. The primary customer segment is individual intercity travelers, with secondary segments for group travelers and commuters.
Revenue mechanics are entirely affiliate-driven and not publicly disclosed. The company has raised approximately $1.6M across two disclosed funding rounds (2016 and 2018) from HOWZAT Partners and Marchmont Ventures, and completed one acquisition (Fernbusse) in 2014. Leadership includes CEO Marc Hofmann, founder Heinz Raufer, and CTO Tino Marx. No information on ownership structure, revenue figures, or recent strategic activity is available in the source material.
CheckMyBus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CheckMyBus
- Website
- https://checkmybus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CheckMyBus is a privately held international bus metasearch engine founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany. It aggregates real-time routes, schedules, and prices from 100+ bus operators across 80+ countries for free consumer use, earning revenue via affiliate commissions from operator referrals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CheckMyBus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Travel Metasearch
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ground Transport Metasearch (Rail/Bus/Rideshare/Transfers) (THALAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Metasearch & Fare/Rate Comparison Engines (THAKAAAD)
Keywords
Where CheckMyBus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nuremberg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
CheckMyBus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Affiliate/Referral Commission: When users click on a bus trip and are redirected to the bus company's website to book and purchase a ticket, CheckMyBus receives a referral commission. The bus company sends valid ticket and booking confirmation via email to the customer.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Platform access is free for end users |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
CheckMyBus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CheckMyBus operates a metasearch engine that aggregates real-time bus routes, schedules, and prices from over 100 bus operators, OTAs, and GDS systems via direct API integrations. Users enter an origin, destination, and travel date to compare millions of bus routes across more than 80 countries, 100,000 cities, and 135,000+ bus stations. When users select a trip, they are redirected to the bus operator's own website to complete the booking, with CheckMyBus earning a referral commission. The platform is accessible via web and native iOS/Android mobile apps, and supports 26 currencies and multiple languages.
Product overview
CheckMyBus operates as a unified bus ticket search and comparison platform, combining a website and mobile applications (iOS and Android). The core product is a metasearch engine that aggregates bus routes, schedules, and pricing from over 100 direct interface integrations with bus operators, OTAs, and GDS systems. Users search for bus trips across millions of routes in over 80 countries and 100,000+ cities, compare options by price and schedule, then are redirected to partner websites to complete bookings. The platform covers both the website and mobile apps as its primary customer-facing products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CheckMyBus Website Platform Web-based bus ticket metasearch engine that aggregates routes, schedules, and pricing from thousands of bus companies worldwide, enabling travelers to compare options and book tickets through partner operator websites.
- CheckMyBus Mobile App (iOS/Android) Native mobile applications for iOS and Android providing the same bus search, comparison, and booking redirection functionality as the website, enabling travelers to find and book bus tickets on smartphones and tablets.
Quantifiable outcome
- Users can save up to 70% on bus tickets compared to single-operator pricing
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CheckMyBus
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CheckMyBus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
CheckMyBus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- GreyhoundcoreGreyhound is featured as a major US bus operator on the CheckMyBus platform with routes across the United States. CheckMyBus integrates with Greyhound's systems via API to provide real-time schedules, prices, and availability to users searching for bus tickets.
- FlixBuscoreFlixBus, a major international bus company, is featured on CheckMyBus with routes across the USA, Europe, and other regions. Integration allows CheckMyBus to display FlixBus schedules and prices alongside competitors.
- megabuscoremegabus (US and Canada) is featured on the platform as a key budget-friendly bus operator, with CheckMyBus providing integration for real-time data on routes and pricing.
- Primera PluscorePrimera Plus is Mexico's most-booked bus company on CheckMyBus, operating extensive routes including Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Mexico City connections. Real-time API integration provides schedules and availability.
- ETN AutobusescoreETN Autobuses, a premium Mexican bus operator, is integrated with CheckMyBus to provide real-time data for routes including Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende and other intercity routes.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CheckMyBus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BusBud: Bus-focused search-and-booking platform covering North America, Europe, and other regions, with direct integrations to bus operators. Closest direct competitor in bus metasearch, with the added capability of completing bookings in-app rather than only redirecting.
- Wanderu: North American intercity bus and train metasearch with affiliate-based revenue and route comparison. Highly comparable business model and target customer (budget intercity travelers) to CheckMyBus.
- Omio (formerly GoEuro): European-anchored multi-modal ground-transport metasearch covering train, bus, and flight across Europe and North America. Direct overlap with CheckMyBus in bus search; broader in mode coverage and stronger venture backing.
- Rome2Rio: Global door-to-door travel search engine covering bus, train, ferry, flight, and driving. Comparable metasearch mechanics and affiliate-driven revenue; broader modal scope than CheckMyBus.
- Wanderio: European ground-transport comparison platform (bus, train, carpool, airport transfers). Comparable metasearch/affiliate model and overlapping operator integrations, with a stronger European focus.
Broad incumbents
- Trainline: Largest European rail and bus ticketing platform, publicly listed, with deep integrations and a mobile-first funnel. A broader incumbent expanding from rail into bus, competing for the same traveler queries in Europe.
- FlixBus: Largest European intercity bus operator and a key CheckMyBus partner. While FlixBus sells its own tickets, it is also a potential disintermediator — its own app and booking flow overlaps with what CheckMyBus aggregates.
Regional players
- Gopili: French-focused bus and train comparison platform with affiliate revenue and operator integrations. Highly comparable model, but primarily serves France and a few neighboring markets rather than the global footprint of CheckMyBus.
Emerging players
- redBus: India's largest online bus ticketing platform (part of MakeMyTrip). Compares on bus metasearch/booking mechanics and operator integrations, though focused on the Indian subcontinent and operating its own inventory layer.
- 12Go: Asia-focused multi-modal ground and sea transport booking platform. Comparable affiliate/integration model with overlapping operator network in Southeast Asia, where CheckMyBus also lists routes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CheckMyBus social profiles
Digital presenceCheckMyBus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CheckMyBus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
CheckMyBus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CheckMyBus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CheckMyBus
What does CheckMyBus do?
CheckMyBus operates a metasearch engine that aggregates real-time bus routes, schedules, and prices from over 100 bus operators, OTAs, and GDS systems via direct API integrations. Users enter an origin, destination, and travel date to compare millions of bus routes across more than 80 countries, 100,000 cities, and 135,000+ bus stations. When users select a trip, they are redirected to the bus operator's own website to complete the booking, with CheckMyBus earning a referral commission. The platform is accessible via web and native iOS/Android mobile apps, and supports 26 currencies and multiple languages.
Is CheckMyBus a public or private company?
CheckMyBus is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was CheckMyBus founded?
CheckMyBus was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CheckMyBus based?
CheckMyBus is headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does CheckMyBus make money?
One revenue line is on record: affiliate/Referral Commission.
Who are CheckMyBus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BusBud, Wanderu, Omio (formerly GoEuro), Rome2Rio and Wanderio. Broad incumbents are Trainline and FlixBus. Gopili is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are redBus and 12Go.
Does CheckMyBus have an API?
No public API is recorded for CheckMyBus.
What industry is CheckMyBus in?
CheckMyBus's product category is Online Travel Metasearch. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THALAEAE, Ground Transport Metasearch (Rail/Bus/Rideshare/Transfers), with a secondary code of THAKAAAD, Metasearch & Fare/Rate Comparison Engines. Its NAICS code is 488 and its SIC code is 4700.