FlixBus (German pronunciation: ['flɪksbʊs]; styled FLiXBUS) is a German brand that offers low-cost intercity coach services in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. It is owned by Flix SE [de], which also operates FlixTrain, FlixCar, Kâmil Koç [tr], and Greyhound Lines. FlixBus operates buses or, in many cases, just handles marketing, pricing, and customer service for a commission, on behalf of bus operators.[1][2][3] In 2023, FlixBus had revenues of €2 billion and carried 81 million passengers of which 55 million were in Europe, 14 million were in Turkey, and 12 million were in North America.[4]
History FlixBus was founded in 2011 in Munich by Daniel Krauss, Jochen Engert and André Schwämmlein. They had met in university and began discussing the concept in 2009 after plans were made to deregulate the bus industry in Germany.[5]
FlixBus launched its first three routes in February 2013 in Bavaria, Germany, to take advantage of Germany opening up its bus market to competition.[6] In the following years, it added routes across Europe.[7]
In April 2018, FlixBus was the first to use all-electric vehicles on a long-distance bus route, between Paris La Défense and Amiens.[8]
FlixBus expanded to the United States in 2018, first operating from Los Angeles,[9] then expanding to the East Coast in 2019 through a partnership with Eastern Bus.[10] FlixBus also launched service in Brazil in 2021,[11] Canada in 2022,[12][13][14] Chile in 2023, and India in 2024.[15]
In April 2022, the company converted from a GmbH structure to an SE structure and was renamed Flix SE.[16]
In 2025, Trentbarton became the operator of Flixbus services in the East Midlands.[17]
In May 2025, FlixBus launched operations in Mexico under the brand name Flix.[18]
Financing history – parent company, Flix SE In 2013, the company received equity financing from Mercedes-Benz Group and the Technical University of Munich.[5]
In July 2019, the company raised €500 million in a Series F financing round led by TCV and Permira, valuing the company at over €2 billion.[19]
In June 2021, FlixMobility GmbH raised $650 million in a Series G financing round at a valuation of US$3 billion from investors including General Atlantic, Permira, TCV, HV Capital, BlackRock, Baillie Gifford, and SilverLake.[20]
In July 2024, EQT AB and Kuehne + Nagel acquired a 35% stake in the company for €1 billion.[21][22]
Acquisitions # Date Company Seller Notes Ref(s). 1 January 2015 MeinFernbus Received investment from General Atlantic [23] 2 November 2015 LIINITA Provider of trips of up to 15 kilometers [24] 3 July 2016 Megabus Europe Stagecoach Group Stagecoach became an operating partner [25] 4 August 2016 Postbus Deutsche Post German bus lines [26] 5 May 2017 Hellö coach network Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) Austrian bus lines [27] 6 May 2018 Swebus Express Nobina Swedish bus lines [28] 7 April 2019 Eurolines and Isilines Transdev Acquisition of Eurolines.
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