In the heart of Central Europe, in Prague, a company founded in 2015 set out to reshape what appears to be one of the most traditional sectors in travel: ground transportation.

A decade later, that company now operates in more than 130 countries, has built a network of over 10,000 drivers, raised approximately 17.6 million Euros in funding, and reached profitability in 2025.

Its name is Daytrip.

The question is: in a world where ride-hailing services like Uber have become second nature and local transportation providers are deeply entrenched in every market, how did a platform focused on long-distance pre-booked transfers grow to this scale?

Is it a car service company—or a travel service company?

The answer, perhaps, lies somewhere in between.

Not Drivers, but “Local Friends”

Before founding Daytrip, the company’s founders ran a cross-border shuttle bus service between the Czech Republic and Austria. It was a classic price-sensitive business: low cost, high frequency, and heavily dependent on seat utilization. But the team soon noticed another group of travelers—independent tourists.

Imagine this situation.

You’re dragging your suitcase through Prague’s Old Town Square after watching the sunset with your family. The next day, you plan to travel to Vienna.

You check the trains: two transfers required.

Flying might be faster, but once you factor in airport transfers and waiting times, it takes half a day anyway.

Renting a car? Driving for hours on unfamiliar highways in a foreign country, figuring out traffic rules, and worrying about returning the car—it quickly becomes exhausting.

So most travelers eventually consider hiring a private car.

But then new concerns arise: Is the company reliable? Will the driver demand extra money halfway through the trip? What if communication becomes difficult?

This is a problem many travelers face—and one that Daytrip aimed to solve from the very beginning.

During an interview, Charlie Li, CEO of TravelDaily, asked Daytrip founder Tomáš Turek a direct question:

“Are you a transportation company or a travel company?”

Turek smiled. “Both—and neither.”

For travelers, Daytrip’s core service isn’t unfamiliar: it’s essentially private car transfers. But their approach is slightly different.

For example, if you want to travel from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel, public transportation could take most of the day. But with Daytrip, you might stop along the way in a small cheese-making town known mostly to locals, or visit a medieval castle hidden deep in the forest.

These are not places easily found in travel guides. They’re often recommendations from local drivers.

What makes Daytrip distinctive is how they define those drivers. They’re not just drivers—they’re “local friends.”

Turek explains that drivers don’t need to memorize scripted tour commentary like professional guides. But they must be locals who speak fluent English and enjoy interacting with travelers.

10,000+ Drivers Worldwide—How Do They Maintain Quality?

With over 10,000+ drivers across more than 130+ countries, how does Daytrip ensure service quality?

This challenge has become one of Daytrip’s core operational focuses—and something the company has spent ten years refining.

Turek shared an example.

Many private transfer platforms simplify operations by partnering with large local fleets that operate hundreds of vehicles. Daytrip favors working with small operators with three to five vehicles, or even independent drivers, driven by logistics and the need to maintain global standards.

Understanding the Needs of Family Travelers

Before launching Daytrip, the founders noticed a small group of customers who were willing to pay more for the convenience of personalized service. This demand isn’t unique to Central Europe; it exists in families around the world.

Daytrip ensures comfort and convenience by preparing child seats, assisting elderly passengers, and even watching over luggage while travelers explore.

In the Future, Daytrip Wants to Be Recommended by AI

With the rise of AI in travel, Daytrip aims to integrate its services into AI recommendations to enhance travel experiences further.

Daytrip offers a reflective insight into how good businesses often start with a fundamental desire: to make life easier for travelers far from home.

The next time you travel in Europe—or anywhere else—and need to move between two cities, it might be worth trying a service like Daytrip.

You may discover that the journey between destinations can become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.