Rail Remains The Top Business Travel Choice In Europe & Asia Pacific

BCD Travel's latest survey reveals that rail remains the preferred choice among business travellers in Europe and the Asia Pacific, especially when journey time and cost are comparable to air travel. Key drivers include convenience, the ability to work while travelling and sustainability. However, delays, overcrowding and policy clarity persist, impacting overall satisfaction with rail travel.

Rail will remain a preferred option for business travel in 2025, with BCD Travel's recent survey showing strong support among corporate travellers in Europe and Asia Pacific. The survey gathered responses from 681 travellers who had taken at least one business rail journey in the past year, examining habits, obstacles, and satisfaction levels.

The findings indicate that if travel time and cost are similar, two-thirds of respondents would choose rail over flying. Convenience, easy station access, and the ability to work en route were the top reasons for this preference. Environmental factors also influenced decisions, with nearly a third of travellers selecting rail for its sustainability.

Olivia Ruggles Brise, Vice President of Sustainability at BCD Travel, noted, "Enforcing rail bookings in place of short-haul flights can help lower travel emissions. However, travellers must be aware of such policy changes to make an impact. Communication is key, whether through intranet, email, or directly within booking platforms."

Despite the preference for rail uptake, it is still hindered by limited policy support. Only 6% of employers enforce rail use, and just a third encourage it. Meanwhile, over half of travellers book directly through rail providers' websites, with only three using company tools like BCD's TripSource.

"Taking the train can reduce carbon emissions by up to 95% compared to flying," said Ruggles Brise. "It is encouraging to see this reflected in traveller choices. Our expanding rail functionality in TripSource supports this shift toward more sustainable travel."

Challenges persist; however, around 50% reported disruptions from delays or strikes, with overcrowding, limited network reach, and high prices also being cited. Half of the respondents faced cancellations, and many noted poor policy clarity and cumbersome booking processes.

Yannis Karmis, SVP of product and development at BCD, stated, "We are working closely with rail suppliers and technology partners to improve reliability and visibility. We aim to provide travellers with a more resilient and connected rail experience that meets business and sustainability goals."

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