As expectations of convenience and sustainability grow, rail travel continues to be a preferred choice for business travelers. According to a new BCD Travel survey, two-thirds of travelers opt for rail over air travel when the cost and travel time are comparable. This preference is driven by the central location of train stations, the convenience of rail travel, and the ability to work while on the move.
Survey insights
BCD Travel surveyed 681 business travelers in Europe and Asia Pacific who have used trains for business travel at least once in the past year. The survey explored traveler behavior, challenges faced during rail travel, and satisfaction with rail policies and suppliers. The findings reveal that six in ten travelers expect to take the same number of rail trips this year as they did last year, with 18% anticipating an increase in rail travel.
Company policies and traveler awareness
A third of respondents indicated that their employer’s policy encourages rail travel for short distances, while 6% reported that their employers enforce rail travel. However, six out of ten travelers are either unaware of such policies or have no policy in place.
“Enforcing rail bookings in place of short-haul flights can help lower travel emissions. However, travelers must be aware of such policy changes in order to make an impact, which is why communicating with your travelers is so important. They need to understand when it’s appropriate to book rail instead of a flight and how to do that within the travel policy. Communicate across multiple channels – the company intranet, direct emails, and targeted messaging directly in the online booking tool,” said Olivia Ruggles-Brise, vice president of Sustainability at BCD.
Decision-making factors
Convenience reigns supreme in today’s fast-paced world. The top reasons travelers prefer rail include easy accessibility of railway stations (49%), overall convenience (46%), and the ability to work while traveling (41%). Environmental considerations also play a significant role, with 31% choosing rail for its sustainability benefits.
Ruggles-Brise highlighted that rail travel can reduce carbon emissions by up to 95%, making it a crucial factor in decision-making. “It’s encouraging to see that travelers are starting to build this into their decision-making process. We’re delighted that through the new and expanding rail functionality in TripSource®, BCD is able to facilitate this and support the continued expansion of sustainable choices when it comes to corporate travel,” she said.
Booking preferences
More than half of business travelers book rail directly through rail providers’ websites, while only a third use their company’s online booking tool (OBT). BCD Travel is addressing this gap by enhancing its TripSource platform to integrate rail functionality, empowering travelers with convenient and sustainable booking options.
Traveler behavior and satisfaction
Convenience and the ability to work on board are key drivers of traveler behavior. Nearly seven in ten travelers use Wi-Fi and power outlets on trains, with over eight out of ten working during their journey. Half of the travelers use this time to rest, while four out of ten read. Entertainment amenities are rarely used by business travelers.
Traveler satisfaction with company rail policies is mixed. Half of the respondents are somewhat or extremely satisfied, while challenges such as unclear policies, inconvenient booking, and payment methods persist. Additionally, issues with rail suppliers, including delays, overcrowding, limited connectivity, and high prices, impact overall satisfaction.
Rail travel has its challenges
Yannis Karmis, senior vice president of Product & Development at BCD, acknowledged the ongoing challenges with rail travel but emphasizes BCD’s commitment to improving the traveler experience. “While rail remains a preferred mode of travel for many business travelers, ongoing challenges like reliability, overcrowding, and limited connectivity continue to impact satisfaction.
“At BCD, we’re focused on working closely with rail suppliers and technology partners to improve the traveler experience – from streamlining booking options to ensuring better visibility into disruptions,” Karmis said. “Our goal is to empower travelers with more resilient, connected, and comfortable rail journeys that align with both business needs and sustainability objectives.”
