In an era increasingly shaped by environmental responsibility and convenience, the humble train is making a comeback — and not just for leisure seekers. A new BCD Travel report reveals that business travellers are embracing rail travel in 2025 like never before, with two-thirds preferring trains over planes when time and cost are evenly matched.

And who could blame them? After all, there’s a certain old-world charm to watching the countryside glide by, laptop open, coffee in hand — far from the indignities of airport queues and tray-table turbulence.

Rail on the Rise

BCD Travel’s survey of 681 seasoned business travellers across Europe and the Asia Pacific, all of whom had taken at least one business rail trip in the past year, paints a robust picture for rail. Central station locations, sheer convenience, and the blessed ability to work en route rank as the top reasons executives favour the tracks.

It’s heartening, too, that sustainability isn’t being overlooked. Nearly a third of respondents cited the environmental benefits of rail as a significant consideration — a figure that would surely make any traditionalist tip their hat in approval.

“Taking the train instead of flying can slash a journey’s carbon emissions by as much as 95%,” Olivia Ruggles-Brise, Vice President of Sustainability at BCD, pointed out. “It’s inspiring to see more travellers factoring that into their decision-making process.”

True to their word, six in ten travellers expect to maintain their current level of rail trips in 2025, while nearly one in five intend to increase them.

Policy: A Patchy Track Record

While the momentum is unmistakable, corporate policies haven’t entirely kept pace. A modest third of surveyed travellers report that their employer actively encourages rail for short distances. Even fewer — a scant 6% — say their company enforces rail travel.

The remainder? Either wandering policy-free or blissfully unaware of any guidance.

Ruggles-Brise stressed the importance of communication in shifting behaviours:
“You can’t expect travellers to change habits unless they know the rules. Companies must broadcast rail-friendly policies far and wide — via intranets, direct emails, and booking platforms — to steer behaviour.”

In the grand tradition of workplace wisdom, it seems: if you want action, you must first tell the people what’s expected — preferably twice.

Booking Behaviours: A New Way Forward

Despite corporate encouragement still finding its feet, business travellers aren’t twiddling their thumbs. Instead, many are taking matters into their own hands — or more accurately, into their browsers.

Over half of the respondents still book rail tickets directly through rail providers’ websites. A mere third use their company’s official online booking tool (OBT) — a gap BCD Travel is aiming to close with its proprietary platform, TripSource®.

The goal? Make rail booking seamless, integrated, and as second nature as reserving a plane seat.

Yannis Karmis, BCD’s Senior Vice President of Product & Development, summarised the strategy neatly:
“We want travellers to have convenience, comfort, and sustainable choices right at their fingertips. Our expanded rail functionality in TripSource empowers that.”

Most business rail travellers also rely on company credit cards to pay for their journeys (six in ten, in fact), with others footing the bill themselves before claiming it back — a practice as old as corporate travel itself.

Working on the Rails

While convenience is king, productivity is the crown prince. Nearly seven in ten travellers rank Wi-Fi and power outlets as essential amenities when travelling by train.

Indeed, the train carriage has become an extension of the office for many:

• Over 80% work during journeys.

• Around half seize the chance to rest.

• Four in ten prefer catching up on reading.

• Watching movies? Hardly a priority among this industrious bunch.

In an age where every spare moment matters, trains offer a rare and precious luxury: time that needn’t be wasted.

Satisfaction Levels: A Mixed Baggage

When it comes to company rail policies, it’s not all smooth track.

Half of the business travellers surveyed reported being either somewhat or extremely satisfied with their employer’s rail rules. Approximately one in seven individuals enjoys corporate discounts on rail fares, and roughly half have access to business-class seating on trains, at least occasionally.

Yet, many voiced common gripes:

• Lack of a clear travel policy.

• Clunky booking systems.

• Awkward payment procedures.

The challenges mirror the growing pains of a travel industry still fine-tuning its embrace of rail.

Rail Suppliers: Room for Improvement

Even the most devoted train traveller will admit that the tracks aren’t always trouble-free.

Among the reported issues:

• Delays and strikes (mentioned by 50%).

• Overcrowding (43%).

• Patchy connectivity between rail lines (33%).

• High ticket prices (30%).

A hefty three-quarters of business travellers have faced delays, and half have suffered outright cancellations — disruptions that no amount of in-transit work time can entirely offset.

“While rail remains a preferred mode of business travel, reliability and comfort still need attention,” Karmis acknowledged.
“BCD is committed to working with rail operators and tech partners to make rail journeys more resilient and appealing.”

And frankly, in a world of endless meetings and shrinking margins, a reliable train ride could be the best gift a business traveller receives this year.

A Traditional Choice, Reimagined

Ultimately, BCD’s findings underscore an encouraging trend: the business world is rediscovering the pleasures — and efficiencies — of rail travel.

With continued investment in platforms like TripSource and a growing global awareness of environmental stewardship, the scene is set for trains to reclaim their rightful place at the heart of business mobility.

In a society often obsessed with speed and novelty, it’s heartening to see that the old ways, when thoughtfully updated, still offer the best way forward.

And so, the age-old wisdom holds: the journey matters just as much as the destination.

By Alison Jenkins

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