When you need to travel for business, the train offers a compelling alternative to driving or flying. It's an opportunity to reduce your company’s carbon footprint, catch up on work, or simply relax and be inspired by the scenery. Whether you're self-employed, a frequent corporate traveller, or planning travel for your workforce, discover the significant benefits of choosing the train.
Better productivity
A train journey provides a unique environment to be productive. Instead of losing time to traffic or airport queues, you can use the travel time to your advantage. The train carriage can become your mobile office, allowing you to prepare for meetings, answer emails, or collaborate with colleagues.
Work-friendly features:
- Onboard WiFi: many train operators offer complimentary WiFi to keep you connected.
- Power sockets and USB ports: keep your devices charged with at-seat power outlets for laptops and phones.
- Quiet coaches: need to concentrate? Book a seat in a Quiet Coach for an environment with minimal noise and distractions.
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Better for people
Arriving at your destination feeling refreshed and ready for business is a major advantage of rail travel. The journey is part of the experience, not just a means to an end. You have the freedom to move around, stretch your legs, or grab a coffee from the onboard café.
Onboard toilets and refreshment services are standard on most long-distance services. For those requiring assistance, the Passenger Assist service can be booked in advance.
Better for sustainability
Choosing the train is a positive step towards environmental responsibility. Rail journeys produce significantly lower carbon emissions per passenger compared to driving or flying. For companies with sustainability goals, encouraging train travel is an effective way to reduce their overall carbon footprint and help ease road congestion.
The rail industry is committed to providing detailed and accurate data on the carbon emissions of rail journeys, helping businesses make informed, sustainable travel choices.
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Better convenience
Rail travel is designed to be a quick, easy, and convenient way to get around. Train stations are typically located in the heart of towns and cities, placing you right where you need to be and reducing the need for expensive taxis or car hire from out-of-town airports. With flexible tickets, free seat reservations, and ample luggage storage, the entire process is streamlined for the business traveller.
Corporate travel information
For businesses, several options exist to streamline the process of booking and managing rail travel.
Corporate tickets
Some train companies provide specialised corporate ticket packages. These can bundle train travel with extras like car parking, meals, refreshments, and even London Underground travel. These often include First Class travel as standard. It's worth checking directly with a train company's Business Travel team.
Business travel services
A variety of services are available for managing corporate rail travel accounts:
- Business travel service accounts: these offer tailor-made services for booking tickets across the entire National Rail and TfL networks.
- Travel management companies: many dedicated travel management companies offer comprehensive business travel services.
- Online retailers: some online ticket retailers have products and portals specifically designed for business customers.
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Quick tips
Do
- Combine work and travel to maximise your time.
- Download documents to work offline in case of patchy Wi-Fi.
- Sign up for journey alerts to stay informed of any changes.
Don't
- Leave your laptop or personal belongings unattended.
- Hold loud online meetings if you’re in the quiet coach.
- Forget to take a break and enjoy the view!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy train tickets specifically for businesses?
Yes, there are many rail travel account options specifically tailored to businesses and organisations. These can simplify booking, billing, and expense management.
How will I know if my train is on time?
trainslive.uk offers up-to-the-second information on all National Rail and London Underground services. You can check live arrivals and departures and find an abundance of information for each service using our toolkit.
Is there Wi-Fi on the train?
Yes, many trains and stations offer WiFi, which is often free of charge. Note that the signal quality might be impacted during your journey, for example while travelling through tunnels.