Is Long-Haul Rail Travel A Viable Alternative to Air?
I recently did a Vlog series exploring whether long-haul rail travel is a viable option to air for business travel.
For both EMEA programs and North American programs with EMEA regional presence, the question is whether long-haul rail is a feasible and worthy endeavor for travel managers to pursue.
I took my camera on the road and documented the rail experience first-hand, considering both the traveler experience and the impact to the travel program. Here are just a few take aways:
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The traveler experience was not luxurious, but it certainly met my needs. Space is tight but functional and I had access to all the necessary amenities, slept well and woke up to breakfast refreshed and ready for my meeting. The colorful details are in Vlogs 2 & 3 from the train.
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Rail is a cost-effective alternative to the long-haul flight for any travel program, and based on my experience, travelers may be takers – especially considering the easy access to rail and the avoidance of the busy airport with early arrival times required, complicated parking and the hassle of airport security.
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In addition to the cost benefits, there are others including sustainability and productivity.
Take a look, and I hope you get some insights about whether to pursue this strategy for your travel program!