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Take a train
2021 is the European Year of Rail. So, if you’re planning to stop at multiple destinations in Europe this year, think about taking the train. In fact, countries like France have recently passed legislation banning all domestic short-haul flights that last less than 2.5 hours! Other countries like Germany and Austria are expected to follow suit shortly.Rail travel in Europe, in general, is also modernizing a great deal. Until recently, most national rail operators dominated their local markets. Now, however, governments are opening up their national rail services to allow private players in. That’s all in an attempt to make the prices of train travel more flexible and varied, in order to encourage the further use of trains. You can also travel cross-country by train in North America, by booking a seat on Amtrak in the United States, and VIA Rail in Canada. Traveling across Asia by train is also an option, with routes between Singapore, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang (Malaysia), and Bangkok (Thailand), for example. It is a long way of getting around, admittedly, but it'll give you an unparalleled travel experience with incredible views!Taking a train is definitely one of the most environmentally friendly options. In fact, traveling by train for a domestic route instead of a flight can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by 84%! Implementing a clause into your company’s corporate travel policy that encourages business travelers to take trains as much as possible is a great way to start traveling greener.
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Rent an electric or hybrid car
There are many benefits to renting a car in general. It gives you the opportunity to stop as many times as you want, manage your own travel itinerary, and get plenty of privacy. It’s often not longer than taking a plane—between going to the airport, getting there two hours early, the flight time, and the travel time to your hotel, the actual hours spent in transit are more or less the same. Not to mention that this amount of autonomy and independence can help you turn a business trip into a spontaneous getaway.For the environmentally-conscious business traveler, renting a hybrid or electric car is a great option. Electric vehicles actually produce 0 direct emissions, and hybrids only produce evaporative emissions and tailpipe emissions when operating on gasoline (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy). So, if you’re thinking of driving up to New York from Philly for a business meeting next week—why not think about doing a road trip in an electric car?
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Bus
While seemingly not the most glamorous option on this list, you’d be surprised at the number of luxurious bus options available! Not only is this a great way to save money on corporate travel, but it's a way to get the best of both worlds! If you're traveling between major cities in the US or any foreign country, this is a great choice if you're hoping to have a luxurious and cost-effective trip.For business travelers going around Texas, for example, you can use Vonlane—an executive bus service with 22 first-class seats. There’s WiFi, charging outlets, complimentary food and drinks, and even noise-canceling headphones! There are plenty of other similar options available in the United States and Europe. You can look into BestBus for routes between New York and Washington D.C., C&J Bus Lines across the East Coast, and Red Coach for trips in Florida. If you’re traveling around Europe, check out Nobless for routes between Prague and Zurich, Alsa for trips around Spain, or FlixBus for trans-continental travel.
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Ferry
Alright, so bear with us on this one. We’re not suggesting you take a long-distance, 80-day boat ride from LA to Auckland (New Zealand) for a business trip. But there are great ferry options for shorter routes that can help you avoid taking a plane. For example, if you’ve got business in Northern Europe and you’re traveling between Tallinn and Helsinki, this is a very realistic and efficient option. The entire journey time takes just 2 hours and runs all day long!If you're looking to turn a business trip into a bleisure trip, why not think about a cruise ship? You can stop off in different hot spots in Europe or the Caribbean, run your meeting, and hop back on board to enjoy the sea and the sun. What a fun way to turn business into pleasure!
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