New research from Trainline Partner Solutions, the B2B arm of Trainline, reveals over three-quarters of UK SMBs expect to increase both domestic travel volumes (76%) and business travel budgets (79%) in 2025 according to their business travel decision-makers. Find out more about UK business travel trends 2025 below.

The research shows business travel is on a continued upward trajectory among UK SMBs. Three-quarters (74%) of respondents reported higher business travel volumes for their company in 2024, compared to 2023. In parallel with this growth, SMB decision-makers are prioritizing sustainability considerations within their corporate travel policies. Over one-third of decision makers (33%) identified increasing the use of rail as a key initiative to reduce their carbon footprint.

Most significantly, the overwhelming majority (87%) of UK SMBs now have a target in place to reduce emissions from business travel – up from a mere 52% who had set targets in the last survey by Trainline Partner Solutions in January 2024.

The vast majority (85%) also have a clear policy and financial support in place to encourage the use of lower-carbon modes of travel. While UK SMBs are not impacted by regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the growing regulatory environment is already influencing their corporate strategy—emerging as the number one driver for those SMBs that have established policy and financial support for lower carbon travel (34%).

Meanwhile, nearly 9 in 10 (89%) of those who work with a Travel Management company see emissions insights from their TMC as critical for managing their business travel emissions.

Andrew Cruttenden, General Manager at Trainline Partner Solutions, said:

“It’s a great sign for the business travel sector that the UK’s small businesses expect to continue ramping up their business travel volumes and spending in 2025. Now that nine out of ten businesses have established targets to cut their business travel emissions, it will be crucial they support their employees to prioritize lower-carbon travel modes like rail. Given rail’s strong sustainability advantage over flying and driving, the onus is on the rail and business travel sectors to make train travel the seamless and natural choice—and at Trainline Partner Solutions we can assist by offering tech solutions that will help make that happen.”

UK Business Travel Trends 2025 vs EU

In 2025, both UK and EU business travel sectors are experiencing significant transformations, driven by technological advancements, sustainability commitments, and evolving traveler preferences.

Sustainability Initiatives: In the UK, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly prioritizing sustainable travel. A recent study by Trainline Partner Solutions indicates that 87% of UK SMBs have set targets to reduce business travel emissions, with many opting for rail travel as a key strategy. Similarly, across the EU, there’s a notable shift towards eco-friendly travel options, with companies encouraging the use of trains and other low-emission transportation modes to meet environmental goals.

Technological Integration: Both regions are embracing technology to enhance the travel experience. The adoption of AI-powered tools for travel planning, virtual reality for pre-trip assessments, and advanced data analytics for personalized travel solutions are becoming standard practices. These innovations aim to streamline booking processes, improve traveler safety, and offer tailored experiences.

Traveler Preferences: The concept of “bleisure” travel, where business trips are extended for leisure purposes, is gaining traction in both the UK and the EU. Employees increasingly seek to combine work commitments with personal travel, leading companies to adapt their travel policies to accommodate this trend.

Regulatory Changes: New travel regulations are being implemented that affect business travelers in both regions. The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system and the EU’s Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) are set to become operational, requiring travelers to obtain prior authorization before entry. These measures aim to enhance security but also add an administrative layer to business travel planning.

In summary, while both the UK and EU are navigating similar trends in business travel for 2025, including a focus on sustainability, technological integration, and evolving traveler preferences, regional regulatory changes and specific corporate strategies may lead to variations in how these trends manifest.