Train Travel

Business train travel picks up speed as air hassles escalate
By Betty W. Stark, Business travel consultant and columnist Stark Consulting Business travelers are turning to train travel as the inconveniences of air travel reach record levels with no solutions in sight. Exasperated business travelers are opting for rail travel in increasing numbers after getting fed up dealing with lengthy airline delays, jam-packed flights, cancellations, heightened security checks, cranky personnel and mountains of delayed and lost luggage.  

U.S. travel by train (which is generally Amtrak train travel) does not match the world-class high-speed train service available in some other countries, but there are options worth exploring. You'll need to understand how U.S. train travel routes work-including their limitations--cross-country, regionally and locally. 

In foreign destinations, especially in Europe, train travel is giving air travel a serious run for its money. There, trains are generally sleek, quiet, economical, on-time and very fast. As an added bonus, convenience features like at-seat audio, laptop and cell phone charging ports and even wireless Internet are boosting the benefits for international business travelers.

To get the most out of train travel, you'll want to: 

   1.      Research train travel routes to your typical business destinations.
   2.      Scout out options for rail travel, such as commuter train and regional train systems.
   3.      Find online sources for booking train passes and train travel discounts.
   4.      Use those air miles to travel by train.
   5.      Earn rewards when you travel by train.

First, determine if U.S. train travel will work for you

If you live in the northeast U.S. and routinely travel within that corridor and to parts of Canada, you'll find plenty of train travel options. Other population-intense regions of the country like the Chicago and West Coast regions benefit from Amtrak rail travel service as well. In all, Amtrak serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states.
Try:  Amtrak's well-known Acela high-speed train that runs from Boston to Washington, DC, is popular for business train travel. You'll find an interactive train travel route map on the Amtrak website to help you select the best routes. Amtrak also teams up to provide commuter train service in areas such as California (Caltrain), Maryland (MARC) and the Shore East Line, among others. You'll find a comprehensive list of state-by-state train travel links here

Foreign train travel can be a breeze for business travelers

Foreign train travel, especially in Europe, across Canada, and in parts of Asia has a lot to offer the business traveler looking for efficiency. High-speed trains that whoosh through rural and urban areas are known for their on-time performance, comfortable amenities and reasonable fares (and they serve food too!).
Try:  Look into foreign rail travel options from VirginTrains and BritRail in the UK and VIA Rail in Canada. Check into across-Europe train travel options (including online quotes) and travel the Channel Tunnel from London to Paris or Brussels via Eurostar. At Rail Connection, you can review options for Europe train travel passes that will take you cross-country, from one country to another, from city to city and throughout regions.

Book train travel and train passes on the Internet

Once you know where you're going and how you want to get there, it's easy to book both domestic and foreign train travel online and track down the commuter train options at your destination too.
Try:  If you travel with a web-enabled phone or PDA, you can download Amtrak schedules, make or change reservations and check the status of trains. RailChoice is one of Great Britain's leading European and International Railpass, Flexipass and train travel ticket suppliers. Eurail Pass (this is the official USA site) offers Europe train travel passes for visitors from the U.S. You'll want to be efficient when you arrive in London, so check out the Heathrow Express for a fast transfer to Central London. And don't forget The Tube for getting around once you're there. You can use the handy Journey Planner feature ahead of time and download route maps to use when you're there.

Use your air miles or earn new rewards for travel by train

Just because you choose to travel by train instead of wrestling with the hassles of air travel doesn't mean you have to let your air miles lay dormant, or lose out on the opportunity to earn more rewards for your days on the road.
Try:  Check out Rail Rewards for details on earning and using rewards. Look into the Amtrak Guest Rewards Program for both individuals and businesses (you'll need a minimum of three employees who are members to qualify for business train travel rewards). Via Rail, the train travel company that crosses Canada, offers rewards through its Via Preference Program. And don't overlook the rewards you've already accumulated in your frequent flyer and frequent stay programs; many can be used for business train travel.

• Several of the frequent guest lounges for train travel match or rival airport clubs for features favored by business travelers.
• Wireless Internet access is becoming increasingly available on rail travel in Europe. Plus, many European train stations offer free or for-a-fee wireless Internet access.
• Amtrak recently added luxury train cars to some routes in a bid to attract more business train travel customers and leisure travelers.
• Train travel prices in general can be comparable to or less than air travel between the same destinations. European rail passes in particular are a boon if you are traveling across several countries over an extended period of time.
• Devotees of train travel emphasize the "green" benefits of rail travel vs. travel by air or car.