Almost two-thirds (63%) of business travellers feel overwhelmed by travel admin, reveals new research conducted in January 2026 by Opinium on behalf of Trainline Business.
Opinium surveyed 1,000 UK-based workers who travelled for work outside of their usual commute between January 8 and January 13.
The findings highlight that outdated tools are leading to inefficient booking behaviours which slow down day-to-day work and undermine productivity.
Two-fifths (40%) of business travellers gravitate towards familiar booking choices, even when they are not the most efficient, while 62% feel that they spend too long comparing travel options.
This disrupts workflows and diverts attention from core tasks. Almost six in ten (58%) admit that travel tasks divert focus away from their day-to-day work.
Nearly four in ten (39%) say having one trusted platform would reduce friction, while 35% want a simpler system that is more convenient to use. Three in ten (30%) say fewer steps in the booking journey would make a meaningful difference.
Improved guidance would be beneficial, with over two-thirds (67%) agreeing that they would make quicker decisions if their company’s travel booking system provided clearer recommendations.
One-third (33%) of travellers say that having a single platform with clear guidance and centralised information would free up time to focus on revenue-generating work.
Commenting on the research, Sophie Fleming, Global Head of Trainline Business, said: “Business travellers want fewer steps, clearer guidance when booking and ultimately, simpler journeys. Our research shows that clunky, overcomplicated systems quickly turn travel admin into a drag on productivity. By unifying rail content, policies and recommendations in one trusted platform, businesses can cut admin time and help employees focus on the work that really matters.”
