For the events industry, the rail revival is more than a stylish alternative to flying. It represents a chance to rethink how delegates, exhibitors, and incentive groups travel. By balancing sustainability, experience, and logistics, it can support both attendees and organisers.
Sleeper trains make a comeback
Luxury sleeper trains are re-emerging, not just as nostalgic journeys, but as a modern response to the demand for greener, slower, and more experiential travel. The upcoming launch of the Britannic Explorer across England and Wales places the UK firmly within a wider global trend, where rail is being reimagined for today’s audience.
In Europe, bookings for night trains surged 147% in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels, driven by growing environmental awareness and movements such as Sweden’s tagskryt (“train bragging”), where travellers proudly share scenic journeys online. Governments in France, Germany, and Austria are also investing heavily in cross-border services as part of their climate commitments.
Sustainability at the forefront
For event organisers, travel is often the single largest contributor to carbon footprints, sometimes accounting for up to 80% of total emissions. Trains offer a clear alternative: High-speed rail produces around 14g of CO₂ per passenger km, compared to over 150g for flights. Trains can emit up to 90% less CO₂ per passenger km than planes. Stations are typically located in city centres, reducing onward travel time and costs. Group bookings and passes often make rail cheaper than flights, with no hidden baggage fees.
With delegates increasingly asking for sustainable options and organisers under pressure to deliver on ESG goals, trains offer a practical solution that combines efficiency with environmental responsibility.
Beyond the journey: experiences on rails
Sleeper and luxury trains aren’t just about getting from A to B, they create opportunities for the events industry to rethink travel as part of the experience: Delegates can combine travel, networking, and accommodation in one seamless journey. Routes passing through cultural hubs allow organisers to curate incentive trips with built-in experiences. Luxury services elevate business travel into a memorable part of the event itself.
Innovative ideas are also appearing beyond the train. In Copenhagen, the CopenPay scheme rewards rail passengers with access to museums, gyms, and cultural attractions, showing how sustainable travel can be tied directly to lifestyle and leisure.
The opportunity for events
For event professionals, the revival of train travel is more than a passing trend it’s a chance to reshape the future of delegate journeys. From reducing carbon footprints to enriching the travel experience, rail offers solutions that align with both business goals and attendee expectations.
Sleeper trains in particular point to what the future of event travel could look like combining transport, accommodation, and even networking opportunities into one seamless journey. This model not only reduces reliance on short-haul flights but also creates time-efficient and memorable experiences for attendees.
The launch of the Britannic Explorer is only the beginning. As more operators expand services across Europe and beyond, the question for organisers is no longer whether rail fits into event logistics, but how quickly they can get on board.
