The first and last mile

The start and end of a business trip can often be the most stressful part of the journey. We look at how to make it a better experience

- FELICITY COUSINS

You've caught the same early flight 100 times and you know the drill-pack light, make sure you have enough time for a shot of caffeine in the lounge, board early to stow your hand luggage, then sit back and relax for take off. But what about the two hours before that moment? Being at the airport is easy - how you get there is another matter.

Carolyn Pearson, CEO of Maiden Voyage, an inclusive business travel consultancy, agrees the first part of the trip is stressful: "The first mile I'm thinking what have I forgotten? I'm constantly checking my bag and thinking of a Plan B."

Ground transport is a part of the business trip that is reliant on the traveller making the right decision for themselves, and their company, when they are stressed, tired, and in the case of the last mile, probably in an unfamiliar place. What could possibly go wrong?

The first dilemma is which mode of transport to take. Do you jump in an Uber, order a local cab, book a chauffeur, catch a train, drive yourself, take the Tube or try out an e-scooter? And what drives this decision? Speed, cost, safety, ease, sustainability, or perhaps company travel policy?

Understanding ground transport options at an unfamiliar destination is a familiar pain point. Business travellers may face language barriers, different travel systems and tricky payment options.

According to a recent Business Traveller survey, 40 per cent of travellers would take the fastest option, while company travel policy was way down on the list at just 7 per cent. The survey also showed that 16 per cent of respondents chose transport depending on their knowledge of the destination, while 13 per cent said it depended on the time of day.

Pearson says: "My choice [of transport] would depend on the destination and time of day. If I was going to Lagos, for example, it would be the safest and most expensive presuming more money means safer."