Corporate Travel Booking: How to Streamline Your London Business Trip 

There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to the logistics of business travel. Coordinating multiple employees or frequent trips to busy global hotspots can take up valuable time for your business. However, as the need for corporate travel continues to grow, a happy team is essential. A stress-free, productive team is the end goal for your corporate travel booking – but how do you get there? 

Whether you’re an executive assistant handling itineraries or a business owner overseeing team travel, we are certain that this guide will allow you to handle corporate travel bookings with ease.  

Why Corporate Travel Booking Can Be a Challenge 

Cost management, schedule conflicts, flights, accommodation, company policy and comfort…these are just a few of the obstacles businesses and individuals face when booking corporate travel. Employees may be navigating a new city altogether which can be stressful. On top of this, accommodation should provide spacious areas for work and relaxation in order to optimise productivity.  

Common challenges include: 

• Expense tracking & budgets  

• Last minute schedule changes  

• Cohesive and coordinated group travel  

• Safe, convenient accommodation  

• Suitable amenities (Wi-Fi, co-working spaces, conference rooms) 

The demand in big cities such as London can add extra complexities to the logistics. Let’s look at the key strategies for tackling the most significant challenges of corporate travel booking.  

Tip 1: Centralise Your Corporate Travel Booking Process 

A travel management system or a centralised booking system is step one for streamlining corporate travel arrangements. With all relevant items consolidated (receipts, schedules, spreadsheets, confirmation emails, personal data) the process is quicker, smarter and easier.  

Benefits of a centralised system: 

• Better handle on employee coordination and safety  

• Expense tracking and reporting made easier  

• Seamless price and option comparisons  

There are many corporate travel tools and platforms on the market, each with their unique perks that will likely stand out to your business and individual needs.  

Tip 2: Choose Flexible Accommodation Options 

Whilst hotels have long been a popular choice for corporate travel, the modern professional has better options available. Hotels can be great for brief stays, but for extended work trips they do not offer the space or comfort of competing accommodation options.  

Serviced apartments are now the leading choice for corporate travel, particularly in busy cities like London. Here are some of the reasons why:  

• Flexible stay options for extended stays and short-term bookings  

• Budget effective – many serviced apartments (including our own) offer discounted rates on extended stays VS traditional hotels  

• Spacious working, living and sleeping areas help professionals maintain a routine and rest well.  

• Serviced accommodations can be found in the prime locations around London including Canary Wharf, the City and Westminster.  

Tip 3: Create a Corporate Travel Policy 

Ensure expectations and standards are met by laying out a clear travel policy – this will help with the corporate travel booking process, but also means your professionals will have a clear picture of what their business stay will look like.  

Your travel policy should cover: 

• Travel insurance requirements and emergency contact information  

• Approval process for expenses and expense limits  

• Preferred booking platforms and vendors  

• Clear guidelines for booking and communication  

Time saving, staff pleasing and compliant – a formal policy that follows these key points ensures you’re onto a winner.  

Tip 4: Prioritise Location and Accessibility 

Choosing accommodation in the right area is crucial for successful corporate travel in London. Getting a hand on major transport links and booking stays close to business districts or client offices will streamline the trip.  

Look for locations near: 

• Underground and train stations (e.g., King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, Paddington) 

• Airports (especially Heathrow and City Airport) 

• Key business areas like the City of London, Shoreditch, or South Bank 

You will find serviced apartments, which are tailored for corporate travel, are in all major business districts and hotspots, reducing stress and commute time.  

Tip 5: Work with Trusted Local Partners 

If you are unfamiliar with London, navigating accommodation can feel daunting. Working with trusted and reliable partners will empower you to make the best choices for your corporate travel.  

At London Serviced Apartments, we specialise in providing fully furnished, high-quality apartments for business travellers. Our team know all the major tickboxes and pain points that can arise during the corporate booking process and are here to offer expert guidance every step of the way.  

We also offer: 

• Tailored solutions for corporate travellers  

• Dedicated staff, end to end processing  

• Support for complex bookings 

• Location advice  

• Flexible stay options 

Making Corporate Travel Easier and Smarter 

Improve your ROI when it comes to corporate travel by streamlining your booking process. Choose London serviced apartments, create clear policy and leverage management platforms and stand out in a competitive world.