Forget stuffy conference rooms and rigid itineraries. In 2025 — as corporate travelers increasingly hit the road for work — they’re demanding trips that work for them, not only their employers.

To glean insights from business travelers themselves, Uber for Business surveyed over 1,000 full-time employees to uncover what makes — or breaks — a work trip. 

So what’s in, and what’s out? Our new report, Top Business Traveler Trends of 2025, uncovers emerging trends shaping modern business travel. And it’s clear the days of settling for ‘good-enough’ are over. Employees want travel opportunities that blend productivity with premium perks, stress-free transport, rewards for personal trips, and a dash of “me time.”

Here are some highlights from the findings:

Premiumization is non-negotiable

Business travelers are elevating their standards. The top 3 perks employees crave? Stipends for off-the-clock exploration (52%), premium flight upgrades (50%), and personal-use airline and hotel rewards (45%).

Stressors, pet peeves, and solo exploration

Business travel isn’t all glamorous lounges and expense accounts. Common stressors include forgetting key items, missing flights, and nailing the packing process. As for airports and airplanes, security lines and middle seats still drive travelers nuts.

But for many, the perks outweigh the pain. Travelers are embracing “b-leisure” trips — almost 60% are adding extra days for personal exploration, while another 15% plan to in the future. 

Gen Z loves the road. Boomers? Not so much

Generation Z are frequent, enthusiastic travelers, with 83% of respondents saying they enjoy (41%) or usually enjoy (42%) going on work trips. They also reported the highest weekly travel rates. 

Compare that to Baby Boomers and Gen X, where over half reported taking only one or two work trips a year — and they’re feeling pretty over it. 

Rideshare reigns for busy travelers 

Once you’re off the plane, the real hustle begins. Nearly a quarter of respondents (22%) say booking ground transport is a headache, and a third are laser-focused on one thing: punctuality. Rideshare is the most popular choice for ground transportation (36%). 

The most loved cities: Viva Las Vegas vs The Big Apple

Las Vegas and New York City are tied as top U.S. destinations for work trips (18%), with Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami following close behind. Whether it’s the allure of the Strip or the hustle of Wall Street, these cities are keeping employees on the move.

“Uber for Business helps over 200,000 clients across the globe with their corporate travel needs. We’re seeing a clear trend: employees are back on the road as businesses double down on face-to-face connections,” said Josh Butler, Global GM of Uber for Business. “By understanding both what employees want and what stresses them on the ground, companies have a chance to rethink their approach to business travel, transforming what could seem an obligation into a rewarding, engaging experience—for employee and client alike.”

Dive into the full report to discover more surprising new trends redefining the work trip. Read the full Top Business Traveler Trends of 2025 report here.