Which cities are the most expensive for business travel?

Hickory Global Partners, a US-based global corporate travel consortium with over 2,500 members across 74 countries, has unveiled the world’s most expensive cities for business travel based on 2024 booking data.

The ranking, which highlights both international and domestic destinations, is derived from the average daily rate of spend, reflecting the costs incurred by companies for transient passengers or to attend or sponsor events.

The top 10 most expensive international cities for business travel are:

1. Rome, Italy

2. London, England

3. Paris, France

4. Edinburgh, Scotland

5. Zurich, Switzerland

6. Milan, Italy

7. Geneva, Switzerland

8. Tokyo, Japan

9. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

10. Hong Kong, China

While cities like Rome, London and Paris are traditionally recognised for their high costs, others such as Edinburgh and Riyadh are becoming more significant in the global business landscape. Edinburgh, known for its accessibility to major European cities and excellent conference facilities, has risen in popularity for international meetings. Riyadh, a growing financial hub in the Middle East, continues to expand its influence on the international business scene.

Related: Business travel surges due to increase of corporate events

For U.S. business travel, the most costly cities include well-known corporate hubs such as New York, NY, Cambridge, MA, and Boston, MA. However, the list also features some smaller cities, including Anchorage, AK and Santa Clara, CA. Anchorage is notable for its growing tourism industry and its status as a critical stop for international shipping and logistics, supported by one of the busiest cargo airports globally. Santa Clara, located near Silicon Valley, has seen increased costs as a result of its role as a tech hub.

“We’ve seen the consistent rise of business travel for a few years now, proving that meeting in person is still considered a top priority for companies," said Chris Dane, president and managing partner of Hickory Global Partners. "The pandemic is far behind us, and with return-to-office mandates growing, it only makes sense that business travel grows alongside it. No matter the situation, people will always want to gather with those in their respective industries.”

As business travel continues to recover and expand post-pandemic, global business travel spending is expected to reach approximately $1.64 trillion in 2025, up from $1.48 trillion in 2024.