World's Most Expensive Cities for Business Travel

Hickory Global Partners, a global corporate travel consortium for travel management companies and corporate travel departments, has compiled a report on the world’s most expensive cities for business travel. Globally, Rome costs the most, where the business traveler's spend averages $522.49 a day; domestically, New York City is the most expensive, at $447.51 a day.

The report is based on 2024 booking data from the consortium's more than 2,500 members across 74 countries, with more than 51,000 hotel partners.

Highest priced domestic cities for business travel

The top 10 most expensive cities for business travel in the United States are:

1. New York City ($447.51 a day)
2. Cambridge, Mass. ($375.20)
3. Boston ($365.49)
4. Washington, D.C. ($326.91)
5. San Francisco ($325.20)
6. Anchorage, Alaska ($285.12)
7. Chicago ($267.19)
8. Santa Clara, Calif. ($264.93)
9. Las Vegas ($258.55)
10. Arlington, Va. ($258.27)

While typically pricey destinations on the list such as New York City, Boston or Chicago come as no surprise, the smaller cities of Anchorage and Santa Clara are noteworthy additions. According to Hickory, Alaska’s growing tourism industry might play a role in its popularity, as well as the fact that Anchorage has one of the busiest cargo airports in the world and is a vital stop for businesses involved in international shipping and logistics. As for Santa Clara, which is near San Jose, it has become a hub for tech companies in the Silicon Valley.

Highest priced global cities for business travel

For international business travel, the top 10 most expensive cities, not including any U.S. cities, are:

1. Rome ($522.49)
2. London ($445.21)
3. Paris ($419.28)
4. Edinburgh, Scotland ($395.05)
5. Zurich, Switzerland ($376.94)
6. Milan ($357.20)
7. Geneva ($340.28)
8. Tokyo ($331.66)
9. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ($323.39)
10. Hong Kong ($321.41)

The presence on the list of Edinburgh and Riyadh might surprise some travelers, Hickory noted. Business travelers have been prizing Edinburgh for its easy access to major European cities, and it is increasingly being used by corporations for large events. For its part, Riyadh, a major financial hub in the Middle East, is broadening its horizons by welcoming more tourism and business ventures. 

Costs not expected to level off

Business travel has steadily increased over the last several years, with spend surpassing prepandemic levels in 2024 and expected to continue its upward trajectory. "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. No matter the situation, people will always want to gather with those in their respective industries.”