When we ask “How long does it take to get there?” — we usually mean door-to-door time.
But that’s only part of the story. The real question is:
How much of that time can you actually use?
The Illusion of Speed
Driving looks fast on paper. Google Maps says four hours — done.
But that’s assuming you never hit traffic, never stop for fuel, and never take a bio break. Add just a few interruptions, and your “four-hour” drive easily becomes five.
Flying feels fast, too — until you add airport transfers, security, boarding, and waiting for luggage. A one-hour flight between Zurich and Munich turns into three to four hours door-to-door — and almost none of that time is usable.
Even trains, while comfortable, often involve interruptions: boarding, transfers, announcements, and the constant stop-and-go of regional segments like the S-Bahn. It’s travel time, yes — but rarely useful time.
Usable Time: The Overlooked Factor
For business travelers, the true metric isn’t just how long you’re in motion — it’s how effectively you can use that time.
If you’re cramped into a narrow seat, constantly adjusting your bag, or dealing with weak Wi-Fi, you’re not working — you’re surviving.
On most trips:
- Air: 0 % usable time
- Train: sometimes usable, but limited by crowding, reseating, or poor internet
- Car: not usable — you’re driving
- BizBus: up to 75–80 % usable time — with a desk, Wi-Fi, coffee, and quiet
That’s not just a comfort benefit; it’s a productivity gain.
A New Metric for Business Travel
| Mode | Usable Time | Door-to-Door | Fast Wi-Fi | CO₂ / Passenger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BizBus | 3:50 | 4:55 | ✅ Reliable | 20 kg |
| ICE 1st Class | 3:30 | 4:35 | ⚠ Slow | 10–25 kg |
| Flight | 0:00 | 3:15–4:15 | ❌ None | 125 kg |
| Car | 0:00 | 4:00–4:30 | ❌ None | 100 kg |
Example: Region Zurich ↔ Munich. Sources: SBB.ch, Swiss.com, Google Maps, Flixbus.ch
What This Means
If a trip lets you spend three or four hours doing focused work — or simply arriving refreshed — it’s not “lost time.” It’s part of your productive day.
BizBus was designed around that idea:
Reliable. Comfortable. Sustainable. Productive.
A workspace on wheels — where your travel time finally becomes your time.