For a lot of people out there, business travel is just another essential part of the job. So many companies are reliant on it for building strong relationships with others overseas, attending important industry events, and testing the waters for international expansion.
So where does that leave you? The employee who needs to wake up at 5am to catch that 8am flight? To get the most out of your trip, while also managing stress and staying relaxed, it’s important to prepare for it properly and to stay focused and organised. That’s why I’ve put together a list of five top tips that will make your business travel as smooth as possible, and will both support your personal wellbeing and lead to the best business outcomes.
1. Plan Your Itinerary in Advance
For me, a well-organised itinerary is a non-negotiable. It lays the foundation for any successful business trip and sets my mind at ease when I suddenly worry that I’ve forgotten something and that jolt of panic hits. The best way to set up an itinerary is to confirm the greatest details before working your way back.
So confirm flight dates and times, along with accommodation, followed by meeting times, event times, and transport arrangements for those smaller journeys in between. Keep every single reservation detail in one location, like a travel app, your personal notes app, or a calendar.
Try to leave some space for flexibility in between appointments if possible, as this will probably minimise stress and give you some more breathing room to debrief after one meeting and prepare for another, and can also come in handy if one meeting runs later than expected.
2. Pack Smart and Stay Organised
Efficient packing is definitely a skill I had to develop through trial and error over the course of many, many trips. In a past life, I was an overpacker, prone to pulling out hair over organising several outfits per day and making sure I had enough space to bring along every single gadget I owned.
But now, I’ve come to realise that efficient packing just makes travelling so much easier and helps when trying to maintain a professional appearance. Here’s how I go about it:
Choose versatile clothing – different mix-and-match clothing elements that work across multiple meetings and occasions.
Keep essentials all in one place – passport, other travel documents, presentation resources, and chargers all go in one section of my bag.
Buy travel-size toiletries – save space in your suitcase by packing smaller alternatives for your toiletries, like shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and moisturisers. You won’t need those enormous bottles for a 2-3 day trip, so free up some space for something you actually need to use.
Keep a list – as you’re packing your suitcase, make a note of every item you pack, just so you have a list to tick off when you’re packing for your return home. It’s great for relieving stress when I’m worried about forgetting my things and leaving them behind.
3. Prioritise Comfort and Wellbeing
I always find that I travel best when I’m alert and well-energised. If I’m tired, I can get sloppy very quickly and risk being caught up in security queues for too long or misreading my gate. But when I eat a good, balanced breakfast, drink plenty of water, and have a good night’s sleep the night before, I always travel at my best. I’d also recommend wearing comfortable shoes and I always feel the difference when I’m not forced to endure a flight in my pair of oxfords, even though sometimes this is unavoidable.
It doesn’t matter if I’m flying all the way across the world to meet a marketing company in Mumbai or just shooting up north to see a design agency in Leeds, travelling comfortably always improves the overall experience.
Conclusion
Travelling for business can often feel like a slog, but when I prepare properly, in a practical sense with a good itinerary and efficient packing, and with my wellbeing in mind, the whole experience goes so much more smoothly, no matter how the professional aspects of the trip turn out.