A Guide to Traveling for Work

Take the stress out of work by being prepared and having an arsenal of easy travel tips and tricks up your sleeve. The right prep can help you have a stress-free business trip and focus on the important tasks at hand.

Start With the Simple Things

Whether you travel frequently or only occasionally, being prepared to travel for work starts with the basics. You’ll need to make a checklist of the essentials you’ll need for the trip, along with extra items that might make it less stressful. Consider the location, the events or meetings that will take place, the current or expected weather forecast, and how long you will be staying. Take a brief inventory of the existing items you have in your closet, and plan a shopping trip (or even easier, shop online for your business basics) to make sure you have the key items you need to put together great business-friendly outfits. Comfortable yet polished-looking outfits are also important for the travel to and from the location you’ll be visiting.

What to Pack: Business Wardrobe

When planning your trip, you’ll need to make sure you have the right professional clothing throughout your trip. Because time and resources may be limited, it might not be viable to go to the dry cleaners or get clothes laundered during the trip. Pack so that you have a business outfit ready for each day of your trip plus a comfortable travel outfit for the way home. Look for items that you can mix and match so you don’t have any undue stress about making sure outfits complement one another. Consider packing custom business workwear or embroidered business professional clothing to help you stand out and help people recognize the company. You’ll also need to pack some casual clothing for after business hours, any special evening wear or dress clothing for special dinners or charity events, undergarments, workout or jogging clothes, and a swimsuit and cover-up to enjoy the pool or beach after hours. Keep accessories minimal and basic; choose versatile items that can be worn more than once during your trip to help maximize your packing space.

Tips and Tricks for Packing Personal Items

Saving space, staying organized, and yet still making sure you have all the personal items you need is an important part of getting ready for your trip. Use travel-size containers of personal items like shampoo and mouthwash and pack all-in-one bath products and makeup palettes to save space. Look for slim, zippered pouches to store personal items that won’t take up much space in your suitcase. Be sure to keep a safe space for essentials like medication or vitamins. A small spot remover and mini sewing kit can also come in handy in case of emergency stains or repairs. If you are flying, you want to keep a spare set of clothing and key personal items in a carry-on bag in case your luggage is misplaced.

Take the Tech Gear You Need

Look for travel-safe bags to stow all your important tech gear. Depending on what your role is and the purpose of your work travel, you may need a substantial amount of gear, or you may be able to make do with just your smartphone and a spare charger. No matter what you’ll need, pack items in a way that they are protected from drops or bumps. Be sure to pack charging cords neatly to stay organized and save space. Travel bags that include chargers can be helpful as well.

Staying Comfortable During the Trip

No matter what form of travel your business trip has in store, keep some room available for those little things that will make it more comfortable. This includes items like a light jacket or rain poncho in case of sudden storms, a small travel pillow and/or blanket, a reusable water bottle, healthy snacks, chewing gum or mints, lip balm, and earplugs. Hand sanitizers, tissues, cough drops, and minor medications like aspirin or ibuprofen can also come in handy. Outerwear, like a custom business women's work blazer or custom logo work jacket can help keep you looking smart and comfortable.

Get to Know the Area

Whether you’ll be in the area just a few days or for several weeks or months, it can be helpful to get to know it in advance. Browse the internet for the best restaurants and stores, and find out where the closest medical facilities or hospitals are in case of emergencies. Evaluate the standard travel in the area to decide if you need to rent a vehicle or can use public transportation during your trip. Don’t forget to look for some fun places, too, such as a unique place to get a smoothie or find a souvenir from the area. Check local reviews to find the best places to visit.

Other Tips for Smooth Business Travel

A few other tips and hacks can also help your trip be completely stress-free:

Print or write out confirmation numbers, addresses, or other important information in case you can’t access it on your device.
Keep cash on hand in case of emergencies.
If you travel frequently, consider programs that will reduce stress or give you more peace of mind, such as roadside assistance membership if you travel by auto or an airport lounge membership if you fly frequently.
Look for the fastest routes or book non-stop flights to save time.
If you have control over your travel plans, consider traveling at off-peak hours when roadways or airports are less busy.
Put preferences into your hotel bookings to get the rooms and amenities you need.

Smart, Savvy, Stress-Free Travel for Work

Traveling for work can be a part of life, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful. Advanced planning and some simple tricks can help you make the most of your trip and make it a success!