Travelling is soul-soothing, except for the planning part. It can be stressful. You do not want to experience frustration when you realize you have forgotten to pack an important item after arriving at your destination!

It is especially maddening if you are traveling for business and discover an important document because of prior planning. The best way to avoid disappointments like this is to create a business travel planner that is customized to you. Here are our tips to make your journeys – business or pleasure – much easier.

Research your destination

• Research about the area you’ll be traveling to. Consider things that may affect your trips, like political situation, cultural differences, crime rate, and business hours.
• If you have some additional time left after work, you may even turn it into a ‘leisure’ trip and check out some tourist destinations.

 

Make travel arrangements

• Ensure that your passport, ID, and appropriate visas are valid and you have them packed.
• Prefer to book red-eye flights to avoid traffic and surged airfare.
• Book accommodations close to your business venue.
• Book local transport to and from the airport or train station. If you are traveling to a new destination, we suggest you book a professional chauffeured car service provider for your intra-city travel.
• If you have airline reward points or are a part of hotel loyalty programs, consider booking with them. It will help you save a ton of money.
• Use Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Clear for faster security checks.
• Consider trip insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.

 

Create an itinerary

• Prepare a comprehensive itinerary to keep you on the right track. It could include your meeting dates, time, venue, address, people you are meeting, all your transportation and accommodation details, and even your local correspondence.

 

Prepare for your meetings

• Establish quick pointers on goals and objectives for each of your meetings.
• Review the names, roles, and titles of the people you’ll be meeting with.
• Keep necessary documents and presentations in a shareable format.

 

Pack

• Restock your travel supplies.
• Pack based on TSA and other appropriate regulations.
• Try to take only a carry-on suitcase. Even if you have a check-in bag, ensure you have essentials like your electronics and accessories, medications, and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.
• Prefer travel organizers to streamline your belongings and use plastic bags for toiletries to prevent leaks.
• Stick to neutral colored clothing that can be worn in various ways.
• Prepare a list of necessary and optional items.

Necessary

• Passport/visa, credit cards, bank cards, vaccination records, and personal ID (keep the digital copy of all your important documents in your cloud storage)
• Toiletries
• Local currency as cash
• Electronics chargers and additional USB cords
• Weather and culture appropriate clothes
• An all-purpose kit with band-aids, stain remover, lint roller, breath mints, allergy medication, upset stomach medication, pain relievers, flu medication, hand sanitizer, face mask, and baby wipes

Optional

• Notebook and pen
• Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs
• Casual clothes for evenings and weekends
• Workout gear

Before Your Leave

• Set up your out-of-office message.
• Arrange your substitute who will be taking care of your responsibilities until you return.
• Find someone to take care of your pets if you have any.
• Give your itinerary and contact information to a trusted friend or family member so they know your whereabouts.
• Make sure to stay hydrated.

Bonus tip

Even if you are on a business trip, take short strolls or take the scenic route to your meeting. You don’t want the only things you see are hotel rooms and conference centers!