The Top 14 Business Travel Tips

If you’re someone who travels for business, you’re likely looking for new ways to make your experience easier. Whether you’re jetting off on international flights, or simply roaming the local area, there’s always a way to make your journey run more smoothly. 

Corporate business travel can be exciting and open doors to lots of new opportunities. You can see the world without having to break the bank, all whilst immersing yourself in exciting new cultures. To help make this process easier, we’ve put together our top tips for smooth business travel below. This way you can embark on your next trip with all of this information in mind. 

Whether you’re an avid traveller or are about to set off on your first excursion, we’ve got everything you need to know in this article. Keep reading to find an array of useful recommendations for your next working voyage, alongside some added tips for what to pack when travelling.

No matter where you are going, there are always ways to make your journey that little bit easier. With everything from what to take with you to checking in online, you’ll discover some of our top tips for business travel below. 

Check-in Online Before Your Flight 

As technology continues to evolve, checking in at the airport is easier than ever before. You can now check in online, making those dreaded queues a distant memory for many. This not only helps you to save time, but it also means there’s one less thing to worry about when setting off on your journey. 

You’ll need to check with your airline for how far in advance you can check in online and those travelling with luggage, other than a carry-on, will need to drop off their bags. 

Check Internet Connection 

There’s nothing more frustrating than a bad internet connection when you need it the most. For those who are travelling for business, you’re likely going to need a good online connection. We recommend checking the wifi at the places you are staying, alongside anywhere you might stop off in between. 

For those with a layover, it’s also worth checking that the airport has a good internet connection so that you can make the most of your time whilst waiting for your flight. 

Save Files and Important Information Offline

If you’re struggling to find places during your trip with a good internet connection, a great alternative is to save your important files and documents offline. This means that you will be able to access them even if there’s no wifi in sight! 

Alternatively, another business travel solution is to go old school and print off your important documents. This means you can still work on those meeting notes in the event of no internet and low battery on your device. 

Pick Your Seat on the Plane Before Travelling

When booking business travel, we recommend picking your seat on the plane before you travel. This is especially important for those flying long distances, as comfort will be key. You can discover an array of great websites that will help you find the best and worst places to sit on your flight. 

There are also some excellent places to go for those pursuing corporate air travel or are travelling with multiple colleagues on the same trip. This means that you can spend your journey resting comfortably and arrive at your destination feeling ready to go. 

Try Opt for Non-stop travel 

Layovers can be a pain, even for leisure travellers. With this in mind, we would also suggest opting for a non-stop flight wherever possible. It’s also likely that you will have meetings or arrangements for when you arrive at your destination and layovers may cause delays. 

Flying non-stop also helps avoid other potential issues such as lost baggage and cancellations, so a direct journey is always best for those looking to take the stress out of business travel. 

Plan Time for Security Checks 

To help your business travel experience go as smoothly as possible, it’s also important that you plan and make time for security checks. 

Make sure your liquids and electronics are packed properly and be sure to review the security criteria beforehand so you know what you can and cannot take in your hand luggage. This will help ensure that your time at the airport is stress-free, creating an all-around better travel experience. 

Think about Comfort when Travelling

Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, comfort is always key. You must wear clothes that are comfortable for your journey, especially if you are on a long-haul flight. We also recommend bringing good luggage that is easy to carry, snacks and drinks, skincare and a good book or tablet to pass the time. All of these things will help make your business travel a little more enjoyable.  

Choose Carry-on Luggage Where Possible 

Opting for carry-on bags instead of heavy suitcases is a much easier alternative. Not only will this help you save time during your business trip, but it also minimises the chances of your luggage going missing. 

Plus, you could also pack your essentials for your flight in your carry-on bag, great for those planning to work on the plane. 

Keep Important Documents to Hand

With plenty to think about during your business trip, the last thing you need is to misplace your important documents. We recommend always having them to hand in your carry-on bag or hand luggage. This means you can save time when going through security and checking in at the airport and also ensure you always have your documents available if you happen to need them at the last minute. 

Research Business Etiquette 

One thing that people often overlook when business travel planning is interactions when travelling to other countries. Respecting differing cultures and traditions is not only the right thing to do when you’re exploring somewhere new, but it will also help you build relationships for business. 

We recommend doing your research before your trip to ensure you know the country’s customs, this way you can conduct yourself in a way that is both polite and respectful. 

Look Up Your Company’s Travel Policy 

If you are going on business travel and are employed, you will want to follow your company’s travel policy during this time. Make sure you read this document so that you are representing your organisation in the best way possible. This also often provides travellers with key information for their journey such as where to book, how receipts and payments work, plus much more. 

Make the Most of Loyalty Schemes

Rewards programmes are great ways to make the most out of your business travel experiences. There are plenty of great loyalty schemes for frequent flyers or regular hotel guests. You’ll find an excellent selection of perks with these programmes, providing you with lots of added benefits during your trip. 

Ask Your IT Team for Travel Requirements

There’s nothing more frustrating than technical issues, especially when you’re travelling for business. With this in mind, it’s important to make sure you have access to all of your servers and files before your trip. It’s worth checking with your IT department before you go as they will be able to guide you on security measures and access approval whilst you travel. 

We also recommend having a contact number or email that you could use during your business trip if there happen to be any technical issues during your stay. 

Collect Your Business Receipts

Business travel expenses soon stack up and many companies are happy to reimburse these after your trip. However, it is important to keep all of your receipts so that you can claim your money back when you return. Without these, there’s no way of knowing what you spent and what you are owed, which could result in a very expensive business trip if there’s no way of getting the money back.

Business Travel Packing Tips

Now you know a little more about planning for your trip, we will go through everything you need for your business travel packing list. From packing light to ensuring you’ve got all of the essentials, we’ve put together some tips below so that you can embark on your journey with everything you need to know in mind. 

Consider Business Attire and Casual Clothing

When packing for your trip, it’s important to consider both casual attire alongside business travel clothes. There will likely be times during your journey when you won’t be working so it’s a good idea to make sure you have clothes for going out for dinner or comfortable clothing for simply relaxing in your hotel. 

If you find yourself with time to explore the place you are visiting, you’ll also want to consider comfortable footwear for your trip. This means you can explore with ease, without having to worry that your only shoes are stilettos! 

Of course, business outfits are also essential. You should make sure that the clothes you pack are appropriate for the type of trip you are going on. Be sure to check the weather forecast, alongside what type of clothing is appropriate for the country you are visiting. This ensures that you are properly prepared for all aspects of your journey and also adds to creating the right impression whilst representing your organisation. 

Packing your Suitcase

Travelling on business can be difficult for those who like to keep their outfits ironed and fresh. However, there are plenty of ways that you can still ensure your clothes remain intact during your travels. 

Packing cubes are great for creating space in your luggage and also help prevent clothes from becoming crinkled whilst travelling. You can also opt for wrinkle-resistant fabrics as these will help your items look fresher for longer.

Alternatively, it’s worth checking your accommodation to see what amenities they have to offer. Many hotels provide guests with irons or steamers, providing an easy way to keep your outfits looking good during your business trip. 

Electronics and Plug Adapters 

When considering business travel essentials, electronics and plug adapters are a must. You’ll likely be travelling with your laptop or other electronic devices, so it’s important to remember chargers and any necessary accessories for your trip. 

Often, other countries use different ports for their devices, so you might find it tricky to source a replacement whilst you are travelling, we recommend double-checking that you have everything you need for your equipment to work during your business venture. 

Travel Size Toiletries 

There’s nothing worse than not having enough space in your suitcase, however, there are plenty of ways to get around this. 

Travel-size toiletries are great for business travel as they allow you to bring all of your essentials, without taking up too much space. You can also purchase travel-size refillable bottles online or in supermarkets. These are perfect for those who like to stick to the same products as you can simply decant from the larger packaging to the travel size option!

Summary

We hope that after reading this article you now have a ton of great tips for your next business trip. There are plenty of ways to make your journey easier, many of which you will find above. 

These types of ventures provide excellent opportunities to see new places, explore intriguing cultures and network with people from all over the world. No matter where you are travelling next, remember to keep this article handy so that you can do so with ease! 

If you’re an avid traveller looking for more tips and advice, Backpacker Boy offers an array of travel guides across the world. These resources are packed with information so that you can plan your next trip with ease. Check out the collection and get ready to embark on some unforgettable adventures.

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About the Author

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Ella Whitehead

Marketing Executive for SEO Travel, travel writer for Backpacker Boy, passion for content creation and adventure!