Did you just land the job you’ve been working towards for years that will allow you to travel more?
Are you finally getting to go on client visits and represent your company at conventions?
Whatever the reason you’re about to rack up some airline miles, you have to know how to travel the right way. You don’t want to get all excited for your journey just to end up being the person running through the airport–or who works their entire trip away.
There are plenty of travel hacks available to you to create a balance between work and play wherever you go. The best travel hacks, though, are about increasing your comfort regardless of what you’re doing.
Here’s everything you need to know for your next business trip, from smart packing insights to the best partying tips.
Best Travel Hacks for Packing and the Journey
The first step to traveling well is booking a good flight. Always get on a big plane if you can, especially for overseas flights. These tend to have more legroom and updated technology, like fancy screens and plugs for your charger.
This takes care of the itinerary, which is better to book sooner rather than later. As the trip gets closer and closer, start to think about what you’re going to bring with you.
1. Take Only What You Need
The worst thing to do, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, is to overpack. You end up keeping track of too many things and lugging around heavy suitcases. More often than not, you can pack all your essentials in one bag.
The trick is to lay out all your clothes before you put anything into your suitcase. Think about what items you can wear multiple times in different ways. Plan for everything from your morning workout to your client meetings and your nighttime attire.
The clothes will pile up at first. After you lay out everything that you think you need, go back through and start to separate your clothes by what you’re actually going to take and what you’ll leave at home.
2. Wear Comfortable Clothing to the Airport
You have two choices for your flight: put on your full suit or wear something more comfortable. Go for comfort over style–you can change when you get there.
This goes for both quick morning flights and long overseas travel. In the morning, throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Bring a button-down to keep in the plane’s coat rack.
Since there’s always a risk of baggage delay or changed plans, keep a full change of clothes and emergency toothbrush in your carry on–just in case.
3. Don’t Waste Time in TSA
When traveling for business, time is of the essence. You usually fly on weekdays and have a packed schedule throughout your trip. As such, you shouldn’t waste time standing in TSA.
Get pre-check instead. The lines are much shorter and tend to move faster too. This is because most business people and avid travelers use pre-check, so they know exactly what to do once it’s their turn to go through security.
4. Always Stop for Snacks
As soon as you make it through TSA, get some snacks. Even if it’s a short flight, at least get a bottle of water. You never know if a flight is going to get delayed or if you’ll miss a connection. Having snacks gives you one less thing to worry about.
Plus, these will come in handy if you arrive late to your final destination. You may not have the time to eat the full meal that you originally planned for.
Best Travel Hacks for Enjoying Yourself as Much as Possible
Speaking of your final destination, double-check your schedule for the day while you’re en route. Brush up on your knowledge of the clients and partners you’ll be meeting with and go over the goals of the trip.
Also, use this time to research some things you can do when you have a moment to get away from work. You may even consider extending your trip to get a little more free time. Then, talk to the concierge at your hotel and indulge your adventurous side.
1. Do Some Pre-Travel Research
Are you going to a conference in a big city? Headed to a country you’ve never been to before?
Conferences usually have activity suggestions for the guests’ downtime. A new country can really be a whole other world, depending on where you’re going.
Because of this, you have to do your research. Maybe you want to find the best food in town or immerse yourself in some of the local area’s history. Whatever interests you, it’s best to plan what you’re going to do with your free time before you get there.
2. Talk to the Concierge
Let’s say you’re having trouble choosing from all the options available to you.
If this is the case, talk to your hotel’s concierge. This is someone who knows the area very well and is familiar with what tourists and business people like yourself enjoy most.
They’ll have delicious restaurant recommendations, know the best times to go to museums, and probably have a way to get you a few discounts on things. Always talk to this person before you head out for the pleasure part of your business trip.
3. Let Your Curiosity Take the Lead
Once the moment to get away from work presents itself, all you have to do is enjoy it. By now, you should have done all the planning and researching necessary. The only thing left is to have fun.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself veering from your original plan, either. When you’re away, pretty much anything goes so long as you can balance your work responsibilities with your personal interests.
Put These Business Travel Hacks to the Test
Whether it’s your very first business trip or your first international venture for work purposes, the business travel hacks above will help you anywhere you go.
Over time, you’ll start to discover more specific traveling tips that work for you. You may know what your favorite airport is to fly into for business trips or how to be flexible with the destinations you have to visit.
Have you discovered some tips for business travel already? Share your best travel hacks with us in the comments and keep checking back in for more advice!
