Packing for a business trip can be exciting but stressful.
Surely, you don’t want to end up in a situation where you believe that you have packed everything you need, only to discover that you forgot a business card or charger when you arrive at the airport. Unpleasant, right?
Don’t worry. In this post, we will help you with 10 things you should keep in mind when making a packing list for a business trip.
#1 Pick the Right Suitcase
Choose a rolling-on suitcase instead of carrying it. You will probably walk a long distance, and your wrist will be thankful if you pull all that weight. You can get tired, and that can affect your mood, and you must be rested and fresh to achieve your business goals, right?
The suitcase should be big enough so that you can fit all the items you need for this trip. Yes, big, but not too big. Having a big suitcase can lead you to an over-packed bag because you can get carried away with filling all that empty space and packing unnecessary things. Also, the result of over-packing can be a higher price for your luggage.
#2 Stick to Minimalism
Make a list of all the things that you really need for this kind of trip, and stick to it. Pack smart and light. The number of items that you carry should correspond to:
- How many days will you spend on this trip?
- Which transportation will you use?
- How many business meetings and social contacts will you have?
If you will stay for 2-3 days, there is no need to pack half of your wardrobe. You should bring pieces that can be easily mixed to create different outfits.
As for toiletries, you can choose small bottles. Small-sized shampoo, toothpaste, and soap can be a great solution to save space in your luggage.
Don’t carry your home pharmacy. If you have some medical condition, bring your therapy with you and a small first aid box with basic medicines for vomiting, allergies, diarrhea, bandages, and a pair of scissors and tape.
The point here is that you pack only basic and useful things.
#3 Invest in a Small Bag
A small bag for documents is great for keeping important documents within your reach. Usually, these bags have a zipper closure to keep your documents safe. You should consider making copies of important travel documents in case you accidentally lose the original.
The basic travel documents you should have with you:
- Passport/Visa
- Travel Itinerary
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- Driving license
- National ID card
#4 Get Ready for Your Meeting Day
If you are going on a business trip, you should make some arrangements or achieve some goals, right? So, you don’t want to be unprepared.
Prepare all presentations and documents you will need for the meeting. Make them sharable in advance, if necessary. Find out all the names of people that you’ll meet, their titles, positions, and roles in the company.
If this is your first time in the town or country, save maps and directions to your meetings on your phone or tablet. You don’t want to get lost and be late.
#5 Research Your Destination
Google it! Read about a town or country you’ll be traveling to, whether you have already been there or this is your first time.
Consider that in every country or town that you plan to visit, things like complicated political situations, changed business hours, crimes, and other unexpected situations can affect your business trip.
Maybe you will have some free time between your meetings that will allow you to visit the top attractions and try the best local food. Talk with your colleagues who have been there before, in case they have some useful tips.
#6 Bring Some Cash
If you are traveling to a foreign country, maybe you’ll have to pay something in the local currency, and you’ll need some cash exchanged.
Alternatively, you can end up in an area where your debit or credit card is impossible to use. Those are situations that you want to avoid, so plan ahead of time and set aside some money.
A small bag or a neck wallet can be perfect for keeping cash with you.
#7 Prepare Your Backpack
You can bring a laptop backpack or an ordinary one. Not only that you can pack your laptop, but there are also compartments for placing books, headphones, and other electric gadgets you`ll need.
There are backpacks that come with USB charging ports for charging your phone and other devices. Great, ha?
#8 Don’t Forget Business Cards
Here we are talking about a business trip, not a vacation. It gives you the possibility to increase your business contacts and interaction.
Let’s say you meet a possible business partner, and he asks you for your contact details. And you search for paper and pen to write that for him. Really? It’s the 21st century!
Keep your business cards in your pocket or wallet so you can have easy access when you are in a situation to make a new connection and expand your business network.
#9 Think About Your Travel Necessities
You should take all the items that will make your trip comfortable. If you need to get some sleep, bring a travel pillow and melatonin pills. Maybe music is your way to get relaxed, so you’ll need headphones to enjoy your favorite songs during the flight or drive.
Take everything you need that will make this trip a pleasant experience for you.
#10 Get Ready to Leave the Home
Make sure that you leave your home safely. Turn on alarms, clean the refrigerator, take your trash out, and lock doors. All those moves will give you peace of mind, so you can think clearly about your business.
In this post, we shared things to keep in mind when you make your packing list for a business trip. Now, we think you can pack yourself like a pro! So, go ahead, and have a nice trip!