Business Travel Essentials: Smart Packing & Planning Guide

Did you know that roughly 1.3 billion business trips are taken in the US every day? If you are one of those globe trotters who finds themselves traveling a lot, spending days and nights in hotels, but you despise packing and planning for your trips, this blog is for you.

In this blog, we are going to look at the must-haves for business travel. Apart from the basics, i.e., clothing and toiletries,  we are going to explore planning and packing for your trips with the business travel essentials so you can enjoy a smooth and carefree trip. 

Why Smart Packing Can Make or Break Your Trip?

On a business trip, time is crucial. If you pack and plan efficiently, not only will you stay stress-free, knowing you have everything you need, whether it be some documents or gadgets, but you will also know where everything is, so you won’t have to waste any time searching for things you need and will be better able to focus on your objective. Plus, with efficient packing and planning, you can save space and avoid the risk of overpacking. 

Plan Before You Start Packing

Before we start exploring what to pack for your work trip, it is important to plan. Proper planning will prevent any kind of disaster and will ensure that you and your team are ready for everything. Here are some essential tasks that you should check off your list before you start packing:

1. Confirm Your Meeting Before Booking

Before you start booking your flight, accommodation, and transportation, confirm the dates of your meeting. This is going to help you stay on track and make the arrangements accordingly. Reconfirmation is a simple step that can prevent a lot of hassle. All you have to do is email your clients to reconfirm the dates & timings of the meeting.

2. Choose Suitable Accommodations for Your Stay

Choosing a suitable accommodation can make all the difference. If you are traveling with your team, it is important to book a property that can accommodate the whole team, making the logistics easier as well. If you have an event to attend at the location, choosing a facility with dry cleaning services would come in handy. If you have to do some work while staying in the room, it would be a good idea to book a room with strong Wi-Fi signals.

3. Book Your Flight and Other Transportations Wisely

When booking your flights, remember to stick to your budget. Try finding flights that fit your budget and reach your destination on time. You are also going to need some sort of transportation to move around, set aside some budget for that as well and choose a reliable service.

But that’s not all; you also need to:

• Check the weather at your destination so you can pack accordingly.
• If you are traveling outside your country, research cultural norms so you won’t get a cultural shock once you reach the destination. 
• Organize all of your necessary documents and keep them in an accessible pocket, probably inside a laptop bag for travel, so you can grab them whenever needed. If you are looking for a good laptop bag with multiple spacious compartments and ergonomic design, check out the Versa Briefcase from Everki.
• Consider using a travel planner app to keep your trip organized and hassle-free. 

Packing Strategy: What to Pack for your Work Trip?

Now that you have made all the necessary arrangements, you need to start packing. To make the packing process easier, we have compiled a list of business travel essentials and some work travel tips that will keep you comfortable and organized during your trip and make your journey smooth and carefree.

In-flight Essentials List

To make your flight comfortable, smooth, and carefree, here are a few work travel essentials that you should consider carrying:

• Eye Mask: An eye mask is an essential travel accessory, as the cabin lights are really bright and disruptive if you want to sleep. 

• Ear Plugs: Another work travel essential is the earplug. An earplug can serve two purposes. One that is pretty obvious is that it can reduce the amount of noise and make your flight more pleasant. The other purpose that it can serve is that it can help you with the changing pressure in your ear during landing and takeoff.

• Neck Pillow: Neck pillows are perfect for long flights; they provide support to your neck and ensure that you stay comfortable and reach your destination without looking tired.

Business Travel Essentials List

With this business travel packing list, you can stay organized and carefree, knowing that you have everything you need. 

1. Clothing

When you are traveling for work, it is  important to:

• Pack a formal dress or a business casual, depending on the nature of your trip.
• Pack casual attire as well if you are planning to explore the destination during your free time.
• Pack a pair of professional shoes and a pair of shoes for daily wear.
•  Remember to pack some accessories as well, such as a wristwatch, a belt, and a scarf. 

2. Toiletries

• Pack some basic toiletries such as a travel-size bottle of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. 
• Traveling can dehydrate your skin, so remember to pack a good moisturizer. 
• If you take any medicines or vitamins regularly, remember to pack them as well. 

3. Documents

Be sure to pack all the necessary documents, whether they be travel documents or business documents, so you won't have to face any trouble during your flight or meeting.

4. Travel Wallet

If possible, keep your passport, boarding pass, credit cards, etc., in a travel wallet. 

Essential Gadgets Every Business Traveler Needs

When you are traveling for work, you might need some gadgets other than your laptop, tablet, and phone. Here is a list of essential gadgets every business traveler needs:

• Noise Cancelling Headphones: Public areas and flights can get really noisy at times. This is where noise-canceling headphones come in handy; they cancel out all the noise of our surroundings so you can focus on your tasks without getting distracted.

• Power Bank: Remember to pack a power bank so as to keep your phone charged during your business trip. 

• Multi-Port USB Charger: A multi-port USB charger is a great travel accessory. It not only takes up less space but makes charging multiple devices easier. 

• Flash Drive: When you are on a business trip, you’d probably need to make copies of files and or transfer files. A simple way of doing so is using a flash drive.

• Portable Wi-Fi Device: A portable Wi-Fi device is an essential device. When traveling, you cannot rely on the Wi-Fi available in public places, as it is often not strong enough and is also not secure.

Everki offers the best laptop bags for business travel. If you are looking for a laptop bag that can store all the necessary gadgets as well as documents, have a look at the Versa 2 Backpack from Everki. This backpack is not only travel-friendly but has a hard-shell quick-access sunglasses case, keeping your glasses safe, secure, and right at your fingertips during our journey. Moreover, the trolley handle passthrough and the adjustable straps keep you comfortable during the trip.

Packing Tips for Your Business Trips

Other than the business trip packing list, the following luggage packing tips may also come in handy.

1. Use a lightweight, easy-to-carry carry-on.
2. If you are traveling for a short trip, you might not want to wait for your luggage to arrive. Hence, it is a good idea to use a single, spacious business laptop trolley bag. Check out the Wheeled 420 Trolley from Everki. This bag can come in handy, especially if you have a large laptop. Plus, the smart design of these bags makes it easy for you to travel with all the necessary gadgets and travel essentials. 
3. Use packing cubes to keep everything organized. 
4. Use zippable pouches for liquids so they won't spill and make a mess. 

To avoid extra hassle at the airports, use a TSA-friendly carry-on such as the Atlas Wheeled Laptop Backpack from Everki.

The Ultimate Business Travel Checklist

Here is a business travel packing list to make your travels smooth:

In-Flight Essentials

• Eye Mask
• Ear Plugs
• Neck Pillow

Gadgets

• Noise Cancelling Headphones
• Power Bank
• Multi-Port USB Charger
• Flash Drive
• Portable Wi-Fi Device

Clothing

• Professional outfits
• Casual wear 
• Professional Shoes
• Comfortable travel shoes
• Undergarments, socks, sleepwear

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, and soap
• Skincare essentials
• Personal medications

Miscellaneous

• Travel documents
• Work documents
• Business cards
• Reading material

Prepare, Pack & Conquer Your Next Business Trip With Everki

Successful business trips come down to efficient planning and packing. With the right backpacks by your side, you can ensure that all your business travel essentials stay organized.

Are you looking for your perfect travel companion? Check out Everki backpacks, which offer a functional, sleek, and professional solution for all your travel needs.

FAQs

Q: What should I include in my business travel packing list?

A: You should consider including basic items, such as clothing, toiletries, gadgets, travel documents, necessary business documents, and some in-flight essentials like an eye mask or neck pillow.

Q: What is the best way to keep your luggage organized during your travels?

A: The best way to keep everything organized is by using packing cubes and zipper bags. 

Q: What type of bag is best for frequent travelers?

A: TSA-approved carry-ons are always a popular choice. These bags can open and lay flat on the conveyor belt during security checks, avoiding unnecessary hassle.