February 4th 2022
Travelling for business can often be a stressful time for many people. The good thing is though, it really doesn’t have to be! When frequently travelling abroad, there’s a multitude of ways that you can make your trips easier to handle.
Unlike taking your daily commute to work, business travellers tend to be flying or taking a train to another city or country on behalf of their company.
If you travel for work a lot, you’ll need to set some firm rules for yourself to follow. Luckily, we’re here to help you figure those out, and what can work best for you.
1. Research and Plan Ahead
Pre-planning. Not always a fun activity by any means, but quite a necessary one for any frequent traveller. Before you even step on the plane, get your affairs in order by creating a checklist of items that you’ll need to work through.
You’ll need to book your plane or train tickets, your accommodation, and ensure you’ve packed sufficiently for the length of your stay. You should research the local area to find things to do in your downtime. Also take into consideration the local transport options (if not renting a car during your visit), as this can frequently be an afterthought. Plan ahead to get ahead!
2. A Familiar Routine (With Benefits!)
When travelling for business regularly, you’ll no doubt have found certain companies, whether they be hotel or airplane providers, that really work for you. You’ll get to know the right platforms/terminals to use each time, the locations, and amenities of your hotels amongst other things. Establishing a routine with these when travelling is essential, as they will often have some form of benefits system set up for regular users of their services.
Speaking of benefits, you’ll likely accrue points when using these services, if the company has a rewards system in place, which could get you free flights or stays a little further down the road!
3. Travel Lightly
Travelling light can never be underestimated in how much time it can save you. If you’re able to fit all of your needs in a carry-on bag, you can save so much time when checking-in and dodging the bag retrieval on the other side altogether.
Save space in your bag by rolling any clothes up and making sure to only bring the essentials with you. Your work attire and a casual outfit should be all you need in the clothes department. When it comes to picking a bag, we believe that a sports/gym bag will have all the space you need for your trip and will easily fit in the overhead luggage area.
4. Keep it ‘Travel Sized’
We understand that clothes aren’t the only thing you’ll be needed to take on your trip. When it comes to toiletries, the small travel-sized versions are a fantastic way to keep bag space more manageable. Taking full sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body washes, deodorant, and toothpaste/mouthwashes can often be half of your space gone in an instant. And that’s not counting your brushes, hair dryers, hair straighteners or any medications you may need.
Try the travel-sized toiletries, and you’ll not only be saving space, but also keeping your waste to a minimum.
5. Company Travel Policies and Why They’re Important
Many companies will have a set of rules that they expect their employees to follow when travelling for work. These can encompass travel regulations, company expenses and corporate policies and how you represent the company.
It’s vital that you familiarise yourself will all of these rules. Will you need to document your spending receipts to show your boss when you’re back at work? Will you need to provide timelines of where you’ll be, and what you’ll be doing? Make sure you know what your company expects of you before you leave.
6. Keep Your Technology Charged
We’re living in the digital age, and also one where we are expected to be reachable at all times, especially when working. Because of this, you’ll need to ensure that your technology is charged and ready to go. It’s easy to not notice how low your phone or laptop battery is, and if you’re having to work whilst you fly, this can be a huge oversight when the plane does not have power outlets.
Charge all of your equipment before you leave for the airport, or better yet, purchase a power bank that can help you if your batteries are running too low for your liking. They can really be the make or break of a successful business trip.
7. Take Out Travel Insurance
This goes without saying but taking out travel insurance is a vital step for anyone taking a trip. You’ll not only be ensuring your own safety and security, but also that of any items you own whilst you’re away.
There are thousands of companies that provide great cover for you and your possessions while you travel, so finding one that suits your needs will require a bit of research. Once you’ve found a great provider, see if they are able to cover you across multiple trips, to save the headache before you fly again.
8. Lounges – Great for Relaxation and Privacy
Airport lounges are great places to utilise when travelling for work regularly. They often have many amenities available to you, such as food and drink, and access to showers and toilets. For any frequent flyer, these are a great base of operations before you fly to get some more work done too.
The privacy that these lounges provide is second to none, as you are kept away from the hustle and bustle of families rushing to catch their flight for their family holiday. This allows you to keep your thoughts collected and helps you to focus on the reasons for you trip.
9. Bring Healthy Snacks & Stay Hydrated
If taking a long-haul flight, make sure you’re hydrated, as this helps to maintain focus if you’re needing to work on the plane. Take a designated water bottle for travelling, such as a sports bottle that can hold enough water to get you through the flight.
Also consider taking some healthy snacks with you while you fly. There may be an in-flight meal provided to you, but these can sometimes not be the healthiest option. Perhaps some fruit, granola bars or nuts will keep your hunger under control. We’ve all seen the snacks cart that the attendants push down the aisles that are full to the brim of crisps and chocolate, so we’d say you’re safer to opt for your own healthier treats.
10. Dress for Pleasure as Well as Business
Your time spent away for work will not always be consumed by your professional engagements. You’ll also have time to yourself, in which you can take a load off and explore the city or country you’ve travelled to. Because of this, we suggest always taking some casual attire with you on your trip.
You may find the time to go for drinks with a colleague, visit a museum on a day off or other fun activities, and doing all of that in a business suit might get you some funny looks at times. Pack a comfortable outfit alongside your work clothes to make sure you’re getting the full experience of where you’ve travelled. Maybe throw in a bathing suit too if you’re in a hot country!
Frequent business travel doesn’t always have to be a headache. We hope you’ve taken something away from our top tips here today, whether it’s packing light or planning the best routine.
If you’ve expanded your company and need extra space to accommodate your new employees, you should head over and take a look at our serviced offices and managed offices or use our free office search tool to find great offices in your area today!
