Those who frequently travel abroad for business purposes are often consumed with concerns around efficiency and practicality when packing for their upcoming trip. Unlike travelling for a holiday, a business trip means packing smart and packing light, regardless of soaring Spanish temperatures or the chilly Icelandic breeze.
As a result, when it comes to packing for every professional eventuality, it can be hard to strike a balance between packing plenty of suitable clothes for a few days of business meetings and including a few alternatives for unpredictable circumstances.
In today’s post, we’re tackling this issue head-on and sharing a range of top tips and tricks to keep your checklist short and the contents of your suitcase suitable for whatever may come your way.
Clothing
When it comes to choosing the right workwear for a business trip, there’s one key piece of advice to remember – black is best. Having spent the day trapped in meetings in an office block before then taking a client out for a meal or some after-work drinks, opting to wear the colour black means you can hide any signs of wear and dirt – and has the ability to keep you looking sleek and smart all day long. In terms of work attire, ensure you choose clothing made from a material that doesn’t crease easily – in other words, avoid linen at all costs!
A reliable pair of men’s denim jeans and some dependable trainers are always a must for businessmen making the journey overseas – while womenpreneurs can always count on stripped-back casualwear options such as t-shirts, loose-fittings blouses and some lightweight jeans or trousers.
Accessories
Electric razors and e-books are just a few necessities that should be able to last the duration of a short business trip without the need to bulk your suitcase up further by bringing charging cables. That being said, don’t forget to bring chargers for non-negotiables, such as your mobile, laptop and tablet devices – and bear in mind that portable chargers are a great last-minute solution to running out of battery in an area where power sockets aren’t close to hand.
Excuse the obvious, but if you’re on a work trip, don’t forget your work gear. Relying exclusively on technology can be a risky business when travelling abroad, so printing off and making copies of any crucial documents and presentations before leaving for your trip is vital in order to ensure that the ‘work’ aspect of your trip remains seamless and productive. Keep documents in separate folders or areas of your luggage, and remember to take a travel wallet to keep all of your expense receipts in one easy and accessible area.
Storage
The golden rule of business travel? Swap bulky check-in baggage for easy-to-access hand luggage. Most airlines allow you to bring a small suitcase on board at no extra charge, which means you can glide through security upon landing without having to wait around for heavy bags – or risk losing your luggage in transit from your departure destination.
However, if your business trip requires you to stay at your arrival destination for longer than the working week, why not make the most of your fabulous surroundings during your time off at the weekend by getting your hands on a surfboard for a day on the beach, or your own snowboard to hit the slopes on a sleepy Sunday? Whatever you choose to take with you, Shuttle Direct’s easy transfers are able to accommodate items of all shapes and sizes as part of your luggage.
Whether you’re embarking on your first ever business trip or, over the years, you’ve become a veteran of the frequent flyer club, knowing what and how to pack for a professional trip away will save you any unnecessary hassle while you’re there. So, keep it simple, be ruthless and forget fashion for a comfortable and easy day at the office – wherever your journey may take you.
