While advancements in video technology have reduced the need for travel in many businesses, it hasn’t eliminated it altogether.
Many business owners, managers, and employees travel for work frequently and find themselves living out of their suitcases for much of the year. Business travel can be stressful, especially when you have to navigate hotels, unfamiliar locations, and the logistics of getting from one city to another. If you’re struggling to keep up with the demands such a lifestyle places on you, here are a few helpful tips to make it much more manageable.
Invest in Travel Bags
You might not think your luggage contributes to a better travelling experience, but it might. For example, these backpacks are specifically designed for business travellers, and many come with dedicated compartments for business attire and technology. When you buy bags designed for lifestyles like yours, you can access everything you need quickly, enjoy TSA-friendly features to speed up security checks, and you might even experience better build quality compared to bags made for occasional vacationers to ensure they last the distance.
Stay At the Same Hotels
It can be tempting to chase the best-priced accommodation providers when travelling for work. The less money your business spends, the healthier its bottom line might be. However, there can be many benefits associated with choosing the same accommodation provider each time you travel to specific locations. You know how long it takes to get to your place of business from your accommodation, where the best eateries are, and what amenities your hotel has. You also tend to become familiar with hotel staff who might be more willing to go the extra mile when they get to know you on a first-name basis.
Double Up On the Essentials
Packing for a trip away can be time-consuming and frustrating, and there’s always a chance you’ll forget something important like device chargers and a toothbrush. When you know you’re going to be travelling a lot, purchase two of all the essentials you need for life on the road and at home. Rather than packing those items, you can keep them in your suitcase and never have to worry about forgetting them.
Set Up Travel Storage At Home
Returning home from a trip can be stressful, especially when you have to unpack, put everything away, and make sure you have business attire ready for the office the following day. However, if you had a dedicated travel storage space in your home, you might find it’s much faster and less stressful to organise everything you need to travel. You might have a closet dedicated to storing your suitcase, suits, travel documents, and clothing you tend to wear when you’re away. When the time comes to pack for another trip, almost everything you need is close at hand.
Keep a Contact Book
While most frequent flyers enjoy a smooth travel experience due to how often they’re away from home, not everyone does. Ensure you’ll always have a way to take care of any problems that arise by keeping a contact book with the information of people who can help you solve specific problems. For example, the number of your travel agent could be helpful if you encounter any ticket-related problems, along with phone numbers for your accommodation provider, management team, and rental car company.
Have a Backup Payment Option
Few things are as stressful as losing your wallet when you’re away from home, especially if it contains all the money you have to cover business and personal expenses. Being stuck in an unfamiliar place without money can be challenging, so consider a backup payment option if this were to happen. A credit card stowed away in the lining of your suitcase or a digital payment function on your phone might save a significant amount of frustration if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
Organise Airport Transportation In Advance
Trying to hail a taxi or rideshare service at an airport can be time-consuming, and you likely have very little time to spare if you’re rushing to discuss business opportunities with clients or colleagues once your flight lands. Where possible, arrange transportation in advance to avoid the hassle of waiting for a ride to become available.
Book a rental car that you can drive directly off the rental lot, or organise for a colleague or client to collect you if it’s appropriate to do so. You might even book a chauffeur service as the most convenient option of them all.
Many people take business travel in their stride, but there’s no denying that it can involve a lot of planning and stress. If you’re a frequent flyer who wants a hassle-free travel experience, any of these tips above might help you achieve that.
Read more:
How to Make Business Travel Easier