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Travel Tips — Published March 01, 2022   |   5 minute read

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Travel Advice

Enter these eight travel hacks. You may know most of them. You may know none. But it never hurts to learn new practices, or think differently about how you approach a business trip. 

We’ve put together a list of the best tip s, from when to book your flights, how to pack, and what apps to download, to which giveaways you should seek out at a convention. 

1. Book your flight 30 to 45 days before your trip, and always try to get the first flight of the day.

The optimal time to book domestic flights—according to data from travel sites Skyscanner , Kayak, and the transaction services provider Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)—is anywhere from six to three weeks out , although the earlier you can book, the better. High prices for last-minute tickets are very real.

As far as flight times, your schedule will determine your return. For your departure, though, fly as early as you can. Data shows flying earlier in the day increases your chances of reaching your destination on time, with the window between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. the best.

2. Pack strategically.

Packing strategically is about more than remembering to bring essentials. It’s also about maximizing your space, comfort, and time.

Some best packing practices include the following:

• Define the attire decorum, so you don’t bring clothes you won’t wear. (Do you need a blazer or sport coat? Jeans or slacks?)  
• Roll your clothing , and use packing cubes to organize everything so it’s easy to unpack upon arrival .
• Buy travel-sized containers at a drugstore, and fill them using your full-sized toiletries. This will save you money—travel-sized toiletries cost more per-ounce than typical sizes—and reduce single-use plastic waste.
• Keep your travel toiletries ready to go in a Dopp kit, even when you’re not traveling. It will save you that step when it’s time to depart.
• Bring a travel pillow that you can use on the flight and at the hotel, in case the hotel pillows are subpar.
• Pack high-quality insoles, in addition to wearing versatile shoes . They’ll make all the difference when you’re walking from place to place or making the rounds at a trade show.

3. Use TSA Precheck, and check in as soon as possible.

Would you pay $17 a year for shorter security lines and waits in airports? Of course you would. TSA PreCheck costs $85 for a five-year membership.

With TSA PreCheck, you get to leave on your shoes and belt, and keep your laptop in your bag. As of January 2020, 94 percent of travelers who used TSA PreCheck had wait times of five minutes or less.

Also, always enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) when you’re purchasing your ticket. By doing this beforehand, you can head straight to the PreCheck line as soon as you arrive at the airport, rather than spend time checking in.

Finally, always check in online as soon as your airline sends a link, and select a seat. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of you being bumped from an overbooked flight.

4. Don’t ever check a bag.

Unless your trip extends beyond a week, don’t check a bag. First, you’ll get in the mindset of packing more efficiently (see above). Second, you’ll save time exiting the plane. This could potentially save you money on transportation, as surge-pricing for ride-sharing apps comes into play once passengers leave the airport in mass.

5. Use apps to navigate trade shows and save money on your trip.

If you’re heading to a trade show or convention, download the app before you arrive.

Most, if not all, trade shows and conferences offer an app with a map that helps you navigate the labyrinthine layout, usually MapYourShow or something similar. You can plan your movements to optimize your time at your destination.

You should also use apps so you can save money: Instead of shelling out for expensive room service, use Caviar, DoorDash, GrubHub, or another similar food delivery app. GoPuff is useful beyond snacks, too. The app will deliver everything from toiletries and over-the-counter meds to headphones and, if you so choose, beer. Keep it handy.

6. Always stay at the same hotel chain.

Whenever possible, stay at the same hotel chain, and make sure you’re a member of its loyalty program. Even the act of joining will net you all sorts of benefits (like late checkout), and when you start accruing serious points, you can score room upgrades, discounts, and more.

Similarly, ask what member discounts they offer (such as military or AAA), and always take advantage of them.

7. Practice proper trade show etiquette.

The last day of trade shows is usually a wind-down day—and, frankly, a recovery day, as many people consider the penultimate evening party time. Unless you’re already scheduled to meet up with people, write it off for networking and more informal conversations.

Similarly, try to avoid talking shop first thing in the morning unless you’re bringing someone coffee as a kind gesture. The first hour or so of most shows is spent setting things up, and people running the booths won’t be able to give you their undivided attention.

As always: Pack extra business cards. Bring more than you think you might need, and then bring even more than that.

8. At trade shows, seek out—and offer—high-quality giveaways.

Giveaways are a sure-fire way to get people to come to your booth, but make sure they’re high value. Nobody who attends conventions and trade shows regularly needs another drawstring bag.

Consider items that help business travelers stay comfortable as they move about, such as Salonpas back patches or shoe insoles.

Another favorite option? Go eco-friendly by handing out reusable, branded straws. You’ll be surprised at how popular these items are.

Regardless of whether you’re a rookie or a road warrior , traveling can be a challenge. Even seasoned business travelers are always on the look-out for ways to make life on the road easier.

3 Quick Tips To Prepare For Your Next Business Trip

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17 Incredibly Useful Business Travel Tips from a Frequent Traveler

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17 Business Travel Tips You Need to Know

After several months of traveling every week for work, I’ve picked up some very helpful business travel tips that make traveling for work easy and enjoyable.

Whether you’re a consultant like me and you travel for work every week, or you just take occasional business trips, these tips will help you improve your business travel experience.

More of my favorite travel tips and hacks:

• 15 Extremely Helpful Airport Tips
• 15 Tips for Long Haul Flights
• How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

Best Business Travel Tips Summarized

Low on time? Here’s a quick summary of the business travel tips below!

• Travel with a carry-on only. It saves you time and hassle at the airport.
• Invest in good luggage. You don’t need the most expensive brand name out there, but get something that’s good quality and will last a long time.
• Pack portable and spare chargers. You don’t want your phone or laptop to die while traveling.
• Pack wrinkle release spray. A game changer for making your work clothes look perfect without needing to break out the ironing board.
• Stick with a single loyalty program. You’ll rack up airline and hotel points and status faster.
• Check to see if you can join any status challenges. Corporate status challenges allow you to earn airline and hotel status much faster than you normally can.
• Download airline/hotel apps. Stay organized and save time with apps!
• Make the most of rideshare apps. You can earn rewards from Uber/Lyft and also combine them with other travel loyalty programs.
• Keep an extra set of travel essentials. One to have at home, one to always have on the road.
• Get Global Entry/TSA Precheck. The best $100 you will ever spend.
• Get airport lounge access. If you’ll be spending a lot of time in airports, might as well enjoy it!
• Remember to pack casual clothes. Pack clothes you can wear to work out wear for a casual dinner or exploring the city after work.
• Pack earplugs. The key to getting a good night’s sleep at the hotel.
• Note your preferences on your travel profiles. Things like whether you prefer an aisle or window seat or a high or low floor at the hotel.
• Simplify expenses. Snap a photo of all your receipts using an app like Expensify and set aside a designated time to file your expense reports.
• Prepare the night before. Avoid early morning stress by creating a pre-trip routine.

1. Travel with a carry-on only.

If you’re in consulting like me, you’re probably only traveling Monday morning through Thursday night in which case you really don’t need anything larger than a carry-on suitcase!

Packing in a carry-on saves so much time when you arrive at your destination because you don’t have to wait for your checked luggage to come out (or worry about it getting lost.)

2. Invest in good luggage.

You don’t need to get the most expensive or trendiest luggage, but investing in good quality luggage is a must for business travelers.

I travel with a carry-on suitcase and a large Longchamp tote bag. When choosing a carry-on suitcase, be sure to get one with spinner wheels (like  this one. ) Some business travelers also like to get a carry-on suitcase that has a laptop compartment (like  this one. )

Here are more of the top-rated suitcases for business travelers.

3. Pack portable and spare chargers.

A portable cellphone charger ( this is the one I use ) is one of my top travel essentials, and it comes in handy when traveling for work too.

I also pack a spare charger for my phone and laptop which I keep in my work luggage at all times.

4. Pack wrinkle release spray.

Wrinkle release spray is a lifesaver for business travelers!

It’s perfect for those mornings where you want to smooth out a wrinkled dress shirt but don’t want to go through the whole process of setting up the ironing board in your hotel room and pressing it.

5. Stick with a single loyalty program.

The best way to rack up airline miles and hotel points is by choosing one loyalty program and sticking with it. 

Once you reach status with an airline or hotel, you get access to so many perks like priority boarding/check-in, complimentary upgrades, bonus miles and points, and more.

This also applies to other travel loyalty programs, like rental car companies and train lines.

6. Check to see if you can join any status challenges.

A lot of companies have “status challenges” going on with airlines and hotels. This is especially common in the consulting industry.

When you join a status challenge, you will be able to earn expedited status with an airline or hotel by completing a certain number of trips/stays in a specific timeframe (usually three to six months.)

This is how I was able to earn Gold Medallion status with Delta, Platinum status with Marriott, and Gold status with Hilton within just a few months!

7. Download airline/hotel apps.

Downloading airline and hotel apps on your phone will save you a ton of time.

Most airline apps allow you to check in for your flight, make/change your seat selection, and get a mobile boarding pass so you don’t have to print one at home or at the airport.

Similarly, hotel apps can save you time and some even offer a mobile check-in and mobile key so you can go straight to your room when you get to the hotel!

8. Make the most of rideshare apps.

Unless you are getting a rental car, you’ll probably be taking a lot of Ubers/Lyfts when traveling for work. Both of these rideshare apps have special programs for business travelers that you can sign up for and earn rewards.

You can also link your other loyalty accounts – for example, Delta and Lyft have a partnership where you earn Delta SkyMiles for every dollar you spend on Lyft!

9. Keep an extra set of travel essentials.

Save time packing and ensure you don’t forget anything by having a designated business travel toiletries case to leave in your suitcase between trips.

This can contain items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, deodorant, earplugs, and any other items you may need for traveling.

10. Get Global Entry/TSA Precheck.

Getting Global Entry (which includes TSA Precheck) has been a lifesaver. It has saved me so much time and hassle at the airport. My company covered the $100 fee, but it’s worth paying for out of pocket if yours doesn’t. Some travel credit cards will also cover the fee for you.

With TSA Precheck, you get to skip the general security line and go through an expedited line where you don’t have to remove your shoes or take electronics out of your suitcase. If you’re traveling internationally, you can go through an expedited customs line upon arriving back in the US.

At just $100 and lasting for five years, Global Entry is well worth it for business travelers.

11. Get airport lounge access.

This is one thing I don’t have but wish I did!

If you’ll be traveling frequently for work, it may be worth it to you to pay for airport lounge access (or see if your company will pay for it!)

This is another thing that some travel credit cards cover. You can also get airport lounge access when you reach a certain status level with airlines.

12. Remember to pack casual clothes.

One mistake I made on one of my first business trips was only packing work clothes.

I wanted to use the hotel gym one night, but I didn’t have any workout clothes or sneakers to wear. So be sure to pack one or two casual outfits to wear if you go explore or have a casual dinner or use the gym in the evenings after work.

13. Pack earplugs.

I sleep with earplugs every night, but even if you don’t sleep with them at home they can be extremely helpful when traveling.

Hotel rooms can get super noisy at night. Between the air conditioner/heater switching itself on and off, the sounds of other guests, and other annoying noises, you might find it hard to get a good night’s sleep. A good pair of earplugs helps a ton.

14. Note your preferences on your travel profiles.

If you download airline/hotels apps (see Tip #7 above) most of them will have a place for you to update your profile with your travel preferences. Things like whether you prefer a window or aisle seat on airplanes, or a high or low floor at the hotel.

You should also update your travel preferences with your company’s travel booking platform or travel agency, if your company uses one.

15. Simplify expenses.

If you’re traveling for business, you are probably responsible for tracking and submitting your expenses in a timely manner. This can be VERY important if you are putting expenses on your personal credit card and need to be reimbursed by your company.

Some companies require you to save your receipts. If that’s the case for you, download an app like Expensify or Receiptmate to keep track of all your receipts by snapping a quick photo of them.

Also, set a recurring reminder on your phone for when you need to complete your expense reports so you never get behind on them!

16. Prepare the night before.

Avoid adding to the stress of early morning travel days to get everything ready by packing for your trip the night before you leave.

Go ahead and take care of anything that needs to be done before you’ll be gone for the week so when Monday morning rolls around, you aren’t stressed out trying to get anything done.

17. Make time for fun.

One of the best things you can do when traveling for work is making time for fun!

So many people take business travel for granted, but I look as it as a mini-vacation and a way to explore a new destination (for free!)

Yes, your main focus is work and not leisure, but there are plenty of fun things you can do in the evenings after work (or in the mornings before!) Check out cool restaurants instead of just ordering room service at your hotel, go see a local show, or take a nighttime walking tour.

All of these things are easy to incorporate and will make your business travels more fun.

I hope you found these business travel tips helpful!

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About Denise Cruz

Denise is a marketing executive who escaped corporate to travel the world… twice. A Brazilian native living in the U.S., she’s lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. When she’s not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan.

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101 Travel Hacks for the Business Traveler – the Best Business Travel Hacks

In this article you will find 101 Travel Hacks for the Business Traveler – a detailed list of how to travel smarter and smoother . These travel hacks are based on many years of business travel and are the result of hard lessons, mistakes, goof ups, epic wins and travel greatness!

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Whether you travel for work or simply travel for pleasure, if you employ the travel hacks we provide below you are destined for epic travel greatness! Ok…maybe just smooth traveling .

You might be interested in Ultimate Bitcoin Travel Directory: How and where to use crypto for travel

What is a business travel hack?

By definition – or at least by our  definition – a business travel hack is a tip, activity or technique that a business traveler employs to make their work travel go a little smoother , a little easier and a lot more hassle-free.

Important : These travel hacks, while typically used by business travelers also apply to leisure travel, so keep reading!

101 Business Travel Hacks

• Business Travel Hacks #1: Stick with a single Airline, Hotel, and Rental Car company.  Since you’re going to be traveling,  you might as well get some points for it. Your company policies may make this more difficult but do your best to stick w/ a single Airline, Hotel and Rental Car company. You can accumulate points and status quicker this way.For example, I typically travel Southwest Airlines (sometimes Delta), stay in Hilton Hotels , and rent w/ National . Southwest offers early boarding privileges (which helps you get the best seat and stow your bag) for status holders. Hilton gives all kinds of privileges like free breakfast, upgrades, extra points, snacks, etc to their higher tier members. And w/ National you can often get free upgrades to nicer cars. Delta will start to give you upgrades to first class depending on your status and availability. The serious business travel hacker always gets his/her points!

• Business Travel Hacks #3: Never check your bag (yes, I said it twice!) . Seriously, never check your bag . It might be hard to avoid it when doing extended travel (>1 week) or international travel. If so, label your luggage with your name and something distinctive and pack a backup set of clothes in your backpack (in case your checked bag gets lost!). I can say, without reservation, that this is my absolute favorite business travel hack. Seriously.
• Business Travel Hacks #4: Book direct flights.  I’ve found that minimizing my actual time on airplanes is critical. Reduced jetlag, less wear on the body, etc.Time is money and the extra time sitting in airports waiting for your connection is often boring and wasted.Book a direct flight whenever you can! Sometimes you can’t, depending on where you go. I often find myself in obscure places like Minot, ND or Augusta, ME. Sorry, no direct flights from CA so suck it up.
• Business Travel Hacks #5: Skip the redeye . I’ve done a few redeye flights over the years and they are usually terrible. You might be able to save a few bucks, but honestly, it’s not worth it.If you are like me, it’s hard to get any useful sleep on a plane and so basically you are dogcrap tired and jet lagged the next day. Use only in extreme circumstances. You might be interested in my article on How to Get Over JetLag when you travel
• Business Travel Hacks #6: Get a 4-wheel roller or “ Spinner ” suitcase . For many years I had a regular 2-wheeled suitcase and I honestly didn’t know any better. I saw people in the airport with the 4-wheel spinners, but I figured it couldn’t be that much better. I was wrong.   Dead wrong .Having now switched to a 4-Wheel TravelPro Spinner , I will never go back. I no longer have the added strain from the weight of the suitcase on my arm (from it leaning while being pulled behind me) and it slides so smoothly in the airport.Aside from it occasionally wanting to wander off, I love it . I also will set my backpack on top it and roll them both ever so easily. Again, less strain on the body.The nice thing about a spinner is that you can always lean it if you have to as sometimes is necessary on an uphill carpeted jet bridge. Check out my product review for the TravelPro Crew 11 21″ Carryon Suitcase – the business traveler’s best friend.
• Business Travel Hacks #7: Invest in good luggage!  I used to follow a “cheap luggage” principle figuring it’s just luggage, who cares. But after I made the switch to my new TravelPro spinner , I realized how mistaken I’d been.Good luggage matters.It lasts longer. Includes more features that serious travelers can use (like a built in USB port). It functions better (e.g. rolls smoother, zips easier, etc).If  you are getting serious about business travel, you need to make an investment in good luggage.Get something durable, easy to use, and something that has been thoughtfully constructed w/ the modern business traveler in mind.I had to use one of my older suitcases on a recent trip and it was such a disappointment…
• Business Travel Hacks #8: Buy wrinkle free clothes . I hate ironing. Seriously. I really hate it. I did a ton of it in the USMC and came to despise it.But w/ the life a business traveler it’s hard not to do it sometimes. However, I invest in wrinkle free clothing. I’ve personally found that wrinkle free dress shirts are hard to find so I still have to iron them (ugh!).But wrinkle free pants are a technological breakthrough! Roll em, pack em, hang em up in the closet and you will be iron free-ish.
• Business Travel Hacks #9: If you do have some minor wrinkles, shut the bathroom door , hang the pants or jacket on the back of the door and start the shower and steam up the room . The wrinkles will usually fade away. It’s not your water bill :-).
• Business Travel Hacks #10: Get the best credit card you can to maximize your points.  It’s likely you are getting reimbursed by your company and travel is expensive. That means some serious dollars are going through someone’s credit card.If you can, use your personal credit card and start racking up the points.It might be easier to use a completely separate card for this, so you can track your expenses. Use the points to get cash back, free vacations, and more.I prefer the Southwest Chase Card and the Delta Amex. I also use my cards for personal expenses (like the water bill) to maximize points. We took a weeklong trip to Hawaii (5-person family at the time) and the only thing I had to pay for was 2 rental car days, food, and entertainment. And we got upgraded to a SWEET suite!
• Business Travel Packing Hack: Pack light (and well).  This tip leads into the next one. But packing light minimizes the stuff you have to haul around, makes it easier to stuff your bag into an overhead bin, and reduces the pain when you have to store it under your seat. I do my best to use a single backpack (an  Ogio Metro backpack ) whenever I can. With good packing, and minimizing superfluous crap, I can make that last almost a week. For example, if you wear jeans on day 1 you can wear them again on day 5, getting that room back in your bag. Wear your jacket w/ you on the plane so it doesn’t have to go in the bag.Learn how to roll your clothes vs. fold so they store easier (and don’t wrinkle as bad)!Skip the heavy book to save room (use your iPad or better yet, your Kindle Reader app on your phone). If you have to use a suitcase, get one that rolls really well ( preferably 4 wheeled ), fits easy into the overhead compartment, and is durable enough to stand the rigors of regular travel. Speaking of packing hacks, check out my article 11 Packing Tips you need to know .
• Bring some travel-size  Downy wrinkle releaser . This will help w/ the wrinkles, too! Did I mention I hate ironing?
• Skip the rental car if you can (and use Uber or Lyft ) . Saves you money, time, and hassle of picking up and returning a car. Especially in a big city. When I travel to NYC, Chicago or I know I will be attending a conf or staying downtown, I seldom rent a car. Simply no need.
• Get comfortable shoes.  You will be on your feet a lot when you travel. Walking (hopefully not running) to your next gate, or hoofing it to the catch the shuttle, and carrying luggage, your dogs will be barking. Might as well make them comfortable.Some people say you should use slip on shoes for easy security check point removal. I am not fan (mostly cause I can never find a pair that really fit right).I can always get mine off w/out untying them, so I am golden! I also invested in some good orthopedic arch support. Orthotics = heaven! (I use Archmolds ).
• Skip the escalator and especially the people movers . Burn a few extra calories by taking the stairs or walking next to the people movers if you have the time.I make it fun by trying to race-walk someone who is on the people mover. Of course, the people mover can be a lifesaver when you are hustling to catch a flight.
• Check the weather for your destination before you go and adjust accordingly. I live in sunny southern California. It’s either nice or hot.However, the rest of the country is not blessed with this weather and sometimes I forget. I’ve shown up in shorts and a windbreaker to NYC in November.Dumb.Double check the weather before you go in case they are having a cold snap and then pack accordingly. P rotip: In the winter you need to bring an extra heavy coat. Get a nice one for sure, but also don’t pack it. Carry it or wear it from your home airport, then store it in the overhead bin or have the flight attendant hang it. It will keep you from having to use the larger suitcase!
• Get your parking situation sorted out . Parking onsite at the airport will usually cost you 2.3 million dollars a day and usually get your company’s bean counters giving you the stink eye.Parking off site is usually cheaper…BUT…now you have to deal w/ a shuttle which adds extra time.I happen to use ONT airport in SOCAL and they have a sort-of-close-walking-distance onsite parking area which is still pretty cheap and allows me to walk to the AP and skip the shuttle. I use it 100% of thetime. But when I have to hit San Diego AP, I’ve found a good garage that has a good shuttle system, w/ regular pickups/dropoffs and I’ve learned the process.I know how much to factor in at the start/end of my trips and plan accordingly. Figure out the best parking system for your home airport.
• Make sure you know the rules (e.g. 3:1:1 rule for liquids, or electronics rules, etc)
• Get TSA Precheck if you can
• Protip: Some airports make me take my belt off, some don’t. So I just take it off now. 
• My shoes are not slip off, but they do slip off quickly w/ no untying. Easy on and off.
• I always grab two bins. It’s all I need. One for my laptop, one for my shoes.
• I stack the bins on top of each while on the table. Latptop bottom, shoes tops
• I keep my backpack and luggage OFF the table until the last minute.I figure save the space for everyone else, and it’s easier than trying to push everything along while you wait for the belt to catch it.
• I also try to pick the lines that have more business travelers in it . This is common sense.If you’ve ever been stuck behind a family who hasn’t traveled in 9 years, or college students who have no clue what’s going on, you learn to seek out the pros. This doesn’t always work, because sometimes you get just get screwed.
• Protip: I am a bit of a germaphobe. So, I never stand on the yellow footprints outside the xray machine. I stand to the side of them. My little silent protest if you will, but also…yucky sweaty feet. 
• On the other side of the line, depending on the pace of the scanner I will either start putting some of my stuff back together at the belt or pick everything up and get the heck out there making room for others. There’s usually a bench or something nearby for you to put your life back together again.
• Learn the airports .Every airport has its own idiosyncrasies. Over time, you will “know” what to expect at certain airports.Some have really smooth security checkpoints, others are known for being slow in security. Some airports have better food selections outside of security vs. inside.Sometimes you have to switch terminals and if you know the airport you can know what to expect. This is especially true when you flying to a small airport. The larger connecting airport may have you trekking to some remote outpost for the tinier plane. This is true at places like MSP or DTW.Some airports have off airport rental car facilities, while others are onsite allowing you to quickly drop the car and go. All of this information helps make your trip go a little smoother.
• Get TSA Pre-Check . TSA-Pre Check is my second favorite business travel hack! For a while I was too lazy to go get it.That was stupid.It literally saves me SO much time on every trip.Best thing is you don’t have to take your shoes/belt off or unpack your stuff. Time to get it done! Learn how, here .
• Learn how your selected airline’s boarding system works and then make sure you board as early as you can . Work the system. Let’s be clear, this is all about overhead bin storage and if you travel Southwest, an aisle seat. With airline status you will likely solve this problem, but sometimes you may need to take extra steps.Like checking in exactly 24 hours in advance on Southwest (set an alarm!), or spending $15.00 to upgrade your boarding zone. Learning how the boarding system works falls in the category of “clever business travel hacks” – and it’s an essential skill of any serious biz traveler.

Enjoying this list of Business Travel Hacks So far?

Keep reading. There’s more business travel hacks ahead! Or if you are looking or great deals on Hotels, check out out Hotels.com for some serious savings!

Or if you are interested in purchasing one of those comfortable hotel mattresses you slept on check out our article 11 Best Hotel Beds – Where to Buy that Hotel Mattress You Loved!

• Bring a multi-plug adapter .This is a little less important these days w/ everything being USB chargeable, and the extra power bars you bring, plus all of the plugs you now see at airports and hotels.But it’s not a bad idea to find something just in case you have to compete for a spot or you are staying in an old Hampton Inn that hasn’t been modernized for the business traveler.
• Get a business travel-grade backpack! Skip the roller suitcase .I always travel as light as I can. If I am just doing a few days of business travel, I will skip the suitcase and load my backpack. It’s amazing how light you really travel if you work at it.It also makes the travel experience simpler. One less bag to stow in the overhead bin = a little less worry when you forgot to check in on time. The only downside is having to lug your backpack around instead of resting it on a suitcase most of the time, but that’s a small price to pay.Pack smart and light, and travel more smoothly!Personally, I use the Ogio Metro Backpack and you read my review of it  here .
• Mark & Label your luggage .If your gonna use luggage (instead of just a backpack) then you might as well try not lose it and plan for the possibility you might.Try not check it (duh), but if you’ve labeled it and maybe added a colored strap to it or tassel (or even bought a non-black bag) it will be easier to see on the baggage claim carousel or pull from the overhead bin. Put your contact info on it in case someone else grabs it or it gets lost. I will admit I am not great at following this tip. While I always label my stuff, I usually get a black suitcase (I just can’t bring myself to get a purple suitcase or something) and I usually don’t put a color strap on it. But I really need to.
• Roll  your clothes to minimize wrinkling and fit more in the suitcase . Do it. Live it. Love it. This is an old trick I learned from the Marine Corps. You can keep the creases out of clothes and you can typically fit more into your bag. I made this switch years ago and never looked back.
• Pack your clothes in a set then layer it in your suitcase for daily access . Some people like to fully unpack their suitcase and use that dresser they provide you. I don’t get that.I only do that if I am staying greater than one week. Instead, I pack my clothes by day (or least the pants and shirts – I can tuck my socks, underwear and undershirts around things to get better storage). Then I can save a little time by leaving everything in the bag and pull it out as needed and in order .
• Use mobile boarding passes . I seldom use paper boarding passes anymore. The tech is much improved from a few years ago and has yet to fail me recently (last 4 years). The TSA checker is pretty good, but the Southwest boarding pass scanner is a little finicky IMO.Could be better. Still, no need to go find a printer and have something else to carry.Go mobile baby…
• Keep your stuff charged . Get a charging routine. I always charge my stuff the night before my trip and even in the car on the way to the airport.In fact, I charge just about whenever I can. Nothing more frustrating than your phone dying in the middle of Better Call Saul as you are flying over Oklahoma.
• Get a portable  power bar/battery backup . Seems like everything runs on batteries these days. I invested in 2 power bars that I charge every night at the hotel and at my house the night before I leave on a trip.Rather than hunt around for a plug at the airport, I just plug into my power bar and recharge my gear.
• Make sure your phone has a case . You will be in-transit a lot. Tossing stuff into overhead bins, walking from gate to gate, in and out of cars, etc. You WILL drop your phone. Make sure it’s protected. Maybe you can get away w/out a case at home, but no way no how here on the road.
• Be the guy (or gal) who invents a useful cord system for keeping cords untangled . For the love of God! Cords get tangled. It’s like a rat’s nest and nothing I’ve tried really works. Please invent this!And then share it with us. #IamBeggingYou For now, a cord organizer might do the trick.
• Use Facetime or Google Hangouts or Skype to keep in touch with loved ones at home . Most of us have some loved ones at home. I have 4 kids and wife and only while only 2 of my kids are still at home, I miss them all terribly.I always text my wife where I am at w/ my trip (e.g. Made it to the AP or Hotel), and I try to use Google Hangouts w/ the wife and kids a few times each trip. It’s a great way to stay connected to home.
• Document your experience on social media for fun . You are traveling, and it can be fun or at least seem to be fun to other people. Might as well upload a pic to Instagram or Facebook and tell everyone where you are. You will see some funny stuff while you travel – take a pic!I am on social media w/ a bunch of other business travelers and we always post our itinerary using the airport codes and see if we can figure out where they are. (SNA to ATL to MSY anyone!?! That’s Orange County to Atlanta to New Orleans, btw).
• Download your content to skip the Internet fee on the plane . Delta charges some ungodly amount of money for Internet access on a plane and while Southwest is a bit cheaper, it’s still $$.I prefer to download a few shows, movies or books on my Kindle app using my home or hotel Internet and skip the fees. Plan ahead!
• Have a good routine and stick to it . I personally always unpack immediately after I get to the Hotel Room. I hang my clothes. Iron the next day’s clothes (usually just a shirt, as my pants are always wrinkle free).I lay out the rest of my stuff (socks, etc). I also set my toiletries out and on especially early mornings I go so far as to lay the towel out on the floor next to the tub, physically move the shampoo into the shower, hang my towel next to the shower, and get the coffee pretty close to ready.I will even lay out my Allergy pill and partially open it (super anal…sigh).I am usually in a different time zone, and know I will be running on fumes in the morning.  Those extra few seconds seem to add up and give me a little buffer if I am running slow.
• Set 2 alarms for the morning . I always set two alarms for the next morning. Usually 15 minutes apart. This is especially important if you are dealing w/ a big time zone swing (e.g. West Coast to East Coast).
• Get your travel toiletries in bulk ! You can get these at Amazon like I do, or at places like Sam’s Club or Costco.  You might be interested in my article on buying your travel toiletries in bulk !
• Set out your toiletries the night before a nd get a few minutes of extra sleep!
• Get the coffee maker ready to go for the AM A and get a few minutes of extra sleep! Noticing a trend here!?!?!
• Train your body to not care what time zone it’s in . Maybe it’s the Marine Corps training, but when I am really in a travel groove I can adjust my body to the timezone it’s in pretty quick.Some folks say to try to stick to your local normal timezone, but I find that impractical and hard. So, I just adjust.The first day is harder, but you can get it done. I think this is more mental than anything, but it’s hard to say. You can read my article on how to get over jetlag if you are looking for some more practical ideas on how to adjust a little quicker.
• Bring your workout gear . This is a hard one for me. Because bringing running shoes automatically puts me into my suitcase (and thus not able to bring only my backpack). However, staying healthy is important and a quick workout on the road can relieve stress, help you sleep better, and burn some of those restaurant calories.  Note: My last trip, I brought my gear….but never used it. So yeah, bring it AND use it.
• You might be interested in this article I wrote on how to stay healthy while you travel entitled:  The 7 Habits of the Healthy Business Traveler: How to Stay Healthy While Traveling for Business
• Pack a snack . I always bring a granola bar or piece of fruit in my backpack. Flight schedules seldom line up w/ meal times and so I am eating at off times and I try to avoid the pricey airline food (if the airline even has it!). Better to have a snack for the 3rd hour of your 4 hour flight than get a monster headache.  I wrote an article with some healthy suggestions for travel snacks . Give it a look!
• Hydrate your body (but not so much you have to go to the bathroom 9 times on the plane) . I actually kind of do something unhealthy. The men in my family are cursed w/ small bladders and large prostates. So, I drink a bunch water the night before , but limit my water (or liquid in general) consumption the day I am actually traveling. This keeps me from having to hit the bathroom on the plane so often. I then water bomb my body when I get to the hotel. I doubt this is healthy, so buyer beware, but it works for me. Yeah, so in other words. Hydrate. Your body will thank you in the long run.
• Go when you can .I learned this trip from the Marine Corps. Basically, you eat, sleep and use the bathroom whenever you can . If you don’t have to get up and use the lavatory on the plane, then don’t. Go whenever you can, but especially before flights and on layovers.
• Get a travel pillow . I can’t sleep on planes. Best I can do is the “Takeoff Nap.” But occasionally when I am beat-down-dog tired I am able to catch a few winks. Having a handy travel pillow like the Trtl is a game changer.
• Don’t bring a face mask . Thanks to COVID, we are all bringing face masks now! Here’s where to buy them . How good of sleep are you really going to get anyway? Besides you look like a tool w/ a facemask on a plane.If you simply must get one…try this kitty cat one (ps…we will all be laughing at you and you will be laughing when you see the one I picked for you…haha).
• Skip the chain restaurants – eat local. The thought of another Chili’s meal makes me nauseous. Besides, there are so many good local restaurants.Find something local and non-chainy. Not only will you support small businesses, but you might have a better dining experience. Often the hotel clerk can point you to something good.Or ask the customer!
• Don’t forget to eat healthy . Seriously, do it. This is probably the most important of all travel hacks.
• Use Yelp to pick a good restaurant . If the clerk didn’t have anything, that ask Yelp! Or if that doesn’t work, ask the “Foodie” on your team (there’s always one…). Chances are he/she has already scoped it out!
• Better yet, go shopping for food . If I am staying an extended period of time in an area (as often happens on my visits to Nashville) I will hit the local Kroger and grab some breakfast or dinner foods. Most hotels have microwaves and some fresh fruit and oatmeal in the AM is nice. Some even have kitchens…but I don’t cook on the road.
• Learn the history of the area you are visiting (e.g. Wiki Minot, ND ) . I was briefly a history major in college and I grew up literally reading encyclopedias. Regardless, I always try and learn a little bit about where I am staying at. I recently visited Minot, ND. Pretty cool little town w/ some interesting history. It might give you something to talk about w/ the customer or impress your colleagues with your vast knowledge. And you might be able to squeeze in a quick visit to some cool American attraction that you’d never otherwise see. At the very least it’s something to do in the Hotel room besides watching John Oliver on HBO at 2am.
• See if you can squeeze in a quick visit to the major tourist attraction (e.g. Sears Tower) . This is often hard to do because on business travel you are rushing from one place to the next.Still, there are times when you can squeeze something in. For example, I visited a cavern when I was working in Sierra Vista, AZ w/ a colleague for a month. I’ve toured a lighthouse during a long drive up the Oregon coast. Visited NYC attractions during long stints in the City (like a Yankee’s game).Went to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial.The Foodies amongst us are always on the search for the great food places – those once in a lifetime food experiences. Try to have fun. You are THERE so you might as well try to see some of this great country.

• Eat at a nice (expensive) restaurant for lunch . Without blowing your daily per diem you may be able to sample some of the “nicer” restaurants in an area by visiting them for lunch where you can find a cheaper version of some of their favorites. Get your Instagrammable experience for less $$.
• Bring a water bottle . I personally don’t employ this tip (see my views on hydration on the plan elsewhere in the post). However, when you do need something to drink, paying 3.99 for a bottle of water that would cost .99 at any grocery store is hard to swallow.Many airports now have water bottle fill stations near their drinking fountains. Empty before you go through security and fill up on the other side.
• Pain Relievers: Aleve , and Tylenol PM (to help get to sleep if needed – only if needed)
• Kleenex/Tissue
• Cough Drops
• Claritin D Allergy Pills
• Something for the tummy like GasX – nothing worse than stomach problems on a plane.
• Any meds I may be on at the time
• Bring some hand sanitizer !  Germs abound while traveling. Tray tables, security bins, seatbelts, door handles and more. A little hand sanitizer can save the day!
• Bring some wet wipes . Travel size, of course. Tray tables are disgusting. Use the wipes to clean it off before you drop your phone onto it. Bonus: you never know when the sandpaper toilet paper in the airplane stall isn’t going to cut it. You can also use it to wipe the hotel remote down.
• Bring a sewing kit . I’ve popped buttons off of shirts or ripped items. A sewing kit is a handy thing to have!
• Bring a small eyeglass screwdriver . You never know when something will fall apart – especially if you have glasses. I always carry a small tool w/ me. Something that won’t get flagged by TSA as the next terrorist threat. Something like this Wallet Ninja perhaps.
• Figure out where you are going the next day and map out your route and arrival times . I always put my destination address in Google Maps the night before to see how long I need to travel. Then I give my self some buffer. Adjust for traffic if needed and then start setting up my alarms.No one likes late people.
• Keep your computer’s firewall on when using the Hotel Internet . No real explanation needed for this one. Networks are not safe. You should know that by now.I recently wrote an article on staying secure while you travel. You should check it out:  Don’t get hacked on your business trip: 7 Cyber Security Travel Tips for the Business Traveler to Stay Secure
• Ask for the upgrade!  Doesn’t always work, but every once in a while you can get an upgraded room, car or even a boarding position.This happens more when you have “status” with the company, but it also helps if your nice. Give it a try.
• Flip the door latch in your hotel room . I can’t tell you how many times this has paid off. From another traveler who was given a key to my room by the front desk, to the cleaning crew – you never know when someone will burst into your room.Also, it’s a good idea from a safety perspective.
• Glance at the alternate exit plan for the hotel . Just about every hotel has a sign on the inside of the door that shows the emergency exit route.Believe it or not, I’ve actually been rousted out of my room at 3am because the hotel was on fire. You will be one step ahead and if you really need it (e.g. 9/11 scenario) it could save your life. Also…grab your backpack on the way out (but skip the suitcase).
• Put the do not disturb sign on the door when you leave the hotel room . I use this trick when I don’t want the staff in my room when I head down for breakfast or out for a beer.Obviously if you want them to clean the room, take the sign down. If I go out for a beer I am usually leaving my laptop in the room. No need to make it easier on the staff. The illusion that someone is room might be enough to deter them.
• Get to know the staff (if you are staying there for a long time or multiple visits) . I stayed in a single hotel in Sacramento 3 days a week for 4 months. 2x a month in NYC for almost 2 years and lately 1x a month for a year now in Nashville. The staff got to know me and started to do things like leave extras in my room (beyond my status stuff) or welcome me warmly when I arrive.
• Use the Hotel TV’s HDMI cable . Most modern hotels have HD cables/tvs. Hook your laptop up and watch Netflix in all of its glory rather than hunched over your iPhone.Or, if the TV supports it, “cast” it to the TV. This is probably one of my more “clever” business travel hacks. Pro travel tip: I actually like to carry an HDMI cable with me. Never know when you might need it w/ a customer, or you can use in your hotel room.
• Be nice to the staff! (airline, shuttle drivers, hotel desk clerks, etc) . Generally, I try to avoid interacting w/ people on my trips. But sometimes you have to talk to the desk agent and of course you will have to talk to the hotel clerk. Might as well be nice.I always say hi to the Flight Attendants and try to be courteous to those helping me out. Sometimes you might get a free upgrade too.Or at the very least, when your hotel room’s shower doesn’t work, the desk clerk might work w/  you to get a new room instead of telling you that you are stuck w/ it. Be nice, show an interest, smile.
• Tip the shuttle drivers . For the most part, they work hard. Give them a buck or two per bag. My one rule though is you have to load my bag to get a tip.Some drivers (often female) won’t load bags. So no tip (although I did meet this great lady in Las Vegas who was a bag loading machine and pretty funny too). But if you grab my bag, I will tip you. $2.00 a bag seems fair, $5.00 if the bag is large or crazy heavy or a set of Golf Clubs. Better yet, skip the shuttles whenever you can (on airport rental car facility and parking anyone!)
• Use SeatGuru.com to pick the best seat on the plane . Cool website that can you help avoid the crummy seats on a plane (like the ones that seatback’s don’t recline, or where there is a weird bulkhead that cramps your legroom).
• Use your loyalty apps . Every airline, hotel and rental car company has an app now. Some are better than others, but most seem to have your boarding pass sorted out and provide update on flights, etc.You can use them to check in, select your car (don’t get me started, Avis…), even to unlock your hotel room if you really want to avoid people.
• Don’t leave valuables in your suitcase (and make it hard to get at) . I don’t travel w/ too much valuable stuff anyway, but occasionally I have to leave my laptop in the hotel or something like that. But when I do, I employ a little trick I think works (although I have no idea). In addition to burying it beneath a stack of clothes and zipping it up and sticking the suitcase in the closet, I throw a pair of underwear on top of it. Gross right. I figure they aren’t touching it! #LevelUp
• Protip: Take your tooth brush with you during the day .  Aside from being able to brush your teeth after the Philly cheese steak lunch, the maid can’t jack w/ it.
• Pack the night before your flight/check out . I always pack the night before an early morning flight.Get a few extra minutes of sleep in the morning and minimize any of my low-energy goofs (like leaving a 500.00 jacket in my hotel closet! UGH!).
• Consider joining the airline’s airport club system . It’s a little pricey usually, but sometimes w/ status it can be discounted or even free. The clubs are really on nice during long delays, or to grab a super quick meal between flights (for “free”) or on international travel.
• Skip the airport souvenir shop . It’s pricey, baby! If you have little ‘uns like I do, you like to grab a trinket or two every once in a while. When I am really on my game, I will hit a Walmart for a “local” trinket.
• Stretch regularly . Before, during and after the plane try to get some stretching in. On long flights my lower back is known to act up a bit.I can mitigate this by stretching a bit before I get on the plane, then when I get up to use the bathroom I will usually stretch it again. After I land I do a few more if it’s really sore.
• Book morning / mid-day flights to mitigate travel delays . If you are the last flight of the day and it gets delayed, you are stuck in a hotel or airport lounge for the night. When feasible, book flights that give you a little leeway.
• Be careful with layover times . I hate layovers. Especially long ones. But super short ones can be risky too. Any little hiccup can cause you to miss a connection because you have no buffer.If you do find yourself considering a short layover, make sure you know the airport (and what kind of gate switching you might have to do) and consider the time of year and weather in the area.
• Dress Comfortable . Some folks suggest you should dress nice – I guess for the mental image it gives you. Power suit!On my outbound flights I am often not meeting w/ anyone until the next day. I usually wear jeans and polo shirt. On the return flight I am usually leaving a customer site or office and am in business gear. I will often change into jeans after I get through security. Sorry…comfort outweighs image.
• Have some spare cash – small bills . Most of our life can be dealt w/ via electronic transaction, but having a few bucks is handy. Tipping the shuttle driver or as a backup in case you lose your card. I try to carry about 40.00, w/ at least 5 one’s.
• Bring your passport as a backup form of ID . Nothing sucks worse than losing your ID. Typically your Driver’s License is all you need but bring your passport as a backup form of ID in the event you need it!
• Store a backup credit card in your carry-on bag . In case you lose your wallet, you will have some form of payment, plus if you followed the previous tip, you will have an extra form of ID.
• Stay close to the airport for those early morning flights home . Make the early morning, pre-coffee trek w/ a few extra minutes of sleep.
• Skip the rental car insurance . It’s a waste of money and your company probably already has their own.
• Sign up for the rental car rewards program . It’s surprising how many people will take care of the airline and hotel rewards, but not rental car. A good rental car program like National’s can make your travel experience much easier. Speaking of rental car hacks, you might like this article I recently wrote about the 9 Secret Rental Car Hacks they don’t want you to know about .
• Take pictures of your receipts (or better yet use an App to track them) . I use Concur’s expense reporting app because it ties into my corporate system, but there are many other apps that help you track your expenses. At a minimum, take a picture with your phone’s camera of any receipts you get (unless you already get an electronic copy). #SmartTravelHack
• Stay on top of your expense reports!  It is easy to get behind on expense reports if you are not careful. And once your behind it is you that’s footing that credit card bill not your company. Make expense reporting part of your routine. I often will start them on my trip and finish them on the very first full business day I have back in the office.
• Use apps like Tripit to integrate w/ your calendar.  I like Tripit because it loads all of my flight and hotel information right onto my calendar. No need to go hunting for emails or printing itineraries out. The address of my hotel, the phone number, the next flight, etc. It’s all there for me right from my calendar.
• Return the rental car the night before your flight home . If I am staying close enough to the airport to where the shuttle ride over will not be a pain in the rear I will turn the car in the night before. One less thing to worry about in the AM, plus it saves the company a little $$. This is especially helpful if the airport has an off-site rental car facility where you are in a shuttle anyway (like DFW, LAS, etc).
• Always gas up your rental before you return it . No need to pay the crazy gas fees at the rental car company. Stop and take 5 minutes to fill it up. No big deal. This goes in the don’t be a bonehead business travel hacks category.
• Bring your own conditioner and hair products . This tip really applies more to women than to men and in fact was shared with me by a fellow woman business traveler. The theory was, as she noted, your hair is used to certain products and switching to something provided by the hotel (even if it’s good) is just asking for problems. You can use these travel size containers to store your products.
• Carry a personal safety alarm . Another tip shared with me by a female traveler. She noted that sometimes you need to feel safe or be safe. Having the ability to trigger a siren on a key chain is comforting. Better yet, learn Krav Maga.
• Get a travel makeup case . In the female category having a travel makeup case was recommended to me as a great tip to simplify your travel life. She buys 2 of everything and keeps one set in her “home” kit and one set in her “travel” kit. Sounds smart to me.
• Consider a laptop/purse combo bag . Why carry a purse, a suitcase and a laptop bag? I was turned on to this concept (I had no idea it existed!) when I was traveling with a seasoned sales rep a few years back. She had a stylish travel purse , but inside of it was a laptop case – built right in. Pretty slick. That’s the guy equivalent of stuffing your laptop in your wallet.
• Bring backup eyewear . I wear glasses and there’s few things more frustrating them losing or breaking your glasses while on a trip. I used to bring an actual backup pair of glasses in a hard case. However, now I’ve switched to a pair of disposable contacts – much smaller load to carry.
• Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase to reduce static (and improve smell!). If you washed and dried your clothes correctly you probably won’t have to deal w/ static anyway, but this is a nice tip. In fact, I really love this business travel hack – as do my fellow passengers.
• Prebuild good playlists for your Spotify app . Whatever app you use for music, prebuild a few good travel lists. I have lists for sleeping, for calm/de-stressing, for workouts and for pump-up times.

An extra tip: Share your wisdom w/ the younger travelers . We all had to start somewhere. Pass on your sage business travel hacks! Or better yet, share it w/ us! I will post your travel hack (if it doesn’t suck).

Ok, one more tip; my final travel hack for you: Stay even keeled and realistic .

Travel can suck sometimes. You will have delays, you’ll be tired, you’ll get stuck in a middle seat sometimes.

The hotel bed will suck, the lady in the hotel room next to you is enjoying the pleasures of matrimony all night, etc, etc. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do. There are things beyond your control.

So just roll w/ it. I’ve been stuck in a middle seat for 6 hours on the way back from JFK. It sucks, for sure.

But it doesn’t last forever .

I’ve also done that same flight in first class. You win some you lose some.

No need to lose your ever-loving mind because you had to store your backpack under your seat for the flight back from SLC to SAN. Remember, nothing lasts forever.

The End – no more business travel hacks for you!

Thanks for sticking through to the end, I hope you enjoyed this massive list of business travel hacks.

What are your favorite business travel hacks? Share them with us by leaving a comment or joining us on social media. And don’t forget to check out the rest of blog – including funny business travel memes that are sure to make you chuckle!

Don’t forget to follow us on social media including Twitter , Instagram and Facebook .

By the way, if you are interested in more travel tips and travel advice, you might be like these great articles:

• How to buy a hotel mattress
• How to buy a hotel pillow
• How to buy hotel sheets
• Must have travel gadgets
• Best road trip gadgets
• Top backyard water toys
• Best backyard games
• Top travel pillows
• Best travel purses
• Best luggage tags
• Best travel thermometers
• Where to buy face masks for travel
• Travel necessities
• Best travel games
• Best travel books
• Best packing cubes
• Travel gifts for women
• Travel gifts for men
• Travel gifts for dad
• Business travel gifts
• Work from home gifts for dad
• 147 Business Travel Tips – the ultimate list of road warrior tips & tricks
• 31 Amazing Hotel Hacks Travel Pros Use all the Time
• The Mileage Run – A Frequent Flyer Travel Hack You Need to Know
• Best Travel Drones – compare and contrast the top rated drones for travel
• Anker PowerCore 20100 Review – Should I buy?
• Why Frequent Travelers should buy their Travel Size Toiletries in Bulk!
• TSA Drone Policy – do they have one?
• TSA Food Rules – can you take food on a plane in hand luggage?
• What’s a young driver fee & what’s the best under 25 Car Rental Company?

Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also earn commissions from other affiliate programs as applicable.

Jeremy Ballou is the editor of the CBoardingGroup.com and a long-time writer in both the travel and tech industry. Most days he's in thinking about travel or writing about it.

The return flight

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Don’t bring a face mask was meant for me LOL! Thanks for the reminder. Awesome list!

Thanks! Lol

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

I really enjoyed your post. Lots of great ideas. I don’t travel for business any more, but your tips equally well for the pleasure traveler.

Thanks Shelley – appreciate the kind words!! And you are right most them apply to the pleasure traveler.

This is such thorough list! And I agree with most of these esp the wet wipes. Im super germ freak lol

lol…I know. For example, I SOOO hate taking my shoes off in security at the AP…standing in everyone’s gross foot sweat. Glad I got TSA Precheck!

Awesome list! Best one is the underwear security hack. 😉 I’m also going to do the extra credit card in the carry on. For backup ID I got one of the passport cards with my last passport renewal.

My best hack: Use the pant hangers in the closet to clip your curtains shut…avoid that annoying sliver of light!

Thanks man! Love the underwear trick…never failed me! 🙂 And nice tip on the pant hangers! Thanks for the comments!

Your post has given very valuable tips, keep posting the same information like this always. These are very easy to understandable and also helpful for all. Thanks for sharing this post with us.

Thanks for your like of my post, “Patriots;” you are very kind.

Great tips! I totally agree that it’s better to pack light and not check your bags. And yes taking a red eye although cheaper, is very painful.

Wrinkle free clothing is my favorite travel tip of all time! Lots of great tips here for any kind of traveler!

THAT. A. LIST. I travel for work a lot, and I am really proud to say that I know how to work the system pretty well, still perfecting it though. I am also like a well oiled machine when it comes to security check. I travel only carry on and have replaced most of my liquids with Lush products.

Really great tips. I agree to invest in a good luggage, especially if you know you will be traveling a lot. And a four wheel is really easy to drag when traveling. I really need to buy free wrinkling clothes, one of my issue sometimes.

Good luggage creates the foundation for a good trip. That and a good attitude

This has a lot of great tips, but I might argue that some of them could be consolidated together (i.e. the wrinkle free tips). I do love that you give the tip of steaming in the bathroom – I always do that!

Yeah, you are probably right! ;–

Love this… but my one disagreement (I think) is i usually delete all social media during my travels except for Instagram, but I don’t post during the day, usually just let myself take photos and deal with it later. It’s mostly because it drives me nuts to stand behind some IG influencer or people holding up areas because they’re always posting on snapchat these ridiculous live updates that are superfluous. Sometimes I think if I don’t really mess around with my phone too much, I’m more in the moment and don’t miss out on things. Except for a camera, which does help me find more details to a place. cool list of tips

Fair point – I can totally get that.

First I need to know what work you do that you travel so much! I love your comment about eating local. So true. There are such great finds and freezer to fryer chains do get old really fast. Great tips all around.

GM/Sales for a tech company. Local eating is the only way to go. Thanks Alison

Absolutely informative post. I liked your tip to label your luggage instead of wasting time in checking the bags. It is really helpful post.

Never check a bag! 🙂

Wow! That’s a long list of travel hacks. I have come across some of them elsewhere but a lot of points are new for me. Smart travel is the way to go!

Wow! These notes are very useful!! I sometimes struggle when traveling but these hacks are definitely a lifesaver! Thank you for all of these! Pinned it for future use! 🙂

Thanks Rae!

Wow that’s an exhaustice list and covers all base. Will pin this for future reference.

Wow, that’s a lot of tips! As a regular (non business) traveler I use most of them as well. I’m always bringing my own water bottle, not just because of hydration, but it’s also better for the environment when you don’t buy them on the airport all the time.

Yeah, totally agree. I love that many airports now have water fill up stations!

As someone who has done a lot of business travel in the past, I enjoyed reading this and learned quite a lot of new things! I would say that the travel pillow and good headphones are absolutely essential for long flights – the ones you’re given on the flight are usually super uncomfortable.

Totally agree. Good headphones are HUGE. Plus a backup set of wired ear buds in case your main set breaks!

That’s a huge list! I’m not a business traveler but most of your points are valid for all kinds of travelers. Marking the luggage is one tip I need to work upon.

Wow! What a comprehensive post. This list seems like very helpful for any traveler!

Thanks for sharing really wonderful tips for Business traveler. I would be sharing these tips with my husband as he travels a lot for business purpose. I too believe in booking the direct flights and stick to one airlines.

Great list here, I’ve never been a business traveler but so many tips are relevant to the weekend breaker as well!

That’s true, Sam. Most of these really do apply to leisure travelers too. Although, with leisure traveling hopefully you are not wanting to go quite so fast (slow travel, etc…). Thanks!!

This is an amazing list with so many clever tips – not exclusively for business travellers. I like how you point out all these little things one neglects so easily since they are so obvious. Truly helpful and inspiring.

Thanks for the kind words!

Wow! What a list you’ve got here. I can’t tell you how much I agree with you on the luggage. If you check it in you risk waiting so long or potentially something being lost or stolen. Then you end up behind everyone trying to get a car, it’s a waste of valuable time!

Exactly! Thanks for the comment!

My bag has been on different flights so many times this year I could not agree with you more!! Bookmarked your article!

Thanks Emilio – appreciate it!

What a comprehensive guide !! Am going to share this with my other business mates. There are few things I surely follow. Bringing the luggage along with me in the cabin and booking flight with a single airline being the main ones. Thanks for sharing this.

Thanks Nitasha! I greatly appreciate the kind words

Ask for an upgrade would be my number 1 haha. It always doesn’t hurt to ask even if it makes me sounds like an entitled asshole :)! It really does work sometimes when combined with politeness.

I know right. I am surprised, really, how often it does work. Having status helps, but sometimes just being nice and asking is all it takes.

These are some awesome tips! And not totally exclusive to business travellers. I’m far from a business traveller but follow a lot of these and WILL follow a lot more moving forward 😉 I’ve only recently cottoned on to how beneficial it can be to stick with the 1 hotel/airline etc but let’s just say my travel life has changed for the better already!

Thanks Rhiannon! Max out those points AND loyalty status with as few as possible travel providers and your travel life will increase in quality 🙂

I am a big fan of the direct flights and credit card points tips! I have followed both many time and the points can then payoff for more travel or even buy bits and bobs for the home/yourself!

I have to say I love list like these because it helps me save so much time while traveling. It also makes traveling even cheaper at times with it. I think I have used some of the hacks as well.

This was a super thorough list thank you souchZ I’ve booarked this alomgbwoth my own. I always like to look any mynlist and see how I can improve!

I totally agree about marking your luggage, during your travel it’s very important to leave a small sticker indicated your name, phone no. or email add etc., to atleast find your luggage easier. Using mobile boarding pass is also convenient when you loose your hard copy but it’s alway better to have a hard copy on you, we never know if you’re phone is dead or you forgot to bring charger.

Great post! Agree with 99% of the recommendations. Couple of additional/alternate tips: 1) Find a workout app that you can do from your iPad or phone to save bringing sneakers. Work out in your hotel room instead. I’ve used Peloton and Daily Burn. 2) TSA + Clear is the bomb! Clear gets you to the conveyor belt of the TSA line in airports that have it (number is rapidly growing). My fave tips on your list that I do as well: 1) Combined purse/laptop bag. I actually have a very small “shuttle purse” inside my briefcase/big purse that I take when I’m going out to dinners, etc. so I do not have to take my big purse. 2) Two separate toiletry sets — one for home, one for travel. I swear by this method. It’s expensive (I use expensive products) but such a time saver, and you also never forget anything this way. Happy traveling!

Thanks! Appreciate the kind words. I’ve used Clear (many years ago…but let it expire). Might have to check it out again. I like the separate toiletry trick, too. Smart!

One of the best article on business travel. Labeling baggage is a nice idea.

Best article , this is very useful for us . Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing this amazing article with us…!

Some business travel hacks to make life easier include keeping a check of the visa, packing smartly so that less space is occupied, signing up loyalty programmes, travel hacks during security checks, etc. At International Travel House, proper facilities along with the bookings are given to the business travelers. Services include passport & visa facilitation, private airport transfers, hotel accommodation, etc.

Thanks for this amazing post… keep sharing

Thanks for sharing these amazing article!

Lansdowne is most famous for being the home of the Garhwal Rifle Regiment of the Indian Army. This station on the hill is neither commercialized nor highly urbanized, which makes it the perfect getaway for those seeking a break in the midst of peace and solitude.

very helpful and nice information thanks for sharing

Is there something you want to do that freaks you out ? Go for it ! Sometimes, the scariest ideas turn into the best travel memories. Thanks for sharing nice information, very helpful. Keep it up.

Thanks for the amazing post…..keep sharing

Is there something you want to do that freaks you in & out ? Go for it ! Sometimes, the craziest ideas turn into the life time travel memories. Thanks for sharing this information. keep sharing keep motivating.

Amazing website! good content explained in detail. Keep up the good work! all the best.

Thanks Post

You need to pack compact things when you travel. Many of us like to take some home appliances with us like induction cooktops. The one who has all the gadgets have the priority. Now buy the best home appliances without any hassle and confusion, as we have done all the guesswork for you. Simply choose a product. Click on the product and buy it.

Awesome tips! There is one thing that is always hard for me during my trip. It is tip number 50 “Don’t forget to eat healthy”. I always want to try new foods and most of them aren’t healthy.

I was looking for some articles to read about business travel today when I stumbled on your blog and found this topic which is written very well. Very cool.Thanks for sharing and have a great day!

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The ultimate guide to traveling for work: 35 best tips for business travelers

Before you travel…, 1. check your company’s business travel policy, 2. stick to carry-on bags only, 3. keep your essentials packed and ready to go in your suitcase, 4. keep your essentials handy when on the road, 5. pack both business attire and casual clothes, 6. keep security checks in mind when you pack, 7. make comfort a priority, 8. sign up for rewards programs, 9. make sure you charge your electronic devices, 10. fly non-stop, 11. make use of airport lounges, 12. use a suit bag, 13. bring a power bank, 14. bring your (travel size) toiletries, 15. pack healthy snacks, 16. choose your plane seat wisely, 17. do your research on foreign business etiquette, 18. download helpful apps, 19. bring a power adapter, 20. check in beforehand, during your business trip…, 21. choose water, skip alcohol, 22. if you have a meeting shortly after landing and need to be fresh, try drinking coffee two hours before the meeting, 23. layover tip: take the time to connect, 24. stretch, 25. adapt to meal times as soon as possible, 26. beat jet lag with exercise, 27. don’t be tempted to sleep as soon as you arrive, 28. try to stick to your most important daily routines, 29. take pictures of all your receipts, 30. store your receipts properly, 31. use a firewall when using public internet, 32. there are alternatives to working in your hotel room, after your business trip…, 33. don’t forget to report your expenses, 34. send thank you emails, 35. leave reviews, did you find this article useful.

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Expert Business Travel Tips for a Smooth Business Trip (40+ Ideas)

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This article was originally published on our site Nomad Paradise. As part of a rebrand, we are publishing all our travel packing and tips content in one place for you to enjoy - The Travel Method. For world cuisine and recipes, you can keep visiting Nomad Paradise.

Business travel is a necessity. Whether you’re an intern or a CEO, the world of work is global. But where those traveling for leisure can afford the luxury of slipping into bed after a long flight, business travelers simply cannot. Important meetings will not be rescheduled because you made it in at 2 a.m. Conferences still expect you to speak, no matter how tired you are.

But in today’s age, business travel does not have to derail you. As travel has evolved, so have our methods of dealing with it. With the input of seventeen professionals who frequently travel for work, we’ve compiled a must-read list of over forty essential tips to help make your next work trip run smoothly.

Booking Tips

Dress for upgrades.  

Katherine Rothman, CEO of  KMR Communications , says it’s much easier to get upgrades when you board a plane or arrive at a hotel if you’re dressed smartly and look the part.

Always make sure you have an assigned seat. 

Katherine also says it is much harder for an airline to ‘bump’ you with an assigned seat, which could potentially be disastrous for your business trip.

Scan your accommodation’s Twitter posts. 

Nick Gray, founder of  Museum Hack , says it’s wise to scan your hotel’s Twitter posts before arriving. Many hotels run social media promotions that allow you to feel like a VIP without spending like one.

For example, sometimes, Kimpton Hotels post a social password on their Twitter account. When you say the social password at check-in, you’ll get a surprise, which could include a free bottle of wine, parking, a coffee mug, drinks at the bar, a room upgrade, dining vouchers, a hot chocolate kit, or an in-room movie.

Book your flight in incognito mode on your browser. 

Founder of  Talk Travel , Saurabh Jindal, always books flights through a new incognito window. Incognito mode does not store cookies (served by the website) on your system. Thus, it cannot track you.

Therefore, the website you are booking through cannot raise the price, which could be triggered when a user searches for the same thing more than once.

Check fares with Skiplagged.  

David Pike, founder of the  New York Trolley Company and advisor for startups at Founder Institute, always checks the Skiplagged app before booking. It shows you hidden fares to cities by missing the second leg of a flight.

For example, if you want to fly from New York to Nashville, Skipplagged might find a cheaper flight from New York to Chicago with a layover in Nashville. You wouldn’t board the second flight, hence saving money. You won’t, however, be able to check a bag.

Packing Tips

Pack as light as possible. 

Everything In Its Place  founder Eileen Roth packs skirts and dresses, as they are thinner than slacks. Blouses are also a good choice, as they are thinner than sweaters. Less weight means you can pack more.

If it’s cooler in conference rooms, add a sweater and suit jacket in a basic black to top off the outfit and change that every other day.

Wear the only pairs of shoes you bring. 

Frequent traveler Carmella says if you do, your shoes should be waterproof, airport-sensible, and business-appropriate everywhere from Canada down to Texas. Short black leather boots with the lowest heel are a sensible choice.

Even with TSA precheck, liquids are a gamble.  

Between reusable water bottles, mouth rinse bites, and solid shampoo bars, there is no need to carry liquids. Pare down the toiletries and replace them with dry products.

Leave your designer luggage at home.  

If you are traveling abroad, as much as you might treasure your designer luggage, leave it at home, says Katherine Rothman. Why advertise to thieves that you have money or make yourself more noticeable? This is not a time you want to stand out.

Keep a pre-packed travel bag at home. 

Emily Mandagie, photographer and one half of travel blog  The Mandagies , has a dedicated business travel bag on hand, pre-packed with travel essentials before any trip. Although you’ll need to pack certain things on-demand, like clothes and shoes, some items like toiletries, cosmetics, and other travel products will generally stay the same. This way, you can unpack quickly after a trip and repack, knowing you have exactly what you need for the next trip cycle.

These pre-packed items include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, lotion, and even a small container of shampoo and conditioner. When it comes to tech, Emily will also stow away a phone charger, extra batteries, and headphones.

Time-Saving Tips

Book non-stop flights.

Katherine Rothman recommends that you try booking non-stop flights whenever possible, even if it costs more.

If you are on a business trip where you may be meeting with prospective clients or partners, saving yourself the stress of potentially missing your layover if the flight is delayed pays off in the long run.

Sign up for TSA pre-check .

If you’re a United cardmember, you can have global reentry and TSA precheck reimbursed, Carmella says. Skip lines and rack up miles!

Utilize ‘priority luggage.’ 

This means your luggage will be the first to come off the plane. When you check your bags outside, you can usually tip $5.00 and say, “will you ticket me for priority baggage” and 99% of the time it works – people just don’t know it can be done. Katherine Rothman has used this time-saving technique many times.

Save all appointments (including addresses, names, and phone numbers) on your agenda. 

Local Insiders  founder, Silke Wolf, says this will save you time and make your trip so much more worry-free. The same applies to the information you need to prepare for your appointments.

To travel light and paper-free, save all documents to a specific folder on your Google Drive. (Don’t forget to make it available offline). This way, you’ll stay organized, and you can access all the information you need on the go.

Pre-Flight Tips

Before leaving, download important maps offline. 

Make sure directions, itineraries, and maps are downloaded to your phone offline, along with some music and podcasts for potentially bad service areas and the plane ride.

Take photos of receipts with an app. 

Alternatively, save the photos of receipts to Google Drive. Being prepared pays off when you least expect, as you never know when you’ll need to show proof of purchase.

Keep a Xerox copy of your passport.  

Katherine recommends keeping a copy of your passport in a separate place from your actual passport. If you lose your passport, this makes things much easier.

Never board a plane without two bottles of water and snacks.

Katherine also recommends buying two bottles of water and snacks before boarding the plane. You never know when your plane can be held on the ground for hours or diverted to another airport, and the airline crew may run out of food and drinks or not be allowed to serve.

Get organized with a list. 

Monica Kang, founder of  Innovators Box,  says that when you travel for work, you have to think about your dress code, what you bring, and, in her case, also a lot of materials she uses for workshops. It’s not fun when you bring the wrong outfit or not enough materials.

Monica recommends piling a list of things you want to bring in a room at home over a few days. That way, when you pack things last minute, you already have the core things you need to take with you readily available and won’t have a chance of forgetting them.

Don’t plan too much.

Silke points out that planning too many activities is one of the biggest mistakes business travelers make. Always consider travel times. And add some extra time in between meetings to accommodate factors beyond your control (traffic jams, late arrivals, etc.).

This will make your business travels so much more relaxed as you won’t have to rush around to be on time. This will give you peace of mind.

Essential Gear

Buy a lightweight suitcase.

Carmella says to find a lightweight, durable suitcase. Keep it extra small to fit in an overhead compartment on the express planes. If you have to check luggage, you can’t change flights to get home faster or to avoid bad weather.

Many flight attendants seem to use TravelPro, but there are also other quality brands on the market.

Use a 4-wheel carry-on case.

Management consultant Layton Cox says he lives and dies with three travel bags. The first is a simple four-wheel hard-case carry-on. In a perfect world, don’t get black. Everyone has black.

It also doesn’t have to be a huge brand name. Ninety percent of your clients will never see your luggage. He also suggests you find a bag with cloth or leather around the zippers, as the plastic and rubber tend to break after a while.

Use a briefcase with a slide.

Layton says the second bag every business traveler needs is a simple briefcase that fits over the handles of your carry-on. If you get a normal briefcase that does not fit over the handles of your carry-on, it becomes nearly impossible to operate your cell phone as you walk through the airport since both your hands are busy.

Make sure it has a laptop pocket. Your client will see this briefcase, so get black or brown leather. Nothing else.

Buy an anti-theft backpack.

If you’re worried about expensive and essential items being stolen, such as your trusted laptop, an anti-theft backpack is definitely worth looking into.

Travel with an electronics holder.

Layton’s third and final bag he always travels with is a simple electronics holder. It can be a packing cube filled with electronics and cords or a simple wallet-esque item that can hold a cellphone charger, headphones, and various other cords.

By having just one item with all of your electronics in it, you don’t have to worry if you packed your charger or that HDMI converter, as it’s always in the bag.

Use a rolling computer bag.

Eileen suggests that if you carry a laptop, you should use a rolling computer bag to carry papers, files, conference info/workbook, a pad of paper, and even snacks.

You probably will have extra room to add your makeup, hairbrush, and maybe a third pair of shoes or an extra purse.

Pack a travel adapter.

Victoria Thompson, Social Media Manager at Haystack Digital, says to always plan ahead and have a spare adaptor depending on which country you are visiting.

This will save you time and money in the long run, as adaptors at the airport always cost a fortune.

Bring a travel pillow.

Victoria also says packing items that are going to help you sleep is a must. Invest in a travel pillow that will help you sleep either in the hotel or on the airplane.

Use packing envelopes.

Nifty garment folders can help keep blouses, shirts, skirts, and slacks more wrinkle-free than trying to roll things or pack them in packing bags. Instead, use packing bags only for underwear and sleepwear.

Travel with a micro-router.

Team Building CEO, Michael Alexis, says the most useful item he travels with is a micro-router. You can connect a router to a wifi connection, for example, at a hotel or on a flight or cruise, and then connect all of your other devices to the router.

This setup has two major benefits. First, in cases where you pay for a connection, you only need one connection to service several devices. Secondly, you save time. Once set up, your devices connect to the router automatically, so you are entering login information only once.

Programs & Loyalty Schemes

Get a Rewards Credit Card.

Nicole Sutherland, travel photographer and writer at  Eat Live Travel Drink,  recommends the American Express Platinum. This gives her access to a bevy of perks that include airport lounges around the world, including their own private Centurion ones, Priority Pass, and Delta lounges.

Companion Pass Hack on Southwest Airlines. 

Nicole also recommends applying for both the Southwest Airlines personal and business cards if you run a small business. Each card gives you bonus miles when you spend a certain amount of money.

And, if you earn a certain number of miles in a year, you earn the companion pass, allowing a companion to fly free with you every time.

Get TSA Pre-Check, Clear, and Global Entry. 

Dave Pike says TSA Pre-Check, Clear, and Global Entry can save you hours every time you fly. The $85-$110 investment is well worth it and is deductible if your employer requires it.

Score free upgrades using airline loyalty programs. 

Torben Lonne, diving enthusiast and founder of  Dive In,  says one of his favorite travel hacks is getting a free upgrade to business class. Your chances are lower than scoring a last-minute seat change in the same class, but it’s still possible.

If you have air miles or loyalty points with your preferred airline, this increases your chances of getting upgraded to business class in the event of an overbooking. The passenger with the highest loyalty points gets automatically upgraded when this happens.

If there are more overbookings on the same flight, they will choose the passenger with the second most loyalty points and move down the list accordingly.

Get a co-working space membership.  

Upflex  CEO and co-founder, Christophe Garnier, says the last thing you want to think about is being confined to a coffee shop or hotel room for work.

When it comes to business travel hacks, the ability to easily find and book a good co-working space is paramount. It will help you save time and money while making local connections and making you more productive.

This is why co-working booking platforms are becoming business travelers’ new best friend – they aggregate available workspaces from around the world and let professionals book them on an as-needed basis.

In-Flight and Transport Tips

Make your final seat selection at the last moment.  

Torben recommends waiting until the last moment before making your final seat selection. You can do this through your smartphone via the web or the airline’s app and guarantee a window seat with a little patience.

Every flight has cancellations and last-minute seat changes, so all you need to do is wait until 30 minutes before boarding to book your final seat.

This is perfect when you’re stuck with a bad seat from when you booked the flight initially as a zero-cost ‘upgrade.’

Book your parking beforehand.

Head of Digital Marketing at YourParkingSpace , Gregory Golinski, says one of the worst challenges faced by business travelers is finding a parking space. You don’t want to be late for a meeting with a client because you’ve been circling around for an hour looking for a parking space.

He suggests pre-booking a parking space via online parking marketplaces such as Spothero in the US, YourParkingSpace in the UK, or Parkhound in Australia.

These platforms can help you book a private driveway or garage in advance so that you don’t have to look for a parking space for hours and can be on time. This can help you save time, money, and your sanity while on a business trip.

Safety Tips

If you are a woman traveling alone, ask for a room closer to the elevator in your hotel.

A safety tip for solo female travelers from Katherine is that you book a hotel room closer to the elevator. This way, you are not walking through long hallway mazes at night.

Make sure you get enough sleep and downtime.

Monica is extra mindful of where she spends her time, how much she sleeps, and what she eats. If she’s booking her time to meet other people and socialize, she will be too tired to deliver her work.

She also recommends downloading a few shows to binge-watch to decompress and rest. At the end of the day, if you show up feeling tired to do your work, why would they want to invite you back?

Be careful with the hotel wifi.

Ben Sadeghipour of Hackerone says it’s so easy to make fake wifi networks to track everything you’re doing online. At a hotel, you might see “Hotel Wifi” and “Hotel Free Wifi” and not know which one to pick.

Pick wrong, and a criminal will be able to track when you’re on their network or out of your hotel room. Also, never trust something that requires software to be installed. This is a sure sign of malicious activity.

Don’t post your boarding pass on social media.

Even if you cross out the numbers, you’re still at risk. There’s information hidden in QR codes that can be used to steal your personal data.

Be wary of public charging stations.

Public charging stations are a godsend when you are constantly on the go or your flight is canceled. However, anyone can steal information from your phone via USB. Always make sure you bring your own charger to plug into outlets or use a USB data blocker.

No matter how important or time-sensitive your business trip may be, don’t let the stresses and strains of travel get in the way of your success. Use these expert tips from successful business travelers to plan a trip that runs smoothly, allowing you to deliver your world-class presentation or land that lucrative client.

We’d love to continue adding to this list. If you have a little-known expert tip, feel free to reach out to us and share your words of wisdom.

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• My Favorite Packing Tips and Hacks

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Author: Dale

Dale Johnson is a content creator from the UK. He has traveled full-time for over three years and to over 30 countries and writes on a number of travel-themed topics, including travel packing tips and the latest gear.

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