Planning Your Business Travel Go Bag

In the modern business environment, agility and responsiveness are a must, which can mean sudden shifts in schedules or the need to visit different sites or offices to troubleshoot or optimize office communications. Having a pre-packed business travel “go bag” will help you optimize travel and make sure that you have everything you need when you get to your destination.

International Business Trips

Any international traveler will obviously need their passport and any required travel visas.  By keeping your passport in your ready bag, you can minimize the stress of locating this vital document while packing for your trip.  Many countries now offer online e-visas that can be acquired relatively quickly.  Be sure to familiarize yourself with any visa requirements before finalizing your travel arrangements, because you don’t want to get to the airport only to realize that you are missing necessary travel authorization.

If you haven’t taken many international trips, you may not be aware that different countries have different standard electrical sockets.  So, you may arrive thinking you are ready to power up your laptop but can find yourself stymied because your plugs will not fit into any wall outlets.  Pre-pack a good universal electrical adapter so that you will be able to use the outlets in most countries around the world.  There are a few notable countries that do not fit these adapters, so if you are going to be a frequent international traveler, be sure to familiarize yourself with your destination’s wall socket configuration and plan accordingly. In addition to the adapter, bringing along a small power strip or other multi-plug adapter will allow you to charge all of your devices from the one adapted outlet.

List of Important Information

Most of us have our important information stored in our phone, but having a list of important information printed out and in your bag can save the day should something happen to your device.

• Credit card 800 numbers should your cards get lost/stolen
• Consulate contact information for places you travel to frequently
• Office contact information for your home-base and for locations you visit frequently
• Contact information for customer support of your most frequently used travel services

Toiletries and Prescriptions

Travel-sized toiletries are easy to find, and you should have a fresh set ready for any upcoming travel.  By stocking up before your next trip, you can plan ahead and have a toiletry bag filled with your favorite travel-sized products for your next trip. One essential is a supply of any prescription medications that will cover the duration of your trip.  Keeping a supply of your prescriptions ready to go can prevent the need for any last-minute refills, or even worse, running out while in an unfamiliar city. Keep in mind that the pharmacies will be very different if you’re traveling overseas. Having a supply of standard over the counter medications and supplies is also a really good idea. If you wear contact lenses, you should be prepared with a backup set of contacts, or eyeglasses, in case something happens to your primary pair while away from home.

• Prescription Medications – ideally consolidated into a week’s supply pill case
• Any vitamins you regularly take – consolidated into a week’s supply pill case
• OTC Pain Medication
• Indigestion/Digestive OTC Medications
• probiotics
• blister care, small pack of moleskin
• travel toothbrush and toothpaste
• dental floss
• sunscreen
• travel shampoo and conditioner
• small containers of other products like face soap, hair styling product, etc
• feminine hygiene supplies
• small sizes of makeup items
• contact case and solution

Electronics

It is probably not practical to think that you would have an additional set of electronics, like your phone and laptop, that are packed away in a “go bag.”  But your travel preparations should include a checklist of electronic devices and accessories that you cannot forget when packing for your next trip. Having a duplicate set of travel charging cords for your devices that you keep in your go-back means you don’t have to dismantle your desk or night-stand for your next trip. Your list should include:

• Universal power adapter
• Small power strip or multi-outlet extension
• Portable power bank and charging cable
• Cell phone and charging cable
• Smart Watch and charging cable
• Laptop computer and charging cable
• Headphones
• Headphone cord adapter (or set of wired-earbuds) to connect into in-flight entertainment
• e-Reader, tablet or other entertainment device and charging cables
• electric toothbrush, and charger for longer trips
• electric razor, and charger for longer trips

Additional Travel Items to Keep Packed

While these aren’t essential, they are nice to have on hand.

• Collapsible water bottle
• Shelf-stable snacks
• Packable warm jacket or wrap
• Neck pillow

Packing Clothes for a 3-Day Work Trip

When you are packing for a business trip, it is important to be ready for a variety of different situations, so when you are dealing with a limited packing space, versatility is the name of the game. Ideally, you will provide yourself with a variety of clothes that will coordinate well with one another, providing you with a number of different options to wear.  Also, don’t forget that even on a business trip, not all of your time will be spent working.  You will want to have a set of comfortable clothes in which to socialize with your colleagues while still offering a presentable appearance.

• Business Attire:

  • 2-3 dress tops, shirts, or blouses
  • 2-3 pairs of tailored pants or skirts
  • A blazer or suit jacket that complements the pants
  • A professional dress (optional)
  • Dress shoes

• Accessories:

  • Ties if applicable
  • Belts that match your shoes
  • Jewelry, preferably simple and understated

• Business Casual Attire for Non-Work Hours:

  • Pants/Jeans
  • Shirts
  • Sweater/Jacket Seasonally Appropriate
  • Casual Shoes
  • Workout Clothes (optional)
  • Swimsuit – if you like to hit the hot tub at the end of the night

• Undergarments:

  • 3-4 pairs of underwear
  • 3-4 pairs socks
  • 2-3 bras
  • Sleepwear, particularly if you will be sharing a room

Take the Stress Out of Your Business Travel

By having a bag pre-packed with all of the essentials for business traveling, you can eliminate the need to make last-minute decisions and can ensure that you have everything you need for a successful business trip at home or abroad.  For even greater peace of mind, book your travel to and from the airport with Executive Transportation for the most professional and reliable airport transportation in the business.