Packing for a business trip – tips

Business travel requires a different approach to packing. Unlike leisure trips, business trips often come with tight schedules, a need for professionalism, and the desire to stay organized. For travelers flying out of Exeter, packing smart can help ensure a successful trip with minimal stress. Here’s a comprehensive guide to packing for a business trip, complete with tips on using executive airport transfers in Exeter for a smooth journey.

We respect your time!
We understand that your schedule is packed, so if you’re looking for a quick summary of the most important items to pack for a business trip, here’s a breakdown:

• Travel Documents – Your passport, flight tickets, hotel reservations, and rental car details.
• Laptop or Tablet – Essential for staying productive; don’t forget your chargers and adapters.
• Phone – For communication and organization. A travel app like myCWT helps sync your work calendar.
• Wi-Fi Access – Hotel Wi-Fi can be costly; consider a Wi-Fi card or personal hotspot.
• Clothing and Accessories – Pack formal and casual clothing; don’t forget a travel umbrella and raincoat.
• Wallet/Purse – Always carry cash and cards, and keep them easily accessible.
• Breath Mints – For fresh breath during important meetings.
• Printed Handouts – Don’t leave printing to chance; make sure you have your materials ready.
• Office Supplies – Keep essential stationery like pens, notepads, and paperclips.
• Business Cards – Bring plenty to ensure you’re always ready to network.

If you want more details, continue reading!

1. Travel Documents

The most critical item on your business trip packing list is your passport. Without it, you won’t be able to board your flight. It’s also a good idea to keep all your other travel documents—such as airline reservations, hotel confirmations, and rental car details—in one secure place. By doing this, you can quickly access them as soon as you need them and avoid any stressful moments when you can’t find your boarding pass.

Tip: Before you depart, make digital copies of your travel documents and store them securely. This can be a lifesaver if anything goes missing during your trip.

2. Laptop or Tablet

Bringing a laptop or tablet along on your trip will allow you to stay productive, whether you’re reviewing presentations, writing up meeting notes, or working on other tasks. Be sure to pack the relevant chargers for your devices. Adapters are especially important if you’re traveling internationally, so try and pick one up ahead of time—it will save you both time and money compared to purchasing one at the airport.

Tip: If you find yourself with a long layover, consider using the extra time to get a head start on your work or even prepare for upcoming meetings.

3. Phone

In today’s fast-paced business world, your phone is essential. Without it, staying in touch with colleagues or clients becomes nearly impossible. Phones can also help you stay organized—by downloading a corporate travel app like myCWT, you can sync your work calendar with your phone, ensuring you receive timely reminders to stay on track with both your work schedule and travel itinerary.

Tip: Set up an automatic response for your email and messaging apps to let people know you’ll be out of touch or on a business trip, especially if you’ll be in meetings or traveling for extended periods.

4. Wi-Fi Access

Don’t forget to consider how you’ll stay connected. If you need to work remotely, navigate your way around your destination, or speak with family back home, Wi-Fi access is crucial. While Wi-Fi in hotel rooms is often available, it’s not always free. Some hotels may charge hefty daily rates for internet access, often equivalent to what you would pay for a whole month of mobile data. Major phone carriers sell internet cards, which can be used across multiple devices, making them a more versatile option compared to hotel Wi-Fi that often only supports one device at a time. Alternatively, by signing up for CWT Hotel Intel, you can access a global directory of hotels with detailed reviews on their Wi-Fi options, helping you choose the best place to stay.

Tip: If your hotel’s Wi-Fi isn’t up to par, look for a nearby coffee shop or co-working space with reliable internet access. Many offer free Wi-Fi, and the change of scenery can be a nice break during your trip.

5. Clothing and Accessories

You’ll need to pack the right clothes for both formal and casual occasions. A mix of professional attire and comfortable clothes will help you navigate a busy schedule and spontaneous networking events. Remember to consider the weather at your destination—if it’s rainy or windy, you’ll be glad you packed a travel umbrella and a raincoat. Also, toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste are often not provided by hotels, so make sure to bring your own.

Tip: Roll your clothes to save space and avoid wrinkles. You can also use compression bags to make packing even more efficient.

6. Wallet or Purse

Your wallet or purse is a must-have on your trip. Without it, paying for things will become a challenge. Even if you plan to pay by card, it’s always handy to have small change or local currency on hand for minor expenses. As a general rule, only bring the cards you need, and pack just a small amount of local money to minimize the damage if your wallet or purse gets lost or stolen. Keep your wallet close—preferably in a jacket or trouser pocket—so you can easily retrieve it when necessary.

Tip: If you’re traveling internationally, inform your bank of your travel dates to avoid any issues with card usage or fraud alerts.

7. Breath Mints

A great first impression can make all the difference in business. If you’re meeting someone for the first time—whether it’s a client or a potential connection—you don’t want to worry about bad breath. Breath mints are an easy-to-overlook essential, so pack some and chew them regularly, particularly after meals, to ensure fresh breath during your important meetings.

Tip: For extra confidence, carry a small toothbrush and toothpaste with you for a quick refresh after meals.

8. Printed Handouts

It’s essential to ask yourself what business documents you’ll need for your trip. Whether it’s presentation handouts, meeting agendas, or other important files, having them printed and ready to go is a smart move. Although you may find a place to print them at your destination, it’s never a good idea to leave that to chance. Printing and packing your documents ahead of time will save you from unnecessary stress and ensure you’re fully prepared.

Tip: Consider saving important documents to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox, in case you need to access them on the go.

9. Office Supplies

Think about the stationery you’ll need while you’re on the go. It may seem simple, but if you’re attending client meetings or taking notes during a conference, a pen and notepad are essential. Don’t forget sticky notes for quick reminders, paperclips to keep documents organized, and folders to protect your materials from damage. You don’t need to pack an entire office supply store, but having a few key items will help you stay organized.

Tip: Keep a few extra pens in your bag or briefcase in case one runs out or gets misplaced during meetings.

10. Business Cards

No matter how familiar you are with the people you’ll be meeting, business cards are a must. You never know when you’ll run into someone who could become a valuable business contact. Bring a generous supply of cards, and store them in your pockets, briefcase, or wallet so they’re easily accessible when you need to exchange contact details. If you’re attending a conference, business cards are essential—they’re often used as name badges too.

Tip: Consider having a digital business card app as a backup for those moments when you run out of physical cards or for more eco-friendly networking.

Packing for Short Trips

If you’re packing for a short, overnight trip, consider carry-on luggage only. This will save you time at the airport and eliminate the risk of lost luggage. For short trips, keep your packing list to the essentials: a change of clothes, toiletries, your phone, laptop, and a notepad. Be sure to let key contacts, like your travel manager, know your itinerary, and limit the amount of cash and cards you carry with you.

Tip: If you’re traveling for a short trip, try to minimize your packing by choosing versatile clothing that can work for multiple occasions.

Packing for Longer Trips (3-5 Days)

For a trip lasting several days, your packing list will naturally be more extensive. In addition to the items mentioned above, you’ll need to pack a combination of smart and casual clothes. If you’re traveling to multiple destinations, plan ahead for where your internet access will come from—whether it’s from a Wi-Fi card or a personal hotspot. Stay productive and connected by ensuring you have the necessary tools to maintain communication.

Tip: If you have downtime between meetings or at the end of your day, consider exploring local attractions near your destination. It’s a great way to unwind and gain some local insights before your departure.

By following this guide and making sure you have these essentials packed, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and stress-free business trip.
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