Business Trip? – Your Must Have Essentials
Packing for a business trip can be tricky, especially if you expect to wear a few different hats throughout the trip—perhaps business person by day, glam city explorer by night. Getting everything ready for your week or weekend away doesn’t have to be time-consuming, though. If you have a game plan before you even pull your roller bag out of the closet, you’ll be able to pack in a hurry—without forgetting anything. So the next time you need to go out of town for business, refer to our list of must-haves to ensure you don’t miss anything:
- Two suits or business casual outfits. Depending on the atmosphere in which you work, you can go as fancy as a suit or as casual as a nice pair of pants and a button-down blouse. However, if you plan correctly, you really shouldn’t need more than two complete outfits. Women can mix and match components of their ensembles—especially if you bring both a skirt and pair of slacks—and men can wear the same suits with fresh shirts and ties. Just make sure you choose clothes that resist wrinkling, and wear your suit jacket on the plane to minimize creases. It’s probably best to pack neutral, solid colors such as beige and black so that you can mix and match items easily.
- Gym clothes. If you’re just going away for the weekend, the gym might not be on your radar, but maybe it should be. Almost all hotels provide a gym in-house, and going for a quick run or bike ride might be enough to take the edge off of work-related stress. Even if you doubt you’ll squeeze in a workout, take your sneakers and workout clothes along anyway in case you suddenly feel inspired to sweat.
- Antibacterial gel. Never underestimate the amount of hands you’ll shake and doorknobs you’ll touch on a business trip. Even in the first stretch when you’re just navigating the airport, germs will be swarming at you from every side. Bring a small container of antibacterial gel (one that can go through security in your quart-sized plastic bag) to avoid picking something up while you’re away.
- Tiny toiletries. If you haven’t already invested in a set of refillable plastic travel bottles, now’s the time. For the frequent business traveler, these small items can make a big impact on packing. Just refill them with your shampoo, conditioner, face wash, or body wash when they get low and have them ready to go in the bathroom closet. You can also invest in travel-sized shampoo and toothpaste, or just wait until you get to the hotel and let them provide it. Pro tip: keep the mini toiletries in a quart-sized plastic bag so they’re ready for security right when you take them from the closet.
- An extra phone charger. Anyone who’s prone to forgetting the phone charger—an absolute essential on a business trip—might want to invest in an extra and keep it in your usual suitcase. You can do the same for laptop or tablet chargers. Many airports have started to offer charging stations with ample outlets, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a spot to charge up.
- Don’t forget the business cards. Business cards might become an afterthought in the busyness of trip prep, so they’re another item you can keep right in your carry-on bag. Of course, slipping a few in your wallet is another good way to ensure you have them on-hand at all times.
14 Must-Have Items for Any Business Trip [U.S. News Money]
8 Business Travel Packing Hacks [Business Insider]
How to Pack for a Business Trip [USA Today]
