Traveling for work can take you to new and exciting places worldwide. However, extended stays typically require more pre-planning than a quick weekend trip. Fortunately, you can do a few things to make your travels easier.
Consider shipping your car
Long-term business trips usually require a vehicle. Consider shipping it to your new location if you want to bring your car. It might be more cost-effective to invest in car shipping from state to state instead of renting a vehicle from state to state.
Keep your devices charged
There’s nothing worse than ending up in the airport with a dead phone, laptop, or tablet. So, before you leave for your trip, make sure you charge all of your devices.
Before your trip, order a portable power bank to keep on hand if you have enough time. You can purchase ones that charge electronically or that use solar power. Solar might be a good choice if you don’t anticipate being near a charging source.
Choose carry-on luggage
Frequent travelers often become old pros at packing light, even for long trips. Carrying your luggage on will save you time when you arrive, allowing you to beat the foot traffic from the terminal. If you plan to pack a lot, consider using Ziploc or vacuum-sealed bags for your clothes, and purchase toiletries when you land.
Keep the essentials in mind
You’ll be asked to show documentation at the airport three times: at check-in, security, and at the gate. So to minimize time fumbling for your boarding pass, ID, or passport, keep them handy in the front pouch of your suitcase or a cross-body bag that’s easy to access.
Plan ahead
Planning is vital when you want a trip to go smoothly. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to get organized. Download itinerary apps instead of printing out reservations. Call ahead to book a cab or rideshare to avoid fussing with your phone at the airport.
Take advantage of travel rewards
Rewards credit cards and loyalty programs are a great way to rack up extra perks. For example, as you accumulate miles on your travel rewards cards, you can get discounts on travel, car rentals, and dining. In some cases, you can even use them to add a bit of cash to your bank account.
Get comfortable
Although you want to minimize the amount of luggage you carry onto the plane, you should always pack a few comfort items. For example, travel pillows, footrests, and sleep masks can come in handy on long flights or layovers. You could also throw a few snacks in your bag to avoid paying airport prices.
Invest in a few memberships
Memberships for airport lounges, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry might dent your wallet, but it’ll be worth it if you’re a frequent traveler. When your trips involve long wait times or layovers, being able to breeze through security and relax will make the wait a little more tolerable.
Final thoughts
There are a lot of things you can do to make travel easier. The suggestions listed here will go a long way in making your trip enjoyable. Sit back, relax, and don’t forget to head to baggage claim.