6 Business Travel Tips to Save You Time and Stress

Although the idea of traveling for work, flying business class, attending conferences, and staying at fancy hotels sounds like living your best life, the reality is usually a far cry from this glamorous description.

Traveling for business can be stressful, and it can certainly take its toll on the body and mind – long hours, different time zones, jet lag, delayed flights, and being away from your family are no fun.

It’s even worse if you have to travel for business frequently, which is why you need to develop a strategy that will allow you to eliminate stress out of the equation and organize your time most efficiently.

Here are a couple of tips and tricks that can come in handy to frequent business travelers.

1. Apply for PreCheck

Waiting in long security lines can be very annoying, not to mention time-consuming.

So, if you’d rather use your time at the airport to read a book, relax, or even work on your laptop, you should sign up for PreCheck – a service provided by the TSA, that speeds up the clearance process and allows you to go through airport security in under five minutes.

There are also other fast track services such as Global Entry, Clear, NEXUS, or SASTrack that you can apply for if you want to make this part of your business trip much easier and more comfortable.

2. Leverage Technology

Forgetting or misplacing an important document such as a boarding pass or the booking confirmation used to be a real nightmare.

Luckily, these days many airlines and hotels offer the online check-in option, which means that all you need is a smartphone or a laptop to find all the confirmation details you need on the spot.

You can also book a car to wait for you at the airport and avoid all the stress and unnecessary or hidden costs.   

3. Pack Light

The latest reports say that the number of mishandled bags dropped from 46.9 million in 2007 to 24.8 million in 2018. But obviously, there’s still a chance to be a part of this unpleasant statistic and end up without your favorite suit, shoes, or shirt.

In order to avoid such a scenario, it’s best to try to squeeze your clothes for the trip in a carry-on that you can bring in the cabin with you.

This can be challenging, because many people usually want to bring more clothes than they’ll actually need, just in case.

Check the weather forecast before you pack, and pick the items that can be easily combined. Match your outfits in advance so that you can bring just one jacket and a pair of shoes.

For example, trendy women’s travel pants are a must-have as they’re comfortable, practical, and most importantly – you can wear them on different occasions, so make them your business travel staple.

4. Use Downtime to Relax

You don’t have to use every second of your trip to work. Such an intensive schedule is exhausting as you’ll be hopping planes and cars, sitting in meetings, and trying to close deals.

So, once your plane takes off, try to disconnect, unwind, and have some time to yourself.

Similarly, if you’re having a layover and waiting for a connecting flight, or if your flight is delayed, there’s no need to be nervous or annoyed. Instead of that, use that free time to read a book, meditate, or simply listen to some music.

This will help you recharge and be more efficient during your actual working hours.

5. Keep Yourself Hydrated

Running around the airports and train stations, and spending time in crowded, stuffy spaces, make you sweat and dehydrate very quickly without even noticing it. Plus, a hectic traveling schedule and all the stress will drain your energy, and you’ll need to keep hydrating to replenish it.

But don’t grab a fizzy drink or a can of beer – sugar and alcohol will only make you more irritated and additionally dehydrate you. Your body needs water in order to function properly.

When you’re not drinking enough water, your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, go up. So, make sure always to carry a bottle of H2O. 

6. Set Expectations

Last but not least, talk to your supervisor or manager and make sure to clarify what they expect from your business trip. Is it, for example, to strengthen the existing relationships with your clients, to find new customers, or simply to promote your company?

By knowing what outcomes they’re hoping for, you’ll be able to stay focused and organize your time better. You’ll also be less stressed than if you’re just shooting darts in the dark and trying to achieve something that you’re not completely sure about.

Also, check in advance whether there are some after-hours social events that you’re supposed to attend, so that you can prioritize your tasks and prepare accordingly.

These very simple tips can make your entire business trip much easier, less stressful, and overall a more pleasant experience.