What to Pack for a Business Trip

What to Pack for a Business Trip

Packing for a work trip has higher stakes than packing for a vacation. That’s why having a packing guide is essential. We’ve put together the business trip checklist below to help you pack for success and ensure every work trip is also a pleasure.

What to Consider Before Packing for a Work Trip

Knowing what to take on a business trip starts with the basics: the length of your trip, the types of events you’ll attend, leisure time, and the weather where you’re going. Not only will these factors impact what you’ll need to bring, but they’ll also influence the size and type of luggage you’ll need. Start with those answers before moving on to the checklist below.

Business Trip Packing Checklist

Of course, a business travel packing list looks a little different than a vacation packing list, i.e. business suits versus bathing suits. But packing well means being well prepared for the business at hand.

Professional Clothing

Today’s “business attire” can vary widely. Pack the proper professional attire for the company and events you’ll attend, whether that’s suits and ties or something more casual. A garment bag or packing organizer will help prevent clothes from getting wrinkled.

To save space, wear your bulkiest shoes while traveling, and pack interchangeable outfits that easily go from day to night. Polish your look by packing laptops and other gear in a briefcase or work backpack.

Work Essentials

Look professional and keep all your electronic devices, chargers, and cords organized with a business backpack. A good business backpack has sleeves to protect your laptop and tablet, interior compartments that make sorting and finding essentials quick and easy, and exterior charging ports with fast charge capabilities and pockets for your backup battery to keep your devices powered up on the go.

Toiletries

Packing your toothbrush, toothpaste, and cosmetics in a hanging toiletry organizer prevents having to unpack and repack while traveling. If you’re not checking a bag, make sure all of your liquids, gels, creams, and aerosols are 3.4 ounces/100 milliliters or less and fit into one quart-size clear plastic bag.

Travel Documents

You’ll need a valid ID, like your driver’s license, or passport if traveling internationally. Take photos of your ID and print out airline, hotel, and car rental reservations. Store everything together to stay organized.

Personal Items/Clothing

Business trips aren’t all business, so pack gym clothes, reading material, and other leisure needs to enjoy some downtime as well. If you have allergies or a strict diet, pack snacks for sustenance on the move. Save money and the planet by bringing a reusable water bottle.

Packing Professional Clothes Cleanly and Efficiently

The best way to pack professional clothes is with a garment bag. A good garment bag prevents wrinkles, protects hanging clothes, and has pockets for other items like accessories, folded clothing, and more. Use shoe bags and packing cubes to protect contents and separate outfits by day or activity.

Keep dirty clothes separate from everything else by using a laundry bag or water-resistant compartment in your luggage. If your trip is short, pack enough clothing for every day. If you have to do laundry and don’t want the wait or expense of sending it out for cleaning, you can always wash it by hand.

Related: Doing laundry while traveling: what you need to know.

Staying Organized on a Business Trip

When traveling for business or pleasure, staying organized is key. Put items you’ll need to access first on top. Packing cubes and travel document organizers can also keep things handy and easy to find.

Travelpro Picks for Business Travelers

For Business Essentials, two of our favorite bags are:

For wrinkle-free packing, check out:

Wherever your travels take you, our business trip checklist and luggage that keeps you organized will help make packing for every work trip a success.

 

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