Business trips usually last three to four days. However, what would happen if you needed to extend your stay or if you had to be gone for a more extended period? Planning and strategy will be necessary when you pack for a longer trip, and it is essential to be as economical as possible. Whether you are a travelling business executive, public relations representative or business coaching mentor with worldwide clients, travel is not the easiest.
Carefully measuring the durability and flexibility of every piece of clothing, planning ahead, having helpful things like packing cubes, and other tips that will be mentioned in this article will ensure a long-term trip that is a lot easier to manage. Here are some helpful tips to make your extended business trip a breeze.
Neutrals – This is the most fun as well as the most straightforward part. You’ll need to have your basics in a neutral colour. Fundamentals would mean your skirts, pants, tops, and jackets. The first choice for colour would be black since it won’t easily show any stains (just in case you clumsily spill your drink on your clothes.) If you are not into black, there are other great colours, like brown, navy, gray, and taupe. Another option for someone who prefers lighter or brighter colours can opt to have beige, mustard or pale blues. What’s important is you bring clothes with neutral colours that match.
To carry-on or not – If you will be traveling from one place to another during a business trip, you might want to think about using a carry-on. It isn’t easy but investing in packing cubes will enable you to pack almost twice as much in the same amount of space. You won’t need to continually check your bag unless you have something fragile in it. If it is just one location you are heading to, you almost don’t have anything to worry about.
Shoes – Depending on the type of person you are, but for a long trip, you might need more than three pairs of shoes. Some bring four while others bring two and at some point, purchase more pairs when they reach their destination. If you have a checked suitcase, you should not have any problem fitting in three pairs. Usually, the three you need are formal shoes (men’s dress shoes or sensible women’s’ heels), casual shoes (flats or sandals) and a comfortable pair for walking and travelling (runners or sneakers).
Utilise FedEx – You may have some fantastic packing choices, and if you are one of those individuals who are conscious about your clothes and doesn’t like wearing the same thing again, then you’ll need to pack a box of clothes before leaving. Have a friend or a family member send it through a courier, like FedEx, to your location during your stay. Also, pack up the clothes you are done with and send them home to avoid carrying excess bulk around.
Capsule Wardrobe – If you are unsure of what a capsule wardrobe is, get some ideas online. This is great because it makes sure all your articles of clothing can be worn together and this means the possibilities of mixing-and-matching are endless. You may wear each item again, but the capsule wardrobe will make you feel like the clothes and accessories are unique. Decide on a few primary colours and build your wardrobe around those colours. Make sure you bring several accessories to change things up.
Laundry/Dry Cleaning – Before you leave for your extended business trip, find out what the company will cover regarding costs and whether laundry is covered. You can check out nearby dry cleaners, but also take advantage of your hotel’s laundry facilities. The dry cleaners can save you some time, though, and they might be cheaper plus they can wash and fold. Expect you’ll want to clean a few things quickly in your room, so just in case this happens, bring some travel-sized laundry detergent.
Eating well – travelling often means eating out and choosing convenience foods over nutritious foods there it is essential to keep an eye on your diet especially when travelling for an extended period. It is easy to choose quick take-home meals that are freshly prepared using local real food instead of greasy fast food that could damage your health.
Toiletries – It gets quite tricky when you will be traveling from one place to another during an extended stay. When traveling to multiple cities, using a carry-on is recommended, but there is no way a tiny bottle of shampoo and conditioner will last a few weeks. Here are some options:
- Option 1 – Some websites vend travel sized bottles for several types of beauty products.
- Option 2 – If your company is willing to pay for it, have your toiletries shipped. That way, you can have larger bottles of your favourite products with you at all times. If traveling to just one place for an extended period, it is recommended to either bring full-size bottles in your checked baggage or buy the toiletries when you arrive at your destination.
Stuff that wears well – When you’re going to be wearing the same clothes for the next one to two months, quality and durability are critical. However, it is good to take note that it is not the wearing that deteriorates them, but the washing. Hang your clothes with space between the hangers; as soon as you’re done with your work clothes, take them off. This will make your clothes last longer between washings.
Electronics – You will surely need some other electronic devices aside from an E-reader, such as your mobile phone and your laptop. Some frequent travellers would make a list of their top five much-needed devices, and these are travel surge protector, USB car charger, portable charger, USB multi-adapter cord, and for international travel, a universal power adapter. You will also need a flash drive and headphones.
Fun stuff – Ask the coordinator if you will have some free time during the travel. If so, and the weather permits, you might want to go swimming. In this case, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit. If you like running or jogging, take your running shoes with you. Your worker productivity will be optimised if you take time off and relax instead of burning out. Bring your basketball jersey and go to a local game and basketball shorts for a quick gym workout. The fun stuff can take up a lot of space in your carry-on so make sure you choose what to bring wisely.
The “just in case” – There are some items you won’t need for a trip that lasts only a few days but will be very important for extended stays. An example is a raincoat or a handy umbrella. These items can take up a lot of space and only be used sparingly to make a list of the essential items and leave the rest; you can always buy on the road.
Bring something from home – It’s possible to feel homesick when you are on an extended business trip, so it would be nice to bring something that would remind you of your home. It can be your favourite scented candle or a photo of your loved ones in a frame. Bringing something that comforts you and will make you feel at home will ease the loneliness when away.
One last thing: If the trip lasts about a month or longer, make sure the company will be paying for additional luggage or an oversized bag. If you are carrying on, remember there is a weight allowance and that you won’t go over it.