Work Travel Tips

I started my full time job in January of 2021. Since the pandemic was still looming, my company pretty much had all employees fully remote at the time (which was a blessing for me as I had just moved to a new state where the company didn’t have an office anyway). This past November was the first time that I had a chance to travel to our home office, and then just recently I visited for a second time. Both times have been wonderful, but I think I’m starting to get a good feel on what tips and tricks are most helpful when it comes to work travel!

Traveling for work is similar to personal travel but different enough that there are key items to remember and ways to travel most effectively. I’m sure I will learn even more over the years as I travel to our home office more and more, but here are just a couple tips that come to mind so far.

1. The Work Bag

Especially with working remotely a majority of the time, getting a solid, functional yet comfortable work bag doesn’t usually get to be a priority. But the moment you begin to pack up for the trip and you realize all you have is a purse or backpack – panic may set in.

In some settings, backpacks may be perfectly acceptable, but if you’re hoping to blend in with a professional crowd that brings their laptop, lunch, and other office necessities to work every day then a more professional bag is called for.

The tricky thing with a work bag that is particularly suitable when traveling is that it will likely double as your personal item on a plane (unless you’re flying Southwest and get multiple bags free – then you can pack it however you like!). I love the work bag that I have been using (it was originally a gift before I started my job and before it was remote), but when it comes to traveling, it is not the most comfortable to lug around an airport or shove under a seat.

There is a careful balance in purchasing a work bag that is sleek and stylish while also avoiding uncomfortable shoulder scraping as you sprint between flights. And while a bag with a big open top is convenient when grabbing your ID at the office, there is a concern that things will topple out in the plane while it lays on its side under a seat.

So prioritize 3 things when getting a travel work bag: professional, comfortable, and zippable (if that’s a word…). With these in mind, you’ll be set for your next trip!

2. Work Travel Outfits

I think balancing outfits to bring for a work trip is one of the most difficult. How much is too much? How little is too little? Sometimes itineraries aren’t super clear ahead of travel, and colleagues may end up roping you into things you didn’t plan for. So let’s break down some key outfit tips to make sure you are ready for every activity (without overpacking)!

Shoes – this goes without saying, but make sure you pack comfortable shoes. Depending on how large the office is, you may have to walk through multiple buildings or take stairs to different locations and you do not want blisters. If you don’t have comfortable work shoes, pack an extra pair of casual shoes that you can dress up and keep them in your work bag just in case.

Business Casual – pack at least enough outfits for work each day you expect to be in the office and one extra option for good measure. You never know when a new dress may end up being see-through or the shoes that matched are just too uncomfortable. Always bring one extra outfit to swap out if need be!

Casual Casual – this is such an important piece that I always forget. Pack at least one outfit per day you will be in the office for after work. It’s possible everyone will head straight to the bar or restaurant after work, but it’s also possible everyone’s feet hurt or they need a shower after a long day walking around, and you want to make sure that you have a casual outfit to throw on after showering and before doing evening activities. Also keep in mind what you want to wear when traveling in the airport or car of course!

Weather Protection – if you’re traveling in for work, your office is likely not located near your home. Pack for the unexpected! Bring a cardigan in case it’s cold (this is good for chilly office buildings too). Bring a light rain jacket or windbreaker in case a storm breaks out. Brings sunglasses for walks to restaurants or car rides. Bring socks for cold hotel rooms. Don’t over pack too much, but also understand that weather is unpredictable.

3. Water Bottle

It’s easy to forget when working from home what it’s like to not have convenient access to cups, water, and other cold drinks in your fridge. But you do not want to show up to the office and realize that you will either have to get up from your desk constantly to find a water fountain or buy expensive water bottles and drinks from a vending machine or cafeteria the entire time you’re there. Not to mention staying at a hotel and having to do the same.

Prioritize packing a durable water bottle in your work bag that you can fill and use at the airport, in your hotel room, and at the office. This will be so much more convenient and help you to remember to stay hydrated.

4. Mobile Email

Now, I am a huge advocate for having a healthy work-life balance, so be careful if you do add your work email or messaging app onto your phone that it does not take over your life on an average day. I am recommending you add email and messaging to your phone particularly for travel – for a couple reasons.

First, it is helpful to have ways to communicate with your manager or team while you are traveling in or leaving since you are kind of off (but not really), and you can stay in touch if travel is delayed or meeting locations change. This is especially helpful if you have managers or peers that you do not communicate with via regular text.

Second, I have found it so helpful to have ways to check my emails and messages on my phone while in the office because I am way more on the go while I’m in-office than at home. If I am running through the office between meetings or spending a majority of my time away from my laptop having valuable one-on-one time with colleagues, I am going to miss important messages. Rather than whipping out your laptop at every meeting (or worse, keeping your laptop open in every in-person meeting), just check your messaging app on your phone periodically. This will be so much more convenient and less intrusive to your time!

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I know there are many other tips and tricks that would be helpful for work travel, so we can revisit this again in the future. For now, let me know any of your work travel secrets in the comments!