Similar to other types of travel, business travel may necessitate the use of certain travel hacks to successfully navigate. Business travel in contrast to tourism travel is sometimes unplanned or
unanticipated leaving you with little or no time to prepare. Sometimes, a quick email from work with your flight ticket and travel itinerary is all it takes to get you on a plane and off to a new country with no ample notice. It is essential to look out for ways to make your travel easy, enjoyable and comfortable.
Here are some hacks for getting around business travel:
1. Renew your IDs
Check that your passport has at least a 6-month validity and is nowhere expired. It is also advisable to have a digital copy of your passport biodata page and save it where you can easily access it. Share with someone trusted. In the event that you lose your passport while on a business trip, contact the nearest embassy or consulate to get the old one cancelled and request an emergency passport issued to replace the lost one.
2. Verify all reservations
It's easy to get caught up in work, and the thought of double-checking your reservations may slip your mind.
To ensure a smooth travel and to avoid any hiccups during boarding or hotel check-in, it's essential to confirm all reservations before hopping on that plane. Check to see that the personal information on your flight ticket and hotel reservations are correct. Also confirm that your tickets have indeed been purchased and not left on reservations.
3. Pack smart
Get a good luggage and ensure that you pack light. Instead of folding your clothes you can roll them to create more space in your luggage. You can also use packing cubes to help you keep your luggage organized and make it easy for you to find items when you need them.
4. Avoid short layovers
Check your itinerary for layover time. Avoid taking a flight if the layover is less than 3 hours. If you have a connecting flight and have to transit through another country you could miss your flight, especially with airports that are large and busy with many passengers as well as airports you’re unfamiliar with; you don't want to find yourself running through the airport to catch a connecting flight. For layovers above 6 hours, it is advisable to check-in to an airport hotel so you can be well rested before your connecting flight. It is also important to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure. This will give you enough time to clear through customs and security, and arrive at the right gate just in time for boarding. You don't want to risk missing your flight.
5. Sort your network connections
Check that all you need to work while on the trip especially your network connectivity is in order. If you'll be required to connect to a secure wifi or VPN, check with your organization's IT department to know the appropriate modalities to get it sorted.
6. Get Comfortable Inflight
If you want to get some work done inflight, using an electronic tablet is considered to be more convenient than a laptop. Also get a good quality neck pillow to provide neck support on the plane and make use of noise cancelling headphones to block out noise inflight.
7. Print important documents
In addition to your digital copies, save vital documents in print format. In a situation where you need to access key information like your flight ticket, hotel reservation, and schedule but your
devices have run out of power or you're unable to connect to a wifi, you'll have your printed copies to fall back on.
8. Save receipts
Never forget to ask for a receipt after purchasing an item or service. Your organization may want to track spending and you may be required to submit an expense report after your business trip, you'll need to compile and submit all your receipts to show proof of purchase.