Business Travel: Your Complete Guide to Smooth-Running Work Trips

Business travel can be both productive and enjoyable, as long as you take the right steps to prepare. From packing light and working on-the-go to boosting wellness and choosing the right hotel, discover everything you need to know with our guide to organising a smooth business trip.

While it might be tempting to pack an outfit for every mood and eventuality, packing light saves time at both ends of your trip. Lighter luggage also makes bags easier to store no matter what mode of transport you're taking, and you can save your workout for the hotel gym instead of lugging a heavy case. Try to bring clothing for the exact number of days you'll be away, and choose neutral colour tones like black, navy, grey and white to make mixing and matching easier.

Wear your bulkiest item on the plane or train – unless you're lucky enough to be going somewhere warm and sunny, in which case you hopefully won't need bulky items at all.

Compression bags save space and help you organise your luggage, and separating it neatly means you can grab whatever you need after you arrive. Packing cubes have similar benefits and also help to avoid wrinkles by reducing friction between clothes. Rolling items instead of folding them is another good way to steer clear of creases.

Getting to know your bags could save you a lot of stress. If you remember exactly which little pocket or compartment each of your items is stored in, you'll be able to quickly grab whatever you need, whether on the road or during a quick turnaround after you arrive. Another way to avoid potential stress, if you're flying, is to pack an outfit in your carry-on bag in case your flight gets delayed.

Business travel packing tips

• Pack light by using compression bags and packing cubes.
• Roll clothes to avoid wrinkles.
• Choose neutral colours to mix and match.
• Buy high-quality luggage for security and durability. 
• Always have a toiletries bag packed and ready for your next trip.

Streamline your journey by knowing your route every step of the way, from saving the numbers of local taxi firms to figuring out bewildering subway maps in advance. Researching airports' executive lounges could bring a little extra comfort during your business trip. Don't forget to check times and distances of smaller sections of the journey, such as travelling from your hotel to a conference centre, and check out airport transfer schedules.

If you have a long journey and a meeting the next day, consider staying at a hotel at the airport or near the railway station for the first night. That way, you can get some rest and finish your journey with a short hop to the meeting the next morning.

If you're travelling in and out of London by plane, recharge for your flight with a night at Novotel London Heathrow Airport T1 T2 and T3. With five meeting rooms available, you could even plan an entire event at this convenient Heathrow hotel.

Phone, laptop and business attire go without saying when you're packing for a business trip, but don't forget the extra essentials that make life so much easier. Bring a fully charged power bank, also known as a portable charger. This battery pack allows you to charge your phone and other devices without a wall outlet. It's a battery for batteries.

And don't forget to recharge yourself too, with healthy snacks to keep you nourished from boarding gate to boardroom. Packs of nuts, dried fruit, protein bars and dark chocolate are all good options to tuck away in your bag and bring out for a little pick-me-up when you need it.

Before you get on the road, learn as much as you can about the meeting agendas and itineraries you'll encounter. Of course, researching new clients or products in advance also brings huge advantages when you arrive at your business travel destination. Prior preparation saves time during your trip, and will maybe free up an hour or two to treat yourself to a quiet coffee, a spa treatment or even a quick round of golf if you're staying at a hotel like Novotel Munich Messe. You'll then be able to stride into meetings with plenty of confidence.

Whether you're putting together your own travel plan or setting up a trip for colleagues and clients, the schedule should include downtime built around the active periods of meetings. Just like an itinerary for a leisure trip, activities are much more productive and enjoyable when they're cushioned by a little rest and relaxation. By taking care of yourself when you travel for business, you'll accomplish more when you do sit down to work.

Another way to boost productivity is to squeeze in little micro-working sessions during what might otherwise be dead time. Set up the same apps on your phone and laptop, both offline and online (using the cloud), and figure out how to use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your computer. You can then get work done while waiting for a train or flight.

Hotels play a vital role in the success of a business trip. Modern hotel amenities enhance the experience of business travel, and there are certain things to look for in your accommodation when travelling for work. Excellent on-site dining options give you something to look forward to during a night away, as well as adding convenience since you can stroll back to your room after dining. Ordering room service is another good option after a busy conference.
 

Novotel Paris Porte de Versailles is a perfect example, with its Rose restaurant that serves Mediterranean fare in a colourful, country-style setting reminiscent of Provence. Also inside this hotel near Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the Pedzouille La Grange rooftop eatery features exceptional views of the Eiffel Tower.

Being able to book a meeting room or seminar space directly at your hotel increases convenience for attendees, and it provides more time to focus on work without having to travel between meetings. Novotel teams are always on hand to advise about meeting spaces, equipment and tailor-made refreshments. Many hotels also have business centres.

Taking care of fitness and wellness is essential during any trip, but particularly during a business trip when you want to be at your sharpest. While most business hotels have gyms, which are undoubtedly very useful, a hotel with a wellness area could really keep you at your peak. An urban wellness centre, like the pool and sauna at Novotel Munich City, allows you to unwind in a hotel close to conference centres and transport hubs. The wide selection at the hotel's breakfast buffet lets you select whatever items are best for your nutritional needs on any given day.

Ready to embark on a productive, smooth-running business trip?