Your Handy Business Travel Checklist

You’re off on a business trip. Amongst all the meeting preparation, getting your presentation ready and making sure your laptop is charged, there is still your packing to do. Overlook this at your peril, however, because there will always be something vital you’ll wish you never left behind. Whilst you’re probably not likely to omit to pack your passport, boarding pass and currency, there are things you really could do with not forgetting.

If you’re packing in a hurry for a business trip, use this at-a-glance guide to make sure you don’t miss anything essential.

Essential item 1: Health Cover. If you’re travelling within Europe, make sure you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It’s free of charge and will allow you access to free or discounted healthcare across the EU. This includes pre-existing conditions. You should also make sure you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for emergency treatment and repatriation.

Essential item 2: Chargers and Adapters. You won’t get very far if you can’t charge your smartphone, tablet or laptop. As well as your chargers, you’re going to need the appropriate power adapters. Make sure you have the right ones, because at very least they won’t work. At worst, they could actually damage your devices, or even cause a fire (it has been known!). Also bear in mind that hotel rooms are never overly generous when it comes to power sockets, so it could pay to pack a multi-socket adapter.

Essential item 3: Internet Access. Your hotel may say it offers Wi-Fi, but just how reliable it is could be anyone’s guess. Tethering from your mobile could cost you dear when you are roaming, so if you are going to be dependent on internet access during your trip, and let’s face it, we’re all pretty much internet dependent any time of the day, reassure yourself by getting yourself a Wi-Fi dongle or by pre-loading an international mobile hotspot with credit.

Essential item 4: Pen and Paper. Yes, we said pen and paper! What happens if your device battery runs out and you are left with nothing on which to take notes or write down something essential, like the details of a potentially lucrative new contact? Pack a pen and notebook and you’ll have a back-up.

Essential item 5: USB Drive. Worst case scenario, your laptop fails. Your presentation is stored on it. What to do? If you have a back-up copy on a flash drive, you can borrow, hire or even buy another device, and you’re ready to go.

Essential item 6: Ear Plugs. You have to be up at the crack of dawn to deliver your presentation. But your hotel room neighbours are making the most of their holiday, or there’s some sort of fiesta going on right below your balcony. Cue the ear plugs: pop them in and enjoy a restful night’s sleep, so you are primed and ready for your big day.

Business travel can be stressful, but if you go well-equipped, you’ll have a very different and far more positive experience.

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