The excitement, nerves, and expectations around an upcoming business trip can leave you unprepared.

To ensure you have everything you need, experienced travellers from the Bolt Business team share their best business travel tips, including a packing list, to make your next work trip successful.

Business trip packing list: 23 items you need with you

Knowing what to pack for a business trip can be a challenge. But having a packing list for a business trip will make your life much easier when you’re preparing to travel for work.

Keep this list of things to pack for a business trip in your bookmarks for future reference. 👇

To keep you connected

Your phone and the Bolt app;
Laptop;
Chargers;
Plug adaptors;
Power bank;

To make things happen

Travel documents;
Passport;
Purse or wallet;
Several bank cards;
Business cards;
Notepad and pens;

For your well-being

Noise-cancelling headphones;
Bottle of water;
Snacks;
Eyemask;
Electrolytes;
Hand sanitiser;

To dress for success

Business wear;
Casual attire;
Sportswear;
Warm clothes

To be ready for anything

A toiletry bag with your toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant;
Medication.

A business traveller packing a suitcase using a business trip packing list.

8 business travel essentials for your business trip checklist — and 1 item to leave at home

On top of the essentials for business travel listed above, travel experts in the Bolt Business team want to emphasise the items often overlooked from business trip checklists.

While some of these items aren’t as widely packed for business trips, they’ll make your trip much more comfortable.

1. Carry a battery pack with you

While having your devices charged is essential on any business trip, finding a suitable plug might be challenging. Be prepared. Have a power bank.

2. An eye mask to help you sleep

Sleep well at night or on the move with your private blackout blinds.

3. Earbuds and noise-cancelling headphones

Whether on a plane or a train, headphones with active noise cancellation are a must if you want to rest or focus properly. Unless you like sleeping in headphones, remember to grab earplugs to ensure a silent slumber.

A business traveller unpacking her suitcase for a business trip.

4. Carry more than one payment card

Nobody wants to end up unable to pay for something, so be sure to have more than just one card and check the exchange rates — this might save your nerves and earn reward points.

5. Travel adaptor

A business trip is always a chance to explore the world’s diversity. But the plug diversity might come as a nasty surprise — so remember to check the plug culture at your destination.

6. Comfortable shoes

Whether you prefer tight Oxford shoes or fancy high heels, having a spare pair of shoes to comfort you after a busy day is always a good idea.

7. Warm clothes

Even if you go somewhere warm, it may get cold on a plane or a train, in a hotel or an office. Moreover, warm clothes can make a great space-saving pillow for longer journeys.

8. Medication

As with plugs, the world is so diverse regarding medication that you might struggle to find your go-to painkiller or cough remedy — stock up in advance!

The item you can leave at home

A proper business trip packing list also includes something you should leave at home to ensure you travel light. Feel free to leave your umbrella at home since most hotels provide them for free. Yes, even if you’re travelling to the UK.

A business person using a business travel app to travel for work during a business trip.

Look out for yourself during your business trip

Feeling well is just as good for business travel as packing everything you need. Use these easy tips to feel better despite long flights and jetlag. 👇

1. Stay hydrated

Remembering to drink enough water is hard, especially during meeting-packed days. So remember to have a bottle of water with you — especially when travelling long distances.

Add a pack of electrolyte tablets to your business trip packing list and drink them with water to keep you hydrated — look for ones with vitamins.

2. Get a good night’s sleep

Having an eye mask and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones will help.

3. Remember to keep moving

The more you walk in those comfortable shoes from the packing list, the better you’ll sleep and the more energised you’ll feel.

A business traveller walking to a meeting during a business trip.

Business trip FAQs

What do I need for my business trip?

During a business trip, you’ll need everything you use for work (laptop, phone, and charger) and other items to make your trip safe, comfortable, and productive.

These business travel essentials include a water bottle, electrolytes, hand sanitiser, business cards, multiple bank cards, a notepad, and pens.

How do I pack for a 5-day business trip?

Apart from evident work essentials, remember to pack clothing, toiletries, and medication. Ensure you have enough of them — especially clothing if your accommodation doesn’t have washing facilities.

How can I use the 54321 packing rule for your business trips?

The 54321 packing rule often looks like this: 5 tops, 4 pairs of trousers, 3 shoes, 2 smart outfits, and 1 bag. You can adapt this packing rule to match the purpose of your business trip.

Items to include on your business trip packing list

Business travel pro tip: plan for the first and last mile

Finding the best way to reach your final destination can be challenging, especially in a new city. These are the times when having a business travel app on your phone will help to keep your business trip running on time.

Bolt can help you to get around 500+ cities across 45+ countries in Europe and Africa. You can get picked up from the airport, ride a Bolt scooter to your meeting, or get behind the wheel with Bolt Drive.

Set up a free Work Profile in the Bolt app to get a ride receipt to your work email after each journey — and save time on filling out business travel expense reports. You can even add a company card as a payment method to charge your work rides straight to your employer.

Business trip packing list: 23 items you need to pack

Affordable work rides, without the paperwork

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