If you travel for work a lot - give me your best tips

[mixandmatch]

I have a big job that currently involves a little bit of travel but from January this is going to increase a lot - I’ll probably be away for at least a few days every month. Mainly UK and Ireland.

If you’re a frequent work traveller, give me all your best tips and hacks… I already have a separate duplicate toiletries bag always packed and ready to go. What else? Whether in terms of packing, hotels, anything else… thanks!

Oh, I have just bought a travel steamer too!

Dont ever bother with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner as hotels have those. Ha ha. Until you get caught out.

I used to. The art is two pairs of trousers (wear one, pack one) 2-3 very different tops, 2 jackets or sweaters or coats and 2 pairs of shoes (wear one, pack one) that co-ordinate with both pairs of trousers and all tops. That way you have numerous outfits but pack almost nothing.

Never buy toiletries just because they are travel sized. You want shampoo, cleanser and moisturiser, toothpaste and scent that you know suit you. Get travel bottles and fill them with what you love. Take hotel mini toiletries home to give to homeless shelters.

Buy robust wheelie suitcase/flight case. Many are designed to be used once or twice a year.

As PP said, take healthy snacks or you will end up eating rubbish. Fruit, unsalted nuts, bags of salad or crudités.

Don't forget to call home. Sounds weird but it's easy to get swept up in what you are there to do. Call to say you landed safely. Call every night to say goodnight. Bring small treats home. Be missed.

Yes or they make your hair limp yet brittle and give your skin a rash. Take toiletries you know you love!

And invest in really good ear plugs. Some hotel walls are paper thin, some hotels are situated in rowdy town centres. Good ear plugs mean a good night's sleep.

Sometimes the hotel stuff is in a wall dispenser and is a cheap Dove-dupe or shampoo-conditioner that neither cleans nor conditions.

That's the one. 😅

I would never rely on hotel shampoo. I like my own.

Thought of something else to have in your permanent kit. Cold pills or a couple of lemsip sachets. If, for example, you're in the arse end of nowhere for a few days there's nothing worse than starting to come down with something and having nothing to help you sleep/ease the symptoms.

Love all these tips and do many of them!

Mine is I have a little fold out stand for my phone/kindle in the front pocket of my bag for hands free reading/watching while I travel.

Yes I think some people are staying in better class of hotels than me. I'm also amused by all the people saying join all the loyalty schemes to collect points and gain upgrades.

I can't be the only one who has to have everything booked by a corporate travel provider who takes a nice cut for themselves so everything is more expensive than booking direct and an employer who prohibits the collection of points as they'd rather they go to waste than anyone gain a benefit.

I'm surprised they don't expect us to give up clubcard points when we buy a meal deal for lunch.

@Bjorkdidit , it depends who's paying. If I'm paying I'll try to find somewhere like a pub with rooms. Usually quite homely, inexpensive but no gym etc. The 'corporate' hotels tended to be comfortable but not luxurious.

The no wi-fi place was a hotel on the outskirts of a large city, and very well positioned in terms of motorways and business parks, and it was only about 10 years ago. They had wi-fi but only in the reception area.

Have duplicates of everything that live in your suitcase permanently. I have small refillable bottles which I top up as soon as I get back, travel hairdryer and diffuser, chargers etc. Then your basics are ready to go and you just need clothes. I keep to a basic palette of neutrals so I have several outfits with a navy, charcoal grey, olive green or brown base which usually means I only need 1 pair of shoes and one jacket. Saves space!

Usb rechargeable mirror. Hotel rooms are invariably designed by tall men so the chair / dressing table area is often away from the mirror or the mirror is too high up to be useful.

I keep a fan heater in my car in the winter as its always too cold in hotel rooms.

I usually stop at an M&S on my way to my hotel and pick up a salad and a treat for dinner, eat early, do an online pilates workout then chill with a book or do some life admin. Sometimes I paint my nails, do a face mask or make some calls to friends.

I have some stickers I got from amazon for things with lights on them like the tv as it just annoys me.

Definitely a bag for dirty clothes. I remember heading home at Stansted when the woman in front realised she’d left something in her case, she opened it in up and there front and centre were her dirty scants (nice lacy ones tbf). Her male colleague next to her went red and didn’t know where to look.

Always take an extra clean top and underwear. You might hit a delay or you could spill something on your top (like me). Solid toiletries are your friend as they free up bag space. Shampoo bar, soap, the stick style deodorant.