Business trips - share your tips

[user1471429975]

Hi I've just started having to travel with work, short stays of one or two nights. I've made the rookie mistake of wearing black underwear and then packing white tops, so nude for next time as one less thing to think about/pack. Share with me your tips for traveling

Hi user, for me the main thing is to reduce the stress of travelling, so anything that makes it easier to just pick-up-and-go is a winner. Here are a few tips I have picked up:

• keep duplicates/miniatures of all your products/make-up so that you dont have to thyink about it each time (or realise you've left a crucial product behind)

• same thing for chargers etc - keep duplicates in your "travel" bag if you can

• if you work out, take black trainers. They can double for casual wear without looking too much like a tourist

• (if you are flying) go hand-luggage only and invest in a decent back-pack that carries your laptop plus enough room for clothes (and the occasional purchase).

• if you only need 1-2 outfits, keep the skirt/trousers the same and just fresh shirt. massively reduces the amount you need to pack. And, if you can, keep a few outfits exclusively for travelling so you can make sure they are washed and ironed each time you return, ready for next time.

• invest in good quality trousers etc that dont crease too badly. The last thing you want is to look loike you've been dragged through a hedge when you have to go straight from the airport to a meeting

• yes to nude underwear

• if you wear Pj's etc, invest in a really light-weight/thin set

• create a checklist, so you can print and tick off what you need to take each time

If I think of anything else, i'll post again

I love A4 suitcase organisers: can hold underwater, a change of top and PJs, keep it neatly folded and can fit in my work rucksack. Avoids any risk of reaching into my bag and accidentally pulling out tomorrow’s pants in a meeting. I stole my brother’s Charles Tyrwhit (sp?) one but IKEA do them too.

Great tips thanks , will look to set up a perm travel kit. Also thought mini first aid kit of pain killers and plasters , some of the places I'm staying are very limited in what you can buy . I've been spoilt - I think everywhere will have a bit tesco or Sainsbury's to pick stuff up

I also travel a lot for work.

I have a clear plastic bag filled with my usual toiletries, mostly miniatures, a hairbrush and then emergency bits like plasters, hair bobbles, ibuprofen, nail file. If you are travelling abroad, keep adaptors alongside these too.

For outfits, plan each and every one out. Then you can see what goes with what and you can wear the same trousers twice, or same jacket or shoes with everything. I would then pack your underwear after this, so you have something matching for everything.

I always pack something like leggings and a long jumper so I can nip out in the evenings like to Tesco Express, or to pop downstairs to pick up my takeaway, but still be comfy.

Oops missed your post! As you say, everywhere in the UK has at least a SPAR shop so you shouldn't have too many problems. Once you get into a rhythm it gets easier!

Oh and remember that calories still count when you are travelling!! It was a light bulb when someone told me this.... until then I had been a bit of a hotel bedroom comfort eater!

I travel a lot for work - my top tip is a really good suitcase so you can divide your clothes from your workstuff and won't drive you nuts with squeaky wheels etc.
Leave a plastic bag in there with a few blister plasters, paracetamol, immodium, tampons, rennies, safety pins, mini sewing kit - anything you might need in a hurry. Also have a travel set of charging cords and a universal plug so they stay in your bag.
I only do a black base for my wardrobe and everything gets crush tested in the shop to see if it is packable.
I have an emergency pair of pants, tights, wipes in my work bag in case of flight delays.
Silicone earplugs are fantastic if you are in a loud hotel or for sleeping on planes

When I used to travel to random far off places -

Emergency Sanpro - even if you aren't due, always better to have something
Mini travel candle and couple of matches - makes a bath much nicer!
Couple of DVD box sets when you are abroad with a tv that has nothing beyond BBC world/dodgy wifi and you need to destress/flake out
Lemsip/paracetamol/lipbalm etc - all the medical things you "might" need and would have no chance to get.

And always aim to travel with carry on only - no fun being "at work" for a week with no luggage/contact lense solution/deodorant.

Thank you for the reminder about calories, I did fall into the trap of family pack of maltesers 😂 Also the box sets , as there wasn't a great signal for the TV. Home now so going to make up my travel kit

Yes to all above.

Other ideas to add...

• Solid stuff wherever possible: deodorants, soap, shampoo bars.
• any remaining vital liquids kept in their own security-friendly bag and replenished between trips.
• 4 way extension lead so you only need one wall socket for multiple appliances/chargers
• halifax clarity card (or similar) for easy and cheap travel money - you never know when you might need ready cash in local currency.
• preprinted A4 sheets with your surname and preferred contact info, with gaps for departure/destination airport and date of travel. lay that on top before you shut the case (in case hand baggage gets taken into hold)
• Ditto a decent luggage tag that can stay on and not get in the way of handles
• Ditto an easily recognisable or distinctively patterned case. Minimises the risk of you/someone else mis-collecting a black case that looks like every other black case on the carousel

• A long-dated cereal/nut/whatever bar you can shove in the case as an emergency snack

- handful of teabags/coffee sachets/whatever for a comforting taste of home

Pack work clothes that need as little ironing as possible and hang up next days clothes as soon as you get in the room. If needs be you can steam clothes in the bathroom when you shower.

As other people said have separate lot of toiletries so you don’t have to keep repacking.

Try to do something in the evenings, check out local cinemas, runs etc

Thanks , I did find the evening boring and long, regretted not packing trainers and kit

I have (until very recently) travelled loads for work, usually to developing countries where I can't replace things easily. It's often hot as well so a toss up between things that crumple or being too hot!

• if you are a swimmer; see if you can get a hotel with a pool. A costume and goggles take up no room.

-Photos of all your documents on your phone. I recently left my passport on a plane and immigration let me back into the UK with a picture of my passport.

• I'm not a big make up person but sticks for eyes lips and cheeks don't add to your liquids.

-Limited colour palette for clothes so can mix and match. I have a wool silk blazer from Cos which is awesome, doesn't crumple and not too hot. Wool generally a good bet actually. -Lenses and glasses. -Yes to the emergency sanpro.

If it's in the UK and I don't have friends to see in that city then the cinema or a play is great- I don't get the chance much at home. I also use travel dead time to do life admin things that you can do anywhere with a phone (shopping, banking etc).

Also, yes, calories count! It has not been a good year on that front...

I second the luggage organisers - I use Eagle Creek specters and they are essential to avoid the horrific 'pull your pants out of your bag at the same time as your laptop' scenario.

Might be useful to think about a VPN as well for when you're travelling. For two purposes:

• to be able to access iPlayer if you're abroad
• to do anything secure like internet banking whilst on the hotel wifi

(Apologies that isn't a very 'Style and Beauty' tip but I thought I'd throw it in).

Different purses for different currencies - I used to travel from the UK to Sweden via the Netherlands and Denmark every week, so four different currencies to deal with. I had some coin purses from Accessorise to keep them all separate.

Good noise cancelling headphones. I could not be without my Bose QC20s. Do remember to charge them, though.

I take nappy sacks to use as little rubbish bags - you never know when you're going to have a few bits you want to chuck out but you can't get to a bin.

My toiletry bag is always packed, I just chuck the empties and top up when home.

Capsule wardrobe in black, with grey: boring but easy and everything goes. I check the forecast before leaving to make sure I have appropriate attire for the temperatures.

Also boring but easy and classic makeup: always foundation, eyebow pencil, mascara and lipstick. Suits my colouring. Small can of dry shampoo always at the ready.

My Kindle is an absolute lifeline. I always carry a spare charger and power pack in my handbag.

I also carry a bottle (which I can fill anywhere with drinking water), and a bag if nuts and raisins, in case I’m delayed and can’t get proper food.

Packing cubes are fabulous. Keep everything organised and tidy.

Yes to spare chargers/adaptors that live in the bag.

Separate travel cosmetics bag and I also have a travel Babyliss Big Hair that lives in my suitcase.

4-wheeled upright suitcases are more convenient than the 2-wheeled you need to tilt.

My favourite pair of trousers for travelling - don't crease or pinch, comfy like leggings, but look like smart suit trousers. www.betabrand.com/womens/pants/dress-pant-yoga-pants-collection

A friend told me one of the best bits of advice she had from an older woman colleague was to have nightwear that would be decent if the fire alarm went off and the hotel was evacuated in the middle of the night. So pyjamas, or a decent length, non-revealing, nightie and dressing gown.

Always take clothes for hot and cold! I went to Japan recently and the forecast was for hot weather all week. But a typhoon that hadn't been forecast made it very rainy and cooler. I'd travelled out with warmer clothes, and ended up having to wash those in my room so I had something to wear!

It's a good idea to carry a change of underwear in your hand baggage if you're checking your main case into the hold. A trip to NYC where my bag went missing saw me there for three days without suitable clothes. Although I was given some money to buy new stuff, the daily allowance wasn't anywhere near close what it cost me to buy clothes for three days. And it was a while before I could buy new underwear, which felt horrible!

If I'm travelling long haul I make sure I take a sleep suit with me - having travelled Virgin Upper Class and BA first class I now have a couple of these. I change into this once we've taken off. Not only is it more comfortable, it also keeps your travelling clothes cleaner and spill free. Had a guy next to me on a flight once knock a whole glass of red wine over me.

If I am away for two days and 1 night I wear black trousers and top for Day 1 with shoes and a jacket. I have an extra top that will go with the trousers just in case I end up out for dinner or a drink. A squashy black dress (with the same jacket and shoes) for Day 2. Black underwear. Not very exciting and looks a bit like a uniform but it works with minimal packing.

I keep a pot of instant porridge in my bag that I can have for breakfast in the hotel if I don't fancy going downstairs or have an early start.

My wash bag has spares of everything so it always stays in my case. Contact lens solution, a spare set of lenses and a pair of specs just in case. I also keep some sanpro as I've been caught out too many times and it's not always convenient to go hunting down a shop/chemist.

Just thought of something else - I get really cold in hotel rooms (although I don't anticipate this being a problem when I go to a Premier Inn in North London tomorrow!) so I usually pack a cashmere wrap to wear to keep myself warm. I also pack a small hot water bottle as well to deal with cold hotel beds.

Four wheeled suitcase or carryon only. No synthetic fibre clothing. Long shorts underwear for hot, humid places (and flip flops - blisters raise immediately in nice shoes). Berocca. No alcohol on the outward trip. Favourite photo to put up next to bed. Black cocoon type dresses for meetings. Itinerary in your handbag. No confidential papers in your checked in luggage, US customs seem to love rifling through that.

Didn't realise they did a travel bablyiss, off to google to purchase!

There's some fab tips on here, thanks OP.

I keep a wash bag packed with duplicates / miniatures of everything and refill / replace as soon as I get back. This includes a pocket for bobbles, kirby grips, sewing kit, safety pins & san pro. I keep a face mask in to perk me up after flights too.
Temple spa do fab miniature sets for this purpose that are refillable

Second pair of straightners left in case (been caught out using before I leave and forgetting to chuck in 🤦🏻‍♀️)

Nude undies, pjs & small clutch bag for evenings left in case

Pinch all the shower caps from hotel rooms - great for keeping grubby shoe soles off your clean clothes

Download films / series / books on iPad so not stuck if you have time to kill

Small make up bag in handbag with liquids kept in one of the airport plastic bags ready to pull out. This has my headphones & medication as well as wipes & clean knickers in case of delay

I have a lovely big, grey cashmere wrap that has been a godsend for cold flights / meeting rooms so now goes everywhere with me

I plan all my outfits a few days before so can make sure all washed, ironed and ready to go - usually choose 1 blazer / jacket and work round it with tops / skirt / dress / trouser combinations

Gym kit has visited a lot of hotels with me but doesn't get worn as often as it should so I will sacrifice it if I need room for more clothes

My own teabags and travel mug

always take your own slippers. Lots of business hotels don’t provide them and hotel floors can be manky
Also take a big bottle of water up with you from the bar as some hotels don’t have mini bars or don’t provide water.
Order breakfast to your room to avoid having to eat with work colleagues
Also useful to do if you’re working in a different time zone from home and have to take early calls

Agree about taking clothes for hot and cold.

Weather forecast might be hot but office air conditioning can make it feel like England in January.