If you spend a lot of time traveling for your job, you know how crucial it is to make your travel plans as efficient as possible. Instead of worrying that you have too much luggage or wondering how you're going to get around the town you're visiting, familiarize yourself with all the rules beforehand, and create a handy checklist for frequent business travel.
Check Your Luggage Before You Check It
When you travel often, it's a good idea to become knowledgeable about all the different airlines and their individual rules and regulations. As an itinerant traveler, your luggage is important to you. You may prefer carry-on bags to checked luggage, to cut the risk of your bags traveling to Dallas while you travel to Tulsa. You might enjoy the luxury of having someone else handle your luggage.
Regardless of your preferences, familiarize yourself with <a href="http://www.travelsmith.com/TravelSmith/US/TravelCenter/guide-carryon/landing-path">sizing regulations for different airlines</a>. That way you won't get stuck checking a bag you wanted to carry on with you. You should also know possible fees for extra baggage, bearing in mind that many airlines let you free carry one bag and a personal carry item, which could be your briefcase, your handbag, or your laptop bag.
Comparison Shop for Accommodation Rates
Even if your job pays for your hotel rooms, you should still shop around for the best rate. Wouldn't you love to get pool access, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi instead of a sad, cramped single room in a shoddy hotel? Use the big name sites to compare rates and make yourself comfortable during your business trip.
Leave the Car in the Garage
If you're traveling somewhere close, you might want to drive. If you're staying awhile, you may want get around without taking the train, the bus, or cabs. Stop right there. The risk associated with taking your car on a business trip is far too high. What if something happened to it? Look for <a href="https://www.carrentals.com/">rental cars</a> in the cities you're traveling to instead; you can get around in comfort without risking your own ride.
Get a Local Look at Good Eats
There's no reason you shouldn't eat well while you're traveling. There are endless apps that can give you the 411 on the best restaurants in any city. An even better option is to <a href="http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/travelers-ed/finding-the-best-restaurants-on-the-road">look up some of the eateries</a> in your destination, then read reviews on foodie sites. Let the locals reveal what the food is like, along with the value, and you'll eat like royalty on your trip.
Have the Essentials Handy
You never want to get caught without your essentials, whether you're traveling for business or pleasure. Think about investing in a travel wallet, for the sake of safety and convenience. Keep cash somewhere other than your wallet if something happens. In your wallet, make sure you have your airline tickets, key card, credit and debit cards, and all of your ID, including your license and passport.
There you have it. Five tips for those who travel on business. Business travel is a breeze with the right tips. These are each handy tips, but there are always more than one way to reach a destination. What have you done to become a seasoned traveler? Please share your thoughts and experience with us in the comments below.