Today I’m headed back to LA for yet another work trip (#3 of 5 within a 6-week span!) – business travel has become something that’s an important part of my job with clients and internal teams that are located on either coast. While procrastinating on my packing and travel-prep, I wanted to share some tips and tricks for making business travel go smoothly that I’ve picked up while racking up my frequent flier miles.

Some ways to manage business travel like a boss:

1. Establish a Routine: Have a toiletries bag ready to go. Know how long it takes to get to the airport and through security. Decide if you’re a mobile boarding pass or printed boarding pass person. Pick a favorite between window or aisle seat. Find a go to airline and enroll in their frequent flier program. Getting into a travel routine will help keep you from feeling stressed and make travel feel simple instead of hectic.
2. Have a Stash of Emergency Items: From delayed (or canceled) flights to a surprise client dinner, learn to expect the unexpected and make preparations ahead of time that will help you be ready for whatever happens. I always pack an extra outfit and accessories in case of an event or an extended trip, carry an external charger for times where there are no outlets around, stash a Clif bar in my bag and have my company’s travel booking service in my phone’s contact list in case I need to switch flights in a hurry.
3. Plan Complete Outfits: Even though you may be feeling frenzied, take time to plan out complete outfits to make sure you have everything you need. I’ll typically start with shoes and plan multiple outfits that can work with them to save room in my bag. Don’t forget about accessories as well! Planning outfits around a neutral color palette will make it easy to mix and match pieces to create new outfits if you’re not feeling what you had planned that day. Also don’t forget to pack a more casual outfit for after-work events or travel.
4. Always Carry On: This goes without saying but nobody wants to be stuck waiting for checked baggage or stuck with lost luggage when they’re on a work trip. Make your life easier by always carrying on – you can roll your clothes to save space and grab a set of travel sized bottles to make packing your beauty routine a breeze.
5. Stash Those Receipts!: If you’re like me, it’s always a bit of a pain to remember to keep receipts for everything (when I’m so used to always just tossing them when I’m making a personal purchase). Toss a small pouch in your bag to make it easier to keep your receipts organized and in one place which will make your life so much easier when it comes time to do those expense reports.

Do you travel frequently for work? Have you picked up any tips during your travels?