Business Travel Packing tips for working women

It’s always best to put together a permanent business travel list so that planning doesn’t have to be done last minute and things won’t be forgotten.

Things a woman will want to keep in mind are as follows:

• If space is limited, it’s best to only take a couple of pair of shoes that can be used over and over.
• The list will vary depending upon if one is flying or driving, and going by herself or with someone else.
• Start with the absolute necessities. Add extras if required.
• Find out in advance if possible if the hotel has items like an iron and a blow dryer. These are things that won’t need to be packed.

Below is a list of various items most women will need.

Business Travel Requires Clothing

A woman will want to determine how many pairs of clothing she will need and then decide how much of each of the following items she will need:

• Coat (if the weather is cold)
• Dresses/suits
• Jackets
• Jeans
• Night clothes
• Pantyhose
• Shoes
• Slacks/pants
• Socks
• Undergarments
• Workout clothes

Sometimes it’s best to pack clothing that can be layered, especially in unpredictable climates or in the spring and fall when weather tends to be more extreme (cool one day and warm the next). It is also sometimes better to pack one extra outfit (or even extra separates that are of a neutral and mix-and-match variety) and not need it than to have to spend money on clothing later. Again, though, it depends on the space one has available.

Business Travel Incomplete Without Grooming Items

While many items can be added to this list (and most are small enough to add, like tweezers), a majority of these things are difficult to do without (however, some of them can be purchased upon arrival if needed):

• Antiperspirant
• Blow dryer (if not available at the hotel)
• Brush
• Comb
• Curling iron, straightening iron, hot rollers, or any other hair styling tools
• Dental floss
• Facial cleanser, moisturizer, toner, and mask
• Feminine products (such as pads and tampons)
• Fingernail file
• Hairspray, hair gel, mousse, and other hair items
• Hand and body lotion
• Jewelry (a few versatile earrings, necklaces, and rings will go a long way; fortunately, though, jewelry is small. It’s best to store these pieces in small bags to prevent loss, tangling, and damage.)
• Leave-in conditioner
• Makeup (including things like foundation, eyeliner, and blush)
• Perfume or cologne
• Razor
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste

Again, the traveling woman can save herself some space by either purchasing the travel/sample size of some of these items or by using what the hotel makes available. Some women prefer to use their own supplies, though.

Business Travel More Enjoyable With Food

Even if the traveling woman is affluent and can dine out for every meal, what’s she to do at 10:30 at night when she’s craving a light snack and her favorite soft drink? Hotels very often charge exorbitant prices for items in their vending machines, but they are also known for providing ice and sometimes small refrigerators in their rooms for free.

Again, it depends on personal preference, but here are some ideas:

• Small snacks that require no refrigeration are best; things like nuts and individually-wrapped packages of crackers and peanut butter are easy to pack and relatively worry free.
• Other snack-type items include gum and sunflower seeds.
• A few cans of one’s favorite soda are simple to take, even if there is no refrigeration.
• Some fruit can travel safely without refrigeration for a day or two (apples, bananas, and oranges, for example).
• Most hotels nowadays provide small coffee pots as amenities for their guests, but often they don’t provide enough condiments to go with. Women who prefer their coffee with sugar, sweetener, or creamer would do well to take some extra in their luggage.

Miscellaneous Items Needed for Business Travel

While these items fall under the miscellaneous category, they should by no means be considered less important. Again, each woman should decide for herself:

• Any medicines a woman needs to take daily or frequently
• Cash and/or traveler’s checks
• Cell phone charger
• Directions to the hotel and other places one needs to be
• Entertainment: books to read, crossword puzzles, or playing cards
• Laptop computer (especially if necessary on the business trip)
• Other work-related material necessary for the trip (including planner)
• Pain reliever
• Vitamins
• Laptop computer (especially if necessary on the business trip)
• Cash and/or traveler’s checks

Having a List Makes Trip Preparation Simple

It can be difficult to pack for a business trip, especially if she doesn’t do it very often. It can also be hard if she has a lot of other things to consider-children to make arrangements for or pets that need to be watched. There’s no reason why a woman should have to worry about those other things and trying to figure out if she’s packed everything she needs. A list like this should help, one that she can simply print and keep in her suitcase, ready for the next time she must travel.