Business trips are a fundamental part of many jobs, and particularly to ours, whether you’re heading away to a conference, deposition, court hearing, medical appointment, or business meeting, or to recruit new clients.

I enjoy going on business trips where I get to interpret in person (and it’s double the fun when I also have to cover a remote gig from my hotel room).

If you haven’t been away for work before, it can feel daunting knowing how to prepare and get the most out of it. If you do go away fairly often, you might find you don’t get the most out of your trips. If you’re looking to turn this around and make your business visits more worthwhile, we’ve put together some tips that are sure to make them more productive. From what to pack, to how to organize your time, it’s sure to make a difference. Keep on reading to find out more. 

Be organized ahead of time

It’s vital you’re organized ahead of time when going on a business trip as you’ll likely have a packed itinerary. You might have an array of meetings, conferences or shows that you need to attend and be at certain places at specific times. You’ll need travel insurance – be sure to get it from a reputable company such as Generali – especially if you’re flying, so you can get money back if anything is to change. Book your tickets and hotel ahead of time, particularly if you need certain dates and times to ensure you don’t miss out or pay way above the odds. 

Don’t forget to take some down time

When on a business trip, it can be very easy to forget to take any down time. You’ll likely be doing all the activities of your trip which means you don’t get your usual jobs done. Your emails will continue to ping in and it can be hard to forget about the other jobs that need doing. If possible, speak to people still in the office and see if they can cover for you and ensure you take down time. If you don’t, you’ll end up becoming burnt out and not able to do the job you’re there to do as well as you should. In our case as freelancers, taking 1 hour off to hit the pool or go sightseeing can have a great impact.

Book your hotel and transport wisely

When booking your hotel, think ahead of time about where you need to be for the majority of your trip. It can sometimes be cheaper to get a hotel further away but you’ll end up needing to get taxis or hire a car. Instead, it can be easier to book a hotel that’s in a more desirable location even if it is that bit more expensive. Transport wise, book good times such as a flight that doesn’t leave too early in the morning to avoid you being overtired. 

These are just a few things you can do that can ensure you make the most of your business trip. Going away from work isn’t always fun, so being as practical and organized about it as possible can ensure you don’t waste time and resources unnecessarily. What are some top tips you have for making the most of your business trips? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to read from you!