At some point in your career, you’ll probably have to travel overseas for business purposes. Whether this is for a client meeting, company-wide conference, or new position, careful planning and execution are essential.

While there are some variables you can’t control, such as flight delays and cancellations, there are some tips you can employ to ensure the whole process goes smoothly.

Understand your company’s travel policy

If you’re part of an SME or large corporation, chances are there are travel policies in place for business travel. Generally, this will include information about booking procedures, expense submissions, and safety protocols.

Failure to fully understand the rules and regulations set by your business could result in reimbursement complications or sanctions.

Research various accommodation options

While your travel manager may book your accommodation, sometimes this task is left to you. In this case, try to look at reviews online to decide where best to stay – within budget, of course. Hotels tend to be the most popular since you can usually grab breakfast and dinner in the same building without having to venture too far out. 

You should also consider staying somewhere that is relatively close to your meeting or conference. The last thing you want is to be late due to being lost or stuck on public transport.

Organise transportation in advance

Organising transportation ahead of your trip is a must to avoid unnecessary delays and expenses. You may decide to initially drive to the airport so you can head straight home upon your arrival back to the UK. In this instance, if flying from London, you should pre-book park & ride parking at Gatwick Airport or Heathrow Airport.

Alternatively, you can reach the airport using public transport. Just be sure to check in with your travel manager and keep all receipts to be able to claim these back if paid by you. There should be enough time left between your transport to the airport and your flight to ensure you get through security with plenty of time to spare.

You’ll also need to arrange transport from the airport to your accommodation for when you land unless you know the destination fairly well. The last thing you want is to waste time after a long flight when you could easily have a transfer waiting for you.

Pack the business essentials

Packing is always a chore when it comes to travelling. If you’ve never been on a business trip before, it’s vital that you take everything you need with you to avoid complications once you arrive.

When conducting business abroad, you’ll need easy access to your personal applications, files, and software, meaning your own laptop is required. Carry this with you in a secure and protective bag or case and remember to bring any chargers and accessories.

It can also be beneficial to bring your own internet hub so you can rest assured there’ll be a strong internet connection regardless of your location. Areas like airports and hotels can have notoriously weak internet connections due to large user numbers. Just be sure to connect to a private VPN so that your personal information is secure.

Depending on how formal your business trip is, you’ll probably want to pack at least one suit – it’s better to be safe than sorry. And don’t forget some casual wear too. If you have some personal time on your hands, you’ll want to spend this wisely, either exploring your surroundings or heading out for dinner.