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Business travel checklist

·3 mins
Kristof Kovacs
Author
Kristof Kovacs
Software Architect & DevOps Consultant

Hello, I’m Kristof, a human being like you, and an easy to work with, friendly guy.

I've been a programmer, a consultant, CIO in startups, head of software development in government, and built two software companies.

Some days I’m coding Golang in the guts of a system and other days I'm wearing a suit to help clients with their DevOps practices.

This list had been honed through years of business travel and saves me regularly; I hope that it will be useful for you too. Feel free to print it, or check off items here. – Kristof

Packing checklist #

Clothing #

  • Shirts & undershirts (one / day + 1, more if hot climate)
  • Socks (one pair / day + 1)
  • Boxer briefs (one / day + 1)
  • Sleeping gear (PJs or just add one more undershirt & boxers)
  • Warm clothing (if cold climate)

Papers #

  • Passport (or other ID, as needed)
  • e-Visa printed (if needed)
  • Plane / train ticket printed (or car papers)
  • Hotel reservation printed (so you have the address without Internet)
  • Vaccination certificates (COVID, yellow fever if needed)

Money #

  • One dematerialized credit card (NFC in phone)
  • One physical credit card (not all your cards, one is enough)
  • Small local cash (enough for airport taxi, just in case)
  • Cash to exchange (only if no trust in local ATMs. EUR/USD, only new notes)

Higiene and stuff (in transparent bag) #

  • Medicines and/or vitamins
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Minimal shaving equipment (remember: no battery in checked luggage)
  • Cleanser, moisturizer, etc (what you use)
  • Mini shower gel for body & hair (most hotels have it nowadays)
  • Travel-size perfume
  • Hand sanitiser (in cabin luggage)

Tech accessories #

  • Earbuds (I prefer in-ear for airplanes)
  • Charger plug for phone(s) & notebook
  • Charger cables for phone(s) & notebook
  • Small power bank (but remember: no battery in checked luggage)

Business #

  • Suit (trousers and jacket)
  • Leather shoes
  • Leather belt (if you use, same color as shoes)
  • Ties (just pack one anyway, ok?)
  • Cufflinks, tie pin, pocket squares, cravat (what you use)
  • Business cards
  • Gifts (if any)

TODOs #

The day before the trip #

  • Check in online
  • Print stuff (hotel booking, tickets, e-VISA)
  • Software update notebook and phone(s)
  • Sync music & films to phone / notebook / tablet
  • Pack notebook (and charger)
  • Pre-book taxi / arrange airport transfer

The morning of the trip #

  • Disable home alarm clock :)
  • Pack phone(s) (personal, company, whatever)
  • Pack tablet (or book)

In the last possible minute, re-check #

  • Phone(s)
  • Sunglasses
  • All packs (remember the count)
  • Papers (passport, e-VISA, tickets, hotel, money)

If you're going to do sports #

Common for all sports #

  • Towel (one more if there's a sauna)
  • Shower gel (definitely body & hair)
  • Small money

Swimming specific #

  • Swimwear
  • Swimming cap (sometimes it's required)

Martial arts specific #

  • Workout shorts and t-shirt
  • Knee pads
  • Gum shield (or any other protection you use)

Gym specific #

  • Workout shorts and t-shirt

Squash specific #

  • Squash racket
  • Shorts
  • T-Shirt
  • Squash shoes (white is expected)
  • Socks
  • Boxer briefs
  • Squash ball

Iaido specific #

  • Gi
  • Hakama
  • Obi
  • Undershirt
  • Knee pads
  • Bokken / Iaito
  • Sword oiling and cleaning kit (if using a steel iaito)