How to Make a Business Travel Checklist

When you travel for business, it's essential that you remain organized and on schedule in order to have your trip progress as smoothly as possible. By writing a business travel checklist before you leave, you can check off each important item, and ensure that you have everything you need before you walk out the door. Read on to learn how to make a business travel checklist.

Instructions

1. Open up Microsoft Word, or another word processing program, and type "Business Travel Checklist" at the top of the document. Creating and storing the checklist on your computer is the easiest way to make updates to it when necessary.

2. Remind yourself to stock your work bag or briefcase with all the business-related items you need for the trip. These may include a printed copy of the presentation or speech you're giving, any work you may have to complete en route, pens, business cards, notepads, a calculator and any travel documents, including plane tickets and hotel confirmation numbers.

3. Add an item to the list to ensure you pack a second set of business clothes and toiletries in your carry-on bag, in case your luggage is lost on the way to your destination.

4. Write down a reminder to tie up any loose ends at the office before departing, including answering emails, finishing up projects, setting up "Out of office" responses on your phone and your computer's email system and notifying coworkers that you are going out of town.

5. Make note of your need to pack any electronic equipment, including PDAs, cell phones, digital music players, your laptop and an extra battery for your laptop.

6. Jot down a reminder to confirm all reservations, including plane, train, car service, hotel and dining reservations.

7. Print several copies of this business travel checklist, in addition to saving a copy on your computer's hard drive, to refer to when planning your next trip.

Tips & Warnings

• Always pack your important documents and personal information, including your wallet, passport and any information vital to your business meeting or conference in your carry-on bag.

• Leave your contact information, including the names, addresses and phone numbers of the hotels where you are staying, with a family member so they can reach you while you're away.

• Consider making a separate list to remind yourself of the specific items of clothing you'll need to pack for your business trip to suit the various functions you'll attend.

• Avoid checking any bags, if at all possible. If your trip is relatively short, try and pack everything you need in a carry-on bag, so as to prevent the nightmare of lost luggage.