Setting off to a new country so often you forget where you are, dinning a different cuisine every other week and always waking up in fresh cotton sheets at another hotel that you are staying at, might sound like the ultimate goal in life. However, the reality is much bleaker than the rosy images conjured up in your mind.
Between the stress of travelling, delayed flights, sometimes uncomfortable beds, jet-lag and frequent toilet visits after trying that spicy Moroccan cous-cous, being a business travel can be far less enjoyable than thought of at first glance.
With years of experience under his belt, founder of travel comparison website Compare and Choose, Alan Lynch, shares his top tips for how you can embrace life as a business traveller.
Fail to plan, plan to fail
The old saying goes measure seven times, cut once. The same applies to travelling for business or pleasure – preparation is key! This includes knowing your flight times, getting to the airport on time, planning your journey out and getting to your hotel. For a business trip, it’s best to travel light, in case of any delays and you have to rush straight to your first client meeting. Always plan your route out to the airport and pre-book your airport transfers, so your journey there is stress-free in case all Uber drivers just happen to be busy when you need to head out to the airport.
Be proactive in-flight
Use your flight time to meeting prep or ticking off admin to-do tasks that you’ve been pushing back. The more you can do while you’re travelling, the less you’ll have to do once you land, which means you might even have enough time to grab a nice dinner later in the evening.
Make the most of your free time
Take care of your wellbeing and allow yourself some free time to explore local museums, touristy must-see places or sample local cuisine. Sometimes a little bit of ‘off’ time is healthy for the soul and helps you re-charge, which in return can boost your creative thinking and help you spot data inaccuracies when you review it with a fresh set of rested eyes.
Don’t stray from routine
For some people, the most difficult thing about regular business travel is the lack of a routine. This can make you feel fatigued, tired and create bad habits. Regardless of where you are in the world, it’s important that you make a conscious effort to eat healthily and exercise, as you would at home. If you usually exercise in the morning before work, then make sure to carry those healthy habits over, when you are travelling, this will also help you not to over overindulge at the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.
Treat yourself
A frequent flyer card comes with its perks, maximise those while your travelling. Redeem your collected points for your personal trips. Everyone needs to kick back once in a while, so why not do it in that one place that you enjoyed so much when you were there for business?
Grab your Airport lounge pass from Priority Pass.
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