Stress-Free Business Trip Packing: How to Pack Like a Pro for Work Travel
From in-person meetings to business dinners and industry conventions, corporate travel helps foster the professional spirit and bring the global community together. Fulfilling? You bet. Stressful? Only if you’re not prepared. We know that work trips are mandatory, but your luggage is a choice. From boarding zones to boardrooms, we have luggage bags and accessories that work overtime so you don't have to.
At Away, we want to bring smart, streamlined travel to your business calendar. That’s why our award-winning luggage, bags, and accessories are designed to keep you organized and on track, so you can find what you need—and rock your event in wrinkle-free business attire.
We also believe that work travel can be more. Sometimes traveling for business can turn into traveling for pleasure, and corporate trips become the perfect opportunity to fit in some jet-setting adventures, with different ways to see the world and experience its diverse charms. There’s nothing better than a business trip to Paris that leaves time to explore the Eiffel Tower, a charming bistro, or famous artwork in the Louvre.
Your business adventure is fast approaching, so it’s time for business travel tips for beginners and anyone else looking for Away's travel-tested hacks. We've got you.
Business Travel Packing 101
Even for the most seasoned adventurers, business travel can present a whole new set of challenges. You’ll need to make sure that you’re ready for work no matter where it takes you; prepare for your work trip and take on that conference, client visit, or on-site meeting worry-free.
Before you start packing, put clothing, accessories, toiletries, tech, and documents into different piles. This makes it easier to see what you’re working with. Next, separate your clothing into casual outfits and business attire.
If you're wondering how to pack a suit so it won’t get all wrinkled during transit, we've got you covered. We’ve learned from experience that there are many right and wrong ways to pack a suit. Waking up late for a morning meeting in London only to find out your suit is a mess? Once was enough, thanks. That’s why we created the Garment Bag. This protective bag has a full zipper down the front, so there’s no need to stuff a pressed suit inside and hope it comes out looking pretty. Use the tiered loops to keep your suit jacket from folding, and then attach the bag to your favorite Away luggage. The built-in metal hook makes hanging a breeze at your hotel.
Once your suit is secure in a garment bag, you can organize additional items in your suitcase with The Insider Packing Cubes. The full-zipper opening and mesh top panel make it easy to grab what you need, and you can keep casual and business wear separate. It’s perfect for delicate fabrics prone to snags or wrinkles—like dress shirts and other business attire.
Pack Like a Pro
If you opt out of a garment bag, no worries, you can still stash it in your carry-on wrinkle free. Here’s the best way to pack a suit in your carry-on: Start with the jacket and lay it face down. Fold the right shoulder back and turn the left shoulder inside out. Carefully slip the folded half into the pocket created by the left shoulder. Then, you’ll fold the jacket horizontally, so the top meets the bottom.
Dress pants and skirts can also wrinkle, so it’s best to fold and roll. Grab the pant leg opening and lift until it meets the knee. Fold. Then, fold the top half of the pants down over this section and roll lengthwise. Adding tissue paper between the layers can help act as a protective cushion as well. Here are a few more of our favorite pro tips:
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Packing organizers are great for keeping items organized and easy to access, and they work for everything from clothes to jewelry to toiletries. Accessorize in style with our Hanging Jewelry Organizer, which does the work of storing your favorite pieces and keeping them tangle-free.
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The Small Toiletry Bag has all the storage you need and all the easy-clean surfaces you could hope for. Spilled a bit of powder? No problem. It’s as easy as 1-2-3: wipe and get on with your day. If you've ever thrown shoes in a bag and discovered the bag ripped during travel, we have good news: The Shoe Cube keeps outside dirt contained and away from your favorite formal wear. It even comes with a handle for easy transport. You're welcome.
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Don’t put your business clothes at the bottom of your luggage because wrinkles are bound to result. Set them aside in a packing cube or garment bag and place on top of the other items.
Creating Your Business Travel Packing List
Luggage is like your home away from home. It’s a place to store your travel must-haves and favorite pieces, but what happens if you don’t bring the right things? Instead of digging through your suitcase for those lucky socks you swear you packed (but never find), make it easy on yourself. Set the stage for business travel success with a packing list sure to become your very own executive assistant.
Here’s what to bring for your next corporate trip, complete with casual wear for when that all-day event ends early or if your business travels fall over a weekend. From wandering through Stockholm’s Gamla Stan city center to savoring the best Parisian cuisine, there’s no shame in squeezing a little ‘you-time’ into your work trip..
Business travel with perks, here we come. Don't forget to tailor the list to your destination.
Clothing
- Suit jackets and blazers
- Dress shirts/blouses
- Skirts/dress pants
- Intimates
- Socks
- Ties
- Formal shoes/flats/heels
- Casual footwear or sneakers
- Casual t-shirts/long-sleeve shirts and pants/shorts
- Pajamas
- Jacket
- Cardigan or sweater
- Workout clothes
- Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Handbag or wallet
- Belt
- Sun hat
- Warm hat and gloves
- Travel first aid kit
- Mini sewing kit
- Snacks
- Reusable water bottle
- Watch or jewelry
- Umbrella
Toiletries
- Travel-size shampoo and conditioner
- Styling products
- Deodorant
- Makeup
- Lotion
- Mouth wash
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Tissues
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Glasses or contacts
- Contact lens solution
- Lip balm
- Razor and shaving cream
- Face wash or wipes
- Menstrual products
- Prescription medications
Travel Documents and Tech
- Credit cards and cash in local currency
- Cell phone
- Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot
- Book or eBook tablet
- Laptop
- Charge cords and power adapters
- Passport and approved travel visas
- Business cards
- Headphones
- Small notebook and pen
Did Someone Say New Luggage?
The right luggage is essential for work travel that’s optimized and efficient. Tangled tech cords? Broken zippers? Not when you travel with Away. Our extensive collection of high-quality suitcases gives you the perfect foundation for organized travel and streamlined adventures.
If you love the look of traditional luggage, consider The Carry-On, which fits into major airline overhead bins and comes in both hardside and Softside styles. This fan-favorite piece has TSA-approved locks, plenty of mesh and zippered pockets, and 360° spinner wheels for effortless travel that avoids the hassle of checking a bag. Plus, it lets you breeze past baggage claim on your way to important meetings, and is compact enough to stash somewhere until you get to your hotel.
Suitcases should also protect what matters most. That’s why our hardside luggage features a durable polycarbonate shell, and each Softside is wrapped in a water-repellant soft exterior. What about protecting your souvenirs, though? We hear you. Zipper expansion and our patented compression system leave more room for those spontaneous purchases—because every trip deserves fun mementos.
For pared-down work trips, we know convenience is key, which is why we made The Softside Compact Carry-On. This compact version of our best-selling Carry-On is the ultimate solution for quick trips, commuters, and light packers alike. No need to haul around a larger suitcase for just a few outfits! With The Softside Compact Carry-On, you can fit all of your business-travel essentials without the headache of an oversized suitcase. Plus, your suitcase slips into all major airline bins with room to spare. If you prefer, you can even slip your Carry-On under the seat ahead of you on some major airlines. Grab-and-go travel couldn’t be easier.
Our Garment Duffle also has a magic trick: It’s one bag for many purposes. Place your pressed suit in the built-in garment bag, and use the main compartment for packing cubes and other organizers. You’ll also find expanding shoe pockets that keep footwear away from clean clothes. This dual wonder even has a laptop sleeve for your device and plenty of zippered pockets for keeping smaller items organized.
Business Trips Made Easy
The next time you're headed to a business meeting in New York or a conference in Vegas, you'll have all the tools to pack what you need, fold like a pro, and keep your business wear looking fresh. To start your trip off right, browse our collection of high-quality luggage, bags, and travel must-haves for a travel uniform designed to look good and work with you. There's nothing better than a perfectly organized suitcase to set you up for business success because you should have a bag that works as hard as you do.