The Ultimate Packing List for Business Trips: Everything You Need for Your Success
A successful business trip doesn't start at the airport, but already when packing. Because important questions should ideally be asked in advance: How many outfits do I need for the trip? What do I pack if I'm on the road for a week? With our compact business trip packing list and our practical tips, you are perfectly prepared for your next trip and always have the most important documents, devices, and clothing items ready. Whether it’s the right shoes for the next meeting or the necessary technical equipment – here you will find everything you need for your business travels.
What should you take with you?
The amount of clothing and other items you should pack for your business trip depends mainly on the following factors:
- Length of trip
- Planned activities
- Destination
- Laundry options at the destination
Depending on these aspects, you should approach packing your suitcase. Our packing list can serve as a guide for you!
Business trip packing list as a PDF to check off! Download it here as a file:
Business Trip Checklist PDF
1. Documents & Papers
Important travel documents are essential for a smooth process during your business trip. Make sure to have all necessary papers at hand to avoid delays. These include:
- Passport or ID card
- Visa (if required)
- Driver’s license
- Flight and train tickets
- Insurance card
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Important contacts, addresses, and phone numbers (printed or noted down)
- Business cards
For your business cards, you can find suitable business card holders in our online shop.
2. Clothing
The choice of the right clothing is crucial for a professional appearance during your business trip. Your packing list should include both formal outfits for meetings and casual clothes for leisure:
● Business outfits: dresses, blazers, suits
● Shirts / blouses
● Ties / scarves
● Jacket or coat (depending on the weather)
● Underwear
● Socks
● Comfortable shoes (for leisure)
● Smart shoes (for meetings and appointments)
● Casual clothes (for the evening)
● Pajamas
● Accessories and jewelry: watch, belt, glasses
3. Toiletries
Good personal hygiene not only contributes to your well-being but also leaves a positive, well-groomed impression in your professional environment. Make sure you have the following toiletries and items in your luggage have:
● Toothpaste and toothbrush
● Shower gel and shampoo
● Deodorant
● Razor and shaving foam
● Hairbrush or comb
● Hair ties and clips
● Face cream and body lotion
● Make-up, make-up remover
● Contact lenses and care products
● Feminine hygiene products: pads, tampons
● Disinfectant
● Nail scissors or file
● Toiletry bag or pouch
Please note: If you are traveling with hand luggage only, you should carry care and cosmetic products in travel sizes, as liquids in your luggage are only allowed in containers of a maximum of 100 ml. You can learn more about the hand luggage regulations in our article “What is allowed in hand luggage: Do’s & Don’ts”.
4. Travel first aid kit
Besides care products, a small travel first aid kit should also be included in your luggage:
- Your own medications
- Blister plasters
- Headache tablets
- Cough drops
- Travel sickness tablets
- Insect repellent spray (depending on destination)
5. Finances
To ensure you never run short of money on your business trip, you should make sure to bring these things:
- Cash (for trips abroad)
- Credit card / debit card
6. Technical devices
No business trip succeeds without the necessary technical equipment. Store all devices and their accessories carefully to be able to work productively at any time.
- Laptop / tablet
- Chargers for technical devices
- Smartphone
- Power bank
- USB stick / external hard drive (for important data)
- Power adapter (if necessary)
7. Other items
Some things are not necessarily essential for your packing list but can make your trip more comfortable and pleasant. Consider which personal items might help you relax or use your time wisely during the trip. Here are some of our recommendations for your packing list:
- Books, magazines or e-reader
- Snacks for on the go
- Refillable water bottle
- Travel guide
- Earplugs / headphones
- Travel pillow for the flight
- Small travel games
Wondering which suitcase size is ideal for your next trip? We show you the available sizes and which suitcase is suitable when.
Tips for your business trip:
On a business trip, not only the packing list is important but also how you pack all the items on it:
- Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space and avoid wrinkles.
- Use packing cubes or bags to sort different items like clothes, toiletries, and technology, which makes organizing and unpacking easier.
- Place heavy items at the bottom of the suitcase or backpack to ensure stability and distribute the weight evenly.
Conclusion: For a successful business trip, careful preparation and a well-thought-out packing list and strategy are crucial. The right selection of clothing, hygiene products, and technical devices helps you to appear professional and also be well taken care of personally. This way, you can focus on what matters during your trip: achieving your business goals!
