It’s been a while since we’ve discussed business travel — especially business travel must-haves. What things do you find indispensable in your travels? What do you keep packed in your bag, or make sure to bring or restock? In general what are your best business travel packing tips?

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Some of the things readers have noted in the past are below in the graphic — the previously recommended travel humidifier (which blew my mind, great tip) is sold out, alas, so I’d love to hear if anyone has a new reliable one they love.

Business Travel Packing Tips: Readers’ Favorites

Business Travel Packing Tips

What Tech to Bring

Readers have noted that laptop privacy screens were important — not only do they help with glare, they block the monitor from view unless you’re immediately in front of the screen. Handy.

Extra cords, portable chargers, and (for international travel), travel adapters are awesome. If you’re in the U.S., at least, I’d also recommend a wall tap, which is the official name for “that thingy” that gives you extra outlets and USB chargers. It takes up almost no space, and can be great at the hotel as well as if you’re traveling and someone else has already claimed the charger. (Ask first, obviously.)

(I’m also bummed that Anker’s bright red portable battery charger that plugged in is no more — the bright red always seemed so smart if you were traveling with it. I just got this newer, slimmer Anker model, and it does the job reliably.)

Note that if you’ve got a bag with a charger, such as the Away bags, you have to remove the charger if you’re checking the bag; even if you’re just using it as a carry on they warn that you should be ready to demonstrate at the gate how to remove the charger.

Personal Items to Keep Packed

There are a ton of things that you can keep packed in your bag in miniature sizes or limited portions, such as Advil and other OTC medications, nail files or clippers, hand lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, perfume, makeup remover, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and so forth.

(I’ve even gone so far as to keep a bag of makeup packed just for trips – generally unopened sample-sized things like mascara, or affordable/less-preferred things like eye liner, eyebrow pencil or gel, or more.)

Some things are especially great to keep handy for when you land to refresh yourself – face misting spray, for example — Caudalie and Evian’s face mists have always been reader favorites — or disposable toothbrushes or tooth wipes.

Business Travel Packing Tips: Some Of Our Must-Haves

Food to Bring on Business Travel

A number of readers have noted that they love bringing tiny bottles of Tabasco sauce to spice up boring airplane or hotel meals — others even noted that you can find packets of Tabasco sauce at Panera, and occasionally World Market has sriracha packets. (Amazon has a 6-pack of Tabasco miniatures for under $14.)

Readers have also noted that ginger tablets can be really helpful in case of motion sickness. (I’m also a fan of these basic motion sickness bands.)

I tend to always have a protein bar in an outside bag pocket — handy in case of emergency. Ditto for Liquid IV or other hydration packets — so handy if you’re not drinking as much water as you normally do.

(I’m also a fan of bringing reusable water bottles when I travel — I vastly prefer cold water so it’s easy to pop it into the fridge at night and have nice cold water ready for when I wake up. I tend to bring Nalgene bottles because they’re so lightweight, but obviously S’well, Hydroflask, or Stanley ones are really popular now.)

Also note that Minimus.biz is a website specializing in travel-sized products for personal care, food and dressings, and other travel accessories.

Block It Out: Noise! Lights!

Especially if you’ve got long flights for your business trip, an eye mask to block out light can be great. This Ostrich Pillow mask is compact but also serves as a pillow against the window (brilliant). If you’d prefer just a really good eye mask, I have this one from Manta and can confirm it blocks 100% of the light.

Noise-canceling things were also high on everyone’s list – Bose Quiet Comfort headphones, Loop earplugs, or even just your basic ear plugs.

While we’re talking about filtering and blocking things — this is a huge personal preference, but you might also want to consider keeping some face masks like N95s tucked into your carry-on bag in case someone on the plane has a nasty cough, there’s an exciting new disease/variant circulating, you’re sitting for a long time at the gate but not in the air, or other reasons. The 3M Aura N95 comes individually wrapped and gets rave reviews for comfort.

Clothes and Shoes to Pack for Your Business Trip

A Lightweight Travel Scarf

The old office pashmina is a classic for a reason — it’s an extra layer of warmth (even over a blazer or coat), it can be used as a travel pillow, or you can drape it over a skirt while sitting if you want a bit more modesty. (If, for example, you’re like me and often sit cross-legged.)

Some of our favorite office pashminas as of 2023: black / green / gray (lighter weight) / lavender ($20!!). If you’re looking for more of a ruana jacket, I highly recommend the Brooks Brothers’ ones!

Foldable Flats

These can be a great backup if your regular shoes turn out to be uncomfortable — they can also be worn around the hotel room as slippers. Because they fold down so small (and, for many of them, are so affordable), you can easily keep these in your bag…

Related: Totes with Travel Sleeves

Hunting for lightweight carry-ons with a trolley sleeve for your rolling bag? As of 2023, Tumi, Lo & Sons, Cole Haan, Vera Bradley, and Baggalini are your best bets if you’re looking for quality — but here are some other options (including super affordable Amazon ones) below. (Kat has this one and likes it!)

You also may want to look into travel cup holders like this one, designed to go on your rolling bag.

Related: Travel-Friendly Suits for Women

Hunting for travel-friendly suits for women? As of 2023, some of our favorites include these brands: 1) M.M.LaFleur, 2) Ministry of Supply, 3) Brooks Brothers, and 4) Talbots — you may also want to check out our roundup of washable suits for women!

Readers, how about you — what are your top business travel packing tips? What are the things you keep packed, restock, or always make sure you bring? What do you keep packed in your bag, or make sure to bring or restock? In general what are your best business travel packing tips?

Stock photo via Stencil.