If you are preparing for business travel, you may be in a quandary about exactly what you need to do and why. After all, preparing for a business trip isn’t quite like preparing for a pleasure trip. A business trip could be just the same as going to work with the added complication of being out of your office! Here are a few ideas to help you plan for your business trip in a way that reduces stress, supports productivity, and leaves a little room for fun!

While savvy travelers know that buying tickets directly from airlines saves them money, they also know that package deals from online travel agencies are an opportunity to save. By getting a single deal that includes airfare, hotel stay and car rental, a traveler can save money overall, even if certain portions of the package could be bought more cheaply on their own.

Take along at least one dressy outfit with you when you travel. The more formal clothes are, they harder they are to pack and care for. Nevertheless, making the effort to bring one set of classy duds prepares you to take advantage of unplanned opportunities that may arise on your trip. You don’t want to miss out on a wonderful dinner invitation because you have nothing to wear but shorts!

When traveling with a baby, be sure to make a list of the necessary items that you use at home a few days before your trip. Since traveling with a baby is a new travel experience, it is very easy to forget about things you take for granted at home. By working on the list early, you will be able to keep note of everything that you use.

If you are staying at a hostel or camping while traveling, you may want to scout out other locations to use the restroom. Bathroom facilities at may hostels may be unclean to the point of disgusting, while the bathroom at the fast food joint down the street at least has to maintain a minimum level of sanitation.

It can be beneficial when traveling to put together a large group of friends and family to travel with. In a large group, one will be less vunerable to criminals targeting lone tourists who look like ‘easy pickings.’ You will also have the added bonus of sharing your trip with the ones you are close to.

If you are traveling with kids, have them bring toys and games for the ride. When kids are bored, not only will they bother you with constant questions about when you will get to the desired location, but you will also find yourself making more stops for bathroom breaks and fast-food, as they try to find ways to entertain themselves.

Some hotels have video games in them for you to use. If you’re traveling with kids, ask the front desk to disconnect these. Most of the time as soon as they’re turned on they’ll bill you for playing them. So if you take a shower you may not notice your kids have been playing them until you get your bill at checkout.

Flexibility pays when it comes to booking your plane ticket! If your arrival or departure dates aren’t set in stone, you can often times find better deals on tickets. Likewise, if you’re willing to depart from a variety of airports in the area, you can often save big bucks.

If you plan to travel with children it is best to think ahead. Kids are not the easiest to vacation with and will need quite a few entertainment tools to keep them happy. If you make a list in advance, you will know exactly what to bring when you travel.

If you and a group of family or friends are traveling by car, bring a walkie talkie wherever you go. Cell phones need to have a cell tower in order to work properly. Walkie talkies only need each other, making them more beneficial than the phones when you are traveling in rural areas that might not have cell phone coverage.

Buses have long been looked upon as a cheap, uncivil way to travel. However, travel via bus is much better today than it used to be. Buses are clean and have amenities like Wi-fi and outlets to plug in your electronics. You can find several bus companies that provide trips to and from large cities.

You can easily use your trip as an opportunity to teach your children about financial responsibility by allowing them a souvenir budget if they are old enough. They can then pick things that they want and learn about spending and saving. When it’s all gone, avoid caving in and giving them more.

It is possible to keep your diet in check when you travel and stay in a hotel. While you are at the hotel, skip the minibar. Also, if the hotel offers a Continental breakfast, stick to the healthier options such as, cereal, eggs and fruits. If your room has a refrigerator or microwave, it might be best to bring food from home that has the nutritional content that you are familiar with.

When filling out your luggage tag, do not put your home address on it. Instead, fill in your business address. This is beneficial should your luggage get into the wrong hands– you do not want a thief to know your home address. Also, put your business phone number on the tag instead of your home or cell number.

When traveling away from home you will be tempted by many different things. Instead of spending most of your time at the buffet, take advantage of the hotel gym that you will have access to. You can stay fit and energized when traveling.

So remember, avoiding rushing is the key to successful business travel. By planning your travel well ahead of your meetings and obligations, you will be able to save some money, relax and have a good time. See if you can take a day off before and after the trip to avoid feeling pressured and rushed. In this way, you will have a productive and enjoyable business trip.