Business travel can be an exciting opportunity for young entrepreneurs and professionals. While it may feel thrilling, that thrill can quickly wear off when the stress of travel and business trips sets in. If you want to travel smarter instead of harder and ensure that your trip goes smoothly, here are a few must-follow tips.

Never Check a Bag

Checking a bag is a pitfall that you need to avoid. Time is money when you are traveling for work and baggage claim is the easiest way to eat up unnecessary time. The last thing you’ll want to do is hold up your client or your colleagues with long and unnecessary wait times.

Learn to Pack Smart

There is a true art to packing a bag, especially when you are traveling for work. Place heavier items at the bottom of your carry-on so that they don’t result in additional wrinkles. Other hacks like rolling clothes when you can, bringing dry cleaning bags, and using luggage dividers can maximize space and efficiency. Don’t forget to keep items like your laptop and toiletries easily accessible for security.

Prioritize Practicality

When you travel as a professional, you should always be prioritizing practicality. Everything from the clothing you pack to bringing backups of essential items like a laptop or cellphone charger to having on-the-go snacks can make you a smarter business traveler. Nothing can slow you down when you have practicality at the forefront of your planning.

Don’t Solely Rely on Technology

While technology has transformed business travel, you shouldn’t be solely reliant on it. The reality is that electronic devices can falter and fail or run out of battery. Always bring hard copies of your travel documents with you to avoid unnecessary stress, frustration, and delays.

Sign up for Benefits

While there are many benefits while traveling for work, many young professionals miss out on a key perk, loyalty programs benefits. While you are traveling, you may be racking up numerous points, miles, and rewards. You can use these for fun or make future trips more enjoyable.

Use Your Time Wisely

Time is one of the most coveted resources on business trips. Instead of wasting time scrolling through social media, use your travel time to do something more meaningful. Whether you choose to reconnect over the phone with a friend, explore the area, read a good book or even catch up on email, there are plenty of ways that you can spend your time intentionally while traveling.

Don’t let your trip get away from you when all it takes is a bit of smart planning. Use these tips to ensure that you set yourself up for a successful trip.