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The Top 8 Business Travel Management Tools

  • Written by Lyle Del Vecchio
  • 18 min read

Top 8 Business Travel Management Tools

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Business travel management involves planning, booking, and managing all aspects of corporate travel, including flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and expenses.
  • Corporate travel management software streamlines business travel processes by automating tasks such as booking flights, tracking expenses, and providing insights into travel spending patterns.

Effective business travel management can lead to cost savings, increased employee satisfaction, and improved productivity.

  • The right travel management solution can help ensure compliance with company policies, provide valuable insights into travel spending, and streamline the entire travel process.

Business travel can be both exciting and exhausting. Between booking flights, finding accommodations, and managing expenses, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not, weary traveler!

The right business travel management tools can save you time, money, and countless headaches.

In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 tools every business traveler should have in their arsenal and answer some common questions about business travel management.

What Is Business Travel Management?

Business travel management refers to planning, booking, and managing all aspects of corporate travel. This includes arranging flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and managing expenses related to business trips.

A well-managed business travel program ensures employees have a seamless travel experience while controlling costs.

How Do You Manage a Company’s Travel?

Managing company travel involves setting clear travel policies, selecting preferred vendors, implementing a centralized booking system, and using a robust expense management tool.

Regularly reviewing and analyzing travel data can also help identify areas for improvement and cost savings.

This brings us to the question, should you allow your employees to handle their own travel arrangements?

Allowing employees to handle their own corporate travel booking can have several advantages:

Flexibility and Autonomy

Allowing employees to book their own business travel gives them the flexibility and autonomy to choose travel arrangements that suit their preferences and needs. This can lead to higher employee satisfaction and a sense of ownership over their travel plans.

Time and Cost Efficiency

Employees may better understand their travel requirements and preferences, which can result in quicker decision-making and efficient bookings. Allowing employees to take charge of their travel arrangements reduces the burden on travel managers or administrative staff, freeing them up to focus on other important tasks.

Cost Control

When employees are responsible for booking their own travel, they tend to be more mindful of costs. They can search for the best deals, compare prices, and choose options aligned with budget guidelines. This level of cost-consciousness can contribute to overall travel cost savings for the company.

Empowerment and Trust

Allowing employees to book their own business travel demonstrates trust and empowers them to make decisions in line with company policies. It promotes a sense of responsibility and accountability, fostering a positive work environment.

Personalized Preferences

Employees may have specific preferences regarding travel arrangements, such as seat preferences, hotel amenities, or airline loyalty programs. Allowing them to book their own travel enables them to customize their travel experience and may contribute to their overall comfort and productivity during business trips.

Advantages of employees handling their own corporate travel booking

However, it is essential to establish clear guidelines and policies to ensure travel policy compliance and manage potential risks.

Travel Policy

Have a well-defined travel and expense policy that outlines guidelines for bookings, preferred vendors, budget limits, and reimbursement procedures.

Communicate the policy clearly to employees to ensure they understand the expectations and limitations. It should clearly outline what expenses are reimbursable, whether or not they can use their personal credit card or will be required to use a company card, etc.

Approval Process

Implement an approval process to ensure that travel bookings meet company requirements and align with the travel policy.

This allows managers to review and authorize travel requests, ensuring consistency and control over travel arrangements.

Expense Reporting

Set up a standardized expense reporting process to ensure accurate and timely expense reimbursements .

Provide employees with clear instructions on submitting expense claims and the necessary supporting documentation. You should also consider introducing a dedicated app for travel and expense management to automate expense management .

Communication and Support

Maintain open lines of communication with employees to address any questions or concerns they may have about booking their own travel.

Offer support and assistance when needed, such as providing resources for finding the best deals or offering guidance on travel-related matters.

What Is Corporate Travel Management Software?

Corporate travel management software is designed to streamline and automate various aspects of business travel management.

These tools can help book flights and accommodations, track expenses, and provide insights into travel spending patterns.

They can also integrate with other systems, such as accounting or HR software, for seamless data transfer and workflow management.

What Is the Difference Between Business Travel and Leisure Travel?

Business travel refers to trips taken for work-related purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, or visiting clients.

On the other hand, leisure travel is taken for personal enjoyment and relaxation.

While both types of travel involve similar activities (booking flights, accommodations, etc.), business travel typically has additional requirements, such as expense tracking and adherence to corporate travel program policies.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the best travel management software. Consider how often people travel, the types of travel, etc., when making your choice.

What Are the Benefits of Business Travel Management?

By streamlining the booking process, enforcing travel policies, and automating expense reporting, companies can reduce travel-related stress for employees and ensure they have a positive travel experience.

Benefits of business travel management

How Do You Find a Corporate Travel Management App?

When searching for a corporate travel management app, consider factors such as ease of use, integration capabilities, customization options, pricing, and customer support.

Researching online reviews and seeking recommendations from colleagues or industry peers can also help identify the best app for your needs.

Additionally, many corporate travel management apps offer free trials that can provide an opportunity to explore the features and determine if it is a good fit.

Once you’ve identified a travel management app, ensuring all stakeholders are on board with its implementation is important.

Create usage guidelines for employees and ensure everyone understands the policies for booking flights, hotels, etc.

This helps with risk management to ensure employees aren’t booking personal travel on your dime or spending excess on car rentals, meals, and entertainment.

How Do You Book Flights for Business Travel?

Booking flights for business travel can be done through a corporate travel management tool, which centralizes bookings and approvals while providing personalized recommendations based on traveler preferences.

Alternatively, flights can be booked directly through airlines or third-party platforms, though this may not offer the same level of control and oversight as a dedicated tool.

What Is a Corporate Travel App?

A mobile corporate travel app is designed to streamline and simplify booking and managing business travel.

These apps often provide features such as real-time flight alerts, itinerary organization, and expense tracking, making them an essential tool for busy professionals on the go.

The Top 8 Business Travel Management Tools: In-Depth

Planergy for business travel and expense management.

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without us mentioning our own tool.

With our business travel and expense management software, you can easily track and manage employee travel, allowable expenses for reimbursement, create expense reports, and more.

Our travel and expense management system works hand-in-hand with our procurement software to give finance teams a comprehensive control and oversight on all spend management.

TripIt: Your Personal Itinerary Wizard

TripIt is a comprehensive itinerary organizer that consolidates all your travel plans in one place, making it easy to access and share with colleagues.

The app also sends real-time flight alerts to keep you informed about any changes to your flights.

Additionally, TripIt offers helpful features such as maps and directions, ensuring you can easily navigate your destination. With its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with your email, TripIt makes managing your travel plans a breeze.

TravelPerk: One-Stop-Shop for Travel Bookings and Approvals

TravelPerk is a comprehensive solution for booking and managing corporate travel. The platform centralizes bookings and approvals, streamlining the process and saving time.

With transparent pricing and flexible options, TravelPerk ensures you get the best value for your travel budget.

The robust reporting dashboard provides insights into travel spending patterns, enabling you to identify areas for improvement and cost savings.

TravelPerk’s user-friendly interface makes managing all aspects of your business travel easy.

Airbnb for Work: Unconventional Accommodations for Business Travelers

Airbnb for Work offers unique accommodations tailored for business travel, providing a more comfortable and personalized experience than traditional hotels.

The platform simplifies group bookings, making coordinating travel arrangements for your team easy.

Additionally, Airbnb for Work offers convenient workspaces and meeting rooms that can be booked on demand. The platform also features experiences and team-building activities, enhancing your trip and promoting team bonding.

PackPoint: Handy Tool To Ensure You Pack Everything You Need

Packpoint is a handy packing app that can simplify preparations for your business travel by ensuring you have all the items you need for your trip.

By avoiding forgetting essential items, devices, or documents you can avoid any last-minute panic, cost incurred, or time wasted trying to replace them during your trip before your presentation or meeting.

Not having to worry about missing items will avoid disruption to your schedule and ensure you can perform your tasks effectively.

Packpoint will even make suggestions based on your destination, the weather forecast, and the activities you have planned.

Egencia: Comprehensive Corporate Travel Management

Egencia is a complete corporate travel management platform that offers a user-friendly mobile app for booking and managing trips.

The tool provides 24/7 customer support and travel assistance, ensuring you have access to help whenever you need it.

With its robust features and comprehensive approach to travel management, Egencia makes it easy to stay organized and in control of your business travel.

SAP Concur: Integrated Travel, Expense, and Invoice Management

SAP Concur is a powerful platform that combines travel, expense, and invoice management in one centralized solution.

The tool allows for seamless data transfer and workflow management, ensuring all aspects of your travel process are integrated and efficient.

Customizable policy enforcement and approval workflows help ensure compliance with company policies, while detailed analytics and insights into travel spending enable you to make informed decisions about your travel program.

Google Travel: Plan and Track Trips Easily

Google Travel , previously known as Google Trips, helps you plan trips and will centralize all your travel information by linking it to your Google account.

By guiding you through the process and identifying the most useful information and best offers it simplifies the planning process and keeps everything in one place.

Not just for business travel, Google Travel is equally useful for leisure and family trips.

Top 8 business travel management tools

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are business travel management tools.

Business travel management tools are software applications and platforms that help organizations and individuals streamline and optimize their travel planning, booking, and expense management processes.

How Can Business Travel Management Tools Benefit My Organization?

These tools can save time, enhance productivity, improve cost control, and ensure compliance with travel policies. They provide a centralized platform for managing travel-related tasks, such as booking flights, tracking expenses, and creating itineraries.

Are These Tools Suitable for Small Businesses As Well?

Absolutely! Many of these tools cater to businesses of all sizes, including small and medium enterprises. They offer scalable solutions that can be tailored to your organization’s specific needs.

Can I Integrate These Tools With Our Existing Systems?

Most business travel management tools offer integration capabilities with popular travel booking platforms, accounting software, ERPs, and other relevant software. This ensures seamless data flow and minimizes manual effort.

Are These Tools Secure?

Reputable travel management tools employ robust security measures to protect your data. They utilize encryption, secure connections, and adhere to industry standards to safeguard sensitive information.

How Do I Choose the Right Tool for My Organization?

Consider your specific travel management needs, budget, scalability, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness. It’s also beneficial to read reviews, request demos, and evaluate multiple options before deciding.

Simplify Your Corporate Travel Expense Management With These Tools

Efficiently managing business travel is crucial for organizations of all sizes. From itinerary creation and business expense tracking to policy compliance and analytics, you have everything you need to stay on top of business travel.

By leveraging these tools, you can optimize your travel planning, save time, reduce costs, and ensure a seamless travel experience for your team.

Embrace the power of technology and make your business travel management a breeze with these innovative tools.

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3. learn best practices for purchasing, finance, and more.

Browse hundreds of articles , containing an amazing number of useful tools, techniques, and best practices. Many readers tell us they would have paid consultants for the advice in these articles.

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Top 20 best apps for business travelers

Best business travel apps, 1. travelperk.

TravelPerk App store

App Details:

  • Platforms supported : iOS, Android
  • Languages supported : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
  • Premium : $99/month + 3% booking fee
  • Pro : $299/month + 3% booking fee
  • Enterprise : custom

See why so many businesses are choosing TravelPerk

2. tripadvisor.

Tripadvisor Appstore

  • Languages supported : 30+ languages supported, including English, Arabic,  French, German, and more 
  • Pricing : Free to browse, 5-20% booking fee added automatically when booking

Flio Appstore

  • Languages supported : 10+ languages supported, including English, French, German, Italian, and more
  • Pricing : Free to use

4. LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy Appstore

  • Platforms supported : iOS
  • Languages supported : English
  • Pricing : Free to browse, booking lounge incurs lounge fees (location specific)

Airbnb App Store

  • Languages supported : 45+ languages supported,, including English, Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, Romanian, French, and more 
  • Pricing : Free to use, 14% service fee (based on booking subtotal)

6. GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide Appstore

  • Languages supported : 10+ languages supported, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and more 

Best business travel apps for getting around

7. citymapper.

CityMapper Appstore

  • Languages supported : 10+ languages supported, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and more 
  • Pricing : Free to use. Citymapper PASS gives the holder access to free public transport, cycles, and cabs for £34.70/week (London only).

8. Google Maps

Google Maps Appstore

  • Languages supported : 30+ languages supported,, including English, Arabic, Catalan, French, Spanish, and more 

Busuu Appstore

  • Languages supported : 10+ languages supported, including English, Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and more 
  • Premium: $9.99/month
  • Premium Plus: $13.99/month

10. The right taxi app in the right place

Taxi Apps

11. Google Translate

Google Translate Appstore

  • Languages supported : 55+ languages supported, including English, Spanish, Arabic, and more 

Best apps for managing travel spend

12. expensify.

Expensify Appstore

  • Pricing : Pricing split into businesses and self-employed/individuals/entrepreneurs. Free plan offers limited functionalities. Paid plans start at $20 per user per month for businesses, or $4.99 month for individuals. 

13. Valuta+

Valuta Appstore

  • Languages supported : 15+ languages supported, including English, Arabic,, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish

Best virtual wallet apps

14. apple wallet.

Apple Wallet

  • Languages supported : 30+ languages supported, including English, Arabic, Catalan, and more 
  • Pricing : Free money transfers and payments using debit card, 3% fee for sending money to friends and family. No fee for credit card payments.

15. Google Pay

Google Pay Appstore

  • Languages supported : 30+ languages supported, including native languages 
  • Pricing : Free debit card friend and family transfers and payments, 2.9% charge if using a credit card.

Best apps for working remotely

16. camcard.

CamCard Appstore

  • Platforms supported : iOS, Android, Windows
  • Languages supported : English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese
  • Pricing : Free version offers limited scans and features ads. Paid version  starts at $8.49/month for unlimited scans, ad-free experience, and multi-device support.

17. Workfrom

Workfrom Appstore

  • Pricing : Free, pricing specific to chosen workspace.

18. Google Drive

Google Drive Appstore

  • Languages supported : 60+ languages supported, , including English, Arabic, French, Italian, German, and more 

19. Croissant

Croissant Appstore

  • Pricing : Varies depending on location. Check out full pricing details here .

20. ClassPass

ClassPass Appstore

  • Languages supported : 10+ languages supported, including English, French, German, Japanese, and more 
  • 8 credits, $19/month
  • 23 credits, $49/month
  • 43 credits, $89/month
  • 80 credits, $159/month
  • 100 credits, $199/month

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Top tips on how to plan a business trip

business travel planner

Follow these 6 steps for an effective business trip:

  • Make your travel arrangements well in advance
  • Select your accommodation based on both price and convenience
  • Create an itinerary

Research your destination

  • Remember your electronics, accessories and travel documents
  • Prepare for your meeting

In today’s digital world, we can communicate across different time zones at a moment’s notice. However, when it comes to brokering a big deal or fostering a solid and long-lasting business relationship, nothing beats face-to-face interaction.  

Corporate travel is still so important, and it’s equally important for anyone making a business trip to prepare thoroughly. When you arrive at your destination relaxed and well-prepared, you’re better equipped to make a good impression and focus on the purpose of your meeting. Preparation lets your mind focus on the here and now, making sure you stay on the ball in that all-important meeting. If you’d like to fine-tune how you get ready for your next excursion, follow these essential tips to become an effective business trip planner.

Make travel arrangements

Whether it’s your name on the travel documents or you’re a travel manager, planning business travel thoroughly is important. Your first step should always be to familiarize yourself with your company’s corporate travel policy . You’re making travel arrangements for a business trip, not planning a personal or a short break, so being compliant with your company policy is essential.

Next, it’s time to book your travel. This may involve traveling by air, rail, car hire or even boat. Think about the journey door-to-door, balancing travel times against cost and convenience. Visualize the various steps of the trip from A to B. Consider details like how long it will take to move between airport and railway station, the time it takes to fill out paperwork at the vehicle hire company, and whether luggage storage might be useful. Use multiple sources and different comparison sites, researching which companies are offering the best deals. Again, be aware of any budget restraints in your company’s travel policy.

Don’t forget the small details. Does the airplane have Wi-Fi so you can work on the move? Would leaving a day earlier allow you to arrive at your first meeting better rested and prepared? At this stage, the more carefully you prepare, the more confident and relaxed you’ll be when you depart.

Select your accommodation

Preparing business travel is, of course, only half the job. Choosing the best accommodation for your requirements is also essential. If you’ve only got one meeting place to reach, make sure you book a hotel that’s nearby – rather than be swayed by a more luxurious option that might be a stressful 45 minute trip away. Use maps on your smartphone to measure distances from the station or airport to your hotel – and remember the roads and transport networks will be busier at certain times of day.

Check your company’s hotel policies to see if there are any preferred hotels - you might be able to get a good deal too. When considering the cost, make sure you compare rates for similar types of accommodation and make sure you select something that’s fairly priced – some companies even stipulate a cost per day that would limit the choice of hotels.

It’s also a good idea to pay close attention to the amenities at the hotel. Some tourist-focused hotels may serve breakfast too late for your early starts, and as a business traveler you’re likely to want free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, plenty of power points for charging your devices. CWT Hotel Intel gives travelers access to trusted peer hotel reviews and can be a handy tool for business trip planners.

Create a detailed itinerary

Your itinerary is your blueprint for a successful business trip. Use it to stay in control of every detail – from transport times and the names of those you’re meeting, to your travel reservations and hotel address. Be sure to allow yourself extra time on your itinerary for relaxing, meetings that have been delayed or overrun, and busy traffic. Consider using a specially designed tool like the myCWT app , which syncs your itinerary with work calendars, and allows travelers to share this with colleagues. This is handy from a communication and efficiency perspective, and as a safety measure if you’re travelling to an unfamiliar destination.

It may be that you’re traveling to a destination you are familiar with and feel comfortable in. Or, you may be entering unchartered territory. If that’s the case, research is essential to avoid unnecessary risk. For example, some cities are well known for pick pockets, so you’ll need to be extra careful when storing important and expensive items like phones in your pockets. Depending on where you’re going, reading up on the current political situation at your destination could also be prudent.

Perhaps you’re traveling to a city or country with a different culture and customs to your own. Avoid looking foolish or, worse, causing offence, by researching the differences in behavior and manners before you arrive. For example, if you’re taking potential clients for a meal, do you know the etiquette on tipping, or when to give people your business cards? Or, if you’re visiting a country where English isn’t the common language, you could even learn a few basic phrases, such as greetings and “thank you”, which could make all the difference when making a good first impression.

Prepare your travel documents

Hours of careful preparation and research will all be wasted if you forget vital travel documents. Traveling between countries requires a current, valid passport, travel tickets and sometimes a visa. It’s key to research whether or not you need a visa as soon as possible, even if you are just transiting through a country, without stepping foot outside the airport. Some embassies can take a number of days or even weeks to issue visas. Even if you’re not traveling to a different country, you may need photo ID to clarify that your name corresponds to the one on the ticket - your passport or driving license are the best options so keep them safe at all times.

Remember your electronic accessories

Stay as productive as possible on your trip by taking a laptop or tablet – it’ll make your travel time really count. Remember to pack the relevant chargers and adapters, too. You can usually pick these up at the airport when you’re passing through, but being prepared is key and will save you time and money in the long run.

Get ready for your meeting

So you’ve followed all the right steps for planning a business trip, but what about your business objectives and the meeting itself? Making a note of what you hope to achieve on the trip can help improve your focus - even if you simply want to reach out to new contacts or gain a general overview of potential new client. Arm yourself with as much information as possible about the people you’ll meet, as well as the places they’ll be. What’s the dress code? If you’re visiting an industrial site, for example, will you need sturdy shoes? If you’re going to be giving a presentation, what format will it take and will your host have the equipment you need? Simply emailing ahead to check if they have suitable screens and cables can ensure you avoid embarrassing delays or confusion that would get your meeting off to an awkward start. That first impression counts so give yourself the best chance of making a good one.

By setting aside the time to prepare, conducting some detailed research and following these business travel tips, you can optimize your chances of a productive and enjoyable trip.

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25 Business Travel Planning Tips for 2024

business travel planner

As someone who frequently travels for business, you know just how crucial it is to plan for each trip. From booking flights and accommodations to scheduling meetings and events, there are countless factors to consider when it comes to business travel planning. But with the right approach, you can make the process easier, more efficient, and less stressful. 

This blog post will provide an easy guide to business travel planning with tips and strategies to help you stay organized and get the most out of your travels.

Top 25 Business Travel Planning Tips

Corporate Travel Management

1. Determine Your Travel Needs

Before you begin making any arrangements for your trip, you'll need to figure out your travel needs. This includes identifying the purpose of your trip, the dates you'll be traveling, and any specific requirements you have.

For example, will you need to rent a car, hire a driver, or take public transportation? Do you need to be in a specific location for a meeting or event at a particular time? Make a list of all your travel needs so you can refer to it as you plan your trip. 

2. Set Your Budget

Once you've identified your travel needs, it's time to set your budget. This will help determine how much you can spend on flights, accommodations, transportation, meals, and other expenses. 

Be sure to account for your company policies or restrictions, such as maximum daily allowances for meals or limits on travel expenses. 

3. Book Flights and Accommodations

You can begin booking flights and accommodations once you know your travel needs and budget for flights; book as early as possible to get the best prices and seat selections. 

You can use online travel booking sites like Expedia, Kayak, or Orbitz to compare prices and find the best deals. Regarding accommodations, consider factors like location, amenities, and price. Sites like Airbnb and Booking.com can help you find many options in your desired location. 

4. Plan Your Schedule

With your flights and accommodations booked, you can start planning your schedule. See if any meetings or events are on your calendar or if you have to schedule them during your trip.

You can use a calendar app like Google Calendar or Outlook to keep track of your schedule and be sure to account for any time differences between your home base and your destination. You can also use travel planning apps like TripIt to consolidate all your travel details in one place. 

5. Pack Efficiently

For many, packing is one of the most stressful parts of business travel planning, but it doesn't have to be. With a bit of planning, you can pack efficiently and avoid overpacking.

Make a packing list that includes all the items you'll need for your trip, and be sure to consider the climate and culture of your destination. Maximize space in your luggage using packing cubes or compression bags, and choose versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched. 

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Here's a business travel checklist to get you started.

6. Manage Expenses

Managing expenses is a critical part of business travel planning. Keep all your receipts and record your expenses as you go. You can use apps like Expensify or Concur to track your expenses and create expense reports which you can directly upload to your company's corporate travel management software . Adhere to all the travel policies of your company or restrictions regarding expenses, and don't hesitate to ask for clarification if you're unsure. 

7. Stay Connected

Staying connected while on a business trip is essential. Please ensure you have all the necessary devices and chargers, and consider using a mobile hotspot or buying a local SIM card for internet access. 

You can also use apps like Skype or Zoom to stay connected with colleagues and clients, and consider using a VPN to access secure company networks while traveling. 

8. Stay Healthy

Staying healthy while on a business trip is also crucial. Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and exercise regularly. You can also research local health risks and take appropriate precautions, such as vaccinating or using insect repellent. If you're traveling internationally, be sure to bring any necessary medications or prescriptions with you. 

9. Be Prepared for Emergencies

No matter how well you plan, emergencies can still arise during business travel —plan for emergencies, such as lost or stolen luggage, flight cancellations, or medical emergencies. 

Keep important documents like your passport and travel itinerary in a secure location, and make sure you have emergency contact information for your company, travel provider, and local authorities. 

10. Reflect and Learn

After your business trip, take some time to reflect on areas of improvement and what worked well. Did you encounter any unexpected challenges? Were there any areas where you could have been better prepared or more efficient? You can use what you learned to enhance your travel planning process for future trips. 

11. Make the Most of Your Downtime

While business travel primarily focuses on work, making the most of your downtime is essential. Use your free time to explore the local area, try new restaurants, or attend cultural events. It can help you recharge and also make your trip more enjoyable. 

12. Network and Build Relationships

Business travel is also an opportunity to network and build relationships with colleagues, clients, and other professionals. Attend networking events, schedule one-on-one meetings, and engage in informal conversations with others in your field. Building relationships can help you advance your career and make future business trips more productive. 

13. Consider Travel Rewards Programs

If you frequently travel for business, it's worth considering travel rewards programs to help you save money and earn perks. Many airlines, hotels, and car rental companies offer loyalty programs that provide benefits like free upgrades, priority boarding, and discounted rates. Research your options and sign up for programs that align with your travel needs and preferences. 

14. Follow Travel Safety Guidelines

Travel safety is always a top priority, especially after the global pandemic. Follow all relevant travel safety guidelines, such as properly and regularly washing your hands and wearing a mask in areas where air quality or illness are a risk. Stay updated on any travel restrictions at your destination, and be prepared to adjust your plans if necessary. 

15. Use Travel Planning Services

If you need more time or expertise to plan your business trip, consider using business travel solutions or planning services. Many companies offer customized travel planning services to help you with everything from booking flights and accommodations to scheduling meetings and events. It can help you save time and ensure your trip is well-organized and productive. 

16. Take Advantage of Technology

Technology can be a valuable tool for business travel planning. You can use apps like Google Maps or Citymapper to navigate your destination, and consider using translation apps like Google Translate to communicate with locals.

You can also use productivity apps like Trello or Asana to stay on top of your tasks and deadlines and document scanning apps like CamScanner to keep track of important documents. 

17. Be Flexible

Finally, it's essential to be flexible regarding business travel planning. Unexpected changes can arise, such as flight delays or last-minute meetings. Try to remain flexible, and be prepared to adjust your plans as needed. You can have a successful, stress-free business trip by staying open-minded and solution-focused. 

18. Consider Cultural Differences

When traveling to a different country or region, it's crucial to consider cultural differences. This can include language barriers, customs, and social norms. Research the local culture before your trip and try to learn some key phrases in the local language. Awareness of cultural differences can help you avoid misunderstandings and build stronger relationships with locals. 

Business Travel

19. Use Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can provide significant protection in case of unexpected events during your trip. It can include medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage. Consider purchasing travel insurance before your trip to ensure protection during unforeseen circumstances. 

20. Stay Productive During Transit

Business travel often involves long transit periods, such as flights or train rides. Use this time to stay productive by catching up on work or reading relevant materials. Consider bringing a laptop or tablet, noise-canceling headphones, and any necessary chargers or adapters to maximize your time and stay on top of your tasks. 

21. Consider Sustainable Travel Practices

Sustainable travel practices can help reduce your environmental impact while traveling for business. This can include using public transportation or carpooling, choosing eco-friendly accommodations, and minimizing plastic waste. Consider incorporating sustainable practices into your travel planning to help promote a healthier planet. 

22. Choose the Right Travel Credit Card

A travel credit card can be valuable for business travel. Look for cards that offer rewards like points or miles that you can redeem for flights, hotels, or other travel-related expenses. You can also benefit from credit cards that cover travel and rental car insurance. Consider different cards' annual fees, interest rates, and rewards programs before choosing. 

23. Consider Time Zone Differences

Time zone differences can be challenging when traveling for business, particularly when scheduling meetings or calls. Use a time zone converter app like Time Zone Converter or World Clock to stay on top of the time differences between your location and destination. Be prepared to adjust your schedule accordingly to ensure you're available during critical times. 

24. Be Mindful of Jet Lag

Jet lag can be a significant challenge when traveling across multiple time zones. Please be aware of the symptoms of jet lag, such as fatigue, headaches, and difficulty sleeping, and take steps to minimize its impact. This can include staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and adjusting your sleep schedule before your trip. 

25. Plan for Time Off After Your Trip

Finally, planning for time off after your business trip is important. Returning to work immediately after a long journey can be physically and mentally challenging. Please take a day or two off after your trip to rest and recover before returning to work to ensure you're ready to tackle your next professional challenge.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, business travel planning can be daunting, but you can make it easier and more efficient with the right approach. Determining your travel needs and following these tips can ensure a successful and productive business trip. Happy travels!

Cvent Guest

Cvent is a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider with more than 4,000 employees, ~21,000 customers, and 200,000 users worldwide.

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  1. The Top 8 Business Travel Management Tools

    Business travel management refers to planning, booking, and managing all aspects of corporate travel. This includes arranging flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and managing expenses related to business trips. A well-managed business travel program ensures employees have a seamless travel experience while controlling costs.

  2. Business travel management

    The ultimate tool for business travel. Booking.com for Business is an easy-to-use business travel platform where you can book and manage trips for free. Enjoy exclusive business rates, earn loyalty points, and benefit from complimentary 24/7 support from the leading travel management company CWT.

  3. Business Travel Arrangements: A Step-By-Step Planning Guide

    Planning can open massive doors of opportunity, put you into a fantastic position to enjoy the trip, and help you make the most of your time out in the field. In this post, you’re going to learn everything you need to know to start planning and executing business travel arrangements. Let’s dive in and get started. Table of Contents. 1.

  4. Top 20 best apps for business travelers

    7. CityMapper. The ultimate public transit and mapping service. CityMapper is available in big cities across Europe, Asia, and North America. The mobile app provides reliable and accurate routes — great for business days filled with meetings, hotels, and restaurants across town.

  5. Top tips on how to plan a business trip

    Follow these 6 steps for an effective business trip: Make your travel arrangements well in advance. Select your accommodation based on both price and convenience. Create an itinerary. Research your destination. Remember your electronics, accessories and travel documents. Prepare for your meeting. In today’s digital world, we can communicate ...

  6. How to Plan a Business Trip

    A copy of your detailed itinerary. Travel documents, such as your passport and driver’s license, plus a physical and digital copy of these important documents that you pack in your carry on. Back-ups of presentations, sell pieces, brochures, and other important business materials. Extra business cards. Credit cards and cash.

  7. Business Travel Planning App

    2. Book a complete trip using Neo™. Now here’s a special new feature that will make booking a cinch: Travelers who use Neo to book their travel now can do so within Amex GBT Mobile. All you need to do is click on the “book your own travel” button within the “Booking” tab and in a few clicks, you can reserve your flight, hotel and ...

  8. Corporate Travel Management Tool

    Corporate travel management that's easy and free. Plan, book, and manage your business travel all in one place – at no extra cost. Choose from a wide selection of hotels, flights, and car rentals, plus discounted business rates. Register.

  9. 25 Business Travel Planning Tips for 2024

    Many companies offer customized travel planning services to help you with everything from booking flights and accommodations to scheduling meetings and events. It can help you save time and ensure your trip is well-organized and productive. 16. Take Advantage of Technology. Technology can be a valuable tool for business travel planning.

  10. Business travel management

    The ultimate tool for business travel. Booking.com for Business is an easy-to-use business travel platform, where you can book and manage trips for free. Enjoy exclusive business rates, earn loyalty points, and benefit from complimentary 24/7 support from leading travel management company CWT.