Business travel always seems to ramp up after the holidays and while it’s nice to get back into routine with the start of the new year, it’s also the perfect time to make routines more efficient! If you’re hoping to get more organized as a resolution for 2026, let’s start by talking about how to be more organized with your business travel.

You know I love a good checklist! And with travel, specifically? A master checklist is critical. Create a travel checklist that includes all essentials (ID/passports, chargers, business cards, toiletries, attire, etc.). Use a digital checklist app, such as Evernote, so that it’s reusable for every trip! Physical copies are also helpful, but we recommend printing two copies – one for before traveling and one to keep in your suitcase for use when you return. This way, you can ensure everything makes it back home with you!

A digital checklist app isn’t the only app that will prove helpful on a business trip. Expensify can help you keep your receipts and expenses organized in one place while you’re away. Expensify also lets you book travel (flights/hotels/cars) and add virtual business/corporate cards all within the app.

We also highly recommend TripIt. The TripIt app is great for organizing your itineraries, hotel bookings, and meetings all in one place. It’s user-friendly, makes building itineraries simple, and provides the option to set reminders while you travel. We of course also encourage you to use an airline app if traveling by flight. Find and download your airline app to check in early, track your flights, and get gate-change notifications directly to your phone in real time.

We are strong believers that you will have a much smoother trip if you book everything in advance. Obviously, you’ll have less stressful travels if you book flights, accommodations, and rental cars ahead of time. We also recommend making restaurant reservations in advance when able! This will help you avoid last-minute stress and guarantee mealtimes that will work within your schedule.

Another thing you can do before traveling to stay organized (and save money!) is stick to one airline and hotel chain. This allows you to earn loyalty points and build status for perks (such as priority boarding or free upgrades!) Staying consistent with these companies also helps streamline booking each time you travel.

Digitizing important documents will also make life easier when you’re on a trip. Scan in your IDs/passports and insurance documents to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.) before you leave. This allows easy access during your travels and provides you with a backup copy just in case you lose something!

You want to always try to pack lightly, and with a purpose! When possible, use a carry-on only. With only a carry-on, you won’t have to wait around for baggage claim at the airport, and it will ensure everything makes it on (and off) the plane with you.

When physically packing your items in your suitcase…roll your clothes! Rolling clothes (as opposed to folding them) not only saves space, but it reduces wrinkles as well. Use packing cubes to keep your bag organized and to make unpacking at your destination quicker. Pre-pack items you always need and keep them in your suitcase so that you are not starting from scratch each time. Items that may be great to have pre-packed include toiletries, cables, adapters, and first-aid (Band-Aids, painkillers, etc.). Make sure everything is travel-sized to reduce space and allow you to carry on.

While traveling, sync your calendar: add travel times, meetings, and time zone adjustments so that nothing overlaps or gets missed while you’re away. Keep receipts and track your daily expenses. (Again, apps such as Expensify are great tools for doing this quickly and efficiently!) Always charge all your devices before departure and add a power bank to your luggage. Also, be sure not to forget a universal adapter if you are traveling internationally!

When you reach your destination, unpack right away. Doing so will help you feel settled, and it keeps your room tidy. A tidy living space allows you to stay focused and relaxed during your trip. Find a good workspace to use at your hotel or a nearby coworking space. And it’s never a bad idea to bring noise-cancelling headphones with you! They will help you have better focus if the only available workspaces are public.

Make sure to schedule downtime for yourself, even if it’s only for a short walk or a proper meal! Take breaks to recharge so you don’t burn out and derail productivity.

Oftentimes, the hardest part of traveling for work is returning to your everyday office routine! Post-trip will be less chaotic if you submit all expenses immediately. Don’t delay this – it’s easiest when the trip details are still fresh in your mind, and you don’t want it to be forgotten.

Review what worked/didn’t work. Was your itinerary too full? Did you forget something? Reflect on how the trip went and make sure to adjust your packing checklist accordingly. Maintain a travel folder where you keep records of previous trips and expenses. This will help with future planning and budgeting. Don’t forget to include any key details you’ve learned, especially if something went wrong or did not go according to plan. Having these details recorded and accessible makes it easier to avoid them in the future.

We hope that these tips bring you peace of mind and more seamless travel in 2026! If you know you have a LOT of business travel approaching in the year ahead and want a more personalized travel “overhaul,” our inbox is always open. We’d be happy to help you create your packing lists and/or itinerary so that 100% of your time, energy, and focus can remain on the business part of your business travel.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Tonia