If you’ve been reading Road Warriorette for any length of time, you may know that the packing list for each trip holds a very important, special place in my heart (and trip preparations). I have a formula that I use for planning what I need to pack (which you can get if you sign up for my email list!), and I keep a running list going in my phone the two or three days before my trip. Because I just use Notes (instead of like an actual list-making app) the way I track what I’m packing is by putting “xxx” in front of the item once it’s in my suitcase. If there is anything I need to pack right bef ..read more

A couple of months ago I did a survey of my readers to see what their biggest business travel challenges are. I was a little surprised by what people wrote, but I shouldn’t have been. It’s the same stuff that I struggle with, even after all of this time! Here are the top business travel challenges from Road Warriorette readers, in no particular order: Maintaining any type of healthy lifestyle. Late night dinners? Check. Long days full of meetings? Check. No personal time? Check. Business trips are just not conducive to healthy lifestyles, like, at all. You have to fight hard to maintain any t ..read more

A few years ago I started putting together all of my suggestions for planning an international business trip. There were a lot of topics, including passport and visa requirements, vaccinations, credit cards, safety, packing, time changes, culture shock, and more. I’m prepping for another major international trip, and reading through these posts has been incredibly helpful. Last year I started updating them but ran out of time and couldn’t finish. Now that I’m headed on another international trip I’m finishing!Hopefully they’ll make someone else’s next big trip a little easier. A decade ago whe ..read more

As I enter the last week of preparation before my India trip I’m turning my attention to the entertainment I’ll need during the one million hours of travel. I’ve gotten a few recommendations, and I’m looking at some of my favorite shows and books to enjoy again. But if you have suggestions for a fun book or podcast, please let me know in the comments! Here are some of the podcasts I’m enjoying right now, and will definitely listen to on my trip: Forever 35.  Listening to these two friends talk about skincare products, self care, and life in general is fun, uplifting, and engaging. Mom Rage. Re ..read more

Everyone’s favorite, the one day trip. Leave at 5am, return home at midnight, if you’re lucky.  In my younger days (mid to late twenties) I would do one-day trips all the time with no problem. Once I had kids and couldn’t just sleep endlessly to recover one-day trips became much harder. And honestly, now that I’m older I just need more sleep to function well at work! Alas, a couple of weeks ago I had an unplanned, unintentional one-day trip. I was heading to the airport to catch my flight to Nashville (thru DFW) when I got the dreaded text: Your flight has been delayed. Text followed text with ..read more

What is the best way and best timing for business travelers to tell their boss that they’re pregnant? Reader C asks… My job requires 50% travel but in reality I travel less than 20%. I am expecting my first baby early next year and my doctor would like me to stop travel in my 3rd trimester. How/ when do I approach work with this?  Do I start with a conversation with HR or my boss? Any advice would be appreciated.  Congratulations!!! So exciting. And also so stressful, especially for frequent travelers. We’ve talked about how far in advance of a trip you should tell your boss you’re pregnant, s ..read more

I’ve got a couple of international trips coming up, including India which requires a visa. The visa process can be cumbersome and a little overwhelming, especially when you go through it the first time. Here are some tips for making it less painful. And apologies in advance–this is long.  Find out if you need one Not all countries require a visa. There are a number of websites that will give you country-specific information about visas, but I prefer the US State Department. Simply click the country you plan to visit on the map and you will find a wealth of up-to-date information. Read the requ ..read more

Is it possible to find a quality rolling briefcase for business travel under $100? Reader L asks… Hi Road Warriorette! I have been traveling regularly for work for years and am usually gone for 3 days. I found out that over the next year I’ll be doing a lot of one day trips and I think I need a rolling briefcase. I’ve had shoulder issues over the years and don’t want to carry a heavy bag. I can’t spend more than $100 and would prefer a black one that’s not ugly. Do you have any suggestions? Oh man. Those one day trips can be so hard! After flight delays last week I inadvertently took a one day ..read more

Travel when you’re not feeling well is no fun! But is it possible to make it manageable? Reader J asks…. I’ve had allergies for the last few weeks that have unfortunately turned into a sinus infection. I have to travel this week to a conference and I know I will be miserable. Any tips for making it less awful?  Ugh, that is no fun at all. I have been there. I’ve flown with food poisoning, sinus infections, ear infections (that was pretty awful), migraines, and a reaction from the flu shot, not to mention a broken foot.  Traveling when you’re not feeling good is unfortunately one of those thing ..read more

Boarding airplanes is an exercise in frustration and annoyance. People are slow, don’t pay attention, and take waaaaaaay too long to get into their seat once they get to their row.  Don’t be slow! With a little planning getting into your airplane seat quickly and getting out of the way of other passengers is completely doable. After all, the faster you’re seated the sooner you get to catch up on the latest episode of So You Think You Can Dance! Everyone wins. Do you think you’ll need to take things out of your suitcase or backpack before putting it into the overhead bin? Before boarding get ev ..read more