To have a convenient business trip, traveling light is the key to being more agile. But if you plan on integrating leisure into it, it becomes quite challenging. I have listed down some tips and guidelines to help you determine your bleisure travel essentials. Read on to see my very own Bleisure Travel Packing List and use it as a template to maximize your blended business and leisure trip.
At a Glance
How to Pack for a Bleisure Trip
How do you travel light but ensure that all your essentials for a bleisure trip would fit your luggage? The term essential would vary for every individual's preference, profession, and purpose. Here are some guide questions to assist you in defining your essentials.
1. Define the gadgets you absolutely need.
Laptop or tablet?
Do you need a laptop to do specific tasks or is your tablet enough to access all your work applications on the go? Laptops, although portable can be a little heavy and require a certain level of care. On the other hand, a tablet is handier. But will you be able to work with just a tablet? Let's not forget about our chargers and power adapters.
On bulky cameras and accessories
Are you a photographer or a videographer who needs to bring a bulky camera with specific lenses and accessories like a gimbal, a tripod, a charger, extra batteries, etc? Or are you a foodie who wants to post Instagrammable photos? If it's just for your social media feeds or documentation purposes, and your phone camera takes decent photos, you may consider leaving any bulky and fragile cameras behind.
Always on the go?
Then consider bringing a power bank with you. Data connection may be acquired by buying sim packs at the airport, so there's no need to add it to your packing list, but it's undoubtedly essential. Some countries, such as Singapore, have telecom companies that offer data plans that come with local and roaming data. If that's also true for your country, lucky you! Moreover, your number will still be reachable to your clients. Just let them know that they'll be charged with roaming fees. For downloading needs, connect to your wifi at the hotel.
Other necessary gadgets and accessories
Any other item that is needed for you to properly execute your business tasks? Feel free to add it to your essentials list.
Frequent traveler's tip:Â
Use organizers in packing your chargers and adapters. You may also use a multi-port adapter for charging your gadgets simultaneously.
Bring a universal power adaptor. Note that other countries may have different standards for power outlets and it's better to be prepared than be disrupted.
2. What type of outfits will you pack?
Consider your destination's current season.
Then work on your clothing based on it.
What is the purpose of your business travel?
Will you be attending an event or a business meeting? Will you be deploying solutions or will you be a speaker at a world conference? In any of these, there will be suitable outfits that you need to pack. If in doubt, business casual will always be the next best option. Let's not forget about the appropriate shoes and accessories as well.
Length of your stay and drafted leisure activities
This includes both business and leisure parts to determine the number of outfits you need to prepare for the whole trip. Do you need to bring some swimsuits, hats, sandals or sunglasses for your leisure activities? How about warm hats, waterproof boots, or mittens? Please do not forget your sleepwear and undergarments (socks are also undergarments)!
Frequent traveler's tip:Â
Use packing cubes to organize your outfits accordingly. Others organize them based on type - all underwear belongs to a single cube, all PJs in another cube, etc. I am organizing them based on the whole outfit set (top, pants, undergarments). This would save me the hassle of putting them together during the trip and I'll be certain that there's enough clothing for my stay. Some packing cubes can be compressed to save luggage space.
Clothing items, such as pants, accessories, belts, jackets, and shoes, can be reused. Just bring more versatile ones.
Irons are often available in hotel rooms or available on demand to unwrinkle your outfits.
3. Do you need to bring any documents?
Business documents
These may be printed quotations or a contract to be signed. It will be best to have these printed ahead and safely tucked in company folders.
Bring business cards.
Don't forget to hand them out as well for networking.
Bring travel documents
These are Passports, Visas (if required), and IDs. Passports should be valid for the next 6 months.
Do you need to print out other travel-related documents?
Some countries operate paperless but for some, we still need to print out the Flight Itinerary, Hotel Reservations, Arrival Cards, Health Declaration Cards, etc. Generally speaking, countries no longer need a copy of the Vaccination Card but it's always best to check.
Frequent traveler's tip:
Always keep a pen in your bag. You'll never know when you need to write something or sign off anything.
4. Research your destination's custom restrictions
Be wary of these regulations and be guided accordingly.
5. Toiletries and Hygiene
Here are the usual items that the hotel provides.
- shampoo and conditioner
- body wash
- body lotion
- a box with a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste
- tissue
- cotton buds (not always provided)
- disposable razor (not always provided)
- disposable comb (not always provided)
- towels
If you're not keen to use what the hotel provides, here are some tips for packing your toiletries.
On Liquids
Transfer your liquids to small leakproof canisters or purchase them in travel-size bottles. Pack them into a leakproof toiletry bag. Alternatively, a ziplock bag is a perfect option. This is to prevent your stuff from getting soaked should any of these liquids burst during your trip. And trust me, from a frequent traveler's point of view, you're one lucky guy if they don't burst. Also, take note of the 100ml limit per liquid (viscous or free-flowing) on hand-carry baggage. Some countries also limit the toiletry bag to carry only up to a total of 1 Liter liquid and it has to be a transparent bag. Here are items that you can add to this leakproof toiletry bag.
- Shampoos, conditioners, and body lotions
- Feminine wash
- Shaving cream, body spray, hair creams or styling gel
- Liquid Deodorant
On Soaps
Cut your facial and body soaps (if not the same) into small but sufficient pieces.
On Oral Hygiene
Have your oral care kit in a leakproof bag. This would contain dental floss, mouthwash, a small tube of your preferred toothpaste, and a toothbrush of choice. Oral care is particularly important for this type of trip.
On Towels
Towels would take up so much luggage space so it's better to use the hotel's fresh set of towels.
On Feminine Hygiene
Aside from feminine wash, don't forget your feminine hygiene essentials, e.g. pantyliners, or if it's that time of the month - sanitary napkins, tampons, or menstrual cups. These will surely be available in a convenience store near your hotel but it's better to be prepared for these things.
On Grooming
Hotels usually provide razors. For certainty, you may bring disposable razors to maintain a clean, polished look. Don't forget your comb or hairbrush and other hairstyling items.
On Sanitizing
Pack wet wipes, sanitizers, and travel-sized facial tissues in your small utility bag.
6. Any outdoor activities drafted?
If so, do not forget to bring some protection from the outdoors. For tropical countries, it is essential to bring sunscreens, umbrellas, hats, sandals, and mosquito repellants. Pack coats, sweatshirts, warm hats, scarves, and waterproof boots for colder countries.
7. Do you need any medication?
Then by all means, please take them with you with the prescription in small pill organizers. If you do not particularly need any, consider bringing medicine for the usual stuff - paracetamol for headache or flu, loperamide for diarrhea, and ointments for mosquito bites or rashes. Prescriptions for these medications may also be handy. Bring your daily supplements for the trip too.
8. Cash or Card?
Does your destination widely accept credit and debit cards? If not, make sure to have cash in their currency on hand. Frankly, it's always best to bring some cash.
9. What bags will you bring?
a. Do you have a check-in baggage allowance? What is the weight limit?
b. What is your airline's weight limit for carry-on baggage? How many bags are allowed?
c. There are dimension limits for baggage checked in and those hand-carried, kindly check with your airline.
d. Laptops, powerbanks, and other gadgets/accessories with lithium-ion batteries are not allowed for check-in. Best to bring a backpack with a laptop compartment to keep your hands free.
e. Check your airline's baggage guidelines for more info.
Frequent traveler's tip:Â
Aside from your luggage, duffle bags, or backpacks, also bring a small utility bag so your valuables and passport are always within your reach.
Consider using a luggage tracking device such as AirTag to always know where your luggage is.
For all checked-in baggage, take a picture of them a few minutes before dropping them at the counter. This will serve as a reference just in case they get damaged along the trip.
10. Items for comfort and convenience
These are stuff that will make your trip more relaxed such as earplugs, neck pillows, sleeping masks, indoor slippers, Airpods, snacks, and a refillable water bottle (just refill it in the airport after the security check).
Frequent traveler's tip:Â
Make sure to weigh all your luggage after packing to ensure that they're within the allotted weight and adjust your items accordingly. It is better to leave stuff at home than pay for extra kilograms of baggage at check-in.
Having read the guidelines above, you have determined your bleisure travel essentials. You may also use my bleisure travel packing list below for reference. Feel free to download the pdf version.
Kim's Packing List for a Bleisure Trip
I hope this blog post helps you define the essential stuff to bring on your next bleisure travel. To learn more about our recommended spots and activities, please see our website's bleisure page. Enjoy!