You’ve got a big business trip coming up with a million things to do and pack before you go… and this is exactly when mistakes happen! The best way to avoid stress and ensure you leave nothing behind is to utilize a personalized packing list with everything you need to remember. In this guide, you will find the very checklist we use as professional travelers, as well as suggestions on how to modify it to suit your personal needs.
I want to share one of the top tricks I employ whenever a trip is coming up, especially if it’s been a while since I traveled last. The trick is to create a note on my phone tracking everything I use over a day (or two). This includes everything from the earbuds I use on my morning commute to my daily multivitamins and even the blessed Theragun I use to tend to aching muscles at the end of each day.
Using this list alongside a general business trip packing list ensures that I always remember those important, but easily forgettable, items. While it is up to you to realize which items are of personal importance, we’ve got you covered for the rest. This guide covers the absolute essentials for any business trip with plenty of expert tips sprinkled throughout and even provides a downloadable packing list for easy reference.
- Printable Business Trip Packing List
- Identification and Documents
- Clothing
- Electronics and Technology
- Non-Tech Work Essentials
- Toiletries and Personal Items
- Travel Accessories
- How to Pack for a Business Trip
- Business Travel Packing FAQs
Knack’s Downloadable Business Travel Packing List
The first thing you will want to do is download and print our essential Business Trip Packing List if you do not already have your own version. This will ensure you do not forget any of the little things you will need for your business trip.
Simply click the button below.
DOWNLOAD HEREIdentification and Documents
The most important things to remember to pack are your personal identification and business documents. If you forget these, your business trip may end before it even gets started!
Pro tip: Pack the documents you are going to need to get through airport security in the most accessible pocket of your backpack so you can get them in and out quickly.
Passport or Real ID
Beginning May 27, 2025, you will be required to provide a passport or state-issued Real ID to fly domestically. A Real ID is an upgraded form of driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification card with enhanced security. They can be issued at your local DMV.
You can read more about Real IDs by visiting your state DMV’s website, or the Real ID page on the Department of Homeland Security website.
Business/Employee ID
Oftentimes, business trips include conferences or facilities with security requirements. If this applies to you, be sure to bring your Employee ID badge or similar item so you don’t get stuck outside the doors.
Wallet
While you obviously will want to bring your wallet with you, it bears mentioning as it is probably the most important item to remember for your business trip. Make sure you bring some cash for tipping valets and drivers, as well as your business credit card if available.
Boarding Pass
Make sure you have quick access to your boarding pass on your phone, or a printed paper version if preferred. Forgetting it is not disastrous as you can always get one at the desk in the airport, but it will likely hold you up and add stress to your departure.
Visa
If you are flying internationally, be absolutely sure you acquired any necessary visas and that you have proof of this on your person or in your passport. Personally, I always recommend bringing a printed version, as well as a digital copy, in case something happens to your phone.
Transportation and accommodation details
Chances are you have hotel, car rental, and/or transportation details that you will need to show at the airport. Some international destinations even require you to provide the physical address where you will be staying prior to entry. Keep a copy of this information somewhere convenient so you are not scrambling to find it upon arrival.
Itinerary
Most business trips come with an extended itinerary full of meetings, conferences, and events. As an old-school traveler, I prefer to print a physical copy to pin up in my hotel room in addition to having it on my phone (especially if my schedule is jam packed!). Whatever your preferred method, just make sure your itinerary is easy to access or pre-loaded into a calendar app so you know how to navigate each day.
Travel insurance documents
There are two big reasons why it is always a good idea to keep a copy of your travel insurance plan on hand. The first is that you will want to be able to provide it quickly in the event of any kind of emergency. The second is that a situation could arise where you are unsure of whether or not you are covered, in which case you may want to review your policy in the moment.
>> MORE: Minimalist Travel Packing List
Clothing
You don’t need me to tell you to pack your underwear, socks, and shirts. What I can offer, however, is insight into what types of clothes to bring.
The biggest tip I can offer is to focus on versatile clothing items that are comfortable and serve multiple purposes. Consider the duration of your business trip as well as the climate, culture, and dress code for meetings and events. As much as possible, try to choose items that are formal enough for work events but comfortable and casual enough for your free time as well, especially if they layer well.
It also helps to choose tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched for multiple outfits. Neutral colors lend themselves well to this approach.
Shoes take up more space than you realize and can be annoying to pack without getting dirt on your clean clothes. The best option is to limit yourself to just the pair you’ll wear on the flight assuming they are nice enough to keep you looking sharp but are also comfortable enough for walking around the city. If you need to bring a second pair, I suggest using a compressible shoe bag to keep them compact and to prevent soiling adjacent items.
>> MORE: Efficient Ways to Pack Clothes for One Bag Travel
Electronics and Technology
While you’re unlikely to forget your clothes or wallet, it is surprisingly easy to forget a piece of tech that is important to your workflow. As mentioned at the beginning of this guide, keeping a list of the items you use daily is the best way to ensure you have everything you need during your business trip.
- Laptop
- Mouse/keyboard
- Phone
- Chargers
- Headphones/earbuds
- Travel adapters (if necessary)
- Portable power banks
- Kindle
Pro tip: If you’re traveling internationally, consider purchasing an eSIM in advance to ensure your cell phone will work upon arrival.
Non-Tech Work Essentials
Think about what items you need to complete your work on a day-to-day basis, as well as the agenda of your business trip. Are there any essentials you absolutely cannot be without? Some of the most common are:
- Office supplies e.g. notepads, pens, post-it notes
- Business Cards
- Any relevant files or documents
Consider what is a true work essential and be sure to get those packed first.
Pro tip: If you think you’ll need a desk and aren’t confident your accommodation will provide one, consider booking a desk at a coworking space ahead of time.
Toiletries and Personal Items
You must follow the TSA’s “3-1-1 rule” for all toiletries and personal items carried onto the plane. This regulation limits the amount of liquids, gels, and aerosols you can bring to the following:
- 3.4 ounces or less: No container can be larger than 3.4 ounces.
- 1 quart-sized bag: All containers must fit into an individual quart-sized bag.
- 1 bag per person: Each passenger is limited to one quart-sized bag.
This only applies to carry-on baggage. You are free to have larger containers in any checked bags.
Regarding which toiletries and personal items you’ll need, don’t forget medications! I learned long ago to bring plenty of hangover relief such as Tylenol and electrolyte sachets as boozy social nights can be a part of many business trips.
At a glance, here are the toiletries and personal items you are most likely to need:
- Medications
- N95 face masks (if desired for flight)
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Razor/shaving cream
- Hairbrush or comb
- Hairstyling products
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Dry shampoo
- Makeup
- Face cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Female hygiene products
- Spare contact lenses and contact solution
- Hand sanitizer
Pro tip: Most hotels provide some of these items, such as shampoo and conditioner, allowing you to leave yours behind. It is also worth checking if your accommodation has a hair dryer if you require one!
Business Travel Accessories
Traveling for business doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable! These are some of the travel accessories you will want to think about bringing with you to make the trip more relaxing:
- Entertainment (podcasts, downloaded movies, music, reading material, etc)
- Eye mask & ear plugs (or Bluetooth sleep mask)
- Neck pillow
- Snacks
- Reusable water bottle
Pro tip: Leave the umbrella behind! Most hotels provide one and they take up too much space.
How to Pack for a Business Trip
If you are not a frequent traveler, it probably has never occurred to you that there is an art to efficient packing. It’s not as stressful as you may think, however. In fact, I personally enjoy the challenge of getting everything I need for a long trip into limited space.
In this section, I will discuss luggage restrictions and considerations, tips for packing to maximize space and efficiency, and how to pack challenging items such as suits and laptops.
Luggage Tips & Insight
With nearly all major airlines, each passenger is allowed one free carry-on bag and one “personal item”. The carry-on can be stowed in the overhead compartment, while the personal item must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.
You will want to avoid checking a bag whenever possible. Checked bags get lost, which can sabotage your business trip before it begins. Items can also get damaged or even removed during transport as well. Beyond all of that, it also gets expensive to pay for checked bags, especially if you travel often. For these reasons and more, having a highly functional, versatile carry-on travel bag is one of the best investments you can make.
Versatile Travel Bag
I cannot overstate the value of using a versatile travel bag for your business trips. The key is to have one bag that is small enough to not require checking, spacious enough to fit everything you need for your trip, and, ideally, serves as your everyday business bag once you’ve landed and unpacked.
Business professionals who need this versatile “one bag” are exactly who Knack had in mind when they designed their backpacks. Knack backpacks come with countless features that make them an ideal choice for travel and everyday use alike. Most notably, Knack’s patented suitcase compartment expands when you need it and zips away when you don’t so you can use your Knack as both a travel backpack and a sleek, professional everyday backpack.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a game-changer when it comes to organizing and optimizing space in your travel bag, particularly travel packing cubes with compression functionality. Additionally, they make it much easier to unpack and repack at your hotel, quickly transforming your travel bag into your everyday bag.
When packing for a business trip, I prefer to organize my packing cubes by category. For example, I’ll have one packing cube for tops, one for underwear and socks, and one for bottoms. This allows me to quickly find what I need and mix and match versatile clothing.
Alternatively, you can pack your outfits by day or by occasion if you prefer. No matter your organization strategy, packing cubes are certain to make packing for a business trip much easier!
>> MORE: Packing Cube Tips & Travel Hacks: How to Optimize Space for Business Travel
How to Pack Your Laptop
If you do not already own one, I highly recommend purchasing a backpack that has a protective pocket specifically designed for laptops.
If you do not own a travel bag with a dedicated laptop compartment, you will want to layer it amongst your thickest clothes. Your laptop will have quite a journey rolled around airports, thrown into trunks, and crammed into an overhead storage space so it is important you provide it with as much cushioning as possible!
How to Pack a Suit
There is an art to packing suits. If you only require one for your business trip, you may want to consider wearing at least the jacket on the plane as it can be easily taken off and placed on your lap to avoid wrinkles.
When that is not an option, Knack offers the following Top 5 Tips for packing suits:
- Select a large expandable backpack that opens like a suitcase.
- Minimize wrinkles by laying material between your suit coat and pants and using wrinkle-release spray.
- Fold, don’t roll, your suit. While we typically recommend rolling clothes for travel, suits are our special exception.
- Pack your suit jacket and suit pants separately (see detail below).
- Pack your suit last. Leverage packing cubes and shoe bags to optimize bag space and keep your garments clean.
>> MORE: Easy Approach to Packing a Suit
Pack an Easily Accessible Change of Clothes
If you will be meeting clients or colleagues immediately, have a spare change of clothes easily accessible so you’re not wearing the same wrinkled clothes from the plane to make a good first impression.
For long-haul travelers, some airline club lounges have showers available and offer day-use passes. If you're hitting the ground running with meetings and events, it is well-worth checking out whether your arrival airport has these facilities before you leave home!
Pro tip: Pack some breath mints or chewing gum so you don’t have to worry about bad breath after a long flight!
Business Travel Packing FAQs
How do you pack minimally for a business trip?
Pack clothing that is versatile in terms of climate and aesthetic. Neutral colors that can be mixed and matched for multiple outfits go a long way, as do layers that are appropriate for business and casual events alike.
Should I bring a carry-on or checked luggage for my business trip?
It is always best to avoid checking a bag as they can get lost. Remember, you are allowed a carry-on AND a personal item which can be a backpack. With a spacious and highly functional backpack, you should easily be able to avoid checked luggage for 2-3 day business trips.
How can I pack my electronics and chargers efficiently for a business trip?
Many backpacks and luggage sets come with tech-savvy storage. Utilize laptop sleeves and dedicated pockets for secure transport. Beyond that, label and bundle your cords to reduce space. Finally, consider a multi-port charger that can charge many devices at once.
What are the essential items for a business trip packing list?
The essential items to pack for a business trip are:
- Travel documents & ID
- Work tech (laptops, chargers, etc)
- Toiletries & Personal items (especially medications)
- Versatile clothing that doubles as work and casual
- Business cards & work documents
- Breath mints (recycled air on planes can do a number!)
What are some tips for packing wrinkle-free clothes for business trips?
The best way to deal with wrinkles on business trips is known as “the shower trick”. This is where you hang your clothes in the bathroom upon arrival, then take (or run) a hot shower and let the steam do the work. When it comes to packing follow these rules:
- Roll your clothes (but not suits!)
- Use packing cubes
- Pack heavy items on the bottom, and lighter items on the top
- Use tissue paper between layers to reduce friction and prevent wrinkles
- Button and zip all items before packing
