Being the capital of the United States, Washington DC is a hub of frequent flyers who are traveling internationally for business. Be it for delivering presentations, making new connections, inspecting new supply lines, or researching a market, if it’s your first international business trip, it can be an intimidating experience.
Proper and thorough planning is essential to make it a roaring success. So, you need a checklist that makes the trip as seamless and stress-free as possible. That checklist should certainly have point-to-point transportation. It helps you dependably arrive to time-sensitive meetings while arming you with the ability to get last-minute work done during your commute in a private and comfortable environment.
The Ultimate Checklist For Conquering International Business Travel:
1. Before Boarding
Make sure you have the following things in order before boarding your flight:
- Airport Transportation – You can choose anything from a yellow cab to public transport options to reach the airport. However, are those options reliable enough? Commuter trains and buses have low frequency and you have to be lucky to get a clean and reliable yellow cab. We suggest opting for an airport car service in Washington DC. They are way more reliable with executive chauffeurs who can get you to the airport on time with their extensive knowledge of all the routes.
- Documentation – Double-check your passport and ensure that it’s valid for a significant period beyond your travel dates. At least a couple of months more in case you get stuck in a new country for some reason. Your passport should also have all the required visas. Don’t forget any sensitive business documents either and put them all in a secured briefcase or file. Get digital copies of all your documents as well for good measure. They make your travel more convenient and come in handy in case you lose the physical copies.
- Install the travel apps – Travel apps include everything that makes your international travel more convenient and safer. It comprises of everything from translation apps to navigation apps. You may as well add specialized apps like Smart Traveler (A specialized app created by the US State Department for US citizens traveling to unstable regions of the world) if you are traveling to sensitive regions.
- Pack light and efficient – Since you aren’t traveling for Insta-worthy shots, pack lightly and efficiently with wrinkle-free and versatile pieces. Don’t forget universal adapters and power banks for your electronic devices and an inflatable comfy pillow for long flights.
2. Arrive And Acclimatize
When you arrive in a new country, there are a few things you can do to eliminate travel challenges:
- Adjust your sleep schedule – If it’s a long flight to a distant country and you’re arriving at an odd time, there’s going to be a significant gap in time zones. Beat the jet lag with short, strategic, and frequent naps on the flight.
- Switch currencies – You have an arsenal of cards and have informed your bank about the business travel so that they don’t block your transactions. However, cash always comes in handy. Exchange a small amount of your cash for local currency.
- Book point-to-point transportation – If you’re in a hurry with a tight schedule, reliable point-to-point transport helps you to storm through all the meetings and local errands seamlessly. It may even free up your schedule for exploring the tourist sights.
3. Local Customs And Personal Well-Being
Let’s look at the nitty-gritty details that cement the success of your business trip:
- Research local customs and etiquette – If you are traveling to a country with a completely foreign culture and customs, research the business etiquette and local customs so that you aren’t caught in an awkward situation. Respecting local customs and etiquette also impresses your clients, leaves a good impression on your business partners, and makes your meeting more fruitful.
- Ensure your safety and personal well-being – Despite being the capital, Washington DC has a higher crime rate compared to the national average. If you’re visiting the capital for business travel, ensure your own safety with quality sedan service in Washington DC. These premium black car services come with all the amenities to make you as comfortable and productive as possible and you have the option for additional services like armed guards for enhanced safety.
Pack smart, stay safe, and embrace the culture of the new place you are visiting. Don’t forget to complement your trip with airport town car service in Washington DC to stay on schedule and arrive in style.