The last thing you'll want to do upon arriving in a strange city at midnight is go hunting for a convenience store to replace the allergy medicine you left at home. Save money and packing time by keeping a bag stocked with all the items you'll need on any trip. Fill a shaving kit or large makeup bag with travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body and face wash, shaving cream, sunscreen and toothpaste. Keep extra toothbrushes, deodorant and razors in this bag, too, and add medical supplies, such as aspirin and bandages. A woman might even stow doubles of her favorite makeup basics in this bag. Add a travel-sized bottle of your favorite cologne and an extra pair of sunglasses to prepare for any voyage.
Whether you drive to a neighboring county or take 12-hour flights, any overnight travel is made more comfortable with the right pillow. A U-shaped neck pillow doesn't require any effort to keep in place during a long plane ride, but the type filled with foam or soft beads is bulky to carry around. Opt for an inflatable pillow that folds up into its own travel case. A travel blanket is crucial for travel by plane, train or bus. Pick one made of an ultra-soft fabric such as fleece, or if you tend to be too warm, a cool fabric such as satin. If your blanket doesn't come with a tie, fashion one yourself out of ribbon so it will stay in a neat roll when you're not using it. Noise-canceling headphones and a plush eye mask make it easier to sleep anywhere.
There's an element of unpredictability to travel today. Maybe your two-day business trip will turn into a week-long stay, or a storm will leave you stranded in Belgium overnight. Headaches from travel snafus aren't entirely unavoidable, but having all your documents in order and accessible can prevent catastrophe. Keep copies of your license, passport and health insurance cards with you at all times, preferably in a separate piece of luggage from the originals. Before business travel, copy any necessary documents onto a flash drive or print hard copies to keep in your luggage. To ensure you're always reachable, consider contacting your wireless provider to ask about buying a wireless card or similar device that allows you to access the Internet from your laptop even when you're not in range of a wireless network.
Hunt down battery-operated or external chargers for all your favorite devices. When you find yourself on a long journey without access to a power outlet, you'll be able to keep your work computer or MP3 player going. A frequent traveler should also have a few go-to comfortable, travel-friendly outfits for travel days. Stock your closet with pants or skirts with flat, slightly loose waistbands and soft cotton T-shirts, slouchy blazers or cardigans and worn-in loafers or other slip-on shoes. Keep an entire travel outfit clean and set aside to avoid last-minute laundry trips. Buy energy and granola bars in bulk so you can toss a few into your carry-on before any trip, and sign up for a library card if you don't already have one. In addition to paperback thrillers, you may find you can borrow audio books or e-books and load them onto your favorite digital devices.
