What is the best work travel advice you’ve ever been given?

A) Have a schedule and B) Be vigilant in sticking to your schedule.

1. Carry-on luggage only
2. Always carry snacks (found myself starving a few times and learned it the hard way)
3. Wear layers and bring a scarf. These aircons can be tricky.
4. Try to adjust quickly to different timezones - if needed with some herbal support.

for international travel:
1. book transport in advance through your auditee; use hotel approved taxis only.
2. allow extra time, if possible, to accommodate for inefficient use of time (e.g., re-scheduled interviews, delays in obtaining supporting doc's)
3. only carry on you what you can afford to have stolen during daily journeys. So, have 2 wallets - one for daily use and one for your travel to/ from the airport. That goes for jewelry, too.
4. curb your adventures for food and drink. rather than street food, go to recommended establishments. For some countries, only drink fizzy water so you know the water isn't coming from a recycled bottle/ tap water in the back of the restaurant. Sickness = delays in completing fieldwork.
5. stay in hotel rooms that are within reach of a fire truck ladder, regardless of existence of emergency exits/ fire alarm systems.
6. double check you have all your recommended immunizations well in advance of travel, as sometimes it takes days/ weeks for your body to build up the resistance. immunizations the day before travel is a no-no.
7. curb your adventures - safety in numbers/ consider how you will get back to the hotel if working late into the night and you are on your own/ item 3, above.
8. depending on some countries, get some cash in advance. airport cash exchanges can be closed on your arrival and not everyone accepts cards.
9. stock your hotel room with basic healthy food and drinks as a back up plan when dining out doesn't work out (e.g., fruits, nuts, water).
10. acknowledge the fact that all your preparation will not be 100% effective (e.g., your credit card won't work at the train ticket kiosk).
Safe Travels!!

Always plan for flexibility—build in extra time for delays and have a backup plan, because the unexpected always happens when you travel for work.

Top 6
1️⃣ Mon–Thu travel, Fri back (1–2 days per stop + buffer, arrive early for timezones)
2️⃣ Local colleague runs schedule (preload maps/transport apps, pre-checkin flights, hotels + backup docs)
3️⃣ Stay connected & powered (Otter, eSIM, power bank, 2-device rule, local currency)
4️⃣ Pack smart & stay healthy (shoes, swim kit, one dinner outfit, hydrate, eat less/move more)
5️⃣ Track & follow up (photo receipts, greet-thank customers before/during/after, 48hr follow-up)
6️⃣ Bridge cultures & balance roles (learn phrases, gift norms, master facilitator → Sat/Sun family only)