General

Customer and Culture

• Standard customer office attire (dress appropriately)
• Preferred on-site hours (start, lunch, end)
• Primary points of contact:
  • Confirm availability (doctor appointments, meetings, etc.)
• Parking facilities (if needed)

Weather and Climate

• Remember to add the destination to your weather apps
• Check the forecast for the time you expect to be in the area
• Pack accordingly (umbrella, coat, light jacket, hat, gloves, etc.)

Luggage / Carry-on

• Light as possible and tough as possible (or as you can afford)
• Choose as if it will be drop-kicked by an angry baggage guy about to quit
• Backpacks: strong straps and stitching, lots of pockets, secure closures
• Choose unusual colors or markings to easily identify in a pile of other bags

Local Amenities

• Review map of work and hotel areas: restaurants, pubs, retail, grocery, etc.
• Read the reviews and ratings
• Solicit local recommendations if possible

Attire

• Pack enough to cover on-site days plus one day longer
• If staying over a weekend, pack for one week and plan for laundry
• Shoes: work, casual, running/walking
• Socks: work, other
• T-shirts, underwear: 1 for each day, plus 1 or 2 more
• Dress shirts:
  • Cleaners: pressed and packed for travel -or-
  • Pack as-is and iron them at the hotel

Gadgets

• Charge batteries the night before travel
• Make sure charger packs are fully charged (if you don't have one, buy one)
• (1) cable for each toy: USB Micro, USB Mini, USB Type-C, etc.
• USB Hub (4-port, powered)
• Ethernet cable
• USB thumb drives
• Twist-ties or Velcro ties

Airlines / Airports

• Sign-up for bonus/reward programs early
• Sign-up for TSA PreCheck or Global PreCheck
• Avoid check-in baggage if possible (especially for shorter trips)
• Gate-check carry-on bags to lighten your load (and save money)
• Keep driver's license and ticket handy. Everything else in your carry-on or backpack
  • Gets through TSA screening faster
• Earbuds!!!
• Long flights (4 hrs or longer)
  • Get aisle seat or exit row if possible
  • Neck pillow
  • Download Netflix movies before flying
  • Update and download podcasts
  • Bring sweater/sweatshirt/pullover in case plane is chilly
  • Pack snack bars and a bottle of water

Hotels

• Sign-up for bonus/reward programs early
• Check-in early (via app)
• If arriving before check-in time, ask to leave bags in locked room until check-in time
• Light sleepers: Ask for a room away from other people if possible
• Check out the room before unpacking:
  • Bath and shower
  • Toilet and sink
  • Thermostat
  • Bed
  • Desk, chairs, sofas, etc.
  • If anything is broken or unsatisfactory: ask for another room
• Tip each day for room service

Public Transportation

• Subways, trains, buses, scooters, etc.
• Walk as much as possible (best for health)