Many people look forward to business trips with lukewarm enthusiasm at best. If you’re tired of returning from business trips feeling exhausted and drained, try the following tips for getting more from your business travel. From choosing furnished apartments over standard hotels to attending community events, there are several ways that travelers can beat the business trip blues. Following are five strategies designed to minimize the stress of traveling to a strange city on business and turn it into an enjoyable experience.
Arrange Transportation to and From the Airport
Counting on catching a taxi to your accommodations after reaching your destination may result in spending frustrating hours at the airport trying to find a ride to your hotel. Busy, unfamiliar airports are difficult to navigate, and those with local knowledge have and edge when it comes to transportation. Arranging transportation to the airport both coming and going from trips decreases chances of missed flights and other travel mishaps.
Book a Comfortable Short Term Rental
Even the most upscale hotel environments are generic and sterile. Furnished apartments are better because they provide a comfortable ambiance conducive to relaxation, and they are often located in charming residential neighborhoods rather than in noisy business districts. Nonetheless, they come equipped with the amenities that commercial travelers need. One of their main features is individual, in-house wifi connections that aren’t shared with the occupants of an entire hotel floor.
Research Area Coffee Shops and Restaurants
Visiting local establishments makes a stay in any city more pleasant. Researching these in advance gives you places to go right from the start of your visit. Steering clear of chain restaurants and coffee shops allows visitors a more authentic experience. You might even strike up conversations with local residents while you’re enjoying a meal or beverage.
Attend at Least One Community Activity
If possible, try to attend at least one community activity. Festivals, fairs, art walks, and other types of events are commonplace in many cities. Spending an hour or two living life like a local will recharge your batteries.
Investigate Local Transportation Options
You may automatically believe that your transportation needs while in the city in question would be best served by procuring a rental car, but this is not necessarily the case. Depending on the lay of the land, you may be better off relying on taxis rather than a rental car. Hotel parking may be limited and expensive, but if you’re staying in a short term rental, parking will probably be free.
