In this article, you'll learn the following:
Whether you’re travelling into work often or are going away for business, there are plenty of ways you can make your journey more relaxing and productive, contributing to an all-round successful journey. From business backpacks and noise-cancelling headphones to travel mugs and handy lunchboxes, here are the essentials you need to make the most out of your business travel:
Stay organised
Staying organised will help make your journey as seamless as possible, and while not all the below items will apply to you, some of them are bound to be a great help.
Business backpack
Work trips and commutes usually require you to bring along pens, notebooks, laptops and other work-related items to help you with effective networking. It makes sense, then, that finding the right sized backpack for your commute can make all the difference to your journey. Look for one with lots of inside storage, padded straps for comfort, and most importantly, make sure it’s the correct fit for your laptop!
Headphone organiser
There’s nothing worse than reaching for your headphones and finding them a complete tangled mess—but did you know there’s a handy way you can prevent this from happening? Not only will headphone organisers keeps your cables tidy, but they’ll also prevent your wires from getting damaged over time, too. Say goodbye to a messy bag!
Stick-on card holder
Do you find yourself constantly having to rummage about in your pockets for your Oyster Card, or do you have a bad habit of losing your ticket? If so, then you’ll find a stick-on card holder for the back of your phone an absolute game-changer. These handy holders will allow you to easily access your tickets and travel cards, while keeping everything organised and lowering the risk of you losing anything. Make sure to pick one with a flap pocket for extra safety!
Electronic accessories
In this day and age, most jobs involve the use of some technology, especially when it comes to business networking. But even if they don’t, you’ll probably want to use your phone or laptop to pass the time while on your commute. Take a glance at these useful electronic accessories to aid you on your commute:
Phone screen protectors
The close contact that comes with public travel can feel as if everyone has their nose in your business—and vice versa! If you want a little extra discretion, then privacy screen protectors are a big help. These flexible, scratch resistant screen protectors look no different to any normal clear screen protectors, and can be easily stuck onto your phone—the difference being that your screen can only be viewed by the person directly in front of it!
Noise-cancelling headphones
Whether you’re trying to focus on hitting a deadline or are attempting a pre or post-work nap, noise-cancelling headphones are a travel essential. Pass time by tuning into your favourite podcast, playing some of your favourite music or trying your hand at a guided meditation.
Useful apps
Even the most seasoned commuter can end up on the wrong train or get mixed up about which stop they’re meant to get off at. Handy apps like Citymapper will take the stress of planning the commute out of your hands. Simply key in your destination, and Citymapper will tell you exactly which mode of transport will get you there fastest and how long it will take. If you are frequent train traveller, download the SWR App to keep track of the latest travel information, add tickets direct to your Touch Smartcard and more useful information for your journey.
Tech touch gloves
With the weather getting colder, most of us won’t leave the house without a trusty pair of gloves. But the one downside to toasty hands is not being able to use your phone at the same time. Luckily, tech touch gloves are made using a certain material that allows you to still use touchscreen devices through the gloves, meaning you don’t have to cut holes in your gloves’ fingers!
Prep for the day ahead
If you plan to be out and about all day, then these travel essentials will serve a great purpose—even if you’re heading on a non-work-related trip.
Travel mug
Can’t go anywhere without a tea or coffee, but hoping to cut down on your day-to-day spends? Instead of buying your drink on the go, why not invest in a good quality, leak-proof travel mug to keep your tea and coffee hot for the long day ahead? Simply make your drink of choice at home, pour it into the mug and drink it whenever you fancy-- a good quality travel mug should keep your drink warm for around five hours.
Umbrella
Naturally, commuting means confronting the elements, and we all know what the good old British weather can be like. Be prepared for sudden showers by investing in a compact, sturdy umbrella—we’d recommend keeping one in your bag all year-round. Don’t forget to add a waterproof bag or umbrella cover to save any other items in your bag from getting soggy.
Stackable lunch box
Avoid that temptation to splurge on food while you’re out, and instead prepare for your day ahead with a stackable lunch box. Choose one which is compact with compartments for cutlery, fruit and side dishes, or if you’re planning on heating up leftovers, opt for a lunch box which is microwave safe.
Flat lay bag
Whether you need to touch up your makeup or prefer to save time by getting ready whilst on your commute, then a flat lay bag can be a big help. This handy accessory comes with plenty of compartments to help organise your makeup, and is nice and compact for carrying around in a handbag, backpack or satchel.
Discover our flexible range of train season tickets to the right one for your journey and use the SWR smartcard to make your journey that little bit easier.
