I used to dread packing for business trips — until I learned how to fit a week’s worth of meetings, dinners, and flights into a single carry-on.
Let me show you how to ditch the overpacking anxiety and look polished without checked baggage fees.
Erika Recommends
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Premium lounge access, seat upgrades, and free checked bags. - The New United℠ Business Card
Free checked bags, priority boarding, and unlimited lounge access. - Capital One Venture X Business
Mid-tier card with lounge access and numerous travel credits.
The Minimalist Business Capsule Wardrobe
When you’re traveling for business, you want to look put-together for meetings and be prepared for events. Being able to mix and match is essential to save space in my carry-on.
My three rules for my capsule wardrobe include:
- Stick to a neutral color palette: I try to avoid patterns and colors that are hard to mix and match. A neutral color palette that includes black, navy, and gray works well for me.
- Choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics: Consider fabrics that won’t wrinkle easily, or that can be shaken out or smoothed out with hanging. Stretch-blend fabrics, along with merino wool, are generally good choices for reducing wrinkles.
- Layer strategically: Add a bit of flair with layers. I usually try to avoid a lot of blazers because they can be bulky, but I don’t mind including one or two, along with a cardigan. If I really want to add a pop of color, I bring two or three scarves.
I’m also careful about the shoes I bring because shoes can take up a lot of space in a carry-on.
I like a pair of comfortable yet dressy sandals that can do double duty for going out at night as well as attending meetings. I also have comfortable flats that are appropriate for meetings.
My shoes also follow the neutral color palette rule, so they match all my outfits.
Must-have items for 5+-day trips
Even when I’m gone for five or more days, I still manage to fit it all in a carry-on.
To keep it manageable, my must-haves include:
- Two suits with interchangeable blazers and trousers. The trousers can be worn separately from the blazers and matched with a cardigan or a professional top.
- Three professional tops that can be worn under a blazer or cardigan one day, but then worn on their own another day later in the trip.
- Two casual outfits for events or activities that aren’t related to business. Again, I like these to be neutral in color with the ability to mix and match.
- Two pairs of comfortable and versatile shoes that can be worn for various activities. I like flats that I can wear with comfortable socks as well as sandals. My flats and my sandals are all “walking” friendly, so I can wear them all day and on outings without becoming uncomfortable.
My lightweight carry-on bag is on wheels, so it’s easy to maneuver, and it fits easily in most overhead compartments.
With careful packing, my must-have items fit easily into my carry-on, and I can be away for up to a week (sometimes more) without needing a larger bag.
Keeping Your Clothes Wrinkle-Free
Clothing in a carry-on bag has the potential to become wrinkled. That’s why I often choose fabrics that smooth out when I hang them in the closet.
However, some other tips can also help you avoid wrinkles:
- Fold formalwear with tissue paper. Tissue paper can help reduce wrinkles. Rolling suits doesn’t usually work (although I often roll trousers), but blazers often need to be folded.
- Use packing cubes to compress without creasing. Specialized packing cubes can help you pack your clothes into the smallest space with minimal wrinkling.
- Hang clothes in the bathroom during a hot shower. Try hanging your clothes in the bathroom during a hot shower to steam them. Smooth them out afterward and hang the clothes in the closet.
Toiletries That Survive TSA (And Your Trip)
I generally keep my toiletries stocked and ready for trips. I have a small bag for them that I can toss in my carry-on or add to the personal item (a backpack for me), which I also bring for business trips.
My TSA-friendly and leak-proof list includes:
- Refillable silicone bottles for liquids: I have small, refillable bottles so I don’t have to buy travel-sized toiletries for each trip. I refill shampoo, contact lens solution, and lotion from the same stock I use at home.
- Free toothpaste samples from the dentist: Whenever I visit the dentist, I grab sample toothpaste tubes and keep them at home. It’s a free way to have travel-sized toothpaste!
- Solid shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets: Another option I’ve experimented with is solid shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets. I’ve brought solid sunscreen with me on trips as well.
Tech & Document Organization Hacks
I usually need to bring my laptop, phone, and a variety of adapters and chargers to ensure that everything stays powered up and that I can connect to audio/visual equipment for presentations.
I normally keep hard copies, along with my tech items, in my backpack, which I bring as my personal item and slide under the seat in front of me.
To avoid last-minute chaos, I take the following steps:
- Use a cable organizer with labeled compartments. Organizers can help keep your dongles and cords from getting tangled.
- Store digital copies of your itineraries and IDs in a secure app. I keep my presentations in the cloud (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) and on my computer. My ID is stored in an app on my phone. If your state offers a digital ID, consider adding it to your phone. I also keep my itineraries in the cloud and on my phone so I can access them quickly and easily.
- Keep a charging bank ready. My charging bank is charged and ready to go before I leave on a business trip. Whenever I have access to a plug or charger, I plug in my phone, laptop, and any other devices I use. At the hotel each night, I recharge my power bank so it’s ready for the next day, just in case.
- Use a mobile hotspot. I keep a mobile device (currently my phone) with a hotspot, so I can connect to the internet even if no wifi is available.
Avoid Checked Baggage Fees With These Carry-On Tricks
If you’re trying to save money on baggage fees, getting everything to fit in the carry-on plus your personal item is a big deal.
I maximize space by wearing some of my bulkier items during transit. For example, one of my blazers is usually my “jacket” while I’m traveling.
If I’m bringing chunkier shoes, I wear those while going through the airport. Compression sacks can help ensure underwear and socks take up the smallest amount of space.
I often put my toiletry bag in my personal item, leaving space in my carry-on.
A carry-on bag with an extra zipper to compress it can also help keep your bag within the size constraints imposed by airlines.
Use a business credit card to avoid baggage fees
If you do need to check a bag, you may be able to do so for free with the right business travel credit card. These usually need to be airline co-branded cards, so they’re best if you or your company prefers a specific carrier.
For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card includes a free first checked bag, as well as complimentary seat upgrades and premium lounge access (Delta Sky Club® and Amex’s The Centurion Lounge®).
Similarly, The New United℠ Business Card, comes with free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to United’s airport lounges.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Rewards Rate
- 3x miles per $1 on Delta purchases
- 1.5x miles on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 in purchases on your card in a year (if your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply)
- 1x miles per $1 spent on all else
Welcome Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 110,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/16/25.
Annual Fee
$650 (rates & fees)
The New United℠ Business Card
Rewards Rate
- 2x miles per dollar on United® purchases, dining, gas, office supply stores, transit/commuting
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Pro tip: If you’re a member of the media who needs to carry lots of equipment on your business trips, you may be able to get a reduced media rate on your baggage!
This way, you don’t have to fret about cramming your clothes and your camera equipment in your carry-on.
Last-Minute Packing Checklist
You’ve got all your clothes packed — but are you forgetting anything?!
As you get ready to head out the door, here’s your five-minute sanity check:
- Phone charger
- Business cards
- Portable battery or power bank
- Laptop with dongles
- Power cords
- TSA-accepted identification
- Toiletries
- Itinerary, including information about lodging and ground transport
FAQs
How many outfits do I need for a week-long business trip?
Consider bringing enough items to create three to four business outfits and two or three casual outfits.
What’s the best way to pack a suit without wrinkling it?
Start with a merino wool suit that isn’t likely to wrinkle. Fold your suit jacket with tissue paper to reduce wrinkles. Put it on top of everything else that you have packed in your bag.
How can I keep devices charged when traveling?
Start with a full charge. When you have access to a plug or charging station, use that. As a backup, keep a power bank. Charge the power bank before you leave and every night at your hotel. That way, you can use the power bank to charge your devices when you don’t have access to a plug or a charging station.
TL;DR: How To Pack for Your Business Trip
Packing for business trips doesn’t require a suitcase the size of a fridge.
Stick to a neutral capsule wardrobe with wrinkle-resistant fabrics, use packing cubes for compression, and save money by using refillable silicone bottles for liquids instead of buying travel-sized toiletries.
Keep it simple with two suits, three professional tops, two casual outfits, and two pairs of comfortable shoes, and you’ll never need to check a bag again!
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