Taking frequent business trips can be stressful for even the most seasoned professionals. Think about it—you’re away from your family and friends a lot, you’re constantly travelling to unfamiliar places, and you basically have to plan out where you’re going to stay and eat every single day and night. Of course, your company isn’t going to leave you high and dry. They’ll most likely put you up in a nice hotel or even better, your own temporary apartment. Corporate housing in Toronto takes the edge off of travelling. You’ll have your own personal space without having to worry about being surrounded by other guests and, best of all, you still have access to all of the amazing restaurants and tourist activities that the city has to offer during your downtime.
To make your stay in Toronto a little more comfortable and enjoyable, be sure to follow these useful smart packing tips.
Choose Your Luggage Carefully
A major part of packing smart is choosing the right luggage for your needs. How long will you be away and how much stuff do you need to bring with you? Remember to only pack the essentials including your work equipment, professional clothing, toiletries, and a few personal effects as needed. You should also consider the size and weight of the luggage itself. Choose luggage that’s durable and easy to carry, preferably something with wheels. Remember, you’re going to spend quite a bit of time carrying it around in the airport and it should be sturdy enough to withstand being thrown around by baggage handlers.
Pack Light, Pack Smart
Keep in mind that this is a business trip, so you should pack accordingly. Only pack the absolute essential items like your laptop, cellphone, tablet, and any other technology you need for work. You should also pack business outfits and some simple accessories to go with them. The amount of items you pack ultimately depends on how long the trip is expected to be. Don’t overdo it. Keep everything simple and well organized so that you can easily find and access items whenever you need them. Remember that if you are staying in corporate housing in Toronto, you will have access to a washer and dryer, so you will have the ability to launder your clothing, reducing the number of items ultimately needed.
Don’t Bring Too Many Toiletries
While toiletries are considered essential items for any trip, it’s important not to completely bombard your bag with them. Stick to the essentials like your toothbrush, travel sized toothpaste, makeup, and grooming products. Some executive suites in Toronto provide travel size toiletries like shampoo and conditioners. Call ahead to ask what you should bring and what they already provide. Also, if you need something they don’t have, you can always purchase it when you get to Toronto. The lighter you travel, the easier it’ll be for you and the less you will have to check through customs.
Purchase Protective Covers for Technology
Technology is your best friend while travelling on short or long business trips. Not only is it an endless source of entertainment to help you pass the time, it’s also essential for most business ventures these days. With that in mind, it’s important to do everything you can to protect your technology as much as possible. If you don’t already have protective covers for your laptop, tablet, and other devices then you should purchase them before you leave for your trip. Also, keep in mind that airlines and other forms of transportation aren’t liable for damaged goods in your bag.
Prevent Clothes from Wrinkling
Most executive rentals in Toronto are usually located in the downtown core or central areas where there are a lot of amenities and services nearby. If you’re worried about your professional clothes getting wrinkled or dirty in your suitcase, then you should check to see if there’s a dry cleaner nearby. But there are also a few preventative measures you can take like placing your suits in a plastic cover and carefully folding them. Roll up your casual wear like t-shirts, sweatpants, and jeans to make more room for the bulkier items in your suitcase.
Always Place Heavy Items at the Bottom of the Suitcase
Heavy or bulky items like books, CPAP machines, and file folders that you won’t be perusing while travelling should all be placed toward the bottom of the suitcase for several reasons. Placing heavy items as close to the wheels as possible will help balance out your luggage, making it easier to maneuver through busy transportation stations. Plus, packing your luggage this way prevents smaller items from being crushed under the weight and it helps keep clothing wrinkle-free and better organized.
Pack Comfortable Neutral Shoes
Depending on the length of your business trip, you should only bring a few pairs of neutral shoes like brown or black that go with everything you brought with you so that you can easily put together stylish and professional outfits while still maintaining comfort. If the goal is to travel with as few bags as possible, then try to keep the number of shoes at about two to three pairs and no more than that. Keep in mind that many short-term corporate condos in North York and Toronto come equipped with shoe racks so that you can store your footwear.
Weigh Your Bags at Home
Don’t wait until you get to the airport to weigh your luggage because you might be caught off guard and end up having to reorganize your entire suitcase or even dispose of some items to meet the weight limitations. It’s better to be prepared beforehand and guarantee that your luggage is the appropriate weight before leaving the house rather than being taken by surprise at the airport. Be sure to also weigh your bags again before leaving your corporate housing unit in Toronto at the end of your business trip as well.
MAC Furnished Residences Inc. can help you find the perfect short-term apartment in Toronto or North York through our brokerage, MAC Real Estate Services Inc. If you’re buying or selling a home or condo in Toronto or the GTA, our licensed realtors can help you through the process. Plus, we can also facilitate a smooth transition if you’re traveling or moving to Toronto with MAC Relocation Solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to book your accommodations!