Tips for Your Business Trip

Train by Train: Where to Find Power Outlets in Train Carriages
Where There’s a Laptop, There Must Be a Power Outlet!

Second Class on ICE:

Typically, there is a power outlet in the middle of each pair of seats.

First Class on ICE:

Here you will always find a power outlet between two seats. Each single seat has its own outlet.

Intercity:

The vast majority have no passenger outlets. Even in first class, there are often no sockets. However, 770 coaches—about half of all Intercity cars—are currently being modernized. Each single and double seat in open-plan areas, as well as each triple seat in compartments, will have an outlet.

Regional Trains:

The equipment is determined by whoever orders the trains from Deutsche Bahn, such as a regional transport association. Therefore, the availability of outlets in local services can vary even for the same train type. When outlets are available, there is usually one per row of seats or per table seating area, and occasionally by the large luggage racks near the doors or in the middle of the carriage.

Email Your Travel Documents to Yourself

Better Yet, Go Digital: Smart Travelers Scan All Their Documents!

• Passport
• Booking Confirmations
• Travel and Location Maps

Roll, Don't Fold: How to Pack Most Effectively

Tissue paper for your suit jacket and heavy items at the bottom—YouTube has a wealth of entertaining tutorial videos on how to pack a suitcase.

Packing Lists on Your Smartphone

Always Digital: Update Your Packing Lists on the Go

For example, apps like “Mein Reiseplaner” for iPhone or “Pack the Bag” for Android—recommended options include “KofferPacken” and “PackingPro.”

Airport Security Screening: Monitoring Fellow Travelers

You often stand in line for a long time before it’s your turn!

Because travel novices who fumble for coins in their pockets or debate forgotten pocket knives and water bottles in their carry-on can hold up the line for everyone.

Mobile Hotspot

Hotel Wi-Fi too slow? Bring Your Own Router!

Hotel Wi-Fi is often expensive, but modern smartphones can easily create a mobile hotspot, saving you time and money. However, reception can still be limited, and you should keep an eye on your data usage!

Orientation Is Half the Battle – View Airports and Train Stations Online!

By taking a virtual look around first, you’ll find your way faster

If you need to make quick connections or keep appointments, it pays to take a virtual tour of the airport or station before you arrive.

Here Is the List of Airports Currently Available:

• Europe: Gatwick (near London), Eindhoven, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife
• Americas: Mexico City and São Paulo-Congonhas

And Here Are the Train Stations:

• Italy: Rome, Palermo, Naples, Florence, Bologna, Turin, Genoa, Milan, Verona and Venice
• United Kingdom: Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and ten London stations, including Paddington, Waterloo and Victoria
• A number of stations in Taiwan and Japan have also been documented.

Attention: Fragile or Colorful!

Business travelers usually don’t want a bright red suitcase rolling beside them.

Business travelers tend to avoid colorful luggage—and then struggle at baggage claim to spot their black or charcoal suitcase among all the other black and charcoal bags. Use a bright luggage strap around your bag—or tie a colorful cloth to the handle. Both can be removed quickly.

Fragile stickers can help, too.

How to Avoid Jet Lag

Adjust Immediately to the Local Daylight Cycle!

You probably can’t choose whether you fly east or west—if you can, choose west, as that makes the day feel longer and easier for your body. If you’re flying east, go to bed one to two hours earlier a few days before departure. If heading west, stay up later. It helps.

On the plane, set your watch to the destination’s time zone and stick to it. If you arrive in the morning, have breakfast—even if you feel like it’s dinner time. Aim for three regular meals to adapt more quickly. Schedule business meetings for the time that corresponds to your usual prime hours at home.

And, very important: Keep moving. In winter, you might not want to carry running jackets or long-sleeve shirts. But a pair of running shoes, a T-shirt and shorts should fit—most hotels have at least an exercise bike or treadmill.

Many hotels provide maps of local jogging routes at reception. If not, check the German running community Jogmap for routes worldwide. You can also install a fitness app that offers workouts without equipment, or simply do sit-ups in your hotel room.