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Some people love to travel, even if it’s for business. But for most of us, business travel can really be a pain. It always seems to happen when you don’t think you can fit one more thing into your schedule or when you have just gotten back from another business trip. But there are some positive things about business travel.

What makes business travel such a pain? The first thing I think of when I think of business travel is “airports”. They certainly are not my favorite place to be with lines, crowds, and delays. But you can make the airport experience a bit better if you use the technology that’s available to you. Some airlines provide electronic kiosks where you can check in and get your boarding pass instead of waiting in the long line for baggage check.

The first tip is to pack only what you really need, not what you want. Most hotels will provide many essentials like shampoo and conditioner and a hair dryer. No need to lug any of that from home. I like to pack sample sizes of other things like toothpaste and I buy a travel toothbrush for the trip - the one that folds up and takes virtually no room. Then I toss it and don’t worry about trying to pack a soggy toothbrush to take home. If you work at this you can reduce your packing to no more than an overnight sized bag and PC case (get a big one where you can stuff more items in it).

Never arrive at a destination completely ignorant of where you are at (the airport relative to the city). I often map simple paths out from Google maps and feel comfortable when I get into a cab that I know where I’m going.

When you travel work in a little personal enjoyment. Ask the hotel help about good restaurants nearby to your hotel. If you are in a foreign land, sample some of the local cuisine. Even in more mundane locations, someone who lives locally may be willing to go to dinner with you and they’ll likely know where the great local restaurants are.

If you don’t have someone to escort you around town, don’t just have dinner in the hotel. Ask the hotel employees for suggestions, hail a cab, and get out on the town. Seeing the local sights and tasting the local fare can be once in a lifetime events.

Business travel can be inconvenient, but take the opportunity to learn something new and see another part of our great world.