The best thing you can do to ensure your next trip is a success is to plan ahead. Whether you are traveling with Boston Corporate Coach™ for business or pleasure, pre-planning can mean the difference between a great time or a disaster.

There is a big push these days to travel light, but make sure you don’t travel too light and leave something important at behind. Make a comprehensive check list and use it. Important items for your list include your ID, plane ticket/boarding pass, passport, and itinerary. Also, list any medications both prescription and over-the-counter, your cell phone charger and a converter if you are going to a foreign destination. Don’t forget to list any essential clothing such as a suit and tie for a business trip or a swim suit for a pleasure trip.

Check the current TSA guidelines; they don’t change often, but they do change. Make sure you are aware of what you can take in your carry on and what needs to go in your luggage as far as medications, contact lens solutions and any special lotions you need to take with you. Don’t forget to include those on your list either.

Planning ahead applies to your hotel reservations as well. Don’t just go for the cheapest deal you find. Look around the internet at reviews and amenities. There can be a big difference between cheap and value priced. You don’t want to learn the hard way that you get what you pay for at a cheap hotel.

The higher-priced hotels generally have a better staff, are more in tune with their clients and have regular maintenance. Your safety can also be a concern at a cheap hotel with insufficient locks on doors and no safe for valuables. Internet access may be limited or nonexistent at a cheap hotel. In addition to all of that, your cheap hotel room may include dirty bedding, roaches and mysterious smells.

Arrange ground transportation before you leave home. Book a chauffeured car service in advance to take you to and from your destinations. Leaving your transportation needs to spotty taxi service, hotel shuttles or other methods of public transportation can ruin an otherwise pleasant trip.