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Singapore is a sovereign city-state located in Southeast Asia and is one of the most popular cities in the region for a number of reasons. Despite its relatively small size, this Asian island city is a powerhouse known for its stunning architecture (including the marvelous Changi Airport, which was named best airport in the world). Other highlights are the excellent dining and shopping opportunities, interesting sightseeing spots, and a thriving economic scene.
Considered a place where “East meets West”, Singapore has long played a vital role in the international business sector. The city is home to the headquarters of various industries, including banking, trading, shipping, oil, and more. In fact, it is almost inevitable for corporate travelers visiting the region to make a stop at Singapore to conduct work matters.
Whether you’re visiting the city for a conference, meeting, or trade show, you’ll want to check out this list of things to pack for a business trip to Singapore.
Travel documents
The most obvious thing you have to pack for your business trip, or pretty much any other trip, are your travel documents. In fact, without these documents, you will not be able to leave at all! Some of the essential papers and objects to prepare before your business trip include:
- Passport
- Identification cards
- Hotel reservations
- Airline tickets
- Travel insurance policy
- Car rental confirmation (if applicable)
Another good practice is to have a file organizer where you can keep your travel paperwork in one place. In doing so, you can easily find and retrieve your documents whenever you need to.
Clothes
Naturally, you need to pack clothes for any type of getaway. When preparing for your business trip, consider several factors, such as the weather at your destination and your plans while you’re there. For instance, Singapore weather is generally warm with occasional rainy days. Pack the following:
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- Underwear: Bring 2 sets of underwear per day throughout your stay. You may want to bring extra just to be sure, as underwear doesn’t take up that much space.
- Business attire: For men, this could be a button-up shirt and necktie, blazer, and slacks. For women, this could be a blouse, blazer and skirt or slacks, or a business-appropriate dress. Tip: Choose a neutral bottom that pairs well with the colors of your tops and shoes.
- Footwear: Ideally, pack no more than three pairs of shoes. Bring a pair that matches your business attire and another pair for casual, everyday wear, such as sneakers, that are comfortable enough in case you do some walking around the city. Also, don’t forget to bring socks if your footwear calls for it.
- Sleepwear: Bring pajamas or comfortable sleepwear for nighttime in the hotel.
- Light jacket: You might need a light jacket on the plane or in case it gets chilly during the evenings in Singapore. You can also opt for a cardigan in place of a jacket.
- Casual wear: Make sure to pack casual wear that’s comfortable and breathable for free days when you get to roam around the city. This includes cotton tops, pants, shorts, or skirts.
- Workout attire: This is optional and would depend on whether you have plans to hit the gym or to do a workout during your stay in Singapore.
- Toiletries: Have a favorite must-have moisturizer? Tuck needed items in with your clothes if you are checking your bag. Otherwise, you’ll need to keep them handy as you pass through airport security.
Daypack
No matter how good you are at packing light, you still need a daypack to carry around with you that contains your important items, such as your wallet, documents, devices, and other valuables. Heading out for dinner between meetings? Leave your briefcase or other heavy items at a luggage storage locker in the city.
Plane essentials
If you’re traveling from the United States or Europe, the flight to Singapore will take at least 15-20 hours, depending on the routes and layovers. With that said, you may want to bring items to make your flight as comfortable as possible. This includes some sort of noise-canceling earphones or earplugs, an eye mask, and even a travel pillow to help you sleep soundly during your flight.
- Travel adapter
The travel adapter is one of the most important things to bring with you on your trip. Every country has its own type of power socket that they use; in Singapore, they use type G. If you are coming from the United States or another country that does not use type G, you will need a travel adapter.
Tech devices and accessories
With the convenience and advancements offered by technology, it is no surprise that we rely largely on our devices. When going on a business trip, don’t forget to bring the following:
- Mobile phone: Bringing your phone is a no-brainer; it is an all-in-one device that helps you communicate and stay connected at work.
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- Laptop or tablet: Having either of these two enables you to work remotely. They are also especially important if you have presentations during your business trip.
- Device chargers: Needless to say, you need the chargers for your respective devices once they run out of batteries.
- Portable WiFi: While Singapore generally has speedy and reliable Internet connections, it’s wise to have your own portable WiFi in case you need to stay connected for emails, video calls, and the like.
- Portable charger: Also known as power banks, a portable charger allows you to charge a variety of devices without having to plug in a socket. This particularly comes in handy when you’re outside the entire day.
Office supplies
Even though most people rely on phones or tablets nowadays, it is still useful to have office supplies on hand on your business trip. Some items worth packing in your luggage include:
- Pens
- Notepad
- Sticky notes
- Paper clips
- USB flash drive
Business cards
Last but certainly not least, business cards should always be a part of your business travel packing list. There are many instances where you will meet new faces along the way. Giving out your business cards to individuals you meet is a good practice. You never know— one of them may become a part of your network.
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