You have arrived!

Congratulations!  You made it, but you are not out of the woods yet.  Getting out of the airport and to your final destination still awaits you.

If you were lucky enough to get all your belongings in carry-on luggage, proceed straight to the Transportation area in the airport.  If not, did you clearly identify your luggage so that it's easily identifiable on the carrousel?  That could save you some headaches and delays.

Remember to ask for and keep all expense receipts!  Without them you may not get reimbursed.

Transportation

Car Rental

Go to the car rental desk and pick up your pre-arrange car.  Ask for a local map (they normally give you a free one), and ask the attendant to draw the route to your destination.  Some car rental places have a computer that will print out directions.   You could have also come prepared with a map and directions from your home office, or some that you generated from one of the popular web sites.  One I recommend is maps.yahoo.com.  If you forgot your drivers license and credit card, skip this counter and try for another option. 

Taxi or Shuttle

If you have time, a shuttle will save you money.  However, sometimes they take their time in leaving the airport after picking you up (trying to get more riders).   Then, you may be the last stop on their route.  Taxi's are fast and easy, but you pay a bit more for the convenience.  If it's a large cosmopolitan city, the price difference will be proportionally larger.  "Receipt please".

Trains

For the adventuresome and light-luggaged soul, trains are a nice, relaxing low cost alternative.  Particularly during rush hour, when the streets and highways may be gridlocked. (Ticket stub with price will serve as a receipt).

At the Hotel

Because you are such a good planner, your room is ready for you.  Have your credit card ready for check-in.  It's used as security against non-payment, as well as enabling you to charge items to your room during your stay, and pay for them at check-out time. 

Go to your room and before getting too comfortable, unpack all your clothes and hang them in the closet to avoid more wrinkles. 

Check out everything in your room and make sure everything is in order.  You don't want to wait until mid-night, when you are ready to e-mail your final proposal, only to find that the jack in the wall for your computer isn't working.

Call the front desk and ask for a wake-up call next day.  Do this even if you find an alarm clock/radio in your room.  You don't want to find out after you sleep through your 8:00 AM meeting that the alarm clock was broken, or you set it incorrectly!

Do you need to iron your clothes?  You can have them done by the hotel (for a price), but it usually takes longer than what you've got.  If your room doesn't already have an iron and ironing board, call the front desk early and ask for one.   When you are finished, put it outside your door and let the front desk know.

Ready to call home and say 'nighty night' to your spouse and kids?  Careful how you call home. Read about long distance calling.

At the office or customer location

Make the most of your business trip.  Your company has invested some good time and money in getting your there.

You are representing your company and your products.  Accomplish your business goals and build relationships.  The face to face meetings are always good 'seeds' to sow after your return back home.

Keep a daily journal of your business activities.  It will help you build a trip report or jog your memory once your return.