Being able to travel for business is a blessing and a curse. Yes, you get to see the world and meet lots of interesting people who would like to work with you, but it can also get incredibly expensive.

Luckily for you and your company, there’s a whole host of things you can do to keep the cost of your businesses trips down. Here are some that you should definitely consider.

Book early

In order to get the best possible deals on travel and accommodation, you’ll want to arrange everything as far in advance as possible. Doing so could save you a lot of money, as flight, train and hotel prices will soar as your departure dates approach. Particularly savvy business professionals have been known to schedule all of their business trips for the next twelve months at the beginning of the year so they’re able to organise everything early and take advantage of the lower prices.

Also, if you’re planning all of your trips in advance, you’ll be able to anticipate whether any are worth combining. So, for example, if you have two clients in France, you could visit them both in the space of a few days, which will save you the cost and trouble of having to book two sets of return flights.

Travel with a carry-on only

A great way to save money every time you fly is by packing everything you’re taking into a carry-on bag. Not only will this mean you won’t have to pay to check-in a suitcase, but you’ll also dodge the queues in the baggage reclaim area once you’ve gotten off the plane.

Each airline imposes its own rules when it comes to the size of your hand luggage, so take a look at Skyscanner’s guide, which outlines all of the restrictions you’re likely to encounter.

Additionally, for security reasons, there are some standard rules you’ll have to follow regardless of which airline you fly with. For example, if you’re taking any liquids with you, such as shower gel, deodorant and aftershave, their containers must hold no more than 100ml. These must then all be placed in one transparent resealable plastic bag that measures approximately 20cm x 20cm. For more information, take a look at the government’s guide to hand luggage restrictions at UK airports.

Secure a rental car in advance

Much like your flights and accommodation, you’ll want to book your rental car well in advance. Use a comparison site like Carrentals.co.uk, which will allow you to search the car hire market quickly and easily for the best possible deal.

Not only will booking in advance save you money, but it will also give you time to take note of any necessary terms and conditions, as well as consider any extra charges you might face. Hire companies have their own unique policies, so it’s wise to look into whether there are hidden costs for things like cleaning, servicing or refuelling.

Plan your journeys

To save money while driving abroad, it’s important that you plan your journeys. You don’t want to get lost or take unnecessarily long routes, as this will cost you precious fuel and money. Plus, toll charges are a lot more common outside of the UK, and the cost can mount up if you’re spending a lot of time behind the wheel.

It’s worth researching the areas you’re going to be driving around to see whether there are any alternative routes you can take in an effort to steer clear of unnecessary toll charges. If they’re an unfamiliar concept to you, check out Lookers’ guide to navigation European toll roads, which will get you up to speed.

If you or your employees take multiple business trips a year, it can be costly. By planning in advance and lightening your luggage, you could save your business a whole lot of money, which you can then reinvest elsewhere. It’s certainly worth the extra effort.