What Nobody Tells You About Long-Term Business Travel

At first, long-term business travel feels like an upgrade from the usual office grind. You’re working from new cities, skipping the morning commute, and even sneaking in a bit of sightseeing between meetings. But after a little while, the novelty wears off. That hotel room that once felt like a luxury suite feels soulless. Eating out every night stops being fun and starts feeling like an expensive chore. The loneliness creeps in.

The reality of long-term business travel is rarely glamorous, but with the right mindset and a few strategies, it doesn’t have to be draining. Here’s what you need to know before you pack that suitcase for the long haul.

Choosing the Right Place to Stay

Hotels are fine for a short work trip, or if you take many small trips to different destinations, they can start feeling suffocating beyond a week or so. Housekeeping knocks at inconvenient times, late-night guests in the hallway can impact your sleep, and no matter how nice the amenities are, it’s not home.

If your employer books your accommodations, you might not have much say in where you stay—but if you have any flexibility, consider corporate apartments, extended-stay rentals, or serviced apartments. These offer a more livable setup with separate living spaces, real kitchens, and a more home-like environment.

For example, in cities like Sacramento serviced apartments provide a much-needed alternative to hotel living. Instead of spending months eating takeout in a tiny room, you get a more homey space. If you’re booking your own stay, check for short-term rental options or corporate housing. Having a real kitchen, a proper desk, and a comfortable space to unwind can make a huge difference.

• Read our housing guide for frequent and long-term travelers

How to Stay Social When You’re Traveling Solo for Work

Long workdays. Evenings alone in an unfamiliar city. The occasional small talk with hotel staff to hear another human voice. Business travel has its brand of isolation.

Try actively engaging with your surroundings to avoid feeling like you’re in a work-travel bubble. Look up networking events, professional meetups, or coworking spaces (like these coworking and coliving spaces in Bali, Bangkok, and other hotspots in Southeast Asia) where you can meet other professionals. If you’re staying in one city for a while, consider taking a class—maybe a language course, a cooking workshop, or a local fitness meetup.

If making new connections (while maintaining the ones you have at home!) is too exhausting after long work hours, try to find small ways to stay physically and mentally healthy. Instead of eating takeout alone, find a cafe where you can be around people. Take walks to get some fresh air and get to know your destination better. Small habits like these help break up the isolation.

• Related: How to Avoid Loneliness and Boredom on Solo Travel

Creating a Routine in a Temporary Space

One of the hardest parts of long-term business travel is the lack of stability. Your environment keeps changing, and without structure, the days blur together.

Create consistency wherever you can. Bring small comforts from home—like a favorite mug or your usual coffee beans. Stick to a morning routine, even if it’s just walking to the same coffee shop each day before work. If you exercise regularly at home, find a local gym or running route to keep up the habit. The more stability you create, the less exhausting constant travel feels.

Work Never Really Stops—So Set Boundaries

A 9-to-5 schedule barely exists when you’re traveling for work. Between time zone differences, late-night and early-morning meetings, and an inbox that never stops filling up, it’s easy to fall into an “always on” mindset.

At home, it’s natural to unwind after work. But on an extended business trip, where there’s no clear separation between work and downtime, shutting the laptop feels like an empty pause. That’s why setting boundaries is essential.

Decide on a cutoff time for work emails and stick to it. If you’re in a different time zone, communicate your availability clearly so you’re not expected to be on call 24/7. And if your schedule allows, take advantage of your location—step away from your screen and explore the city, even if it’s just for an hour.

The Unexpected Perks of Long-Term Business Travel

It’s easy to focus on what’s tiring about business travel, but there are upsides, too. The experience of working in different environments teaches adaptability. Navigating unfamiliar cities alone builds confidence. And sometimes, you experience a place in a way that regular tourists never do.

If you’re lucky, you’ll find small joys in the routine—like a server remembering your order, or stumbling across a fabulous restaurant you’d never have tried otherwise. Business travel isn’t always easy, but if you lean into the experience, it can be surprisingly rewarding.

Happy travels!

Featured image by Alex Knight on Unsplash