Travelling for work is a reality for many careers, but not everyone finds it appealing. Before deciding if it’s for you, it’s important to understand what it really involves. From how often people travel to the rise of “bleisure” trips, this article will break down some of the key facts about work travel. You’ll also find tips to help you decide if it’s something you’d enjoy, plus a look at the types of jobs that often require regular travel.
Work travel trends
Work travel isn’t the ho-hum parade of boring hotels that it used to be. In the past few years, work travel has evolved, and we’re seeing some great shifts in a positive direction.
Most of us need to do some work travel
Around 46% of workers planned to travel for work in 2024, making it an integral part of many jobs. This might mean attending meetings, visiting clients, or even relocating temporarily for a project.
On average, professionals take 6-7 business trips each year, although some roles require travel much more frequently, with the top 10% of business travellers spending around 88 nights away from home annually. Whether you’re working in sales, consulting, or management, you’re likely to need to travel at some point in your career.
Bleisure is becoming more popular
A growing number of professionals are extending work trips to explore the destination or simply to unwind. Around 60% of work trips now have a leisure component, where employees add personal days to relax or see local attractions. For many young professionals, combining work and leisure is seen as a major perk, because it gives you the opportunity to see new places while someone else picks up the tab.
Hybrid meetings and travel are the new norm
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual meetings have become the go-to option for many businesses, reducing the need for frequent trips, which makes sense; why pay to fly around the world when you can get a good chunk of the work done via Zoom?
However, in-person meetings are still essential for building relationships, closing deals, or managing projects. As a result, hybrid models are now the norm, with employees often alternating between online meetings and occasional business trips. This combination is expected to continue growing, particularly as companies seek to balance travel needs with sustainability goals.
5 signs you’ll be okay with work travel
Not everyone enjoys frequent travel, so here are five signs that can help you decide if you’d be ok with it:
You enjoy trying new things
If you’re the kind of person who’s excited to try a new café, visit a new place in your city, or explore a new hobby, you might find the adventure of work travel appealing. People who enjoy change and new experiences often see travel as an opportunity, not a challenge.
You adapt well to change
Work travel rarely goes exactly to plan – flights get delayed, meetings change, and things don’t always go smoothly. If you’re the type to ‘roll with it’ when plans change or when things go wrong, you’ll probably handle the unpredictability of work travel better than most.
You don’t mind being away from home
Think about how you feel when you’re away from home – maybe at a camp, a friend’s house, or even on holiday. If you enjoy the change of scenery and don’t feel homesick easily, you’re likely to cope well with regular work travel.
You’re good at staying organised
Do you plan ahead for school projects or keep your backpack tidy? If you’re naturally organised, you’ll probably find it easier to manage the logistics of work travel. This can include packing efficiently, keeping track of tickets, or managing your time between meetings.
You’re happy meeting new people in unfamiliar places
If you’re confident starting conversations with new people, whether it’s at a social event or in a group activity, you might enjoy the networking aspect of work travel. Building professional relationships is a big part of many jobs, and work trips often offer chances to meet new colleagues, clients, or partners in different settings.
Jobs that require frequent travel
When it comes to jobs that require frequent travel, some are pretty obvious – think pilots, diplomats, or sales reps. However, there are many other roles that involve regular travel, even if they’re not as widely recognised for it.
Let’s look at both the more expected roles and some that might surprise you. Understanding these can help you consider whether frequent travel could be part of your own career plans.
Frequent travellers in well-known roles
While some careers practically define work travel, it’s still worth highlighting them, as they often set the standard for what frequent travel looks like:
Sales representatives
Often spending weeks on the road, sales reps regularly travel to meet clients, attend industry events, and close deals in person. This role involves managing schedules, travel arrangements, and working across different time zones to stay productive and effective.
Flight attendants and pilots
As the ultimate travelling roles, these professionals are constantly moving between cities, states, and even countries. The job involves a fast-paced lifestyle, varying shift patterns, and the need to adjust quickly to new environments.
Politicians and diplomats
National and international travel is a core part of these roles, with trips ranging from meetings with officials to attending international summits. Time away from home can be frequent, and the schedule is often determined at short notice.
Journalists and reporters
Whether covering breaking news or reporting on events from the field, journalists frequently travel to conduct interviews and gather first-hand stories. This kind of travel can be unpredictable, with trips sometimes lasting for extended periods.
Consultants
Often working across various industries, consultants travel regularly to client sites. This can mean flying between cities or countries to provide strategic advice, conduct training sessions, or support project implementations.
Roles with unexpected travel demands
Not all jobs that require travel are immediately obvious. Some roles involve a lot of travel, even though it might not be the first thing that comes to mind:
Project managers
While many assume project managers work mostly in offices, those in construction or engineering often need to visit multiple project sites. This can involve travel across cities, states, or even internationally to supervise progress, meet with teams, and ensure work aligns with project plans. These trips can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on project needs.
Researchers
Researchers – whether in science, academia, or business – often travel to share their findings at conferences, seminars, or workshops. These events allow them to present their work, network with peers, and collaborate on new projects. Depending on the field, researchers might also conduct fieldwork in diverse locations, adding more travel to their schedules.
IT specialists
While IT roles are often seen as desk-based, specialists working in on-site support regularly travel to troubleshoot issues, install systems, or train staff at client locations. Travel can range from day trips to lengthy assignments where specialists may need to set up and manage large-scale technology implementations.
Environmental consultants
Environmental consultants often need to travel to various sites to conduct assessments, collect data, or advise on sustainability projects. These trips can involve visiting remote natural areas, urban development sites, or government offices, with travel plans changing based on the project’s requirements.
Recruiters
Recruiters, particularly those in large organisations or recruitment agencies, travel to meet candidates at universities, job fairs, or professional events. This kind of work travel is focused on building relationships with potential hires and scouting talent, with trips varying from local visits to interstate events.
Could you see yourself travelling for work?
Work travel can be exciting, offering new experiences, career growth, and the chance to build professional networks. However, it also comes with its challenges – time away from home, long hours on the road, and the need to adapt quickly to new environments.
As you think about your future career, consider whether the idea of frequent travel energises you or whether it feels like it might be a challenge. Whether you love the adventure or prefer the stability of staying put, there are plenty of roles that can suit your personal style.
If you want to find out more, we have lots of other blogs on the world of work for you to read.