Business travel is the practice of employees or professionals going on trips, usually to other locations or cities, on behalf of their company to conduct work-related activities, such as meetings, conferences, or client visits.
scroll for more
Starts at $0 + state fees and only takes 5-10 minutes
Last Updated: December 11, 2025
The simplest business travel definition is travel that is undertaken for business purposes. Business travel does not include daily commutes or trips for leisure purposes. Usually, business travel implies work that requires being away from home for longer than a typical workday at least a day. Each individual journey is considered a “business trip.”
Business travel can be one of the biggest expenses for a company, whether it’s a corporation, limited liability company, or another legal entity. For entrepreneurs, understanding why business travel may be necessary and how it can impact the company’s business taxes is essential.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has its own business travel definition. According to the IRS, business travel includes any travel that the taxpayer does away from the general area of their home for business purposes. The general area of a business owner’s home is typically defined as outside the entire city or area outside the company’s principal business location.
For most business owners, it’s important to save as much money as possible, even when on the road. That means wise business owners will keep track of their tax-deductible expenses so they can report them when it’s time to pay taxes. The IRS defines deductible business travel expenses as “ordinary and necessary” costs incurred. These include transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment, and some incidentals.
These expenses are generally deductible by the business if they’re truly necessary. The expenses can’t be considered lavish, extravagant, or personal.
There are countless reasons an entrepreneur would need to go on a business trip. Many of these factors relate to the industry the business is in and how its products or services are marketed. Here are some common reasons to go on a business trip:
In today’s largely remote environment, many companies communicate online with workers in different locations. This can be beneficial to limit the need for travel. But it may also mean that employees have to travel to meet for collaborative in-person work.
Business travel can have a lot of benefits for business owners and their employees. Employees may have the opportunity to learn more about your specific industry and return with new admiration and passion for their role, along with new ideas (the purpose of the trip generally determines the specific benefits). And of course, some people just enjoy seeing new parts of the world during their business travel.
Everyone’s situation is different. If an employee or business owner has children or a close extended family, frequent business travel may pull them away from meaningful events. Occasional travel is reasonable for most people, but when large amounts of time are spent on the road, it can hurt morale and mental health. Business travel can also be costly, so weighing the costs versus the benefits is essential.
Business travel refers to a work-related trip taken by a business owner or employee, for which the expenses are usually tax-deductible. Business travel doesn’t include daily commutes, holidays, or vacations.
Recommended articles
Managing business finances can feel overwhelming for business owners who don’t have the right tools. That’s where ZenBusiness comes in. Their ZenBusiness Money Pro tool makes money management easier by helping users track their finances, calculate deductions, and log business mileage all in the app. They also offer other helpful tools like business formation services, a business document template library, and more, all designed to help business owners focus on the fun stuff: growing their companies (at home and beyond).
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team
The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. The team’s writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.
Ready to Start Your Business?
Start Your LLC