The holiday season is a wonderful time of the year. Unless you’re traveling.
A minor downside to the holiday season is that it’s also one of the busiest times of the year, regardless of whether you’re driving, flying, or even taking the train. But even though crowds will be at every corner, there are some ways you can make your trip a little less stressful and a little more enjoyable—just as the holidays should be.
Just give these holiday travel tips a try:
Do research. If driving, check out the traffic reports and plan an alternate route if necessary. For those that are flying, be sure to review the airline’s luggage restrictions, fees, and any flight updates to eliminate surprises.
Download those travel apps. There are a variety of travel apps from which to choose that can make your trip easier, such as ones designed to help you find cheap gas or even clean bathrooms. You should also download your airline’s travel app so you can get the most up-to-date flight information. And if you want an idea of how long you’ll spend going through airport security, check out GateGuru, which provides estimated wait times for most airports.
Pack light. Try to pack all or most of your belongings in a carry-on. Checking a slightly barren suitcase might be convenient if you plan on bringing presents home with you.
Ship gifts or go with gift cards. To lighten your load on the day of departure, consider shipping wrapped gifts to your destination. Or, purchase small gifts such as gift cards.
Ship gifts home. If you’d rather not lug your gifts home, consider shipping them to your house. But if you’re worried about the cost, think of it this way: the money you’ll save from not having to check extra luggage can go towards shipping.
Depart early or late at night—or on the holiday itself. Planes that travel earlier in the day have a better chance of making it to the destination on time. You can also expect security lines to be shorter. If you’re driving, leaving early can help you avoid traffic on the roads. But if you want to really improve your chances of getting to your destination sans traffic and delays, consider traveling early on the day of the holiday.
Give yourself extra time to park your car, go through security, and board. Chances are likely that parking garages will be packed and security lines will be the longest you’ve ever seen. You may want to get to the airport a few hours before boarding and leave at least an hour early if driving or taking the train.
Bring copies of important documents. If you lose an original, you’ll want to have a back-up readily accessible. It’ll also help reduce the amount of times you’ll need to panic during your trip.
Expect the unexpected. Flight delays, traffic, being knocked down by Nanook with the big puffy coat and a duffle bag on each shoulder—anything can and potentially will happen when traveling on these busy days. So plan ahead, leave early, and mentally prepare yourself for the experience. Once you get to your destination, you’ll be glad you toughed your way through it all!
Photo from USA Today.
