Written by Jaden Parker
Traveling during the holiday season is what most people would love to avoid. But if your family is far away or you’ve decided to leave town for a wintry vacation, then it’s something you’re bound to face. So, we’ve rounded up some useful tips to help you when traveling around the holidays.
- Travel during the days that aren’t the peak for everyone. The first and last flights of the day are typically the cheapest!
- Be aware of any and all shifts in travel advisories. You can keep up to date with the U.S. Department of State’s page here
- Prepare some games to play in the car for those long road trips ahead, especially if you have children. Traffic can be a vibe-killer, but having something to lighten the atmosphere can be an integral part for everyone arriving at the destination in a good mood.
- Book your flights as early as possible before the prices get raised closer to the holidays.
- Choose direct flights if you can. Connection flights could be delayed or canceled due to weather, leaving you stranded in an airport for the holidays.
- If you can, bring gifts in your carry-on. This keeps those valuable items from getting lost or broken inside your luggage.
- Get to the airport early. If you’re someone who doesn’t already do this, then you must be living on the edge of life! Early airport arrival reduces stress and helps you prepare in case of delays or an emergency. Always. Be. Early. Also, when you show up early, you can take advantage of that Cinnabon near your gate.
The holidays should be a stress-free time. So if you find your frustrations rising in the middle of a traffic jam or your flight gets delayed making you miss Aunt Holly’s annual Christmas dinner speech, just remember this: We travel on the holidays to be with people we care about and love very dearly. The moments we get to share with them is what should make all the travel hustle and bustle worth it. The annoyance and impatience won’t last, but the joyful memories once you’ve arrived definitely will.
