Planning to visit Grandma’s for Thanksgiving or spend Christmas in Rome? Holiday travel can be busy, expensive, and stressful, but it’s not all bad news. If you shop carefully and plan ahead, you can still find great deals. Check out these 10 holiday travel tips to have fun this holiday season.
Avoid peak travel days
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Wednesday is a key day to avoid for Thanksgiving. Traveling on Thanksgiving is easy and affordable, and if you can return on a day other than Sunday, the cost may be cheaper.
The peak dates for holiday travel over Christmas and New Year vary each year depending on the holiday dates. You can generally guess which days will be the most expensive to travel (think about which travel dates will allow you to make the most of your long weekend without taking too much time off work; they’re probably the days everyone wants to go). For more information, see The 12 Best and 12 Worst Days for Holiday Travel This Year.
Look around
Whether you use a booking site like Expedia or a metasearch site like Skyscanner, comparison shopping has never been easier. Casting a wide net during the holiday travel season will help you understand all of your options. Be as flexible as possible with dates and airports to get the best rates and schedules. Keep in mind that departing or arriving from a smaller airport can make a big difference in your holiday travel experience, as smaller airports tend to have fewer crowds and shorter lines.
Plan your connections carefully
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When booking a flight, carefully check search results to make sure you have enough time for your layover, and also factor in time for flight delays and bad weather. Travel delays often occur during peak travel times, especially in the winter, making your connection more likely to be compromised. Avoiding tight layovers will prevent you from having to rush through the terminal, or even worse, missing your flight.
And if you can adjust your flight route so that you have a connecting flight somewhere less susceptible to delays, specifically an airport in a warmer climate, then it’s best to avoid the issue altogether by booking a direct flight.
Leave early
During peak travel times, you’ll encounter a lot of issues on this side of security check-in, including traffic jams, full parking lots, shuttle buses that aren’t running or long lines, etc. Instead of aiming to “arrive at the airport early,” try to “leave for the airport early” and anticipate all the peripheral delays you may encounter.
Many flights are completely booked during the holiday season, so if you miss your scheduled flight due to a flat tire or unexpected traffic jams, it may not be easy to get another flight in a reasonable time.
Most airlines recommend checking in 90 minutes for domestic flights and two hours for international flights, although if you’re traveling on holidays it’s wise to arrive even earlier. Expect long queues at check-in and security and plan accordingly. To save time, fill up your car with petrol the night before.
Pack smart
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Has it been a while since you last flew? If so, you should familiarize yourself with the latest TSA rules on what you can bring in your carry-on luggage. Check out our airport security FAQs for guidance. Keep in mind that TSA liquid and gel restrictions also apply to holiday leftovers (like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce) and gifts like wine and body lotion. Be prepared to pack these in your checked luggage.
As you pack, keep in mind that most airlines charge a fee to check bags on domestic flights (and some international flights) and that some budget flights don’t include a carry-on baggage, so check your airline’s baggage rules in advance so you know what to expect.
Plan your parking in advance
Don’t expect to be able to quickly find a space in the airport’s economy parking garage the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas. Airport parking lots may be large, but they fill up during peak travel times. Consider alternatives to driving yourself, such as taking public transportation, booking a shuttle, hailing a taxi or rideshare, or having someone drop you off.
If these options don’t work, reserve parking in advance through websites like AirportParkingReservations.com or ParkRideFly.
Use shortcuts
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The latest self-service developments in online travel can save you significant time during peak travel periods. Whenever possible, print your boarding pass at home or view it on your smartphone. Consider applying for a trusted traveler program like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which allows you to skip the regular security lines.
If you buy most of your gifts online, have them shipped directly to your destination. This will reduce your luggage and the risk of them getting lost. (If you are wrapping gifts, don’t wrap them. If TSA officers need to inspect them for any reason, they will open the gifts.)
Travel early in the morning
Airports are generally least crowded at times when most people are at home or asleep. Morning flights are much less likely to be delayed, and if something goes wrong with your original plans, you have options later in the day.
Please note: In addition to the ongoing staffing shortages facing airlines, early morning flights may be understaffed, so even if your flight is likely to depart on time, check-in may take longer, as may other steps that are staff-dependent, such as boarding shuttles.
Bring something comfortable
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As if cramped legroom, narrow seats, and crying babies weren’t enough to ensure a comfortable journey, some airlines are starting to remove the complimentary blankets that were once the only thing standing between passengers and hypothermia. Stay warm on those chilly holiday flights by bringing along a cozy pashmina, fleece, or travel blanket.
If you’re on a long flight, consider bringing items like earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, and an eye mask to help you sleep better. Also, don’t miss SmarterTravel’s list of the best travel podcasts.
Calm down
Don’t get angry, even if things go wrong. Airline employees have a lot of influence over your health. Unfortunately, some enjoy exerting that influence over you, and few handle anger well.
Remember that everyone is in a rush and give yourself some slack. Between the crowds, the weather, and the stress of the holiday season, it’s a good bet that over 90 percent of the people you meet while traveling will be just as exhausted as you are.
Holiday travel tips
Before heading to the airport, check ahead to see if there are any delays. The Federal Aviation Administration has published a map showing typical delays at major airports across the United States, so you can see if there are any issues lurking even if your scheduled flight is still on time. Have all the phone numbers ready: hotels, rental car companies, airlines, friends at your destination, etc. Keep your phone fully charged and download airline apps so you can get notified if your flight is delayed or the gate is changed. If you left your pet at home and haven’t booked a cage yet, do so now. If you’re taking Fluffy with you, check the airline and accommodation pet policies. While many places have eased or lifted COVID-19 restrictions, there are still destinations, public establishments, and events that require a mask or proof of vaccination. Be prepared: keep a copy of your vaccination card with your travel documents and have a mask ready just in case.
Putting it all together
A vacation is a great opportunity to put all your travel knowledge to good use. For example:
Get your boarding pass sent to your mobile phone, leave early so you don’t have to worry about small luggage, travel light so you don’t have to check your luggage, go straight through security and get to your gate on time for a worry-free connection…
…Traveling this season might be fun!
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect current information. Kristin Serkis and Jessica Lavrensis contributed to this article.
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