Traveling during the holidays can bring you joy, but it's not without its challenges. This usually means you're heading off to see loved ones or going on vacation to end the year – just like millions of other people. This can make for a rather stressful experience at airports, train and bus stations, or on the road.
Besides the crowds (not to mention trying to book flights during one of the most popular travel periods), other potential complications include transporting gifts and food and dealing with bad weather. Fear not, we're here to help with 15 tips that will make it easier to navigate the intricacies of vacation travel, so you can spend less time worrying and more time celebrating.
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Set price alerts and book your flights in advance.
If you're planning to travel during the holiday season, it's best to book your tickets as early as possible. As Travel + Leisure previously reportedThe prime time to book flights for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is usually in September. If you're still waiting for the best deal, set up price alerts on sites like Skyscannerthen click “buy” when the price suits you.
Reserve your rental car in advance.
Car rental prices can fluctuate a lot, so it's a good idea to reserve your vehicle in advance (preferably with a company that allows free cancellations) and then watch out for any price drops. To potentially save more, explore opportunities to get a discount through loyalty and membership programs. You can also reduce your bill by renting a car from a non-airport location, opting for a smaller vehicle or one with a manual transmission, and forgoing expensive add-ons like GPS navigation and satellite radio systems.
Be flexible on dates (and airports).
If you have some flexibility with the timing of your trip, broaden your search to include a few days either side of your ideal departure and return dates. Some days around the holiday, like the Sunday after Thanksgiving, are notoriously busy, so choosing a less busy day to travel can help you save big on plane tickets. Another way to reduce air travel costs? Choose to depart from a large airport with more flights at competitive prices. According to travel booking site Going.commajor hubs like Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport rank among the best for closing a deal.
Think about less visited destinations.
If you're visiting family or friends, you can't change their location, so ignore this advice. However, if you are planning to go on vacation, try to broaden your horizons. Want to have fun in the sun during the holidays? Rather than going to ultra-popular destinations like Cabo, try alternative locations with fewer crowds and potentially more affordable options. For example, you could head towards the equally attractive All Santosjust an hour's drive from Cabo San Lucas. There, you'll find a slower pace in a town with more bohemian charm, and plenty of vacation rental options for you and your crew to keep costs down. The same goes for winter ski destinations. Forget the big ski mountains and opt for less-visited spots that may not have all the bells and whistles, but still have all the powder reserves you're looking for.
Book with points.
The holidays are the ideal time to use these points you have accumulated all year on your credit card. And we know you probably have points to look forward to because, according to a rather shocking LendingTree studyA whopping 70 percent of rewards credit cardholders in the United States enjoy unused rewards in the form of cash back, points or miles. Note that some credit cards and loyalty programs may have blackout dates or other restrictions around the holidays, so check your policy in advance.
Choose direct flights.
Winter is an unpredictable season, marked by snowstorms and delays. Try to always book direct flights to reduce your chances of missing a connection en route. And if you're close enough to your destination, forgo flying altogether and opt for the train or bus instead.
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Splurge on lounge access.
Since airports are generally busier during the holidays, you will need to arrive at least two hours before your flight. Rather than trying to find a place in the crowds while waiting to board, use it as an excuse to splurge by entering an exclusive lounge. First class flights usually include lounge access, but those in economy can often upgrade, purchase a pass or check their credit card to see if this is an included benefit. Better yet, try Priority passan annual service that can help you access some of the best airport lounges.
Pack gifts in your carry-on baggage.
Losing a checked bag, frankly, sucks. Now imagine losing a checked bag filled with all the gifts you so diligently purchased for your nieces, nephews, aunts, grandparents and more. To guard against this, wrap your gifts in your continue. Better yet, if you can travel light, avoid checking a bag altogether. This way you will reduce your chances of losing anything along the way. Plus, you'll be able to leave the airport faster because you won't have to wait forever at the baggage carousel.
Know the rules about flying with vacation items.
If you are traveling with gifts, leave them unwrapped. Otherwise, if your wrapped gift raises red flags with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), they will be forced to unwrap it at security, undoing all your hard work. You can also avoid this hassle by shipping your gifts in advance. You will also need to be careful when fly with food items since certain liquids, such as large amounts of sauce or cranberry sauce, are not allowed in your carry-on baggage. Consult the “What can I bring?” from the TSA website and pack your solid foods in clear containers for easy security inspection.
Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.
It's Murphy's Law: anything that can go wrong will go wrong. This is why it's a good idea to have backups upon backups when it comes to vacation travel. It starts with registering for travel insurancewhich can be purchased from airlines or various suppliers. First check with your credit card provider if it is already included in your purchase. Otherwise, you'll want to look at all options — including “cancel for any reason” policies and standard options that cover everything from canceled flights to lost luggage — to find the one that fits your needs.
Next, try to create an alternate route to your destination in case your flight is canceled. See how far the commute is, check bus and train routes, or opt for an entirely different plan B for your holiday celebrations (like a staycation) so you don't feel like you're missing out.
If you are driving, be sure to get a tune-up.
Driving in winter can be just as stressful as flying. Not only do you have to think about different weather conditions, but you also have to contend with millions of other people on the road. And the last thing you need is for your vehicle to break down at an inopportune time. Do a quick update before you go on vacation.
Use all apps.
You know what's great about living in the 21st century? All. THE. Applications. This holiday season, use every app in your phone's arsenal: apps to find last minute flights and hotels to your favorite streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc.), plus map apps to keep you on track. Download movies, add your flight information to your phone wallet, and keep itineraries handy so you're ready for anything and entertained even on long-haul flights.
Check the opening hours of attractions in your destination.
You're not the only one on vacation. The same goes for hospitality and attractions workers. Before leaving for your must-see destinations, take note of vacation times. Companies often have condensed hours or closed days to ensure their staff also get time off.
Make reservations at any restaurants you plan to visit.
We've said it before and we'll say it again: traveling during the holidays requires planning. This also applies to restaurants. Do you have a place you're dying to try? Make reservations for the holiday season so you have a guaranteed place to eat.
Be prepared to combat stress and spread joy.
Hopefully all this preparation will help you stay calm while traveling this holiday season. If you need a little help relieving holiday stress, try downloading a few meditation apps, such as Headspace Or Calmto use during your trip. This way, you can breathe through the stress and anxiety and focus on staying positive for yourself, your family, and any fellow travelers who are just trying to reach their destination. As an added bonus, reducing stress can also help you avoid getting sick during the holidays.
