Listen to this articleLarge crowds at airports and busy roadways cause significant stress for families seeking to reunite with loved ones around Thanksgiving. According to a survey released by travel company The Vacationer, more than half of respondents intend to travel during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday. Those who do travel will also spend more than in previous years: a third of respondents have budgeted over $1,000 to travel in November.
Much of that spending will go to airlines, which anticipate their busiest travel season to be in the days immediately before and after Thanksgiving. In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following as the busiest days for flying: 2,741,610 and 2,908,785 travelers passed through TSA checkpoints on those days , respectively.
Travel experts agree that busy travel days present some challenges, but key strategies can ease the headaches. Top tips from experts include planning ahead, packing beyond the bare essentials, and considering everyone's needs when preparing to leave home for vacation.
Plan ahead
Experts agree that planning makes for an easier travel experience. Georgia Konidari, founder of World Wild Schooling, books her flights and hotel as early as possible to avoid the rush. “The holiday season is always busy, so it’s important to plan,” she notes. If you're traveling with children, pre-planning helps “choose the most child-friendly accommodation, which tends to book up as the vacation approaches.”
Allowing extra time for travel, whether by plane or car, helps ensure a smooth Thanksgiving experience. For travelers, Konidari notes, “Leave earlier than usual to better manage stress and have enough time to get through security.” For car travelers, plan to take more breaks instead of fewer. “It’s a good idea to schedule a break every two hours. Regular breaks allow us to stretch our feet while the children run around to get some energy. » Konidari recommends planning stops at parks or rest areas with playgrounds.
Even the best-laid plans will encounter stressors along the way. Keeping a positive attitude helps everyone stay in a good mood. Monica Fish, avid traveler and founder of Planner at Heart, shares, “We travel frequently with the kids, and over the years we've seen how they take inspiration from us. So if we keep the day fun and avoid potential problems like flight delays, it really makes a difference. Fish suggests dressing up in festive outfits or taking family photos with holiday decorations at the airport to keep the day fun.
If flexibility allows, travel on off-peak days to alleviate airport crowds and congested roads. Leaving an extra day or two earlier and returning home a day or two later will help travelers avoid the worst of long lines and traffic.
Pack smartly
Packing smart for a vacation isn't just about remembering an extra toothbrush and socks. Families need to prepare for many situations when traveling during the holidays, especially with children.
Alex Caspero, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Delish Knowledge, keeps her packing strategy in mind when planning her vacation trip. She shares: “Our carry-on bags are always loaded with a complete change of clothes for each child and a blanket for unexpected cold spots. I also carry a few books, toys and a charged tablet for long flights.
Bringing snacks for everyone in the family also helps manage an otherwise stressful travel day. Kondari notes: “Hungry children can become frustrated and cranky very quickly. Have a variety of healthy snacks with you. Caspero also points out that his carry-on bags contain “more snacks than we think we'll ever need.”
For families with less travel experience, getting on a plane or embarking on a long road trip seems daunting. Caspero, who frequently travels with his family, offers words of encouragement. “We have taken our children on almost 100 flights and I have discovered that traveling with children doesn't have to be difficult, as long as you prepare for their needs.”
Anticipating everyone's needs during and after the trip reduces the burden of hitting the road or taking to the skies while on vacation. Packing more than just the essentials in carry-on luggage starts your vacation off right.
This article was produced by Media Decision and distributed by Wealth of Geeks.
