Whether you're heading to your cousin's house for Thanksgiving or taking advantage of the long weekend for a beach getaway, one thing's for sure: you won't be alone. In 2023, nearly 3 million people traveled through U.S. airports on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Its estimate of the number of people traveling between November 17 and 27, 2023 was 29.9 million, an increase of 9% from 2022.
Although forecasts for the number of people traveling during Thanksgiving weekend in 2024 are not yet known, AAA estimated last year that Thanksgiving weekend 2023, Wednesday through Sunday, would see the Highest holiday travel volume since 2019, with 55.4 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more. We can imagine it will be another busy year.
Busiest Days to Travel During Thanksgiving
The busiest travel days will still be the Tuesday and Wednesday just before Thanksgiving as well as the Sunday after Thanksgiving – the Sunday which, in 2023, saw the TSA screening nearly 3 million people across the country.
When it comes to driving, AAA reports that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., is the busiest time for driving.
How much will the flights cost?
AAA reported in November 2023 that the average price for a domestic flight in November and December was $681, up 5% from 2022. For international flights, the average price was $1,231, down by 5.7% compared to 2022.
Of course, flight prices vary considerably depending on when you bookand where you fly to and from. Larger airports with thousands of flights will have more competitive prices.
What about rental cars?
AAA reports that the average national rental car price for Thanksgiving weekend was $590 in 2023, a 20% decrease from 2022.
Maybe I'll take the train
Good idea. If Amtrak serves your destination, taking the train is the least stressful way to travel during Thanksgiving. There are no tedious security checks before boarding, and once on board you'll have Wi-Fi, plenty of legroom and beautiful views out the window. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance; When booked in advance, Amtrak offers reasonable prices, but last-minute tickets are very expensive and popular routes are often sold out.
And if you'd rather ditch Thanksgiving and spend a long weekend somewhere warm, you can even take the train from Chicago to Miami; it's AAA's third most popular holiday weekend getaway.
Want to go somewhere warm for Thanksgiving? You are not alone; AAA ranks Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, as the third most popular international destination.
Photo by onapalmtree/Shutterstock
Avoid (or embrace) crowds
Warm-weather getaways and theme park visits, according to AAA's list Top Thanksgiving Destinationsare the big winners. Whether you want to join the crowds or escape, here are the top domestic and international destinations.
Domestic destinations
- Orlando, Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Anaheim, California
- Tampa, Florida
International destinations
- Cancun, Mexico
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Bahrain
- Rome, Italy
How to get through TSA with less stress
Yes, we all know that, but consider this your official holiday season reminder: to hand luggageliquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must weigh 3.4 ounces or less, and all bottles must fit in a single quart plastic bag to be placed in a bin for examination. Larger liquids, gels, creams and aerosols should be placed in checked bags. Inform a TSA agent if you are traveling with larger quantities of liquid medications, breast milk or infant formula, as these must be screened separately.
Can I bring my snacks through TSA?
You can and should bring snacks in your carry-on. Delays during Thanksgiving weekend are almost a given, and airport food is often expensive.
What about cranberry sauce? A pie?
In the words of the TSA, “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it's considered a liquid.” » If you have any liquid larger than 3.4 ounces, whether it's cranberry sauce or your homemade pear jam, it should be placed in your checked bag. However, your apple pie can go in the cabin. (Don't risk the top compartment; keep your precious cargo on your lap.)
Wear a minimalist outfit
The TSA recommends minimizing items you wear through airport security, such as bulky jewelry, wide-brimmed hats, scarves, hair accessories, and large belts that take time to remove and may require additional monitoring. Keep a collapsible tote bag handy to transport your winter coat and other accessories through security.
Check the trash before rushing
Another seemingly obvious one, but when the airport is crowded and travelers are in a hurry, take the time to double-check the plastic bins after you collect your belongings and before rushing to the gate. It's not uncommon for travelers to leave behind a number of items, including jackets, laptops, wallets, IDs and phones, the TSA reported.
Get TSA PreCheck or Clear
If you don't already have it TSA Precheck, Clearor even bothnow is the time to register. TSA pre-check takes three to five days to be approved and Clear only takes a few minutes, although the final step must be completed at a Clear location.
Once you sign up for TSA PreCheck, you'll have access to expedited screening lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports and won't need to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts or jackets to go through security. Clear is installed in more than 50 airports, and although the security procedure is the same as normal TSA, the lines are often much shorter. And at some airports, like Orlando, JFK and LAX, you can even make a reservation for a security line time slot.
This article was originally published in 2018 and last updated on October 25, 2024, with current information. Sophie Friedman contributed reporting to this story.
>>Next: How to choose between TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
