If you’ve ever traveled during the holidays, you probably already know what a hectic and un-enjoyable experience it can sometimes be. The good news is this. There are a wide variety of travel tips that go a long way in helping you get from point A to point B as smoothly as possible. Here are a few to consider.
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Pack Light
Packing light is something you should think about, regardless of your mode of transportation. If you’re flying, there’s less of the chance that your luggage gets lost. If you’re driving, there’s more room in your vehicle.
Two more important tips.
- When traveling by plane never pack your important documents in your luggage. Keep this paperwork with you or in your carry-on bag for safe-keeping.
- Tip number two, don’t leave home without a good set of earplugs. They’ll be your new BFF on a long, noisy flight!
Ship Gifts Ahead of You
You will save yourself a lot of grief, by shipping gifts ahead of you. It’s the best way to guarantee safe and timely delivery. If you’re flying and prefer to transport gifts with you, don’t wrap them until you reach your destination.
Why? There’s always the chance that airport security personnel might request that you unwrap a package for inspection purposes.
At this point, I buy everything on Amazon and have it shipped to where we are going. If you get Amazon Prime you get free shipping.
Easier still, you can always give gift cards as an alternative.
Travel on Off-Peak Days
Traveling on off-peak days is cheaper, no matter the time of year. When it comes to the holiday season, the day before Thanksgiving is the absolute WORST day to travel. If you have a limited number of vacation days, it’s better to travel early in the day on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. You avoid the extremely long lines and the confusion that goes with them.
In addition, statistics prove that early-in-the-day flights have a much higher “on-time” rate than any other time of the day. On the other hand, when traveling by car, it’s best to travel at night when traffic is much less congested.
Take Advantage of Popular Travel Apps
New travel-related apps seem to pop up almost every day. There are apps for everything from finding the cheapest gas and cleanest restrooms on the road to getting updates on flight delays to almost anything in between. Once you start looking at possible travel apps, you’ll probably be amazed at what’s available. Some of my favorites are:
- Waze – Traffic app
- Lutron – Remote controls various items in your house
- Travelocity – Finds last minute travel deals
Expect the Unexpected
Always expect the unexpected. No one is immune, when it comes to accidents or inconvenience, regardless of how prepared they think they are. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, when flying. If you’re driving to your destination, make sure you have emergency supplies and extra food in case of inclement weather. Make sure your vehicle is winter ready.
Unfortunately, many people think that nothing bad will ever happen to them. As the old adage goes, “it’s always better to be safe than sorry!”
Adhering to these holiday travel tips means you reduce the chance of running into snags on your journey. Doing research, before you travel, is also extremely helpful. The more prepared you are, the more joyous the holiday will typically be!
And don’t forget to prep your house!
