| Holiday Travel Tips |
|---|
| Research |
| Packing |
| Identification |
| Bringing Gifts |
| Trip Prep |
| Staying Positive |
Updated: 12/2/2021
Heading back home for the holidays should be an exciting experience, not a dreaded one. But it’s no secret that some of the busiest times of year are during the holiday season. Whether you’re flying, driving, or taking a train to your destination, so are plenty of others that are also going home to their loved ones.
The holidays are a time for joy and appreciation, but maintaining that mentality can be challenging when you’re worried about missing your flight or stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway. To avoid the fuss and headache of traveling during this busy time, be sure to follow these tips for a seamless, enjoyable trip.
1. Do Your Research
For Car Travel & Road Trips
Plan out your trip well in advance. If you’re road-tripping for the holidays, look into what routes will be the most crowded, and instead opt for an alternative route. It may be a mildly longer drive, but if you can skip sitting in traffic for hours, it’ll be well worth it.
For Air Travel & Public Transportation
If you’re flying or taking another form of public transportation, travel on a calmer day. If you can wait until Christmas day to travel, you’ll avoid the long lines.
Travel Tip: If you want to make it to your destination sooner, you can also travel in the early morning or late at night.
2. Pack Just A Carry On
By traveling light, you’ll speed up your day of travel and you won’t risk losing your luggage. Pack a well-organized carry on and avoid waiting for your luggage at the conveyor belt after your flight.
If you have kids or are traveling for an extended period of time and need to check a bag, be sure you bring important belongings and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.
Travel Tip: A personalized luggage tag can be a life-saver when you’re peering into a sea of black bags in search of your own.
3. Bring Your Photo ID
This may seem like a given, but on the day of your trip you may be in such a hurry you aren’t thinking completely straight. Set everything you’ll bring on your trip by the front door the night before, including your personal item holding the proper form of identification.
Travel Tip: Check out this article to be sure you bring the right photo ID with you.
4. Ship Your Gifts
If you’re heading home to see your family, you’re most likely bringing along their holiday gifts. If you’re flying to your destination, ship your gifts ahead of time so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of lugging them through the airport.
Travel Tip: If you do bring them on the plane with you, TSA recommends wrapping your gifts after you arrive at your destination because they may have to unwrap your gifts for inspection.
5. Prep For Your Trip
Make sure you’re prepped for a comfortable and hassle-free trip. Here are some of our top travel tips to make sure you’re prepped and ready for every aspect of your holiday travel:
- If you’re driving, bring snacks along for your trip and make the ride more enjoyable with a great playlist.
- When traveling with your children, try to keep them entertained, whether it’s with a coloring book, movies, or road trip games.
- If you’re flying, check in online the night before and look at the status of your flight before you leave the house.
- Before you board a plane, grab something healthy to eat so you are full for your trip and don’t have to rely on airline food.
- If you will be taking any form of public transportation, be sure to check required and recommended face mask regulations.
6. Stay Positive
There is only so much preparing for your trip you can do. While there are plenty of things you can do to try to avoid a mishap, they may still happen. When you feel overwhelmed and stressed out because things aren’t going as planned, take a deep breath and remember everything will work out.
Travel Tip: Stay positive! You will arrive at your destination and it will all be worth it in the end.
We hope you feel prepared and at ease for your upcoming adventure. We’re wishing you a safe and easy trip and hope you enjoy the holidays with those closest to you!