6 Holiday Travel Tips to Make Your Flight a Breeze
While we all love the holidays, it’s no secret that traveling to and fro can be stressful. These holiday travel tips will make your flights easier than ever.
Don’t let the stress of traveling during the peak holiday season keep you from seeing your family. You can do several things beforehand to make your trip a breeze this season.
Traveling can be daunting, especially during the peak travel season. Finding the right flight and accommodations, keeping track of check-in times and baggage restrictions, and other details can create a stressful experience.
However, with careful planning upfront, traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these six holiday travel tips to make your next trip as smooth as possible.
1. Create Organized Travel Plans Before You Leave
When it comes to Christmas and Thanksgiving travel, the key is organization. This means having a plan and sticking to it. Create a plan of action by doing the following:
Organize a To-Do List
The worst feeling in the world is being at the airport and realizing you’ve forgotten something important. If you want to avoid that sinking feeling, it’s best to make a to-do list before you leave for your trip.
A saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Unfortunately, not having a plan is especially true regarding travel.
Start by listing everything you need to do before leaving for your trip. This list may include packing your bags, checking your passport, and booking your flight.
Creating a to-do list may seem like an extra step in the already hectic process of packing and getting ready for a trip. However, it can save you a lot of headaches (and money) in the long run. Plus, it’s always satisfying to cross things off a list!
One of the most important things to remember when making a to-do list is to be organized. Doing this will help you stay on top of everything and ensure you don’t forget anything important.
So, take some time to sit down and plan out everything before your next trip. It will save you a lot of stress in the long run!
Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Get Everything Done
Holiday travel can be a hectic time for many people. There are so many things to do and plan for that it can be challenging to stay organized. However, by giving yourself plenty of time to complete everything, you can ensure that your holiday travel goes smoothly.
Book Flights Early
One of the most important things to do when traveling for the holidays is to book your flights as early as possible. Doing this will ensure you get the best prices and convenient times. It is also a good idea to have a backup plan in case your first flight choice is unavailable.
Book Flights on the Off-Days
Try booking your flights on the off-days around the holidays as airlines usually offer better deals then. You can also try to be flexible with your travel dates.
Book a Place to Stay
Once you book your flights, it is time to start considering accommodation. If you are traveling with family or friends, you may want to look into renting a holiday home.
If you are traveling solo, plenty of hotels cater to holiday travelers. You can often find great deals on accommodation if you book in advance.
Pack Accordingly
When packing for holiday travel, it is essential to be prepared. Make sure to pack clothes suitable for your destination’s climate. If you are unsure what to bring, it is always a good idea to consult a packing list.
Don’t Forget ID and Other Documents
Remember to pack your essential items, such as your passport, documents, and travel insurance. It is also a good idea to bring along some cash in case you need it.
2. Arrive Early
If you’re flying during Thanksgiving, be sure to arrive early. The Thanksgiving travel rush can be hectic, and you don’t want to miss your flight. Early arrival will also give you time to relax before your flight and avoid the Thanksgiving travel stress.
If you’re flying during Christmas, book your flight early. Christmas is a popular time to travel, so flights fill up quickly. Early booking will ensure you get the flight date and time you want.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are busy travel times, so be prepared for crowds at the airport. Give yourself plenty of time to get through security and to your gate. And don’t forget to pack your patience!
So what’s the best way to ensure you arrive early for Christmas or Thanksgiving flights?
First, check the airport’s website for updated security wait times. Thanksgiving is a busy travel time, especially if you’re flying commercial. So expect longer than regular security lines.
Give yourself plenty of time to get through security, even if it means getting to the airport extra early.
3. Create Backup Plans
So what’s your backup plan in case of a delayed flight? Or maybe you miss your flight or it storms. It’s not about looking at travel negatively but developing a backup plan just in case the worst happens.
So here are some ideas of backup plans in case the worse happens:
Change Your Flight
You’re all packed and ready for your long-awaited vacation. You’ve been dreaming about this trip for months, and everything is finally coming together. But your flight gets canceled or delayed the day before you’re all set to depart.
All of a sudden, your plans are up in the air. What do you do?
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, your best bet is to rebook your flight for the next day. That way, you still have time to enjoy your long-awaited vacation.
You may also consider getting a refund for your flight or looking into alternative transportation options. Just be mindful that there is a good chance there will be an extra fee to do all these things.
No matter what you decide to do, don’t let a canceled or delayed flight ruin your vacation. With some planning, you can still have the trip of a lifetime.
Stay in a Hotel Near the Airport
Don’t let last-minute changes ruin your holiday travel plans. If flying for the holidays, consider staying in a hotel near the airport in case your original plans don’t fall through. That way, you won’t have to worry about getting stranded at the airport all night.
And you can always take a taxi or Uber to your hotel. So be sure to be mindful that things can happen, and you may need to result to your alternate plans during the busy holiday seasons.
Have a Friend or Family Member Pick You Up
One option is to have a friend or family member pick you up from the airport if your plane is delayed or your flight is canceled. That way, you won’t have to worry about finding a place to stay or getting around in a new city. Don’t forget to pack your bags and ensure you have all your documents in order before leaving for the airport.
Take Public Transportation
If your original travel plan this holiday season fails, don’t despair! Taking public transportation can be a great alternative.
Trains and buses can take you to all sorts of places near and far. And depending on where you’re going, you may even be able to avoid the hassle of flying.
Of course, public transportation isn’t without its own set of challenges. But with some planning and preparation, you can make your holiday travels go smoothly. Public transportation can be an adventure, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
Rent a Car
You can still have a great time by renting a car and hitting the open road. There are plenty of beautiful places to see on your way to your destination. And, by renting a car, you’ll have the flexibility to change your plans on the fly if you need to.
Renting a car is a great way to see the country and have a wonderful holiday, even if your original plans don’t work out.
4. Pack Light and Ship All Gifts
And if you’re like most people, you probably hate dragging around a heavy suitcase full of gifts. But there’s no need to worry! With some planning, you can pack light or ship all your gifts instead.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Think About What You Need
Do you need to bring everything with you? Chances are, there are some items that you can leave at home.
For example, if you’re traveling with young children, you might not need to bring their favorite toys. Instead, pack a few small items that will keep them entertained on the plane.
Ship Gifts Directly to Your Destination
If you know your gifts will arrive before you do, ship them directly to your destination. Doing this will save you the hassle of having to lug them around with you.
Check the Weight and Size Limits
Before packing your gifts, check the weight and size limits for carry-on and checked luggage. That will help you avoid any surprises at the airport.
5. Charge Electronic Devices and Bring Lightweight Games
Holiday traveling can be a pain, but there are ways to make it more bearable and enjoyable. One way is to charge your electronic devices before you get on the plane. This way, you can stay entertained during the flight.
Maybe you have some last-minute work that needs doing on your computer. Or you can watch a movie or play a game on your phone or tablet. Whatever it is, make sure you’re always prepared with a fully charged device.
Another way to make holiday travel more bearable is to bring some lightweight games. These games will help pass the time and make the trip more enjoyable.
Choose games that can be played by yourself or others, like solitaire, Sudoku, crosswords, or word searches. Games are a great way to take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle and relax.
So make sure to pack them in your carry-on before you head to the airport. Or already have those games downloaded on your phone or tablet.
6. Stay Calm and Be Patient
Regarding holiday travel, the best advice is to stay calm and be patient. Holiday flying can be stressful, but if you keep your cool and follow a few simple tips, you’ll indeed have a successful trip.
First, make sure you arrive at the airport early. Holiday flying can be chaotic, and you don’t want to miss your flight. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Once you’re at the airport, find your gate and get comfortable. The airport will be crowded if you fly during Christmas or Thanksgiving. So, it’s essential to relax and not let the hustle and bustle of the holiday season get to you.
When it’s time to board the plane, be patient. The holiday season is a busy time for airlines, and there may be a line to get on the plane. But, eventually, you’ll make it through the line and onto your seat.
Finally, sit back and enjoy the ride once you’re on the plane. Holiday flying can be stressful, but if you stay calm and patient, you’ll make it to your destination in no time. And if your traveling plans don’t meet your expectations, don’t worry.
Everyone travels during the holiday season, so there are bound to be some bumps along the way. But, stay calm and enjoy your holiday. After all, that’s what it’s all about.
Are You Ready to Put Those Holiday Travel Tips to Use?
Holiday travel can be stressful, but if you follow a few simple tips, you can make it a breeze. From packing light to staying calm and patient, there are plenty of ways to make holiday flying successful.
So put those holiday travel tips to good use and enjoy your holiday travels. And be sure to make a reservation with Republic Jet Center for your traveling needs. We’re always happy to help make your holiday travel plans a success.
