Special thanks to AIG Travel for sponsoring this discussion about holiday travel tips.
Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of pressure. More people travel at the holidays than at any other time of the year, which just adds to the stress. Pair the larger crowds with inexperienced travelers and constant changes to the protocol, and you have what could be a recipe for disaster.
Making it to the airport on time, delayed flights, missed connections, and lost luggage are all very real fears. Personally, no matter how often I fly, I’m always convinced that there’s going to be an issue going through the security line and I’ll be detained, then be sent to airport jail. I don’t wanna go to airport jail!!!! Traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to be rough. Here are some great holiday travel tips to make it easier.
Allow extra time
The holidays are the busiest travel time of the year. Everyone is trying to get somewhere, with most of them also trying to see their families. One of the best holiday travel tips is that a little extra time, and an extra dose of patience will do wonders. Not only for you, but for everyone around you.
Bring a snack
Lines are going to be long. Security lines, travel lines, store lines, even restaurant lines. Pack a snack in your carry-on bag so you can stave off hunger and grumpiness. You might also want to bring a refillable water bottle so you don’t have to wait in line to buy a beverage.
Consider alternate forms of travel
While flying and driving seem to be the most common forms of travel during the holidays, check to see what other methods of travel you can take. Taking the train can be fun, and less stressful than flying or driving. As a bonus, you’ll get to see a lot of the country, and it’ll be a trip that you’ll remember for a long time.
Christmas Lights in Fayetteville, AR
Pack light on your trip
If you’re going home for the holidays, you’ll want to pack light on the first half of your trip. You know that there will be a myriad of gifts, treasures, and assorted souvenirs that need to make the trip home. Packing light at the start makes sure that you’ll have room for the new items. You may also want to consider bringing a larger suitcase than you need, and checking it, just to make sure you have room.
Consider alternate routes
This great holiday travel tip is especially handy if you’re driving. Check to see what the alternate routes will be like. Some direct routes are shorter, but boring, drives with nowhere to stop. Other times, the most direct route will take you straight through a major city at rush hour. Planning a slight detour may seem like a longer trip, but can be a lot more enjoyable.
Book a Direct Flight
When flying, it may be worth a few more dollars to book the most direct flight possible. Each time you have to transfer planes, there’s a greater chance for something to go wrong. I’ve been stranded at airports, and it’s not fun. It’s probably worse when you want to see your family for the holidays.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in Taos, NM
Consider Travel Insurance
When everything goes sideways, it’s great to have peace of mind. Travel Insurance, like Travel Guard travel insurance, does just that. They can help you if you miss a flight, lose your luggage, or have other travel issues like illness or injury. A few extra dollars can provide quite a bit of peace of mind, and that’s one of the best holiday travel tips anyone can give you.
Join Us for a Twitter Party
Let’s chat about holiday travel at the AIG Travel twitter party on Thursday, November 10th from 9-10 pm EST. That’s 8 CST, 7 MST, and 6 pm PST. There will be prizes, and great conversation about travel. RSVP for the twitter party in the widget below! Be sure to follow the hashtag #WhereNext? to join in the chat
What are your best holiday travel tips?
