If you’re wondering how to make your holiday travel as easy and enjoyable as possible, look no further than these nine tips and tricks to make traveling during the holidays as simple as possible. 9 Ways to Make Holiday Travel a Breeze
From saving money on airfare to planning your meals and packing efficiently, these nine holiday travel tips are sure to make your trip less stressful and more enjoyable!
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1) Avoid carrying baggage
First and foremost, never check in baggage. Yes, you’ll have your hands full during holiday travel—but nothing is worse than getting stuck waiting for your bag at your destination.
Research suggests that on average, 30% of passengers with checked luggage will experience a delay, and that nearly 90% of checked bags don’t arrive at their destination when expected.
2) Plan your route and take as few connecting flights as possible
If you’re looking for an easy way to simplify holiday travel, focus on taking direct flights whenever possible. Direct flights are less likely to be delayed or cancelled, and they often have more space in their overhead compartments than connecting flights do.
If you’re able to book a direct flight, consider yourself lucky—you won’t have long layovers and will get where you need faster.
3) Sign up for airline rewards programs
If you want to travel with fewer hassles during your holiday travels, consider signing up for airline rewards programs. Airline programs like Delta SkyMiles can save you time by allowing you to check in online, choose your seat without waiting in line, and board quickly.
If a particular airline isn’t listed as one of your options on an online sign-up form, contact them directly and ask about their program; chances are good that they have one.
4) Book in advance
Flights are at their cheapest in January, so book yours now. You can also search for travel deals on sites like Skyscanner and TripAdvisor.
Compare prices on different days of week, as well as on direct versus connecting flights (for example, you might save money by taking a two-leg flight instead of one that goes directly). Be sure to check with your frequent flyer program to see if you can accrue extra miles by booking earlier.
5) Check ticket prices on different days and times
Buying your plane ticket at just the right time can help you save money, so do some research before you book. A good strategy is to check flight prices on different days and times—you may be able to get lower rates for certain flights by booking at different times.
You should also keep an eye out for last-minute discounts or travel deals; sometimes, airlines will sell tickets for less than their standard price if they need to fill up empty seats.
6) Use airport lounges when you have time
If you’re going to be in an airport anyway, it might as well be as pleasant and relaxing as possible. Take advantage of airport lounges when you have time.
They’re a great place to rest your legs, grab something from the food court (many lounges serve full meals and alcohol), read a book or get some work done before your flight.
7) Stop by the grocery store before you leave town
There’s no reason to go hungry when you travel—just stop by your favorite grocery store before you hit the road and pick up some healthy snacks.
A lot of hotels have mini-fridges, so take advantage of them and don’t pay for room service! Also be sure to pack foods that can easily be eaten on-the-go—cut veggies are always a good option, as are some granola bars.
8) Pack light
The best way to make holiday travel less of a chore is by packing light. Packing light not only makes traveling less of an ordeal, but it also gives you more freedom once you arrive at your destination.
If you pack light and decide at some point during your travels that you need something from home, check out one of our favorite sites, SkyMall.
9) Don’t overschedule yourself during your trip
Sure, it’s fun to make all of those big-ticket plans—to see everything you can during your holiday trip. However, it’s very important not to overschedule yourself so that you can actually enjoy your vacation. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of your itinerary commitments, try breaking down each day into manageable chunks: start with breakfast and then plan out what you want to do for lunch and dinner.
If something doesn’t fit into one day, move it to another day or cut it out altogether; no need to stress! You are on vacation after all!
Looking for more travel tips? Check out my best travel guide on how to pack light here!