You may feel more stressed and busy around the holidays, especially if you have to fly for Christmas or Thanksgiving. These holiday travel tips may help your vacation go more smoothly, whether you’re flying within the US to see family or friends or going someplace abroad. Today, we’ll talk about some less well-known holiday travel tips that can help make flying less stressful during the busy months of November and December.
Travel Tips For 2024
Most likely, you already know some important holiday travel info. For example, you should know to get to the airport early to ensure you have time to go through security. Sign up for TSA PreCheck as well to speed up the process. Because some airports are very busy over the holidays, most airlines say to get there two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Now, here are some less well-known travel tips to make the holidays easier:
Expect Bad Weather and Traffic
Even if you live in a place with average weather, keep in mind that some places are already experiencing real winter weather in November. This could result in icy roads or even closed-down roads in some places. Many places have more people on the roads during the holidays. It’s not unexpected to encounter more than one traffic jam or accident. It’s always a good idea to give yourself extra time when traveling, regardless, even if your GPS says it will only take an hour to get there from the airport. You can always take a break early to get a coffee or do some sightseeing, after all.
The Worst Days to Travel On
The busiest day for tourists headed to their destinations is typically the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which is November 27th this year. There are likely to be many people there on November 26, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, too. Sunday, December 1st, is likely to be the busiest day for people coming back home. In fact, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is often the busiest day for travel all year.
Reserve Your Spot In The Security Line
At more and more airports, travelers can now reserve a spot in line for security ahead of time. This program, which is different from PreCheck, is based on the idea of FastPass at amusement parks. There are different rules for each airport, so make sure you know which security line the reserve program works in and how long in advance you can book your spot.
Make Use of Digital Hotel Keys
Many hotel chains offer digital key options through their mobile apps, so when you get there, you can skip the front desk and go straight to your room. This faster check-in method is useful for people who get there late or don’t want to deal with crowded lobbies during the holidays.
Take the First Flight of the Day
Even if they might need to get up very early, some people opt to book the first flight of the day. Early morning flights are less likely to be cancelled or delayed. Additionally, even if there is a problem, you may be able to get on a different flight later that same day. This is especially useful during the busy holiday season, as it’s likely to be comparatively less crowded during the early morning.
Make Sure Your Passports Meet Requirements
Most likely, you already checked to make sure that your passport is still valid. But some countries have extra rules, like the need for two blank pages in your passport back-to-back. Also, be sure that the expiration date is more than six months before your planned return date, as this is a requirement in several countries. The U.S. State Department can tell you which countries have this requirement.
Traveling for the holidays can be difficult. Everyone is excited about the chance to gather and celebrate. Hopefully, if you follow all of these tips, it’ll result in less stress and, therefore, more enjoyment of the holiday season. So remember: Use technology to your advantage. Give yourself more time in case something goes wrong. Expect bad weather and traffic, and consider booking the day’s first flight.
