Flying during the holidays? So is everyone else. That’s why the airports are clogged, the luggage systems overburdened and the flights packed. But fear not—there are ways to travel this holiday season without all the headache.
“Avoid peak travel dates,” says Ed Hewitt, features editor at IndependentTraveler. “Fly on the holiday itself if possible, and avoid Sunday evening at the end of the long [Thanksgiving] weekend. If you can extend your vacation time into that following week…you will have a much better go of things.”
Booking your airfare sooner rather than later helps guarantee availability and can save you money. Last minute deals aren’t common around the holidays, so the ticket you’re depending on will only getting pricier the longer you wait.
Before you leave home, stock up on the latest travel apps. TSAwait lets you know approximate times you’ll spend in the security lines, while Flight Status provides real-time updates on delays, terminal and gate numbers, baggage claim info and more.
And ideally, you can avoid checking bags altogether. You won’t have to worry about waiting among the crowds at the conveyer belt for your luggage or your presents getting lost. Speaking of presents, the TSA suggests you don’t wrap them, as security may have to inspect the items. Remember also that the TSA only allows liquids and gels in three-ounce containers (or smaller) packed in a single, clear, quart-size plastic bag.
Make sure you save space for diversions. “Take along work, books, magazines, a CD player, some healthy snacks,” says Hewitt. “Whatever you need to get through delays. This goes double when traveling with kids.” (Check out our advice on a family road trip, for instance).
Ultimately, it’s about keeping your cool. Delays are inevitable when traveling during the holidays, but if you prepare for them, they’ll be perfectly manageable and your focus can be on the holidays, rather than the lines.
