15 Holiday Travel Tips for a Less Stressful Festive Season

These holiday travel tips will help you navigate the most wonderful (and hectic) time of year.

Traveling during the holidays may bring you joy, but it's not without its challenges. It usually means you’re off to see your loved ones or heading on vacation to end the year right — and so are millions of other people. This can make for a rather stressful experience in airports, train and bus stations, or on the road.

Along with the crowds (not to mention trying to book flights during one of the most popular travel periods), other potential complications include transporting gifts and food and dealing with bad weather. Fear not — we’re here to help with 15 tips to make navigating the intricacies of holiday travel easier, so you can spend less time worrying and more time celebrating.

Related: The Best Places to Go for Christmas

Set price alerts and book flights early.

If you’re planning to fly for the holiday season, it's best to book your tickets as early as possible. As Travel + Leisure previously reported, the prime time to book flights for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is typically in September. If you're still waiting to score the best deal, set up price alerts on sites like Skyscanner, then click “buy” when the price is right for you.

Reserve your rental car ahead of time.

Car rental prices can fluctuate a lot, so it's smart to reserve your vehicle early (preferably with a company that allows free cancellations) and then watch out for any price drops. To potentially save further, explore opportunities to get a discount through frequent flyer and membership programs. You can also lower your bill by renting a car from a non-airport location, opting for a smaller or manual transmission vehicle, and forgoing pricey add-ons like GPS navigation and satellite radio systems.

Related: 15 Secret Ways to Get Cheapest Car Rentals

Be flexible on dates (and airports).

If you have some flexibility on when you travel, expand your search to include a few days on either side of your ideal departure and return dates. Certain days around the holidays, such as the Sunday after Thanksgiving, are notoriously busy, so picking a less crowded day to fly can help you save big on airfare. Another way to reduce costs when flying? Choosing to fly out of a large airport with more flights at competitive prices. According to travel booking site Going.com, big hubs like Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport ranked among the best for scoring a deal.

Consider less-visited destinations.

If you’re visiting family or friends, you can’t change where they live, so ignore this tip. However, if you’re thinking of setting off on vacation, try broadening your horizons. Looking for some fun in the sun over the holidays? Rather than going to ultra-popular destinations like Cabo, try alternative locations with fewer crowds and potentially more affordable options. For example, you could head to the equally alluring Todos Santos, just an hour's drive from Cabo San Lucas. There, you’ll find a slower pace in a town with more bohemian flair, and plenty of vacation rental options for you and your crew to keep costs down. The same goes for winter ski destinations. Forgo the big ski mountains for lesser-visited spots that may not come with all the bells and whistles but still have all the powder stashes you’re after.

Related: The Best Budget Travel Tips, According to Financial Experts

Book with points.

The holidays are the ideal time to use those points you’ve been racking up all year long on your credit card. And we know you’ve likely got points waiting because, according to a rather shocking LendingTree study, a whopping 70 percent of U.S. rewards credit card holders have unused rewards in the form of either cash back, points, or miles. Note that some credit cards and loyalty programs may have blackout dates or other restrictions around the holidays, so check your policy in advance.

Choose direct flights.

Winter is an unpredictable season that comes with snowstorms and delays. Try to always book direct flights to lessen your chances of missing a connection along the way. And if you’re in close enough proximity to your destination, forgo planes altogether and opt for a train or bus instead. 

Splurge on lounge access.

Since airports are generally busier during the holidays, you'll want to arrive at least two hours before your flight. Rather than trying to find a seat in the crowd while waiting to board, use this as your excuse to splurge on entry to an exclusive lounge. First-class flights usually include lounge access, but those in economy can often upgrade, purchase a pass, or check their credit card to see if it's an included perk. Better yet, try Priority Pass, a yearly service that can help you access some of the best airport lounges. 

Pack gifts in your carry-on.

Losing a checked bag, to put it bluntly, sucks. Now, imagine losing a checked bag filled with all the gifts you so diligently purchased for your nieces, nephews, aunts, grandparents, and more. To safeguard against this, pack your presents in your carry-on. Even better, if you're able to travel light, avoid checking a bag altogether. That way, you'll reduce your chances of losing anything along the way. Plus, you'll be able to leave the airport faster because you won’t have to wait forever at the baggage carousel.

Know the rules about flying with holiday items.

If you're traveling with gifts, leave them unwrapped. Otherwise, if your wrapped gift raises any red flags with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), they will be forced to unwrap it at security, undoing all your hard work. You could also avoid this hassle by shipping your gifts ahead of time. You'll also want to be cautious when flying with food items since some liquids, such as large quantities of gravy or cranberry sauce, aren't allowed in your carry-on. Consult the "What Can I Bring?" section of the TSA website and pack your solid food items in clear containers for easy inspection at security.

Have a backup plan in case things go wrong.

It’s Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. That’s why it’s a good idea to have backups on backups when it comes to holiday travel. This starts with opting in for travel insurance, which can be bought through airlines or various providers. Check with your credit card provider first to see if it’s already included in your purchase. If not, you'll want to look at all the options — including “cancel for any reason” policies and standard options that cover everything from canceled flights to lost baggage — to find the one that fits your needs.

Next, try to create an alternate route to your destination in case your flight gets canceled. See how far the drive is, check bus and train routes, or have an entirely different plan B option for your holiday celebration (like a staycation) so you don’t feel like you’re missing out.

If you’re driving, be sure to get a tune-up.

Driving in the winter can be just as stressful as flying. Not only do you have to think about the various weather patterns, but you also have to contend with millions of others on the road. And the last thing you need is your vehicle breaking down at an inopportune time. Get a quick tune-up before setting off for your holiday trip.

Make use of all the apps.

You know what’s great about living in the 21st century? All. The. Apps. This holiday season, use every app in your phone’s arsenal — from apps for finding last-minute flights and hotels to your favorite streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc.), along with map apps to keep you on track. Download movies, add your flight info to your phone’s wallet, and keep directions handy so you’ll be prepared for everything and stay entertained even on long-haul flights.

Check the opening hours at your destination’s attractions.

You’re not the only one on holiday break. So are hospitality and attraction workers. Before heading off to your must-see destinations, take note of holiday hours. Businesses will often have condensed hours or closed days to ensure their staff gets time off, too. 

Make reservations at all the restaurants you plan to visit.

We’ve said it before and we'll say it again: Traveling during the holidays requires planning. That applies to restaurants, too. Have a spot you’re dying to try? Make reservations for the holiday season so you have a guaranteed place to eat. 

Be ready to tackle stress and spread joy instead.

Hopefully, all that preparation will help keep you calm while traveling this holiday season. If you need a little help to relieve holiday stress, try downloading a few meditation apps, such as Headspace or Calm, to use during your journey. This way, you can breathe through any stress and anxiety and focus on staying positive for yourself, your family, and all your fellow travelers just trying to get to their destinations. As a bonus, cutting down on stress can also help you avoid getting sick during holiday travel.

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