As we get closer and closer to the holidays, anticipation rises for all the fun this time of year brings, not least of any potential holiday travels. This time of year is perfect to go and visit with loved ones, see how Christmas is done in other parts of the world, or maybe just go lie on a beach somewhere warm. Whatever you reason for travelling, it’s an exciting time for it but certainly not without stress. Lots of people are coming and going this time of year and the weather can make travel unpredictable. But there’s no reason to let some travel woes dampen your spirit of the season. Here are a few tips for safe and happy holiday travels.
Research.
No one likes to work over the holidays but a little pre-planning on your travels can help a lot in the long run. Search around for the best deals on flights and accommodations. Compare prices and see where your money goes the farthest. It’s also smart to do a little research on the airports you’ll be using. Do you need to make connections? How large is the terminal? Getting answers to a few of these questions in advance can help speed along the process considerably. Also, given the traffic this time of year, mapping out a route to the airport is not a bad idea either.
Choose the right days.
Speaking of planning ahead, having some choice in the day you travel can do a lot to relieve some of the stress of the situation. I know, the holidays are busy and when your holiday vacation starts is rarely up to you but on the off chance that you do have some leeway, certain days are much easier to travel on than others. For example, typically people travel on the weekends, but if you can make a mid-week departure work you might have to deal with a lot less of a crowd, not to mention some cheaper flights.
Mail your gifts.
The holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without present to your loved ones. Despite the insanity of the mall during shopping season, figuring out the perfect gift for everyone on your list can be a lot of fun, and online shopping makes it much easier now. However, those gifts can really become a problem when you’re travelling. All of the sudden your luggage doubles and your stuck paying for extra bags and hoping nothing gets damaged en route. Save yourself the hassle and mail the gifts before you travel. Some online shopping sites like Amazon even offer the service of having the items delivered gift wrapped.
Be early.
Anytime you travel it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your timing. This is especially true during the holidays. You might think you have all the time in the world and most people would rather not wait around in a crowded airport for longer than is absolutely necessary. However, with the many factors that can slow things down this time of year – crowds, traffic, weather – giving yourself the minimum amount of time to make your flight is just asking for trouble. Get there early, go through security and find your gate with plenty of time to spare. You might get a little bored waiting around but if it means you won’t be missing out on your holiday trip, isn’t it worth it?
Embrace technology.
In this age of technology, there is likely at least one app you can download on your phone for just about any problem you are facing and that is certainly to case with travel. Boomers might not get credit as being up-to-date on technology but embracing some of these helpful services can really revolutionize the way you travel. Of course, there are map apps which can be great for getting to and from the airport or exploring a new city. There are also apps for finding the cheapest flights and hotels, apps for navigating airports with ease and just about anything else you could want to make your trip easier.
Happy holidays.
Now with all these tips in mind, obviously there is no guarantees that you won’t hit the occasional bump in the road during your travels. But if and when you do, try to keep the spirit of the season in your mind and try to make the best of the situation. Take inspiration from the group of Newfoundlanders who turned a delayed flight into an impromptu singalong. There’s no worry of Christmas isn’t going to be cancelled so you might as well enjoy this festive time as it only comes along once a year!