While the holidays are meant to be full of joy and cheer, traveling during the holidays can sometimes be less than cheerful. We have compiled a list of things you can do to help ensure your travels are not riddled with unnecessary stresses, so yo...
While the holidays are meant to be full of joy and cheer, traveling during the holidays can sometimes be less than cheerful. We have compiled a list of things you can do to help ensure your travels are not riddled with unnecessary stress, so you can enjoy your family and friends this holiday season.
Air Travel
First things first, before booking your flight, research the airlines you plan to fly with. Pay attention to such things as their respective fees and policies regarding both carry-on and checked luggage. When booking, keep in mind that flights leaving earlier in the day have a better on-time record than those that leave in the late afternoon/evening. When packing for your trip, it always helps to pack lightly. Lost luggage is an unpredictable occurrence and can add enormous amounts of stress to your trip. If you don’t have to check any bags, you can avoid this risk and the waiting time associated with baggage claim. If you do have to check bags, make sure that you have all your essential items in your carry-on with you. This includes things such as important paperwork, medications, a change of clothes, and any other items that would be pertinent and necessary if your checked bags were lost. Another thing to avoid is packing wrapped gifts, which the TSA may unwrap if the gift’s contents need to be checked and verified. The safest and cheapest way to transport gifts is often by shipping them. If possible, shipping them in advance helps too. Finally, on the day of your flight, it is important to give yourself extra time in case life does what it has a tendency to do: not go as planned. The stress and hassle you can save yourself by arriving to the airport early is well worth it. Trust us.
Car Travel
Traveling by car is a whole different ballgame than flying. In the weeks preceding your trip, it is important to have your car and tires inspected. With the holidays, comes massive amounts of traffic. With a lot of traffic, there are bound to be a few accidents. The driver should be completely awake and alert at all times. In case you are met with heavy traffic, it helps to have a few alternative routes planned. If you’re planning on avoiding as much traffic as possible, it is best to travel when the fewest amount of people are on the road. This usually means early in the morning or late at night. Remember, the more you plan ahead, the less likely something will go wrong when you’re on the road. Even with all this planning, there is always a chance that you will hit an unforeseen speedbump on the metaphorical road of traveling. In case of emergency, essentials such as water, flashlights, and bandages, should be kept in the car. Additionally, if you have roadside assistance, be sure to have the necessary contact information on hand. Finally, when traveling with kids, it helps if they can be engaged in some way. Books, car games, electronic devices, and music are all great ways to keep kids busy and less focused on if you’re “there yet.” For really long road trips, planning stops that the kids will enjoy can help release all the pent up energy accumulated from sitting in a car for long periods of time. Any activity helps.
ALL Travel
No matter how you plan to travel this holiday season, some measures are universal in making sure you and your family are traveling both smartly and safely. Planning for the unexpected and allocating yourself extra time is always useful. Additionally, traveling with a fully charged phone and phone charger can be crucial in the instance that something does go wrong. Few people are immune to the “attitude” change that follows not eating for extended periods of time. The best way to avoid this (surprise, surprise) is planning ahead. If you’re flying, try and eat a good meal before the flight. If you’re driving, pack snacks and drinks that are easily accessible. Finally, getting back to safety, it is important that you keep in touch with someone throughout your travels. Usually, this is the person who is expecting your arrival, but it can ultimately be anyone. The point of this is that someone know where you are and where you are planning to go from there, in case of emergency.