You may feel extra stressed and busy during the holidays, especially if you have plans to fly for Christmas or Thanksgiving. The following holiday travel tips may help your holiday abroad go more smoothly, whether you’re going to Christmas markets in Europe or flying within the US to see family or friends. Today, we’ll talk about some lesser-known holiday travel tips that can help make flying during the busy months of November and December less stressful.
Travel Tips For 2024
You probably already know some essential tips for traveling over the holidays: Get to the airport early to give yourself plenty of time to go through security. And to get through security faster, sign up for TSA PreCheck. Most airlines say you should get to the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight, because of how busy some airports get around the holidays. But are some less well-known travel hacks and tips that will make your holiday trips go more smoothly:
Expect Bad Weather and Traffic
Even if you live in an area with a middle-of-the-road climate, keep in mind that some places are already experiencing real winter weather in November. In some places, this could mean that the roads will be icy or even closed. In addition, airport runways aren’t the only places with more people than usual during the holidays. The roads will be crowded in many cities. It’s not unusual to experience more than one traffic jam or accident. Overall, even if your GPS says that the last place you need to go is an hour’s drive from the airport, you should always allow more time to get there. After all, if you’re early, you can always take a break to see the sights or get a coffee.
The Worst Days to Travel On
Historically, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 27th this year, is the busiest day for travelers heading to their destination. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, will also likely be crowded. On the way back, the airport’s busiest day will likely be Sunday, December 1st. In fact, the Sunday after Thanksgiving often sets the record for the busiest travel day of the year.
Reserve Your Spot In The Security Line
More and more airports nowadays allow travelers to reserve a spot ahead of time in security lines. This is a separate program from PreCheck and borrows the FastPass idea from amusement parks. The program rules vary by airport, so check out the details of which security line the reserve program is offered in and how far in advance you can book your spot.
Use Digital Hotel Keys
Many hotel chains offer digital key options through their mobile apps, allowing you to skip the front desk and head straight to your room once you arrive. This faster method of check-in is convenient for late arrivals or for avoiding busy lobbies during the holidays.
Take the First Flight of the Day
Some people take the first flight of the day, even though it means getting up extra early (or staying up late, depending on your and the airport’s schedule). This is especially true during the busy holiday travel season, when flights in the morning are less likely to be delayed or canceled. If your early-morning flight does go wrong, however, you might be able to get on one later that day.
Make Sure Your Passports Meet All the Requirements
You’ve probably already checked to see if your passport is still valid. But some countries have extra rules, like requiring two consecutive empty pages. Also, make sure that your expiration date is more than six months from when you plan to return. Many countries require this. The U.S. State Department can tell you which countries require a passport with a validity of six months.
Holiday travel can be challenging. Everyone wants the opportunity to get together and celebrate. Following the tips above will hopeful lead to less stress, and therefore, more fun, this holiday season. In conclusion: Remember to travel when it’s not busy if you can. Use modern technology to the fullest extent. Prepare for poor weather and traffic, and consider taking the first flight of the day to give yourself more time in case something goes wrong.
