Have you noticed the Christmas lights on your neighbor’s roof? Can you hear the Christmas carols and smell the unmistakable aroma of pine floating through the air? The holidays are nearly here, which means it’s time to start planning your vacation. Traveling during the holidays can be exciting. After all, it generally means you’re traveling to see your loved ones or to your favorite holiday destination to close the year on a high note. But so are countless people, which can make traveling in airports, railway stations, and on the road uncomfortable. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Here are some Christmas travel suggestions to make the season more cheerful.
Set up Price Notifications and Book Flights Immediately
If you intend to fly during the holiday season, you should act quickly because ticket prices will continue to rise. September is the best time to book airfare for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. However, we are not living in normal times, are we? Therefore, it’s still a great idea to book as soon as possible for the best deals. If you’re still not persuaded that now is the moment to buy, try creating price alerts on websites.
Dates and Airports should be Flexible
Keeping your vacation plans flexible might really pay off. Having the possibility to travel a day or so earlier and return a day early or late might help you save a lot of money on a ticket because you have a little more flexibility in choosing a less congested day to fly. Another technique to save money when flying? Selecting a smaller airport near a major hub. You might, for example, fly into Burbank Airport or Van Nuys instead of Los Angeles International Airport. Smaller airports typically have less demand, resulting in reduced prices.
Consider Visiting Less-Frequented Locations.
You can’t change where your family or friends reside if you’re visiting them, so disregard this advice. However, if you’re planning a vacation, try extending your horizons. Looking for some sun and fun during the holidays? Rather than visiting well-known tourist locations such as Cabo, consider venturing outside of town for slightly fewer crowds and maybe cheaper options. You may, for example, travel an hour from Cabo to the equally enticing Todos Santos. You’ll find a slower pace in a more bohemian town and plenty of vacation activities for you and your group to keep prices cheap. The same is true for winter ski resorts. Skip the big ski mountains in favor of smaller resorts that may not have all the bells and whistles yet offer all the snow stashes you’re looking for.
Make an Effort to Schedule Direct Flights.
Winter is approaching, which means we’re in for an unpredictable season filled with winter storms and delays. So always schedule direct flights to reduce the possibility of missing a connecting flight along the route. And, if you’re close enough to your destination, skip the plane and take the train or bus instead.
Spoil Yourself with Lounge Access
As we’ve noted countless times, Airports may be one of the most stressful locations. You should be at the airport at least two hours before your flight, but keep in mind that you may have additional time to wait. Instead of fighting for a spot in the crowd, use this as an opportunity to invest in lounge access. First-class flights frequently offer access to a lounge. Those in economy can, however, upgrade to purchase lounge membership, or they can consult their credit card company to see whether lounge access is included as a perk. Even better, consider Priority Pass, a yearly service that grants you access to some of the top airport lounges.
If possible, Only Bring Carry-on Luggage
To put it frankly, losing a checked bag stinks. Consider losing a checked bag with all of the gifts you carefully selected for your nieces, nephews, uncles, grandparents, and others. If you can survive without a few items, packing simply a carry-on is a good idea to limit the possibility of losing anything along the trip. You’ll also be able to depart the airport sooner because you won’t have to wait at the baggage claim for an eternity. If you’re flying with presents, don’t wrap them. If the TSA detects any red flags in your wrapped gift, they will be forced to unwrap it at security, destroying your hard work. You might even avoid the trouble entirely by shipping your gifts ahead of time.
Have a Backup Plan in Place
Murphy’s Law applies here. Everything that may go wrong will go wrong. That is why having backups on backups is a good idea for your holiday planning. This begins with purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance can be obtained through airlines or from a variety of suppliers. Examine all of your alternatives, including “cancel for any reason” insurance and conventional policies that insures everything from canceled flights to lost luggage, and choose the one that best meets your needs. Check with your credit card company as well to determine whether it is already included in your transaction. Next, try to devise a different route to your target. Is your flight canceled? Check bus and train schedules, or have a completely alternative plan B option for your holiday vacation (such as a staycation) so you don’t feel like you’re missing out.
Road Trip
If you plan to road trip, make sure to get your car serviced. Driving in the cold can be as tricky as flying. Not only must you consider the varied weather patterns, but you must also deal with millions of other drivers. And the last thing you need is for your vehicle to break down at an inconvenient time. So before you leave the road, make sure to get a quick tune-up and try to avoid these other road trip blunders.
Check the Hours of Operation for the Attractions
You are not the only one on vacation. Workers in hospitality and tourism are also affected. Take note of holiday hours before departing for your must-see destinations. Businesses will frequently have shortened hours or closed days to allow their employees to spend time with their families. Also, make reservations for all of the restaurants you intend to visit. We’ve said it before and will say it again: holiday planning is essential. Of course, that also applies to restaurants. Have you always wanted to visit a particular location? Make reservations for the Christmas season as soon as they are available to ensure you have a guaranteed seat.
Kim’s Final Thoughts…
Hopefully, all of your planning will keep you peaceful this holiday season. However, if you need some assistance relaxing, try installing a couple of meditation apps to use while traveling. This allows you to breathe through any worry or anxiety and focus on thinking positively for yourself, your family, and all other travelers who are simply trying to go to their destinations.
