With Covid still in full swing, traveling this holiday season is no easy feat. But for those determined to visit family and friends, travel will be a lot easier than last year. Now you can travel most countries domestically without much issue, and airports are offering more Covid-related conveniences such as rapid onsite testing. These are my five tips for travel during this holiday season.
1: Book Early
Now typically I would suggest putting your desired flight dates into a flight watcher like Hopper and waiting for the lowest prices. And if you’re planning your holiday travel in June or July, I would suggest that. But now we are far too close to Christmas to even consider it. Prices will only go up from here on out, so if you haven’t, book now. Flash sales do pop up every once in a while if you want to take your chances, but I would suggest not playing with fate.
2: Travel Off-Peak Times and Days
This is a good tip for traveling in general, but especially so during the holidays. Traveling the day after Christmas can net you hundreds of dollars in savings. If you’re not too picky about dates, you can still have an enjoyable visit. Taking a red-eye either early or late can also save you a lot of money. And the airport is a lot less busy at 3 a.m. trust me.
3: Buy or Ship Gifts to Your Destination.
You can compare the prices, but shipping gifts to your destination is typically cheaper than adding an extra bag at the airport. Plus, unless they’re in a carry-on you risk the airport losing your luggage. Taking gifts through airport security is also a hassle, especially if you already wrapped them. So do yourself a favor and either ship there, or come a few days early for some last-minute holiday shopping.
4: Allow Yourself Plenty of Time
My rule of thumb is to get to the airport two hours early for domestic flights, and three hours early for international. Not only will this give you all the time you need to get through security and find your gate, but it’ll also let you unwind after your hectic morning. If you can’t unwind, you’re not traveling right. You have so many options for entertainment from your phone it’s not funny. Listen to some podcasts, watch your favorite show, download a new game. Just make sure to listen for announcements from your gate, so you don’t miss when it’s time to board.
5: Be Prepared
Being prepared and making sure you have all you’re ducks in a row can save you so much stress. And if you’re traveling internationally, it can keep you safe. Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, consider if TSA PreCheck is worth the money, register for Global Entry, get travel insurance, and always carry a charger and battery pack. Consider what might go wrong and prepare for it. This goes for your flight too. Download a movie onto your phone, or pack a book into your carry-on and get ready for the long haul.
These tips can help you avoid undue stress and complications, but traveling during the holidays is never a sure thing. Be prepared for unpredictable situations, such as canceled flights, bad weather, sick family members, and more. I wish you the best of luck and happy holidays.
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