Tips for Travel During Christmas

Traveling during the holiday season can be hectic. Millions of cars fill the roads, while every airplane seat seems to be full on flights from New York to Hong Kong. Heightened tensions can put a damper on your travels, so it’s important to prepare yourself for the onslaught of people and delays.

Plan for Delays

When traveling during Christmas, it’s almost certain you’re going to be delayed. Between sketchy weather and overbooked flights you’re lucky to reach your destination at all. Go in prepared for the inevitable so you won’t jump to anger when things go awry. Have a back-up plan in place to reach your destination.

Leave Early

You can save both time and heartache by traveling as far out from actual holidays as possible. Take a week off from work when you can and head home to visit family the weekend before Christmas, or go home a week after. Flights are a little cheaper and there’s less opportunity to miss the holiday entirely.

Check the Weather

In many places around the world Christmas is synonymous with cold. Be sure to watch the weather carefully. You don’t want to get stuck in a snowstorm and miss your flights, or get stuck roadside in a strange place.

Bring an Extra Bag

It’s nearly impossible to travel during Christmas without picking up extra baggage along the way. Gifts of clothes and other trinkets add up, and you need a way to get them home. Bring along an extra backpack or piece of luggage to stuff them in on your flight.

Pack Well

Similarly, you’re probably going to be taking gifts with you. If you’re flying, pack those gifts tightly with enough cushion to prevent a break. Luggage always takes a beating during travel, and it’s only worse when airline employees are in a hurry.