Tips to Stay in the Holiday Spirit During the Busiest Travel Season
Traveling during the holiday season can be tedious, especially if you find yourself packed into confined areas for hours or made to wait in long lines through security. According to AAA, 2016 was the busiest Thanksgiving travel season since 2007 and the number of year-end holiday travelers topped 103 million—the most on record.
So, how do you stay in the holiday spirit while traveling?
Follow these holiday travel tips
- Realistic expectations
If you hope for the best and prepare for the unexpected, then you're setting yourself up to have a more pleasurable experience altogether. That way, if something does happen during your holiday travel, you'll be more prepared for it.
It's also good to consider travel insurance and carry a copy of the policy. Then you will have your description of coverage handy if something unforeseen like a flight delay or cancelation occurs.
Be up-front about budgets, and who’s paying for what. That goes a long way for setting expectations on the trip.
Also read: 5 Tips for Planning a Smooth Family Trip
- Comfort
A little neck pillow or something light to use as a blanket can make you feel more relaxed. If you're traveling for more than a few hours, it might be worth taking these items as long as you have the space in your carry on. Be sure to check the latest measurements for carry-on baggage (Delta, United, American Airlines).
- Entertainment
While most planes offer some sort of in-flight entertainment, it might be worth downloading a new holiday playlist, movie, book or whatever you enjoy. That way, you'll have something to pass the time. Don't forget about downloading something for the kids too. Noise canceling headphones might be another key item to bring if you have the space.
- Treats
In the sharing spirit this holiday travel season? You may want to consider bringing festive snacks for you and your family. Be sure to bring enough to last the entire trip, especially if you're traveling with small children. Gum or something to chew during takeoff and landing may help your ears pop.
- Planning ahead
Having a game plan before you depart will make your holiday travel experience better than if you wait until the last minute. Know where you're going, give yourself plenty of time to get there and travel as stress free as possible. Have a back-up plan just in case something unexpected does happen. Even if you don't end up using it, it'll be nice to have it in your back pocket.
• Plan ahead to share responsibilities like child care, cooking and who gets to choose some of the day’s activities.
• Put one person in charge of the big stuff, like plane, cruise, or hotel reservations and general itineraries.
• Be sure to do your homework ahead of time. Know the TSA rules, especially if you're bringing presents on the plane. Check for flight delays and the weather before you go to the airport and consider purchasing travel insurance with flight delay compensation.
Also read:
• Winter Travel Chaos: How Trip Insurance can Help in Case of Sickness, Weather and More
• Trip Insurance for Thanksgiving Travel—Big and Small
• 6 Fantastic Destinations for Christmas and Holiday Season Travel
Whether you're traveling in the U.S. or flying halfway around the world, you should consider travel insurance. Be sure to research what's available and get the correct policy to meet your needs from a reputable travel protection provider, such as Generali Global Assistance.
No matter where you're going or who you're spending the holidays with, be sure to follow these five helpful holiday travel tips to make your trip merrier.
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