American Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Eid-Ul-Adha, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice… There are many celebrations this season and millions of people will travel to enjoy them with loved ones. Unfortunately, holiday travel means more people taking to the roads, rails and skies. Higher prices, crowds and bad weather await travellers this hectic season.
Want to make your journey a little smoother? Try these tips to dial down those travel headaches.
Tips for holiday travel
Book early. Stop procrastinating or hoping prices will drop. Those last minute deals only work when you can be flexible with time and destination. Also, because there’s high demand, providers won’t be forthcoming with discounts or be willing to negotiate. Experts warn that your best bet to get the transportation and accommodations you want — not to mention a better price — is to book as soon as possible.
Avoid the busiest days. If possible, steer clear of peak travel days like Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Eve and Day. That’s when airports, bus terminals and train stations are at their busiest. They’re also the days when many people are on the road, meaning traffic slowdowns and an increased risk for accidents. (If you’re travelling through the U.S., beware of the days before and after Thanksgiving as well.)
Travel early. It pays to be a morning person. Early flights are less like to face delays — especially if you’re travelling via an airport in a bad weather zone. If you do run into trouble, there’s more opportunity to hop on a later flight rather than waiting until the next day.
Be careful with connections. The more connections you have to make, the greater the chance of delays and missed flights. Experts recommend looking for non-stop or direct flights, and allowing plenty of time between connections if you do have to transfer.
Read up on policies and restrictions. Do you know what to expect at airport security, and what limits there are on your luggage? You can avoid many mishaps by visiting your airline and airport’s websites well in advance of your trip. (For more information on avoiding airport hassles, see Happy holiday travels.)
Another bonus: You can find out ahead of time if your airport has special lanes for families, business travellers and people with special needs.
Book ahead as much as possible. Need a parking spot or a car rental? Tickets to a popular show? Expect everything to fill up quickly during the holiday season, so book ahead to make sure you get what you need. As always, shop around for the best price and be sure to read the fine print.
Another thing you may need to book ahead of time is a little extra help. If you’re travelling with medications that require syringes or you have special needs, notify your airline well in advance. (See 10 tips for travelling with a disability.)
