Holiday travel tends to be equal parts magical and chaotic. From packing to unpredictable weather to rushed schedules, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and excited all at once. Shifting focus to smarter strategies can make all the difference.
Here, we share our top 8 practical holiday travel tips and tricks. Keep reading to ensure more joy and less stress this holiday season.
Practice Patience
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (or at least it can be).
Traveling during the holidays can be magical. It can also be stressful. Whether you are flying to a tropical destination or driving home to visit loved ones, patience may be the most important item you bring with you.
A little bit of patience, especially during the holidays, can go a long way. Patience is about more than suppressing frustration. It’s about pausing before reacting and managing emotional reactions. Practicing patience during the holidays can make holiday travel better for you and everyone around you. Remember, patience is about practice and not perfection. You can practice patience by doing the following:
- Taking calming breaths when stressed
- Pausing for 10 seconds before reacting
- Reframing frustrations
- Practicing gratitude
- Celebrating small wins
Gather Essentials Early
There is nothing worse than trying to get in the car or catch a flight and realizing that something is missing. Whether it’s your wallet, your passport, or even just your phone charger, gathering your essentials early can make traveling during the holidays less stressful. When gathering essentials, think of practical items as well as common travel items (hello toothbrush). Some essentials to keep in mind include the following:
- Medication
- Phone, laptop, tablet, e-reader
- Headphones or earbuds
- Chargers, cords, adapters (for international travel)
- Identification (drivers license or passport)
- Wallet, cash, cards
- Tickets, confirmation numbers, emergency contact information
Plan and Book Ahead
The holiday season is busy for everyone and everything. The closer you get to the holidays, the more difficult and more expensive it will be to fulfill your travel plans. Planning and booking holiday travel well in advance can help to guarantee that you get to go where you want to go and do what you want to do. Remember, holiday flights can fill up fast. Booking in advance can ensure that you have a spot on your flight.
Planning ahead has plenty of other benefits as well. Planning ahead provides peace of mind for you and your travel companions. It also gives you something to look forward to. Sometimes planning a trip can be almost as exciting as taking the trip. Planning and booking ahead may also save you money. Booking early allows you to shop travel deals and beat last minute price increases.
Still not sure where to go? Get inspired by our free print and downloadable travel guides to destinations across the country.
Practical Packing
Are you a packing perfectionist or procrastinator? Whether you like to organize your suitcase down to the last pair of socks or throw everything in a bag and hope for the best, practical packing is your best option.
What is practical packing? Practical packing is making smart packing decisions to help you make the most of your holiday travel. Below are some of our top practical packing tips.
- Make a packing list (and check it twice). Packing lists can keep you organized and make sure you don’t forget anything.
- Pack by outfit, not by item. Don’t forget to include underwear and socks.
- Utilize packing cubes. Packing cubes keep everything organized and save space
- Limit shoes. Shoes take up the most space. Try to pack an everyday shoe, a dressier shoe (if needed), and a weather based shoe (think boots or sandals).
- Invest in tech and toiletry organizers. This stops tangles and spills. It also makes essentials easier to find.
- Keep a separate overnight bag. Think of what you would need if your luggage was delayed and keep that with you while you travel.
- Use a carry-on if possible. Keeping your luggage with you can make traveling easier.
- Allow for extra space or bring an extra bag. If you are traveling during the holidays you may head home with more than what you left (for example, gifts and souvenirs). Leaving extra space in your luggage or bringing an extra empty bag can make traveling home easier.
Allow for Extra Spending in Your Budget
Holiday travel is amazing. It can also be expensive. Planning for extra spending during holiday travel can save you and your family. Why should you allow for extra money? Consider the following.
- Holidays are expensive and prices tend to surge during peak holidays. This includes flights, hotels, rental cars, ride shares, meals, entertainment, parking, and gifts.
- Delays are expensive. Holiday travel can be exciting. It can also be unpredictable. Winter weather and overbooked travel can cause delays. Delays can increase expenses due to last minute hotel rooms, extra meals, and travel changes.
- Extras add up. Holiday travel is different from travel any other time of year. During holiday travel you are more likely to need to spend money on things that are fun and festive. These things can add up quickly and increase costs beyond the basics. Consider the additional costs of festive events, dining out, gifts, and wrapping.
- Unexpected emergencies can cost more. Emergencies away from home, even something as simple as broken glasses, can cost more. During the holiday season, these events can have an even higher price tag. Consider booking travel insurance to help with unforeseen circumstances.
Have a Backup Plan
Are you an overplanner? The holidays are your time to shine! Not only can you plan your holiday travel, you can also create a backup plan. Preparing and being flexible can make all the difference during the holiday season.
Holiday travel is unpredictable. Winter weather, limited availability, and busier roads and airports can all impact your holiday travel. Acknowledging ahead of time that things may not go as planned can make holiday travel more festive and less frenzied.
Having a backup plan means that you know your next move. This will give you more confidence, more patience, and better solutions. It may also save you money and time. Creating a backup plan doesn’t mean you have to plan for every situation. It simply means taking into account some common situations and possible solutions, like the examples below.
- If lost luggage is a concern then taking an overnight bag with essentials can avoid major headaches.
- If phone reception (or a lost phone) is a concern, then writing down key addresses and contact details (including reservation information) is a simple solution.
- If you are worried about flight delays, booking earlier flights can help to avoid delays and provide options for making later connections.
Gift Smarter
Do you believe it is better to give than receive? Do you love finding the perfect gift and watching the recipient’s face light up? If you want to experience the joy of gift giving during holiday travel then try to gift smarter. Below are some of our best tips for celebrating the holidays with gifts while you travel.
- Ship gifts early. Shipping gifts early can ensure that they arrive on time and may even save you money on shipping costs. Shipping gifts early also means that you don’t have to pack them. This can lighten your luggage and avoid extra bag fees.
- Wait on wrapping. If you are flying, it is best that you wait to wrap your gifts until you get to your destination. With wrapped gifts you risk airport security unwrapping the gifts to inspect inside. You can ship wrapping paper to your destination or pack folded gift bags and tissue paper.
- Consider travel friendly gifts. Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. If you are traveling, consider giving digital items like gift cards or experiences (tickets to events, spas, shows, etc.). Smaller or more compact items are also easier to travel with like photos, personalized ornaments, or jewelry.
Stay Positive
It is the most wonderful time of the year! Staying positive can ensure that you have a fun and memorable holiday. Staying positive is more about attitude than events. Similar to practicing patience, staying positive is about managing emotional reactions. Some of our top tips for managing emotions include those below.
- Create a happy travel kit. Kids are not the only people who can benefit from travel kits. Preparing a travel kit just for you can improve the experience and boost your mood. Consider bringing noise-canceling headphones, your favorite snacks, entertainment (a favorite book, game, or show), and comfy items (fuzzy socks or a soft travel pillow).
- Take care of your basic needs. When you are hydrated, fed, and well rested it is easier to stay positive. Tuck some healthy snacks into your bag and drink plenty of water.
- Focus on your why. Having a positive focus can help frame your mood for the entire trip. Remind yourself why you are traveling. This could be to visit loved ones, experience someplace new, take a needed break, maintain traditions, hit the slopes, or even to soak up some sun.
- Celebrate small wins on the journey. Celebrating small wins can ensure that you practice positivity. Think about every step of the journey (going through security or boarding your flight) as a small victory.
- Mindset matters. You may not be able to control your situation but you can work on your mindset. Repeating positive mantras can keep you in a positive mood. Choose a mantra that works for you and repeat it during your journey.
Happy Holidays!
In the first week of December Travel Guides Free Gave to me…8 holiday travel tips and tricks! From happy travel kits to patience-boosting hacks, you’ve now got the tools to conquer holiday travel. Remember to pack patience and positivity and get ready for an unforgettable season ahead. Happy travels!
Still wondering where to go on your next holiday? Check out all of our free print and downloadable travel guides today!