Travelling during the holidays can be a nightmare. From long queues, horrendous traffic to overbooked planes and bleak weather conditions, you can expect almost everything to go wrong. What you need are some good Christmas travel tips to get you through it all.
While there are things you can’t control, it doesn’t hurt if you play it smart and be prepared. Don’t let the stress of holiday travel prevent you from visiting all the fantastic places you’ve always wanted to see and spend time with your loved ones.
You can enjoy travelling during the holidays and keep your sanity by checking out our travel tips listed below.
Do your research
Know when the busiest days are, and you’ll save a lot of time and grief. Usually, the week before Christmas is when the airports see a massive spike in foot traffic and long lines. Likewise, the days after the New year is when travellers like yourself go home.
So, if you’re travelling near or during those days, be sure to leave home at least three hours ahead to avoid the rush or risk waiting forever for the queue to move along.
To make your travels more convenient, be sure to book an affordable car hire in advance so you’ll have the freedom to drive anywhere and anytime you want.
Prepare for your road trip.
If you expect to do a lot of driving for the holidays, make it a priority to check your vehicle. Before you leave, check your engine oil and tire pressure. Make sure your lights and windshield wipers are fully functional. Having a car that is in tip-top shape will spare you from sudden breakdowns and additional stress.
Use technology to your advantage.
By monitoring your social media feeds, you can get real-time updates on flight delays, weather reports, airport security lines, traffic or vehicular accidents on the road, you name it.
You can also install helpful apps to find the best route to your destination. If you want to keep yourself entertained, you can stream your favourite tunes to keep the holiday blues at bay.
If you’re travelling with children, have a tablet handy or bring some colouring books to keep them busy. The last thing you need is for them to say, “Are we there yet?” on infinite loop.
Don’t wrap your gifts right away.
If you’re going to fly home for Christmas, avoid the hassle of having airport security rummage through your belongings, don’t wrap your Christmas presents just yet. Instead, have them shipped or leave them unwrapped until you reach your destination.
Stay calm and collected
No matter how things go bad, never lose your cool. Airline staff can help make your travel experience go smoothly. But if you get irate, they can also make things more difficult for you.
So, if you feel like your head’s about to explode, sit down, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. Take as much time as you need until you feel calm and relaxed.
Remember, the holidays are meant for us to spend time with the people we care about most and a chance to energise ourselves after a long year of working hard. You deserve a happy and memorable vacation. So, be smart, and keep these Christmas travel tips in mind for when you set off on your journey.