The holiday season shouldn’t feel like a dread. Instead, it should be welcomed with open arms and lots of plates on the table to celebrate the joy of the event with your loved ones. Though we understand how hitting the road or booking a trip this coming holiday can be a pain. Do bear in mind that it doesn’t have to be that way.
Don’t let this Christmas season be a real-life reenactment of Home Alone for you. Yes, there will be things you can’t control but with prevention and preparation, other hiccups on the way can be avoided.
Here are life-changing and holiday fun-approved ways you can make your travel trip this season a breeze as it should be. Time to pack up and get ready to face the mania with cool this season.
Avoid peak travel dates
If you’re celebrating with your family and relatives and you’re coming home to see them on Christmas, you better not book a flight on the 24th or even 26th as those are the days with a high number of traffic. Instead, book on the day where most people are least to fly: 25th, where people are already opening their gifts, or 27th where most people have already settled in. When it comes to coming back, do consider booking a return ticket on January 2nd as January 3rd tend to get crowded.
Look out for cheap deals
Instead of going straight to your airline’s website, surf online travel sites such as Expedia, Skyscanner and similar sites that shows you price comparisons and available flights to and from your destination. Do also subscribe to email alerts from your airline to lookout for great booking deals. Since we’re talking about cheap deals, scrolling through Booking and similar sites for price comparisons of affordable hotel accommodation deals can also be of great help.
Stick with a carry-on
Pack smart, light, and conveniently. Lost pieces of luggage increase during peak season and that includes the coming holidays. One way to dodge that is by not checking in any luggage and packing only with a carry-on.
This can be difficult and challenging especially if you’ll be gone for more than a week with presents to pack. However, it’s possible. Pack only the essentials and what you need. Do also bear in mind the airline’s carry-on baggage requirements so as not to complicate things when it comes to boarding.
Wherever you’re going, leave early
Peak travel dates and this Christmas season means bumper-to-bumper traffic on the ground and in the air. Not only that but parking and long lines can surprise you in the airport as well as your point of destination. If you don’t want to miss your flight, leave early. Don’t forget to pack longer patience and extra calmness this season. You’ll need them.
Don’t forget your in-flight entertainment
Delayed and canceled flights are no longer a shock if you’ve booked a trip on peak dates. Wit this, it’s essential that you arm yourself with lots of entertainment—TV show episodes and movies you can watch offline on your device, books, podcasts, music, or even a journal—will help keep you company and your frustrations at bay. Don’t forget to bring a fully-charged power bank, charger/s, and headphones as well.
Whatever happens, keep your cool
Never ever let your temper out on the loose no matter the circumstance and no matter how bad things go. This will do nothing but contribute more to your frustration. Your flight got delayed or canceled? The nice and hard-working airline employee has nothing to do with it so don’t shout profanities at them. Whatever happens, try to exude a positive attitude and don’t let your anger take over you. You may regret your actions later if you do.
Holiday travel can be a headache, however, don’t let the Christmas spirit fade. Continue to share the gift of love and kindness this season. Good luck and safe travels!
About the author: An adventurer at heart, Chie aims to finish her travel bucket list before she hits 40. For the meantime, she writes for Holiday Inn Parramatta Accommodation—stay and experience the historical part of Sydney whether for business or leisure.