Holiday Season Travel Tips: How to Get a Stress-Free Trip

Have you started planning your holiday season trip yet? Good preparation will definitely help you have a stress-free holiday trip. This article will introduce 10 useful holiday travel tips. Grab this precious holiday and say goodbye to all the work; see the people you love, visit the places you long for, and enjoy life as you like it!

Figure out what you want when picking where to go on vacation

Think carefully about where you want to go on this golden holiday. Do you enjoy crowds or tranquility? Adventure or relaxation? Booming big city or picturesque town? Warm beaches or snow-capped mountains? Ask yourself what kind of view you really want to see. If you have other people traveling with you, discuss together where you favor!

Also, consider the distance to your destination and how many days you'll be traveling. If you're not planning a long trip and don't want to spend too much time on the way, choose a closer destination. If you can't make the decision yet, check out the holiday season destinations here for your reference.

Book your holiday trip early

As one of the most popular holidays of the year, it is a travel season for most visitors. We recommend that you book your flights and hotel early after you have decided on your destination. The typical prime time for booking Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is usually in September. However, it's still a good idea to book as quickly as possible. Book early, so you can choose the time and price you want.

Stagger travel times

As one of the best seasons to travel and relax, you can always feel the buzz of activity in the streets and attractions. There is no shortage of big events and fairs in various city centers, especially around Christmas and New Year, which can mean huge crowds on these two days. To make the most of the attractions or activities, it might be a good idea to get an early start or arrive in the afternoon to avoid most of the crowds. Or go early before the day or late after when you can still soak up the festive atmosphere.

Make backup plans

Although the travel plans are made as detailed as possible, there could still be something unexpected. That's why it's a good idea to plan backups for your vacation. The first backup is about the route. It's better to find out the different routes to your destination and choose the best one; then, keep 1 or 2 alternate routes. Suppose a flight is canceled, and you have already planned an alternate route so you can get to your destination by train or other means. Moreover, it is necessary to prepare backups for the holiday activities. For example, if the hot air ballooning or cruise you scheduled is canceled due to the weather, you can still go for other alternate activities.

Arrive early

Please remember to get to the airport early. It is better to leave from home 1 to 2 hours earlier than your usual trip. During the holidays, there will be a lot of people traveling, which means the traffic is likely to be crowded. So it will take more time before you board your flight. To avoid running to the airport with your luggage, it's better to arrive early!

Be strategic about what you pack

A strategic packing will make your trip less burdensome and more convenient. Remember not to bring things that are unnecessary and heavy. Maybe you want to carry your laptop or several pairs of shoes. Before you do that, think carefully: Do I really need to bring them? If the answer is no, remove that weight from your luggage.

In addition, please pack what you need according to your destination. For example, if you go to a tropical area, then sunscreen and sunglasses are needed. If you go to a cold area, bring warmer clothes. Use packing cubes to categorize your things so that the suitcase can remain neat and tidy. Also, take some basic medicines with you, such as cold medicine and bandages. It is usually inconvenient to buy medicine in unfamiliar places.

Try to book a direct flight

Direct flight will save much time on the transportation. Usually, the earlier you start to book, the more likely you are to get a direct ticket. Transit means that you need to go through security again. You may have to wait for the next flight at the airport for several hours. And there will be time wasted on taking off and landing. In addition, we're heading into December, so there could be snowstorms and delays. Once you've decided on your destination, buy a direct ticket as early as possible!

Buy travel insurance

A reliable travel insurance adds security to your trip. Check out the options in the insurance, including "cancel for any reason" policies and options that cover everything from canceled flights to lost baggage. Additionally, please consult your credit provider to see if it is included in your purchase.

Ship your gift

You may buy some gifts and souvenirs on the trip. However, it occurs that they will cost a lot of money in air freight and add to the burden of your return. Don't worry. It's a good idea to ship your gifts by sea. Sea freight is much cheaper than air freight, and you don't have to carry a lot of weight back with you. Sea freight is also safe and secure because the parcels need to pass several security checks along the way. Even with fragile items, you don't have to worry about them as long as you check with the shipping company to make sure the things are packed correctly. The only downside is that it's slower than air freight.

How can you find a sea freight company? You can ask your guide for the contact information of local companies. When packing your gifts, pay attention to their size and weight limits.

Allow some extra time for your vacation

Please don't catch a flight back home on the last two days of your holiday; that's too tiring! The holiday season can be very enjoyable, but long distances can be exhausting. Leave some time on your holiday, have a good rest, and adjust your routine back to normal. Spend a few cozy days at home and have some drinks with friends. Make a good shift for the start of the new year.

Hope these tips can help with your travel. Try to make a full preparation to reduce the stress of traveling. Then you can enjoy the wonderful parts of it!