Traveling during a holiday can be exhausting. Combine the stress of travel with the mass amount of people and you get a taxing situation. We understand your frustration, and have created a guide to help you have a less stressful traveling experience.
1. Always research. If you’re flying, check your airlines’ restrictions for carry ons and fees for checked bags. If you’re driving, map out the best route for your family. Break up a long drive with stops that will entertain your children, or take a scenic route that may take more time but have less traffic.
2. Travel early or late in the day. Most people are traveling during the middle of the day-not early morning or late at night. If driving, you will most likely miss traffic if you start your trip during these times. If flying, planes traveling earlier in the day have a better flight performance. For example, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, you can catch another flight later in the day.
3. Make traveling a breeze with travel apps. There are so many phone apps that can make your trip easier. Flying? GateGuru makes your flight less hectic by keeping your gate information updated, approximating your time in security and directing you to the nearest food and entertainment options.
When driving, the GasBuddy app is your new best friend. It locates the nearest gas stations and estimates prices so you’ll never go on empty. SitorSquat shows reviews of nearby bathrooms and rates them by cleanliness.
4. Avoid traveling on peak days. According to USA Today, the top travel days are any Friday in the June, July, and August. Holidays in the summer (Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day) are also hot travel days. Other days include the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. If you can travel before these days, you can avoid a lot of the traffic.
5. Pack light and forgo the gifts. If you can avoid checking a bag while flying it will save you a lot of hassle. Need to bring gifts? Opt for gift cards to favorite stores or ship your presents to your family and friends ahead of time.
These tips are all great, but the most important is to keep your cool! Lost luggage, flight delays and miles of traffic will occur. You just have to stay calm and remember that you will get through it!