Hey friends! Are you getting anxious with the holidays quickly approaching? Are you wondering how you’re going to survive “the most wonderful time of the year?”
Don’t worry because we’ve got your back!
Travel during the holidays can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be this way!
COVID-19 has changed a lot, including travel. It’s changed the way we think about and plan for travel. I remember the good ol’ days when we just had to worry about what clothes we were going to wear for upcoming trips… Or to make sure all toiletries were packed.
Now we have to do more than the traditional packing and pre-packing list. We no longer just have to ask ourselves: What clothes do I need? Did I pack enough shoes? Do I have all my toiletries? Does my luggages weigh too much?
We have to do more.
Travel has changed
COVID-19 has changed the way of travel for everybody.
Masks? ✔️ Hand sanitizer? ✔️Gloves? ✔️Hand wipes?✔️
There is more to think about and plan when going on vacation.
Travel during the holidays can be stressful, even before COVID-19 was a thing.
We want to help you prepare for your future travels with the goals of planning a trip during the holidays to be as stress-free as possible!
Let’s get started!
P.S. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.
Take a look at my holiday travel guide and the top 9 tricks for reducing stress during holiday travel season!
Be Early
I hate sitting in traffic. I also find that my stress level rises if I am anxiously standing in line at the airport and not sure if I’ll make my flight – but yet I’m at the airport!
Leave early. Travel early. Just be early.
It doesn’t hurt to get somewhere early. I’d hate if you were “on time,” but missed your flight because of traffic.
If driving, I prefer to avoid the holiday chaos and siting in hours of traffic. If you like fighting the crazy drivers, have fun with that! You won’t find me on the road during peak travel times if it can be avoided.
If possible, avoid connecting flights.
Keep things simple and try to book a direct flight.
Things happen. Flights get delayed.
It’s much harder to find another connecting flight with openings on the holiday because everyone is traveling.
If a direct flight is not an option, look for a connecting flight with a big time window. In the case your first flight is delayed, you won’t have to stress about missing your connecting flight as much!
If driving, be prepared to use alternate routes.
Like i said, sitting in traffic isn’t my thing. I like to have a back up plan for those traffic jams. Download the Waze app before leaving on your road trip. It will re-route you based on the most up to date traffic information.
Pack Light
Try to avoid the hassle of checking luggage. I like to make it a challenge to see if I can fit all of my things in a carry on bag.
By not checking your bags, you save money, space, and time. Win win win!
Now, I know sometimes we have so much stuff it’s nearly impossible to not check a bag. Don’t worry, there are solutions to saving space.
Not convinced?
Take a look at the travel roll-up compression bag or packing cubes. Both can help you avoid checking luggage, which will save time, money, and space!
If checking luggage, pack spare clothes in your carry-on bag.
Nothing is worse than you getting to your destination, but your checked luggage gets lost in transit.
It happens.
Be prepared and pack all the essentials in your carry on luggage.
Can you live without it for a few days? Check it. || Do you need it every day? Carry it.
I like to put my liquids in my carry-on luggage to the destination and check them on the return trip (assuming I am checking a bag). This makes going through TSA a lot quicker and easier on the return. I always carry them to my destination because I am paranoid my checked luggage will get lost. A girl needs her make-up and facial cleansers!
Avoid Peak Travel Days
Thanksgiving Travel (2021)
Traditionally, the busiest travel days were the Wednesday preceding and Sunday following Thanksgiving.
This may not be the case in 2021.
Due to people taking advantage from the work at home flexibility, it is looking like the busiest time of the year for Thanksgiving travel will be the preceding Monday and following Wednesday.
Christmas Travel (2021)
Just like Thanksgiving, there have been a shift in anticipated travel days around Christmas as well.
Typically, the most travelled days around Christmas are December 23 and the following Sunday.
2021 is different.
It is believed that December 22 and the following Tuesday will be the busiest travel days around Christmas in 2021.
Plan your travel arrangements accordingly! People are taking advantage of the ability to work from home and the flexibility, causing a shift in traditional peak holiday travel times.
Book Early
Book early to save money. Prices will only increase closer to the holidays.
If you’re like me, you like looking for that good deal. Well if you want to travel bougie on a budget, I’m telling you now – don’t think you’ll get better prices closer to the holiday.
I recommend booking flights and/or hotels that have flexible cancellation policies so you can make changes later if you find a better deal or want to make changes in your itinerary.
Look for flexible cancellation policies so you can make changes later!
Pack Snacks
I get hangry. It’s hard to concentrate on what you’re doing when blood sugar levels plummet.
It’s good to keep a protein bar on hand in case you don’t have time to grab a bite to eat or if you find out there are no restaurants around you for miles!
If flying, pack an empty water bottle.
It’s also a good idea to pack an empty water bottle when flying. Once you are through security, you can fill it up at a water fountain!
Don’t make the mistake of trying to take a filled up water bottle through the TSA line. Remember the liquids restriction. All liquids must fit in a 3.4 oz container.
Stay hydrated my friends!
Make A List (And Check It Twice)
Have a pre-travel check list
Before going on vacation, I find it helpful to make a pre-travel checklist. This is true whether we are driving or flying,
If you have pets, make sure you have pet sitting arrangements made in advance and confirm the dates before leaving on vacation.
For general household maintenance, consider what you will be doing about the mail, flowers, trash, etc.
If gone for extended periods of time, we ask the post office to hold our mail. A mail hold request form can easily be completed online.
It is also good practice to shut the water off to the house to avoid possible leaks or coming home to water damage!
Have a travel check list
Make a list of everything you need to pack, including COVID-19 supplies. This can be a mental or written list. Find what works for you.
I find it rewarding to write down everything and cross it off as I put it in the suitcase. It makes me feel accomplished.
Josh, on the other hand, keeps everything in his head. Somehow he never forgets anything either!
Research COVID-19 Restrictions
COVID-19 restrictions are always changing. Even in healthcare it’s hard for me to keep up with travel recommendations, mandates, and new information.
Nowadays, it’s good practice to educate yourself on your destination’s travel COVID-19 restrictions.
Is there a mask mandate? Is there a quarantine policy in place? Are restaurants and attractions open to the public?
Head over to the CDC’s travel page for up-to-date information. For country-specific COVID-19 travel restrictions, visit the U.S. Department of State’s travel page.
Check in Online
Make your life easier and check into your flight ahead of time. Nowadays you don’t even have to print your boarding pass. You can use the mobile QR code provided.
If you choose to check a bag, you will still have to go to the front desk. Plan some extra time because, most likely, you will encounter some longer lines as many people travel during the holidays.
Download Flight Apps
If you have a smart phone, now would be a great time to take advantage of the available travel apps.
Many airlines have their own flight apps which update automatically to provide up to date information on departure times, seat assignment changes, etc.
You can also use the designated airline apps to check in online!
Thoughts?
Are you getting excited about the upcoming holidays?
I hope this holiday travel guide and all of the tips included will help you in your travels, wherever they make take you!
Until next time!
Stay safe my fellow travelers xxx
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Holiday Travel Guide FAQs
How do I survive holiday travel?
- Be early
- Pack light
- Avoid peak travel days
- Book early
- Pack snacks
- Make a list
- Research COVID-19 regulations
- Check in online
- Download flight apps
Is it safe to travel for Christmas 2021?
Just like Thanksgiving, there have been a shift in anticipated travel days around Christmas.
Typically, the most travelled days around Christmas are December 23 and the following Sunday.
2021 is different.
It is believed that December 22 and the following Tuesday will be the busiest travel days around Christmas in 2021.
Plan your travel arrangements accordingly! People are taking advantage of the ability to work from home and the flexibility, causing a shift in traditional peak holiday travel times!
What is the busiest holiday for travel?
Due to people taking advantage from the work at home flexibility, it is looking like the busiest time of the year for Thanksgiving travel will be the preceding Monday and following Wednesday.
It is believed that December 22 and the following Tuesday will be the busiest travel days around Christmas in 2021.
How do you overcome travel stress?
- Be early and be prepared for travel delays.
- Try to avoid peak travel days.
- Have a checklist and check it twice!
- Educate yourself on the COVID-19 regulations for your destination.
- Breathe and relax.
And please do me a little favor and share this article with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their travels!
