Christmas Travel Tips

Over the hills, through the woods, across the sky, or the ocean, to Grandma's house we go. Whether by car, boat, bus, plane, or train, the holidays are one of the busiest times to travel. Everything tends to go wrong- just remember such popular holiday flicks as Home Alone,  National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation,  Trapped in Paradise,  or Bad Santa.  No doubt you have experienced some holiday disasters yourself.

Let's just keep this year's travel mishaps to a minimum. Avoid hours of waiting on line in airports and on clogged highways. Stay safe, stress-free, and sane this holiday no matter where you are heading. Follow these tips for a smooth journey with the least amounts of complications possible.

By Air

Book it!  Get on the ball as soon as possible to book your holiday tickets to wherever you might be visiting and to arrange lodging,  if needed. The further in advance you book, the better chance you have of getting decent prices. Fly non-stop!   Book non-stop flights when possible. It will lessen your chances for delays, missed flights, or lost luggage.  Go off-peak!  Choose flights that depart at off-peak hours. For example, very early flights or very late ones (when most people would prefer not to fly) will be less crowded and possibly cheaper. Hitch a Ride!  Save yourself the trouble of getting to the airport. Either book a hotel  near your airport (see if you can leave your car for the duration of the trip!) or arrange for a shuttle, taxi, limo service,  or a friend to drop you at the airport. Get there early!   If you choose to drive yourself to the airport, arrange long term parking well in advance.  You'll also need to factor in more time than usual for parking, checking in, and going through security. Check ahead!  Always call either the airline or airport before leaving home to assure that flights are on time. You may also use www.fly.faa.gov (the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center) that has up-to-date information about all flights arriving and departing from major airports.

For the Flight

iPod Touch  These portable media centers come in handy on the plane ride.  You can listen to music, watch movies, play hundreds of games, and even read books with the Kindle  application.	Pressure Regulating Earplugs  For those who are easily ear-itated by the pressure change at high altitudes.	Neck Pillow  These pillows solve the almost impossible problem of getting into a comfortable sleeping position in those coach seats.	Laptop Computer  Many airlines offer free, wireless internet access so you can surf the web on a laptop while you fly.

 

By Car

Give the car a check up!  Make sure that your ride is ready to go. That means double checking the tire pressure, oil levels, brakes, etc. Travel off-peak!  One of the best ways to beat traffic is to plan on traveling a day earlier than you first planned. The further away from the holiday, the less traffic you'll have to battle on the roads. Also, travel weekdays rather than on weekends, and opt for driving in the early morning (before or after rush hour) or late at night. Alternate drivers!  Have a buddy system. If you get too tired to drive, someone else can take over for you. Should you be driving by yourself, don't hesitate to take needed pit stops to rest, stretch your legs, and relax. Pack ahead!  The night before you plan to leave, pack the car with luggage,  gifts,  and other items that you plan to take along. That will leave ample time on the day-of to get other details in order. Also, try to fill up the tank the night before--it will save time the day of your travel. Do your homework!  Check the local TV stations for traffic reports and verify that the route you plan to take is the best one. If you have any doubts, check out a map beforehand and design an alternate route just in case.

For the Road

Digital Camera  Some of the funniest memories happen while on the road to your destination, so make sure you have a digital camera to capture them.	Car Jack  Accidents happen, so make sure you have the proper auto tools so that you don't end up stranded.	Car Cell Phone Charger  A specific cell phone charger or a USB charger  will ensure your mobile devices don't run out of juice.	Car Screen  Car monitors and screens are a great way to pimp your ride and make the road trip more enjoyable.

Pack Right

Packing is an essential part of traveling, especially when traveling through over-crowded airports, with tons of presents in tow!

Luggage Make sure that your luggage  is in good condition. If not, consider purchasing a new luggage set  as an early Christmas present to yourself. Get great tags  or a defining accent mark to differentiate your black bag from the other passengers'. Make sure it rolls!  There is nothing more cumbersome than lugging bags without wheels. Don't over pack! It can cause luggage to break or tear. You'll get charged a mighty fee if it is over the airline's weight limit. If you come back with more than you went with, you may not be able to fit everything. If you overpack your carry on and have to unpack it, for whatever reason, repacking will be a major pain. Skip checked luggage and stick to a carry on  if possible. However, be sure that you aren't bringing any prohibited items on board with you. See this page at the TSA Web site to check what is and is not allowed on board. Bring film  on board! Leaving it in your checked luggage will destroy it!

Gifts Don't wrap any gifts before flying. Put them in boxes  if you wish, but beware that they may need to be inspected before boarding. Anything that is unidentifiable through the X-ray machine will have to be searched by hand. Bring bows,  tissue paper,  and gift bags  with you so that you may wrap the gifts at your destination. This will also ensure that the gifts won't look squished or tattered upon arrival. Beware of bringing too many gifts on board. If you have a lot of gifts to bring, consider shipping things ahead of time, either by ordering online, or by shipping from your home to the destination. Always be sure to do so well in advance, as shipping delays are frequent throughout the holiday seasons.

Other See this page at the TSA Web site to check what is and is not allowed on board. Many common items have recently been made prohibited. Keep medications in their original bottles and bring your prescriptions with you to avoid any hassles when going through security. Be sure to bring travel essentials with you on your journey so that you stay comfy and entertained. See the guide on Travel Essentials for tons of tips.

Quick Recommendations

Having the right luggage with you will help you tow everything that you need this holiday season.  

Hardside Luggage  Virtually indestructible luggage for the frequent flyer. These suitcases will keep your belongings safe and many are very stylish.	Expandable Luggage Sets  Typically made of hemp canvas, these two piece luggage sets will be environmentally friendly and very useful.	Classic Trunk Luggage  Be retro chic next time you travel. All the style of classic trunk luggage, coupled with the convenience of modern rolling.	Overnight Luggage  This luggage will store a couple days of clothing and supplies for those who like to jet-set on the weekends.

Helpful Travel Tips

• Print your tickets from the Web at home and avoid long check-in lines. Also print a copy or two of your itinerary.
• Have your airline info on hand, either saved in your phone,  on your laptop,  or elsewhere on your person just in case.
• Before you go, consider emailing yourself a list of important information so that in case you lose anything (or anything gets stolen), you'll have all the details you need on hand to take care of any problem that might arise.
• Keep your identification out and/or readily accessible.
• Keep kids entertained and don't bog them down with lots of stuff to carry.
• When packing, store valuables in the largest compartment. Outer compartments are easier to break into and are a prime target for thieves. Instead, use outer pouches for things like dirty clothes.
• If you fear that you might have luggage issues at the airport, bring along a small, collapsible bag  that can be used as an extra case in the event that you over pack or are caught with prohibited items that you can't carry on board.

Related Guides

Cruises	Lodging	Luggage	Travel Essentials	Honeymoons

External Links

• TSA.gov: This is the definitive guide to go to if you want to know about travel rules and regulations.
• RealSimple.com: Easy, stress-free solution to a safe and happy holiday.
• FreeTravelTips.com: Got a question about airline travel? They've probably got the answer.
• State.gov: 10 tips for traveling abroad.
• 1000TravelTips.org: Useful tips for traveling abroad to Asia, South America, Middle East, Europe, and Africa.