Top 10 Holiday Travel Tips

Next week sees the start of the holiday travel period and it’s always a hectic time. The only problem with holiday traveling is the mass of people that you are going to travel with and it’s bound to be a trying and testing experience. To survive the holiday travel rigmarole, here are some practical tips to consider.

1. Plan Your Trip.

As with every venture in life proper planning can help smooth the way ahead. Planning ahead will lessen chances of encountering problems along the way. You may also be able to get great deals on airfare, accommodation and attraction tickets. Preparing everything you want to do and laying out the steps one by one can make your holiday much more pleasurable.

2. Pack in layers.

A good idea when packing your luggage is to pack in layers. Start with a layer of clothes, then a layer of electronics, then another layer of clothes, then another layer of heavier items, and so on. This allows TSA officers to quickly scan your luggage more quickly and means you’ll be through security in no time.

3. Confirm Your Status and Print Your Boarding Pass.

Before you head to the airport, always confirm your flight status and print your boarding pass if you can.This can be done online and will save you the headache of discovering that your flight has been delayed or canceled when you arrive at the airport.

4. Allow Plenty of Time.

Always plan on getting to the airport at least two hours prior to your scheduled departure time. It is always better to be early than to be rushed and it’s important to remember that airport parking lots will be more crowded, ticket lines will be longer, and other passengers who are less prepared will inevitably hold up the process.

5. Watch What You Wear.

Going through airport security can be a doddle if you watch what you wear. Never wear clothing with metal and make sure you remove everything from your pockets and put it in your carry on. Dress in a manner that does not identify you as a misplaced tourist and always wear footwear that is easy to slip off and put back on easily.

6. Watch Your Valuables.

When traveling always be conscious that thieves are on the look out for easy prey.  So make sure that you keep your purse, wallet, keys, cell phones, cameras, laptop computer, etc close to you.

7. Tag Your Luggage.

Losing luggage while traveling tend to go hand in hand.  Labeling your luggage with your name, address and phone number will prove invaluable should the worst happen and greatly increases your chances of seeing it again!

8. Keep Your ID Handy.

TSA security requires a government issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or military ID) and if you don’t have one or have misplaced it, two forms of non-photo ID (local, state, or federal) will be required, such as a birth certificate, Medicare card, voter registration, or Social Security card. Always keep it handy and easy to access.

9. Get Comfortable.

To get the most from your holiday break and hether traveling by aircraft or car always make sure you situate yourself as comfortably as possible. It’s important to relax during the journey so you’ll feel fresh and ready to go when you arrive.

10. Get Travel Insurance

Buying travel insurance is a good idea especially if you are taking expensive holiday gifts with you. Be sure to get coverage for loss as well as theft and you should also get coverage for travel cancellation since flights are quite unpredictable during peak seasons.

Holidays add a special touch to any vacation and with some simple planning and preparation you can ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible . Happy Holidays!

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