Holiday Travel Tips by USA Travel Guide

It’s that time again. Time to pack the suitcase with tragic snowman sweaters. Time to rifle through the medicine cabinet to find that old bottle of Xanax. Time to stock up on weapons-grade Purell. Yep. It’s time to travel for the holidays.

At USA Travel Guide, we don’t peddle false hope. Even the best laid plans can go asunder in the face of crippling weather and the unpredictable masses. However, there are some simple, easy and worthwhile steps you can take to alleviate and even avoid the stresses of holiday travel. From Thanksgiving vacations to Christmas gatherings, take advantage of these Holiday Travel Tips.

Home Sweet Home
It’s funny that we call it “going home” for the holidays. Most people actually leave their homes. Leave them unprotected that is. Here’s a little pre-trip prep.

• Traveling families means empty houses, which burglars see as an open invitation. Avoid the signs of abandonment by having someone pick up your mail and newspaper regularly.
• Timed lighting will help to give your house an occupied appearance.
• Don’t go blabbing about your trip to anyone you don’t trust. This includes putting silly out-of-town messages on your answering machine, voicemail or email.
• Naturally, you’ll want to double-check every last lock.
• Unplug unneeded appliances. This reduces electricity usage and the chance of fire.
• Print out all necessary maps and travel information early. Don’t get slammed by a finicky printer the morning out.

Leader of the Pack
You’re leaving for all of three days, so why are you packing four suitcases? The experts will tell you, that’s not the way to go.

• Pack light. Checking baggage is more expensive than ever, and lost baggage claims go up during the holidays. Avoid both problems by minimizing your use of checked baggage.
• Ship gifts before you travel, rather than carrying them. It’s safer, often less expensive, and when purchasing gifts online, it’s easy as can be.
• Leave gifts unwrapped when flying. Security staff scrutinize concealed items. Chances are your delicately wrapped Twilight box set will be opened before Christmas morning.
• Don’t put your address on the outside of your luggage. You know what a luggage tag says to the unscrupulous? “I’m not home!”. Place tags and identification inside instead.
• Bring a collapsible bag, ideal for the (hopefully) heavier load on the return trip.

Flight Plan
Unless you’re in a movie, you’re probably not going to have one of those disastrous Thanksgiving dinners where we learn horrible secrets about everybody. No, your grief will almost certainly erupt at the airport.

• Book early to save money, and print boarding passes online to save time.
• There’s no upside to parking at the airport. Get a friend to drop you off if possible.
• Arrive early. Always a good idea, but even more so during the holidays. Lines are longer, baggage moves slower; hedge your bets by arriving early.
• Connecting flights are the bogeyman of holiday travel. Morning flights tend to get out okay, but somehow midday connects just can’t get it together. If you must use a connecting flight, leave plenty of space between arrival and departure, 45 minutes at least.
• Timing is everything. For fewer crowds, fly out early or late. 9:00 a.m. – noon is the worst time to go to the airport during the holidays.
• Timing is everything part 2. What day you travel makes a big difference in price and crowds. If it ever fits your schedule to travel on the holiday, do it! Otherwise, avoid the day just before. For Thanksgiving, the preceding Wednesday is a terrible day, but the Monday and Tuesday are usually okay.
• Look to alternate airports. Crowds are often smaller at secondary airports.
• Just as you were dropped off, try to be picked up if possible. Failing that, embrace public transportation as a cheap, eco-friendly option.
• Don’t wait, utilize. Waiting is only a burden when it feels like waiting. Come prepared to make the most of unexpected delays. Been meaning to read a book? Been meaning to write a book? Take advantage of the time you’ve been given.

Driving Directions
I love to drive. The open road, tunes blasting, awesome sights, freedom. During the holidays, though, it’s a whole other story.

• Print all necessary maps and double-check them. Ask someone at your destination about construction, inclement weather conditions or any other idiosyncrasies that Google and MapQuest may not report.
• Check tires, oil, lights and fluids to stem possible roadside ruin.
• Joining a roadside assistance club like AAA is never a bad idea.
• Hide the goods. Nothing invites a smash-and-grab like a colorfully-wrapped, iPhone-sized box. Keep as many items out of view as possible.
• As you approach the bigger cities, there will be traffic. Make it better on yourself and others by driving courteously.
• Don’t hurry. After all, what’s the big rush? All of this “no bathroom breaks”, “we’re not stopping” nonsense has got to stop. Enjoy the trip. Bring a few new CDs, get Harry Potter on tape, sing along with the Spiceworld soundtrack. Just have fun! 

There you have it. Some simple holiday travel tips for making your trip, while not a treat, at least not so much of a chore. Be safe and have fun!

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