Let’s talk holiday travel! The holidays are quickly approaching…38 days until Thanksgiving, 63 days until Hanukkah, and 70 days until Christmas. While the holidays are a special time to spend with family and friends, they can be a little stressful, especially if you’re traveling. We have some tips and tricks to help make your holiday travels less stressful.
Plan ahead
Three to six months in advance is the best time to snag those holiday travel deals. Make sure you check consistently for bargains and book your travel during this time frame. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy those airline tickets to visit Aunt Mildred.
Budget extra for gas if you will be driving
Let’s face it, gas is expensive. And, it gets more expensive closer to major holidays. If you’re going to be roadtripping to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house make sure you put a little extra money aside for gas.
Make sure you get travel insurance.
We talk about travel insurance a lot, and with good reason. If you’re planning a big holiday adventure make sure to include travel insurance in your budget. While most trips turn out just fine, there is always an outside chance that something could happen to impact your vacation and you don’t want to lose all the money you invested.
Reserve that rental car ahead of time
One of the trends we’re seeing in the rental car industry is lack of sufficient supply. We have had to wait a few extra hours to leave for a trip because someone didn’t return their rental on time and there were no others available. We have even had to adjust our travel dates due to a lack of available vehicles. So, make sure you book your rental early and maybe even plan to pick it up a day in advance. While it may cost you an extra day’s rental, it will be worth it to insure availability.
And, don’t forget to check with your employer to see if your company/school district has a corporate code you can use. This can be a huge money saver!
Allow extra time for travel
Whether you’re road tripping or flying, make sure you give yourself lots of extra time. The holidays are the busiest travel time of the year. Airports and highways are jammed with people. Be sure to allow extra time for long lines and stalled traffic.
Pack your patience
Be nice to workers during the holiday season they are going through a lot to get you and your family to your destination.
Check for discounts
Be sure to check for teacher, military, first-responder, or corporate discounts wherever you book your travel! This also applies to your holiday shopping! Take the money you save and put it toward your next travel adventure.
Comfort items for those long waits
There will be delays during the holidays. That’s just a fact. So, make things as comfortable as possible. Make sure you bring AirPods, earbuds, handheld gaming devices, books, and snacks…lots of snacks. These things will help make long waits more bearable.
Don’t forget your charger
Please, please, please do not forget to pack chargers for all of your electronics. Speaking from experience, you do not want to have to purchase one at the airport. The prices are outrageous!
Want more information on traveling during the holidays? Check out our latest YouTube episode Let’s Talk Holiday Travel!
If you need more information on saving money for travel be sure to check out our post Budgeting For Travel.
And remember, break the monotony, not the bank.
–Jeff and Marnie
